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Mississauga, Ontario, May 25th, 2016 /pvbuzz media/ – The Canadian Solar Industries Association has again honored Grasshopper Solar with a Game Changer Award for the 2016 Solar Developer of the Year Award.
This is Grasshopper’s third Game Changer award win. The company was previously chosen as the winner for the 2015 Project Finance Innovator, and the 2012 Canadian Solar Innovator.
The annual CanSIA awards gala recognized leaders that have made significant contributions to the advancement of the Canadian solar sector. An esteemed jury of industry professionals, overseen by KPMG, reviewed more than 70 individual and corporate nominees across 12 categories.
This year Grasshopper and its FREE Solar Program received the Solar Developer of the Year award. FREE Solar allows homeowners to go solar regardless of their financial situation. Grasshopper installs a solar system that generates clean electricity through Ontario’s microFIT program. Backed by Grasshopper’s $100-million residential solar fund, the company is nearing its goal of installing 5,000 residential projects in Ontario by the end of 2017.
Grasshopper Solar CEO Azeem Qureshi says the company’s success is “living proof” of Ontario’s residential solar potential.
“Many cannot afford to buy an expensive solar system. The FREE Solar Program addresses exactly that issue and has enabled hundreds of Ontario homeowners to make a long term positive environmental impact all while making a profit without any credit requirements or putting up any money.” says Qureshi. “This, coupled with Grasshopper’s expansive growth into the commercial and industrial space in the past two years has put the company on a very strong footing. Recognition from our peers as to our success in Development Innovation is further affirmation that Grasshopper has the nimbleness to succeed in Ontario’s changing renewables landscape and expand its business across Canada and into the US.”
Being world class in developing and fulfilling projects is critical in the globally declining cost of solar energy, and the Solar Development award recognizes Canadian drive in this area.
“Solar energy is a leading solution for the world’s climate challenges,” said John Gorman, CanSIA President and CEO, “The 2016 solar industry Game Changer award winners, have showcased their creativity, ingenuity and passion in providing best in class products and services, as Canadians’ demand more progressive action on climate and energy issues.”
About CanSIA
The Canadian Solar Industries Association is a national trade association that represents the solar energy industry throughout Canada. Since 1992, CanSIA has worked to develop a strong, efficient, ethical and professional Canadian solar energy industry with capacity to provide innovative solar energy solutions and to play a major role in the global transition to a sustainable, clean-energy future.
About Grasshopper Solar
Grasshopper Solar was founded in 2009 with the vision to make solar affordable for everyone. Grasshopper Solar has since established itself as the leading Canadian provider of residential, commercial and industrial solar systems. Grasshopper developed, built and now owns and operates the largest residential solar asset portfolio and 34 commercial & industrial solar power generation assets in Ontario.
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