The global rooftop solar PV market was valued at 101 billion USD in 2022 and is expected to hit 435 billion by 2032 (a CAGR of 16% from 2023 to 2032). At the heart of this growth is a company called PanelClaw, the number one flat roof racking maker in the US. My guest today is Costa Nicolaou, CEO of PanelClaw and the man driving some serious innovation. Racking is about much more than just steel rails - as important as those steel components are, especially when they are made in America - there’s engineering, permitting, and logistics platforms behind PanelClaw ClawFR that make it so beloved by installers, developers and asset owners (IPPs). The ultimate form of flattery is mimicry and if you procure rooftop racking you know the mimics are out there!
PanelClaw wasn’t always the dominant player in rooftop racking (check out Round One: https://youtu.be/nbiN54-Ys90?si=iZajsQV_8Lq4mVfV) but thru constant improvement and innovation PanelClaw as clawed its way to the top of the heap in racking (Polar Bear, Grizzly Bear, Polar Bear II, Kodiak, Sun Bear, Polar Bear III…ClawFR) and more importantly made innovation their lifeblood. Innovation is what sets PanelClaw apart from the pack and we spend a good deal of time exploring ways that the company is solving customer pain points like engineering, permitting, and logistics.
PanelClaw makes hardware for mounting solar panels but they are hardcore about their software platforms which include clawOS and clawLogic. Their clawOS is an all-in one design, engineering and permitting platform so you can get those megawatts of large rooftop solar permitted and installed faster. And you can track your orders with clawLogic down to the pallet so there are fewer supply chain surprises.
If you’re the CEO of a solar company, I strongly encourage you to reach out to Costa and drink from his fountain of youth, energy and thoughtful leadership. He’s been leading the charge at PanelClaw for sixteen years and their journey of riding the solar coaster to new heights has hardly just begun with their acquisition by Enstall in 2020. Costa explains how Panelclaw focuses solely on rooftop C&I racking solutions in order to be the best in the industry. They are constantly innovating new products so that competitors are always trying to catch up.
Key Takeaways
PanelClaw Overview
- Specializes exclusively in commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop solar mounting systems
- Founded in 2008, acquired by Enstall in 2020
- Known for innovative rail-based rooftop mounting systems like Claw IFR
- Also offers digital platforms like Claw OS for system design and Claw Logic for order/project management
Claw FR Mounting System
- Flexible rail-based system allows for easy installation even on uneven commercial rooftops
- Entire system can be installed without panels in place, enabling work to begin even if panel delivery is delayed
- Tools-free panel attachment clicks panels into place after rails installed
- Can accommodate solar edge optimizers integrated into the rails
clawOS Digital Platform
- Enables collaborative online solar system design, engineering, and permitting
- Imports designs from HelioScope or AutoCAD
- Generates automated bill of materials, engineering calculations, drawings etc. needed for permitting
clawLogic Digital Platform
- Provides end-to-end order/project visibility and management via online portal
- Customers can track order status, delivery dates, invoices etc.
PanelClaw Innovation Philosophy
- Focus on developing products with features no one else has done before
- Set goal for Claw IFR and other mounting systems to be copied by competitors
PanelClaw Growth
- Domestic manufacturing capacity to supply the entire US C&I flat roof market
- Acquisition by Enstall has enabled focus on products, service and customers
Enstall
- Dutch global racking company with portfolio of leading US brands acquired in 2020
- Provides Panel Claw shared services support in HR, finance, manufacturing etc.
PanelClaw ESG Initiatives
- Achieved Silver Certificate in SEIA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program
- Released first ESG report in 2022 outlining sustainability commitments
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