Thomas Hoff, Ph.D., a Stanford graduate with a passion for renewable energy and photovoltaic (PV) economics, founds Clean Power Research as a research consultancy. A neighbor asks Tom, “What is the value of solar to me?” To answer, Tom develops Clean Power Estimator® (now PowerBill® API), an online PV calculation tool that is rapidly adopted by utilities and PV manufacturers. To alleviate the challenges of paper-based incentive application processes in the face of rapidly growing volumes, Clean Power Research launches PowerClerk®. Designed specifically for utilities, PowerClerk automates and optimizes application workflows, reducing costs and processing time. PowerClerk’s success leads to the creation of the company’s Software Services Group and marks a new focus on delivering adaptable, scalable and secure cloud software solutions to the energy industry. Jeff Ressler, a 10-plus year veteran of Microsoft, joins the company to run the new team, and the Kirkland, Wash., office opens.

Software company