Energy Concepts

Energy Concepts started in 1994 when Craig Tarr, a mechanical engineer with a degree from Colorado State University, left the corporate world to build something different. For over a decade, the Hudson, WI firm provided mechanical engineering consulting services—HVAC design, energy analysis, building systems—earning a reputation for technical excellence and personalized service across the upper Midwest. But Tarr’s background included a minor in solar and wind engineering, and by 2006, he saw an opportunity to bring that same engineering rigor to renewable energy. In 2007, Energy Concepts committed fully to solar installation, and the pivot was swift. Within two years, the company grew from a sole proprietorship to a full-service renewable energy installer with a team of engineers, electricians, and project managers. In 2009, Focus on Energy recognized Tarr with Wisconsin’s Renewable Energy Market Provider of the Year Award for his ability to tackle solar and wind systems of any scale with professionalism and quality. Today, Energy Concepts serves residential and commercial clients across Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin from their Hudson headquarters. The company holds NABCEP certification and brings a design-first philosophy to every project: each solar installation begins with signed Professional Engineer stamped plans, ensuring nothing is left to chance. They’ve installed systems ranging from ground-mounted arrays for rural homeowners to rooftop commercial projects for Luther Auto dealerships and a 100-kilowatt solar array at Dane County Regional Airport that earned recognition on RENEW Wisconsin’s Honor Roll. Energy Concepts has been named a Solar Power World Top Solar Contractor multiple years running and earned SolarReviews Pre-Screened Solar Pro status in 2021. The company also offers battery storage solutions, integrating energy resilience with solar panels for Wisconsin homeowners who want backup power during outages. What sets this solar installer in Hudson apart is the engineering backbone. Founder Craig Tarr was a licensed Professional Engineer in ten states and a LEED-accredited professional; that technical foundation continues through the current team, led by professionals like Russel Gilberg, a P.E. with a master electrician license in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Every system is custom-designed to match site-specific energy demands, roof conditions, and budget realities—and the team handles utility coordination, rebate applications through programs like Focus on Energy, and long-term system monitoring. For homeowners in River Falls, Hudson, and surrounding Minnesota and Wisconsin communities, going solar with Energy Concepts means working with a local team that understands Midwest weather, regional utility programs, and the importance of getting installation right the first time.