Business Details
20 Years
experience
Trusted Solar Contractors in Nashville, TN
Founded in 2006, LightWave Solar has established itself as a leader in turnkey solar solutions, driven by a commitment to customer care and technical excellence. Our team of 50+ employees, including 9 NABCEP-certified professionalsthe most in the Southeastcombines deep industry experience with innovative approaches to deliver high-performance solar systems. We specialize in residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects, including complex installations like solar parking canopies.As a founding member of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, we leverage collaborative networks to enhance value for clients. With over 1,400 PV systems totaling 80MW installed, our focus remains on exceeding client expectations through quality craftsmanship and sustainable practices. Backed by a 5-year workmanship warranty, we ensure long-term reliability and customer satisfaction.
Services
Residential Solar
Commercial Solar
Utility Solar
Battery Storage
EV Charging Stations
Solar Parking Canopies
Solar Maintenance
REAP Grant Writing
System O&M
Solar Panel Installation
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We have over 17 years of experience in solar installations.
- Our team includes 9 NABCEP-certified professionals, the most in the region.
- We specialize in complex projects including solar parking canopies.
- We are a founding member of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, ensuring high-value systems.
- We offer a 5-year workmanship warranty.
Associations and certifications
- NABCEP
What people say
Highly professional
Quality work
ZERO complaints
Responsive to emails
Excellent turn-key solution
Services
Residential Solar Installations
LightWave Solar designs custom residential solar systems to achieve energy independence and reduce utility costs. Our installations integrate seamlessly with home aesthetics while offering battery storage options for backup power during outages. With over 1,400 systems installed, we ensure reliable, sustainable energy tailored to homeowners' needs.
Commercial Solar Projects
We deliver scalable solar energy systems for businesses, municipalities, and organizations, reducing operational costs and enhancing sustainability. Our expertise includes large-scale installations, such as parking canopies and ground mounts, supported by REAP grants and federal tax credits to maximize ROI for commercial clients.
Utility Solar EPC
LightWave Solar provides end-to-end engineering, procurement, and construction for utility-scale solar projects up to 10MW. Our services include site analysis, permitting, and construction, ensuring efficient, grid-compatible systems that meet utilities' renewable energy goals and regulatory standards.
Battery Storage Integration
We specialize in integrating battery storage with solar systems, enabling uninterrupted power during grid outages. Our solutions feature Tesla Powerwalls and other leading brands, offering homeowners and businesses energy resilience and optimized self-consumption of solar-generated electricity.
Solar Maintenance & O&M
Our operations and maintenance services ensure long-term solar system performance through preventive maintenance, thermal imaging, and remote monitoring. Backed by NABCEP-certified technicians and Amicus O&M Cooperative partnerships, we maximize ROI and system longevity for residential and commercial clients.
People
Chris Koczaja
President & CEO
Chris leads LightWave Solar with over 20 years of energy sector experience, a Purdue mechanical engineering degree, and leadership roles in renewable energy innovation. He champions sustainable practices and serves on solar industry boards.
Steve Johnson
Founder/Partner
Steve founded LightWave in 2006, pioneering Tennessee's solar programs. A NABCEP-certified expert with 40+ years in electrical construction, he co-founded TenneSEIA and Amicus Solar Cooperative.
Rob Bomar
Chief Financial Officer
Rob manages LightWave's finances with 25 years of high-growth company experience, including roles in electronic payments and public accounting, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic growth.
JP Plumlee
Senior Project Developer
JP develops commercial solar projects with a decade of renewable energy experience. A University of Tennessee graduate, he focuses on innovative solutions for industrial and municipal clients.
Karl Jaeger
Design/Build Engineer
Karl designs solar systems with expertise in engineering and NABCEP certification. He brings 15+ years of installation experience, emphasizing efficiency and technical precision in every project.
Questions
What solar services does LightWave Solar offer?
We provide residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar installations, battery storage, EV charging stations, and maintenance services.
Do you offer battery storage solutions?
Yes, we integrate Tesla Powerwalls and other brands for backup power during outages, ensuring energy resilience.
Are financing options available?
Yes, we offer financing and assist with REAP grants and federal tax credits to reduce upfront costs.
What areas do you serve?
We operate across Tennessee and surrounding states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Alabama, and Kentucky.
Do you provide maintenance for solar systems?
Yes, our O&M services include preventive maintenance, thermal assessments, and remote monitoring to ensure optimal performance.
Videos
Reviews (4)
John Deane
Sep 18, 2020
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We purchased solar systems from Lightwave Solar for both our business and our home in 2020. The people involved were clearly knowledgeable and helpful and the results we are experiencing are great. It was especially helpful the way the company took ownership in managing every detail of a Federal USDA grant from front to back. The process took a very long time from contract signing to finish for various reasons. The experience would have benefited from more timely communication from the company, our only significant complaint. Doing this in the year of COVID19 surely made it a bigger challenge,
Mike Woodside
Aug 03, 2020
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The folks at LightWave Solar are awesome. They were patient and very responsive to my long list of questions prior to signing the contract. After signing the contract, they kept me updated on progress and walked me through steps that required my input on the permitting process. They made me aware of the current step and the next step so I knew what to expect. The installation crew was knowledgeable, efficient, friendly, and went overboard to make sure the installation met my needs. The accounting folks were also great to interact with. Every aspect of my solar purchase went smoothly thanks to the
Peter Schulert
Jun 08, 2020
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Positive:Quality
Lightwave Solar installed a 10 kw system on my building in Lebanon. The installation crew was very professional and completed the install in a morning. Lightwave handled all the permitting and negotiations with TVA/MTEMC. I now have an app on my phone that tells me how much power my panels are generating since they were installed.
Lightwave Solar installed a 10 kw system on my building in Lebanon. The installation crew was very professional and completed the install in a morning. Lightwave handled all the permitting and negotiations with TVA/MTEMC. I now have an app on my phone that tells me how much power my panels are generating since they were installed.
Anne Child
Jun 01, 2020
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The project was a little slow getting started but that was because LightWave Solar is one busy company. Once rolling, the workers showed upon time, worked hard, created little disruption, and entertained curious home owners. It has been exciting watching our energy use for over 2 months now. This has been the darkest time of the year... a month either side of the Winter Solstice. Since going live, our total consumption off the grid is only half to two thirds or any one month of the previous winter. This thanks to lots of cloudy, rainy and even snowy days mixed with some absolutely gorgeous sunny
