May 12, 2009 Vermont company becomes leader in solar energy Play video

(NECN: Anya Huneke) - Many businesses are struggling in this economy. But one Vermont company is experiencing the opposite and is now one of the leading companies of its kind in North America.

GroSolar was founded in an apartment eleven years ago by a husband and wife team, who moved to Vermont to pursue a dream.

Dori and Jeff Wolfe’s interest in solar energy dates back more than three decades.

Dori/Jeff Wolfe\Founders, groSolar: "I had the bug in my genes...""And I'd built my first solar collector - hot water solar collector - in 1973... during the Arab oil embargo, as a student."

It wasn't until 1998, however, that the couple decided to make a career out of solar- when Jeff quit his engineering job in Chicago and moved his family back to Vermont.

They started a company - now called groSolar - whose mission was to deliver renewable energy solutions to homeowners, businesses, and dealers.

They ran it out of the master bedroom of their apartment.

Dori/Jeff: "Our goal was to have a 3-5 person company...""And I was happy doing solar one roof at a time."

But the new millennium brought unexpected growth to the company.

Jeff "It was 2001 when climate change finally hit me over the head hard enough where I said- this is a crisis." ”Then 9/11 happened and I realized it's not only climate change but energy security that's a huge problem to solve."

In 2004, Jeff and Dori moved the company here to its current

headquarters in White River Junction- where things are a bit busier than they used to be. In fact, groSolar is the fastest-growing technology company right now in Vermont.

Jeff "In the last 5 years- 3,790 percentage..."

That's how much the company has grown-- very much in step with the public's interest in this type of technology. GroSolar is the fourth largest residential installer in the country- with offices in 11 states.

Jim Merriam\C.O.O., groSolar: "Demand for solar at a consumer and commercial level has increased dramatically."

Especially as consumers look for ways to save money... Which C.O.O. Jim Merriam says is getting easier to do.

Jim "The price of solar has come down to an affordable level to the point where it's very viable for many people."

Dori "It just makes so much sense."

Solar has made sense to the Wolfes for a long time. They're glad, personally and professionally, that others are finally seeing the light.