Source: Petra Solar 

Green For All and SJF Institute have selected Petra Solar, a South Plainfield based cleantech company, as one of the Green Jobs Award recipients. The Green Jobs Award honors innovative private businesses that contribute to the economy and the environment. The selection was based upon key considerations including Petra Solar’s contribution to environmental quality, the quality of its jobs and benefits, the diversity of employment opportunities, and its level of community engagement. Petra Solar was honored last night at the Citi Executive Conference Center in New York City. 

“We are grateful for the recognition from Green for All and SJF Institute,” said Shihab Kuran, CEO and President of Petra Solar. “Our goal at Petra Solar is to create and grow green jobs as we create smart solar generation systems and export them across the nation and around the world.” 

The company designs and manufactures SunWave™ systems that combine distributed solar energy generation with smart-grid communications and electric grid enhancement functions to create a comprehensive utility grade solution. SunWave systems are specifically designed for installation on existing structures such as utility distribution poles or other assets. 

By creating its own R&D and manufacturing supply chain, Petra Solar’s job count has grown from 15 in the spring of 2009 to 166 currently, over a 10 fold increase. In keeping with the company’s commitment to return ratepayer and taxpayer support, the company will create new manufacturing facilities in jurisdictions in which it does significant business. As a result, major contracts with utilities will result in the creation of jobs to staff local manufacturing operations. 

“Each of the companies chosen this year does its part in building the green economy through innovation and job creation here in the United States,” says Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All. “They are demonstrating that by addressing the climate crisis we can take real steps in addressing the economic crisis as well.” 

"We hope that by acknowledging the tremendous work these companies are doing, we can support their noble efforts, and inspire other business leaders to follow their lead," says Bonny Moellenbrock, Executive Director of SJF Institute. 

Last night’s win tops a series of recent successes for Petra Solar. The company’s success in solar energy and Smart Grid applications has recently been recognized by U.S. Department of Energy and Sandia National Laboratories, which awarded Petra Solar the prestigious Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) contract as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program.

In addition, last year the DOE recognized Petra Solar's unique technology with the Energy Innovator Award. The company received the “Clean/Green Company of the Year” award from the NJ Technology Council, was the first business to be awarded funding under NJ’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund, and has been named one of the top 50 green startups by Greentech Media. Earlier this year Fortnightly Magazine named Dr. Kuran as a “top guru” in the solar industry.