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ABOUT THE OWNER

Bob Solger

Bob Solger - Solar Design Studio

Solar Design Studio’s founder and managing partner, Bob Solger, first entered the green space in 2003 when he launched the Energy Savings Store – a small firm specializing in the design, procurement, and installation of solar and wind systems throughout Missouri and Kansas.

As a result of Bob’s extensive knowledge in renewable power consulting and engineering, the Energy Savings Store eventually became the largest solar and wind provider in Missouri. The company also participated in several US Green Building Council (USGBC) projects that went on to achieve LEED Platinum and Gold Certification status. And by 2009, the Energy Savings Store was responsible for 1 MW of total installed renewable power capacity spread across 185 separate installations.

Shortly before selling the Energy Savings Store in 2010, Bob launched Solar Design Studio – an international firm that specializes in photovoltaic (PV) design, consulting, financing, and engineering.

Higher Education Credentials

Bob is a seasoned solar veteran who devotes the bulk of his time developing and managing PV projects for Solar Design Studio’s clients. However, he also understands the importance of sharing his unique experiences with those who are just beginning their clean energy careers.

In addition to managing Solar Design Studio full time, Bob also remains deeply involved in education, helping to train budding professionals in his capacity as a:

  • Solar and Wind Energy Adjutant Professor at State Fair Community College (Sedalia, MO)
  • Solar PV Instructor at Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City, MO)
  • Solar PV Instructor at SAGE Group (Kansas City, MO)

Associations and Memberships

Bob credits much of his success to the ongoing support he receives as a member of several renewable energy organizations, including:

  • The Heartland Renewable Energy Society and Solar Energy Subcommittee.
  • The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
  • The Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association (MOSEIA) – as a founding member and current board member.
  • California Solar and Storage Association Member (CALSSA)
  • North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Veterans Committee Member
  • SunSpec Alliance Cyberguardians Program Advisory Board Member

In addition, he was previously a board member of the Metropolitan Energy Center.

Awards and Accomplishments

Over the years, Bob has earned numerous awards in honor of his lifelong dedication to solar energy. Some of his more recent accolades include:

  • MOSEIA’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award
  • MOSEIA’s 2011 Solar Pioneer Award for "Visionary Leadership and Dedication."
  • 2007’s Healthy Planet Green Hero of St. Louis.
  • SunPower’s first Premier Dealer in the Midwest.

Bob is always honored whenever his sustainability efforts receive the attention of industry peers. But his proudest accomplishments stem from the actual work itself, whether he is installing:

  • The first large commercial solar array in the Kansas City area.
  • The first commercial project in St. Louis to combine both solar energy and wind power.

As Solar Design Studio continues to fulfill its larger mission of greening the world, Bob hopes to add even more such “firsts” to his growing list of accomplishments.

To learn more about Solar Design Studio’s history under Bob Solger’s leadership, read our About Us page.

And if you’d like more information about how Solar Design Studio can help you achieve your own clean energy goals, schedule a free appointment with our sustainability experts today.

Recent Design & Project Management Experience

2020 – 2023
  • Provided engineering, design, and project management services to install several MW of solar on multifamily properties in California.
  • Completed the engineering and design of 10 agricultural solar pv projects ranging in size from 100 KW – 4.5 MW for a California developer grandfathering the net metering under NEM 2.0. Result, all 10 projects were approved. One project included a medium voltage interconnection.
  • Designed a 1.2 MW system with Energy Storage for installation at an agricultural industrial site. 
  • Preliminary engineering and design of 4 microgrids ranging in size from 750 KW – 1.2 MW.
  • Provided engineering and design of a 1 MW project for an Arkansas solar developer.
  • Provided engineering and design services to a nationwide solar developer deploying solar on multiple retail banking operations in Colorado, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.
  • Competed the engineering and design of more than 500 commercial rooftop projects.
2019
  • Provided services to regional engineering firm to design 27 MW solar pv system to be constructed in Johnson City, KS
  • Designed multiple 100 KW systems for installation on VA Clinics
  • Designed 35 KW system for low-income housing project 
  • Designed 780 KW ground mount system for Sukup Manufacturing located in Sheffield, Iowa
  • Provided preliminary design of 5 MW solar PV system for a manufacturing site located in Missouri
  • Provided preliminary design of 1.7 MW solar PV system for school district in Arkansas  
  • Provide design services to support  deployment of a 300 KW solar PV system for Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
2015-2018
  • Designed 30 – 50 KW Microgrid systems for remote telecommunications applications totaling 1.5 MW of systems
  • Designed off grid system for powering water tower site
  • Designed 75 KW Solar PV system for Unity Temple on the Plaza, Kansas City, MO
  • Designed for Kansas City and Power Light (KCPL) 40 - 25 KW Solar PV Systems for deployment to City of Kansas City, MO government buildings
  • Designed 13 - 25 KW Solar PV Systems for City of North Kansas City
  • Designed several 1 - 2 MW solar projects for Solar developers in Maryland and Massachusetts
  • Designed 6.5 MW solar project for North Carolina developer

Recent Consulting Credits

2020-2023
  • Provided operations and business consulting services to an Energy Services Company to expand into solar. The result of the effort enabled the client to secure a major solar consulting project with a utility.
  • Provided due diligence consulting services to a large private equity firm acquiring a large multifamily property in Hawaii with existing solar assets. Engagement required engaging local utility and overseeing a distribution system study.
  • Provided project technical consulting services to a firm planning to develop 4 microgrid projects. Services included modeling and equipment assessment.
  • Provided solar feasibility consulting services to a major multifamily investment firm to support their sustainability strategy.
  • Provided technical expertise to resolve a major permitting issue with an Arizonia AHJ for a large commercial development and facility management investment firm. The local plan reviewer was refusing to authorize approval of interconnection strategy, which complied with the National Electric Code. The delay in approving the plans for permitting resulted in a loss of over $100,000 a year to the owner.
  • Provided a local non-profit housing development organization with solar feasibility consulting services.
  • Provided consulting services to a Colorado affordable housing developer to receive aggregated metering approval from the local utility.
  • Provided sales support services to a national solar installation company to develop and close large business opportunities.
  • Provided interconnection strategy and system sizing consulting to an Iowa solar developer and local utility to expand an existing 750 KW system by adding 1.2 MW of solar.
  • Provided USDA REAP grant consulting to a number of applicants.
2019
  • Provided consulting services to Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) to enable establishment of solar businesses
  • Provided services to enable the offering of Solar Services Agreements to enable non-profits to install solar
  • Assisted major solar project financial company with resolving issues with a solar portfolio that was recently acquired
  • Provide consulting services to major roofing company to enable establishment of a solar business
2015-2018
  • Developed solar leasing, solar leasing and Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) product offerings for EPC and solar integrators
  • Financial feasibility studies for installing solar PV systems for low to moderate-income housing projects and hospitality industry sites
  • Financial feasibility studies for installing solar PV systems for low to moderate-income housing projects and hospitality industry sites
  • Financial feasibility studies for installing solar PV systems for low to moderate-income housing projects and hospitality industry sites
  • Microgrid deployment strategies for remote telecommunication sites
  • Consulting service with large Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) focusing on the financial impact of utilizing renewable energy
  • Business consulting services with Midwest manufacturer of solar power equipment
  • Financial feasibility studies for installing solar PV systems for low to moderate-income housing projects and hospitality industry sites
  • Strategic business, market development and technology application with one of Europe’s leading solar thermal equipment manufacturers and solar integration firms
  • Business development, marketing and sales operations with several Midwestern solar integration firms
  • Technology application services with a leading North American solar PV equipment manufacturer
  • Financial feasibility validation services for the leasing and financing of solar projects to US-based owners of projects
  • Engineering and design services for both solar PV and solar heating and cooling systems
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What Our Clients Are Saying

We owe a great debt of gratitude to Bob and his knowledge and team for helping to create an amazing PV carport for us. I’m sure you would be delighted with whatever you engage him to help you with.

Dev & Sue Malik

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I have had the pleasure of working with Bob for several years. In the beginning, Bob taught me important basics. Over a short period of time I was equipped with the language and tools to develop projects which resulted in more than 7 million dollars of sales. Over the past 5 years Bob has been a tremendous resource handling everything from initial ROI analysis to system design, rebate/ utility paperwork, city permitting, material sourcing, and final project paperwork. I can truly say Solar Design Studios played a major role in my success.

A sincere Thank You!

Nathan Clausen

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Bob Solger is Mr. Solar to the Kansas City region. With a passion to forge change and be green well before it was cool to do so, Bob has led the regional market as an engineer and spokesperson for the adoption of solar energy. He completes his projects professionally and continues to inspire by teaching others how to get the most from solar installations.

Ace Wagner

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