Solmetric
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Solar technology, Manufacturing |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Willard MacDonald, Robert MacDonald, Mark Galli |
| Headquarters | Sebastopol , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Willard MacDonald, Robert MacDonald, Mark Galli |
| Products | SunEye shade analysis device, PV Analyzer I-V curve tracer, PV Designer software |
| Parent | Independent (since 2021; formerly Vivint Solar 2014–2021) |
Solmetric Corporation, located in Sebastopol, California, focuses on producing solar measurement instruments and solar design software. Established in 2005 by Willard MacDonald, Robert MacDonald, and Mark Galli, Solmetric is best known for its leading products: the SunEye shade analysis device and the PV Analyzer I-V curve tracer.
The acclaimed SunEye tool is extensively utilized by residential solar professionals to detect shading patterns, thereby enhancing solar panel positioning for optimal energy generation. Meanwhile, the PV Analyzer aids in the commissioning and diagnostics of commercial and utility-scale PV systems, strengthening Solmetric’s position in the solar technology market.
History
In 2005, Willard MacDonald, Robert MacDonald, and Mark Galli founded Solmetric with the goal of creating a device capable of predicting and assessing shading conditions at prospective solar installation sites. The company achieved B Corporation certification in 2009 and was among 63 B Corporations honored in 2013 for their environmental contributions. In January 2014, Vivint Solar, a residential installer and solar financier, acquired Solmetric for $12 million. After Vivint Solar's merger with SunRun in 2021, two of the original founders reacquired Solmetric, reestablishing its independent status.
Products
The SunEye-100 was introduced by Solmetric in 2006 as a replacement for the Solar Pathfinder in shade measurement—a critical tool aligned with California Solar Initiative mandates and the growth of third-party solar financing. This product received multiple accolades, such as the 2007 Top 10 Green Building Products award and innovation recognitions in Europe. By 2010, it had become the preferred shade survey instrument among residential solar providers. The enhanced SunEye-210 model incorporated features like a fisheye camera, digital compass, inclinometer, and GPS to capture comprehensive sky images with sunpath overlays for accurate solar access assessment.
In 2009, Solmetric released PV Designer software for virtual photovoltaic module layout and energy output simulation. The PV Analyzer I-V curve tracer series debuted with the PVA-600 in 2010 (600 V/20 A), followed by the PVA-1000 in 2013 (1000 V/30 A), which included the SolSensor wireless PV reference for measuring irradiance and module temperature. The PVA-1500 series launched in 2019 supports up to 1500 volts and features WiFi connectivity. These devices play a vital role in commissioning and troubleshooting photovoltaic installations by improving precision and efficiency in solar system performance evaluation.