180 South Solar celebrated its official opening Thursday, Dec. 7 alongside Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Joseph J. Bevilacqua and Michael Bevilacqua, Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini and Associate Director of the Innovation Hub Stephanie Guyotte. (WHAV News photograph)
Harbor Place’s UMass Innovation Hub welcomed its second tenant, 180 South Solar, to the incubator Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony sponsored by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Haverhill residents Dave Durgin and Nils Helander tell WHAV they cofounded the company with Alan Robertson after recognizing that solar companies neglected to put the consumer first.
“We came together to do solar right,” Robertson, 180 South Solar’s chief operating officer, said. “We have software we developed that allows homeowners to see every option and choose what’s right for them. We don’t point them to one option because it’s right for our company – we show the customer what’s right for them.”
Joined by Vice President of Sales John Boiano, the trio established their office in downtown Haverhill three weeks ago.
“Our product marries very well with the community. We’re trying to not only help save the environment but also drive people’s energy bills down,” said Robertson. “We’ve got a great reception from the customer base and the (local) business base. (Haverhill is) becoming more techy and innovative.”
Mayor James J. Fiorentini and City Councilor Joseph J. Bevilacqua attended Thursday’s ribbon cutting to welcome 180 South Solar to Haverhill.
“You’re going to see bright things from this company. I encourage (the community) to take advantage of the benefits of solar for businesses and homeowners alike,” Bevilacqua told WHAV. “We’re proud they’re part of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce and thank the Innovation Hub for hosting them.”