National solar installer achieves major milestone, tops 160 MW installed nationally

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.--REC Solar, a national leader in solar electric system design and installation, today announced it has installed 10,000 residential solar systems nationwide. Since the company's founding in 1997, REC Solar has installed more than 160 megawatts of residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar throughout the U.S. and its territories, with 50 megawatts coming online in the past year alone.

Additional REC Solar milestones include:

*Residential system orders have increased 110% year over year.

*The company's installation teams are completing up to 15 residential systems every working day.

*REC Solar's residential solar business is slated to jump 70 percent in 2013, while the overall residential solar market is projected to grow 35 percent in the same time.

"Ten thousand residential solar installations is an impressive milestone and reflects the success of our core values and strategic vision," said Paul Winnowski, CEO at Mainstream Energy Corp., REC Solar's parent company. "Our strong tradition of implementing innovative strategies to consistently exceed customer expectations is powering our business forward into a period of unparalleled growth."

REC Solar recently expanded its national reach by entering key emerging residential markets, including New York and Hawaii, while growing operations in existing markets, including California's Inland Empire. Additional growth factors include channel partnerships with large national retailers, increased availability of innovative financing models, focus on reducing soft costs and consistently strong customer reviews and word of mouth. REC Solar received the Angie's List Super Service Award earlier this year.

A recent U.S. Solar Market Insight report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) cited significant industry-wide growth in 2012, noting, "The U.S. installed 3,313 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaics (PV) in 2012, a record for the industry ... The residential market saw meaningful growth in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New York, as average residential system prices dropped nearly 20 percent in one year."

About REC Solar, Inc.

REC Solar, Inc., a subsidiary of Mainstream Energy Corporation, is a national leader in solar electric system design and installation. Focused on making solar affordable and simple, REC Solar specializes in residential, business, government and utility projects, offering a local presence in all major solar markets in the U.S. By providing innovative products, efficient processes and integrated services, REC Solar is committed to delivering high-quality systems while lowering the cost of solar power for all. In 15 years of business, REC Solar has installed more than 11,000 residential and commercial systems nationwide in excess of 160 megawatts. For more, visit RECSolar.com or call (888) 657-6527.