Solar Alternatives was born from Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath in 2007. As a physics graduate student with an engineering background, founder Jeffrey Cantin witnessed the devastating effects when New Orleans lost power during the storm. That experience became the catalyst for building a solar company focused on resilience and energy independence for Gulf Coast communities. Founded by engineers and electricians in New Orleans, the company quickly became known for bringing the latest solar technology to a region where power reliability isn’t optional—it’s survival. Nearly two decades later, Solar Alternatives has grown into the Gulf Coast’s most trusted solar installer in New Orleans and across Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Tennessee, with over 2,000 monitored solar installations currently operating across the region. The company maintains offices in New Orleans, Jackson, Shreveport, Houston, and Lafayette, allowing them to serve Gulf Coast homeowners with local expertise and rapid response. What makes Solar Alternatives different is their engineering-first approach. Their staff includes NABCEP-certified installers, electrical engineers, licensed electricians, certified roofers, and plumbers—a level of technical depth uncommon among regional solar companies. They design custom solar and battery storage systems tailored to the unique demands of Southern climates: intense heat, high humidity, and hurricane-force winds. Every system is built to last decades and perform when the grid fails. Solar Alternatives specializes in complete energy solutions for both homes and businesses, including solar panel installation, Tesla Powerwall and other battery storage systems, solar shingles, Tesla Solar Roof, ground-mount arrays, carports and canopies, EV charging stations, and whole-home energy efficiency upgrades. Their in-house operations and maintenance team services systems from all installers across their territory, not just their own—a commitment to long-term performance that sets them apart. Beyond residential and commercial solar installation, Solar Alternatives is deeply embedded in community resilience work. They’re the lead installer for New Orleans’ Community Lighthouse Initiative, a groundbreaking project creating 86 solar-powered emergency shelters across the city. These resilience hubs provide backup power, cooling, medical equipment charging, and food distribution during hurricanes and extended outages. It’s the largest solar resilience network in the nation. The company also partners with Solar for All NOLA, Mayor Cantrell’s initiative to make solar energy more accessible through free assessments and education, and with Louisiana Green Corps to develop solar workforce training programs. Solar Alternatives has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, where they’ve been accredited since 2008. They’ve earned the trust of thousands of homeowners throughout the Gulf South who understand that solar panels in this region aren’t just about savings—they’re about staying safe when storms knock out the grid.
Solar Alternatives is a New Orleans-based solar installer serving homeowners and businesses across Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Tennessee. Founded in 2007, the company has completed over 2,000 solar installations throughout the Gulf Coast. They offer residential and commercial solar panel systems, battery storage solutions including Tesla Powerwall, solar shingles and Tesla Solar Roof, ground-mount and carport installations, EV charging infrastructure, and energy efficiency upgrades. Their team includes NABCEP-certified installers, electrical engineers, licensed electricians, and certified roofers who design systems built for Southern heat, humidity, and hurricane conditions. Solar Alternatives provides ongoing maintenance and monitoring services for all solar systems across their service area.
ENGINEERED FOR GULF COAST RESILIENCE: Our staff of electrical engineers, NABCEP-certified installers, licensed electricians, and certified roofers design solar and battery systems specifically for hurricane-prone climates. We don’t just install panels—we build energy independence that works when you need it most.
COMMUNITY LIGHTHOUSE PARTNER: We’re the lead installer for New Orleans’ Community Lighthouse Initiative, the nation’s largest solar resilience network, creating 86 emergency solar hubs citywide. Our commitment to community resilience goes beyond individual installations.
FULL-SERVICE FROM DAY ONE TO YEAR TWENTY: With over 2,000 monitored systems and dedicated operations staff across the Gulf South, we maintain systems from any installer—not just our own. Our 25-year workmanship warranty is backed by a company that’s been here since 2007 and will be here for the full term.
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