Huuuuuge Solar Energy Buy For UGE

The renewable energy company UGE has been making some interesting moves lately, and the latest one dovetails with the emerging market for low cost community solar energy. This morning, New York based UGE announced that it has acquired Canada’s Endura Energy, known for its expertise in the distributed solar energy field.

UGE And Solar Energy

UGE first landed on the CleanTechnica radar for its focus on vertical axis micro wind technology, including last year’s high profile installation of custom painted micro wind turbines for the Eiffel Tower.

The company has also been pumping up its solar energy profile. The Endura acquisition will ramp things up even farther, and the timing is perfect. The community solar  market is poised to take a big jump in the US, partly because President Obama’s Clean Power Plan involves pushing for increased access to solar energy by low income households.

A One-Two Punch for Distributed Solar Energy

UGE describes itself as a “customer-facing” enterprise, and the idea behind the Endura acquisition is to power up its engineering profile. Here’s a snapshot of Endura’s expertise in the distributed solar energy field:

“Since 2009, Endura has been responsible for advising on or implementing over 250 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems. Endura has developed a reputation for providing best-in-class services in all aspects of design and construction of solar photovoltaic systems. Endura has established a successful track record of providing solutions to its clients in all states of the solar photovoltaic project design-build lifecycle including: development, consulting and project management; engineering and design; and turn-key construction.”

Distributed Solar + Micro Wind

While some industry observers have voiced skepticism over the micro wind market in general, according to the Energy Department micro wind turbines can provide cost-effective solutions when certain conditions are met. The agency has included the micro wind sector in its long range planning and continues to provide support for micro wind projects.

UGE has been the beneficiary of some of this Energy Department support, and it has engaged in projects that combine solar with micro wind. We’re thinking that the Endura acquisition could have a ripple effect and enable UGE to increase its activity in the micro wind sector as well.

Follow me on Twitter and Google.

Photo credit (cropped) Brooklyn Whole Foods solar project with wind turbines via UGE.