 Company: Namasté Solar
Company Description: Namasté Solar's mission is to propagate the responsible use of solar energy, pioneer conscientious business practices, and create holistic wealth for our company and our community. As the leading solar company in Colorado, Namasté Solar has installed more than 1000 photovoltaic systems, totaling over 6MW.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Overall Company of the Year - Up to 100 Employees
Nomination Title: Namasté Solar
1. Tell the story about what this nominated company achieved since January 1 2009 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:
Namasté Solar’s unique, values-based business model includes employee ownership,
democratic decision-making, community collaboration, open communication, an
innovative solar grant program, zero-waste initiatives, educational programming,
and holistic profit measurement. The company maintains high ethical standards
among employees, customers, and the community.
Namasté Solar’s commitment to excellence has been recognized nationally and
locally. In February 2009, CEO and president Blake Jones was invited by White
House staff to introduce President Barack Obama before he signed the historic
$787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Among the company’s
awards in 2009 are the Green Business of the Year by Denver Metro Chamber of
Commerce, the National Center for Employee Ownership Innovations Award,
Environmental Achievement Award by the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment, SunPower Corporation’s Eagle Award for Best Customer Service,
Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Brilliant Companies, and ColoradoBiz Magazine’s Top
Company Award. Jones, who was subsequently invited twice to the White House, was
named by 5280 Magazine as one of Denver’s 50 most influential business leaders.
The leading solar company in Colorado, Namasté Solar is clearly differentiated
from its competition and has been recognized for superior customer service,
conscientious business practices, a commitment to green building, community
philanthropy, and for its positive and productive work environment. Namaste
Solar’s vision is to uphold its founding core values and remain 100% internally
financed. The company has grown rapidly since its inception in 2005, and has
remained profitable in each year except for the first year in operation. In
2009, Namasté Solar ranked 56th on the Inc. 500 list of America’s Fastest
Growing Businesses and as the fastest growing solar company in the United
States.
Internal company initiatives include co-ownership, democratic decision-making,
and frank, open, and honest (FOH) communication. All co-owners hold themselves
to a high standard of accountability and fairness. Namasté Solar was named Best
Place to Work by both the Denver Business Journal and the Boulder Chamber of
Commerce in 2009. Its creative culture and business model have kept employee
retention above 90%. .
Namasté Solar annually donates 1% of company revenues to its innovative
Corporate Responsibility Plan. As part of its mission to give back to the
community, Namasté offers full and matching grants, sponsorships, and in-kind
donations. Since 2005, over 100KW of solar PV systems have been donated to
community organizations. Grant recipients have included Alliance for
Sustainable Colorado, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, The Emergency Family
Assistance Association, Environmental Center of the Rockies, and the Humane
Society of Boulder Valley.
In early 2010, Namasté Solar was awarded LEED Gold certification from the U.S
Green Building Council for the company’s main office located in North Boulder.
Some of the building highlights include renovating an existing building using
recycled and reclaimed building materials, fuel-efficient vehicles, water
efficiency, daylight responsive lighting controls, zero-waste recycling and
compost center, open work stations made from 90% recycled content (a non-cubicle
culture), and two solar photovoltaic systems (2.26kW awning system and 7.2kW
roof system).
2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:
2009 NEWS:
http://www.namastesolar.com/cmsPages/view/page:news/section:namaste_news
PRESS RELEASES:
One Year After the Signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Namasté Solar CEO Blake Jones Again Visits White House
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3621444.htm
Stimulus Bill Enables Eldorado Natural Spring Water to Install 100kW Commercial
Solar Electric System
http://www.prweb.com/releases/Eldorado/Solar/prweb2822454.htm
Inc. Magazine Ranks Namasté Solar as the 56th Fastest-Growing Private Company in
2009 "Inc 500" Listing
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/08/prweb2761884.htm
12-Year-Old Volunteer Dustin Michels Helps the Humane Society of Boulder Valley
Secure A 100% Donated Solar Photovoltaic System
http://www.prweb.com/releases/Solar/Donation/prweb2450134.htm
EFAA Celebrates Two New Solar Electric Systems with Boulder Mayor Matt Applebaum
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/05/prweb2395634.htm
Namasté Solar Wins the Green Business of the Year Award from the Denver Metro
Chamber of Commerce
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2372104.htm
Namasté Solar Is Honored with the National Center for Employee Ownership's
Innovations Award
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2351534.htm
Discovery Channel's Renovation Nation Highlights a Unique Green Building
Collaborative Project in Boulder, Colorado
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2294994.htm
Namasté Solar Honored to Represent Green Industries During President Obama's
Signing of the Historic Stimulus Bill in Denver
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2116844.htm
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION/AWARDS: 2010 & 2009
http://www.namastesolar.com/cmsPages/view/page:who_we_are/section:our_community_recognition
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
http://www.namastesolar.com/files/pdf/corporate_responsibility_report.pdf
CERTIFICATION
http://www.namastesolar.com/cmsPages/view/page:who_we_are/section:our_certifications
3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated company:
Blake Jones is leader in the development of statewide solar incentive programs,
working with state utilities, Colorado Public Utilities Commission, and lobbying
for pro-solar legislation. Jones served on the board the Colorado Solar Energy
Industries Association for three years. Jones has spoken at the University of
Colorado, Solar Energy International, BCBR Green Summit, Boulder Green Building
Guild, and others. He was invited by VP Biden to participate in the Middle
Class Task Force. He was a lead speaker at the 2009 Green Jobs Rally at the
Colorado State Capitol joining Mayor John Hickenlooper, Governor’s Energy Office
Tom Plant, and others.
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