groSolar

Solar Company Named One of the Best Places to Work in Vermont

December 4, 2006 – groSolar, a leading national distributor and installer of state-of-the-art solar energy systems for residential customers, has been recognized as one of the best places to work in Vermont by Vermont Business Magazine.

The recently renamed company, based in White River Junction, Vermont, was founded in 1998, by Jeffery and Dorothy Wolfe as Global Resource Options, and is dedicated to fostering energy independence and helping reverse global warming. groSolar began as a two person company, installing off-grid and grid-tied solar systems in New England and grew quickly to employ 25 people, providing systems throughout the Eastern United States.

“It is the employees who are responsible for groSolar’s success,” says cofounder and General Manager Dorothy Wolfe.

And it’s easy to see why groSolar made the list of Vermont’s best places to work. The Wolfes’ intention to form a socially responsible company began with a commitment to paying livable wages, offering a generous employer-shared health benefits package and instituting family-oriented policies. A champion of progressive workplace policies, GroSolar’s team-work environment and creative atmosphere are encouraged by its casual dress code, as well as dog-friendly, family-friendly and telecommuting options.

“The people who work with us,” says Dori Wolfe, “form a community that is working toward a goal for positive social change. But this doesn’t happen without fairness, encouragement and support within the workplace. That’s where we start.”

“The cultural climate that pervades groSolar is like a family. When one of our employees has a child, it’s like Jeff and I had a grandchild. As much as we can, we celebrate birthdays and other occasions, try to give comfort when loss happens, and make sure that each employee is respected as a valuable part of a team.”

groSolar’s socially responsible values extend beyond the company. Jeff and Dori believes that businesses should give back to communities that nurture them. Last year, for example, the company donated two photovoltaic systems to Twin Pines Housing Trust, to be installed this spring. Green-up day found the whole company out picking up many bags worth of garbage along Old River Road. And groSolar will be donating a solar hot water system to a Habitat for Humanity home being built this spring.

The “Best Places to Work in Vermont” is the first annual program designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places to work in the state. Ten small/medium-sized companies (15-99 employees) and four large companies (more than 100 employees) are ranked according to survey results taken of the nominated companies’ workplace policies, practices, philosophies, systems and demographics, as well as a survey employees take that measure the workplaces’ environments. The program was created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Labor, the Society for Human Resource Management-Vermont State Council, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, Best Companies Group, and sponsored by HMC Advertising.

About GRO
GRO is a national solar integration firm focused on designing, distributing and installing high quality energy systems. GRO distributes solar electric, solar hot water and air heating systems throughout the U.S. from offices in VT, NJ, NY, MA and CO. The company recently changed its name from Global Resource Options to GRO. The company has more than $10MM in revenues. GRO integrates components from leading solar manufacturers including Evergreen, Suntech, Heliodyne, Outback, SMA, Magnetek, Gridpoint and UniRac into elegant solar energy systems for its customers that generate clean, reliable energy for decades. For information, contact Kevin Ellis 1-800-498-5390 or Sue Lewis at 1-800-374-4494. groSolar.com.