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Meet The AM Solar Team

The AM Solar Advantage
With the principles of treating customers right, treating each other right, and having fun while we do it, AM Solar has grown to become one of the most recognized brands in mobile power. We design kits for RVs that include solar chargers, lithium battery banks, web interactive monitors, alternator chargers, and inverter systems. These kits are sold directly to customers as DIY projects, installed in our shop, or installed by one of our dealers.

Experience and Excellence
The founder of AM Solar, Greg Holder, started working on solar projects in 1987.  In 2002, he incorporated AM Solar.  In 2008, the headquarters was constructed.  In 2016, Garret Towne bought the business and with his team, expanded the company’s online sales presence.  Throughout this time AM Solar has accumulated a tremendous amount of knowledge.  It isn’t an exaggeration to say that the AM Solar team has some of the most experienced technicians in the industry.

Recipe for Success
In a typical year, AM Solar works on about one hundred different installation projects.  Each of these projects presents new challenges, provides new opportunities for learning, and lets us test the latest technologies.  Although the installation bays account for only a fraction of our revenue and 80% of our headaches, the big-picture value is tremendous.  The installation bays are our R&D department.  We don’t sell anything on our website that hasn’t been perfected by our team in our shop.  Additionally, the hands-on experience provides the perfect training ground for our Tech Support team.  Our Tech Support team hasn’t just read the product manuals, they’ve installed the hardware and experienced every sort of error and odd scenario along the way.  When guiding clients, the AM Solar Tech Support team isn’t limited to a script, they can tell you the most efficient way to route the cables and solve high-level problems.

Aside from installations, our Sales Team has over two decades of experience in guiding customers through the steep learning curve associated with mobile power technology.  You don’t have to be an Electrical Engineer to have an effective power system.  You just have to be able to describe what appliances you want to run, and let AM Solar do the rest.  Being able to bring the information to the knowledge level of the customer is an art, and the AM Solar Sales Team has become masters of this art.

Our Projects
Check out some of our most interesting and successful solar projects:

Our Customers Speak
Don’t just take our word for it – hear what our customers have to say:

“Over the past few years I’ve purchased a number of products through AM Solar. They’ve always been very accommodating and being available to answer any questions I had and responding quickly and positively to support requests.

I’ll keep going back to AM solar for my future RV solar and related equipment as they’re awesome!” – Stuart, N.

 

“I chose AM Solar based off their DIY kits and after completing the project I could not be happier. Whenever I run into a road block, AM Solar’s customer service was there to walk me through it and get me back on track.” – Bryan, T.

 

“In May of 2022, AM Solar installed 620 watts of solar panels on our 2022 Arctic Fox 22G. They also added several Victron components: Multiplus 3000VA inverter, 50A Smart solar controller, and a Cerbo GX/touch display. For batteries, we chose four 100ah Battle Born batteries.

This visit was actually our second installation. Nine years ago, AM Solar installed solar panels/controller/monitor on our previous trailer. With the purchase of our new trailer, we knew we wanted AM Solar for our solar installation.

We highly recommend AM Solar’s services. EVERYONE was very professional and easy to work with. Our solar installation allows us to camp off-grid and gives us the freedom to camp for longer periods of time without worrying about our batteries.” – Sandy, F.

  • Meet Sales & Order Fulfillment

    • Garret Towne

      President

      Garret has worked in the solar industry since 2009. He has an Electrical Engineering degree and an MBA from...

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    • Cody Enright

      Installation Manager & Sales

      Cody, as a jack of all trades, has a combined 16 years of professional experience in mechanical maintenance &...

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    • Abbi Aldrich

      Operations/Dealer Sales Manager

      Abbi was born in Baroda India, the youngest of six children.  At age 18 she moved to the United...

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    • Jack Caruso

      Operations Manager & Sales

      Born into the animated realms of eco-heroism, Jack, a beacon of environmental consciousness, has soared through the digital skies...

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  • Meet the Installers

    • James Wright

      Lead Installer

      A lifelong multisport elite-level athlete, former orthopedic surgeon, and CEO of MeatFx, James is best known for his book...

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    • Alvin O'daol

      Master Installer

      Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, Alvin served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, in which...

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    • Jacob Yow

      Install Technician

      He’s best known by his shop name, Jake “The Snake” Yow.  Throughout his career, Yow has been recognized for...

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    • Aldan O'Daol

      Quality Control

      Aldan is the most senior member of the AM Solar team and likely has more RV solar installation hours...

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  • Meet Tech Support

    • Steve Cooper

      Technical Support

      I drink all your beer, I'll eat the last slice, I'll give you charley horses, I always need a ride. ...

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    • Nicholas Cooper

      Install Technician

      Nicholas was born in Greenbow Alabama and had to wear leg braces as a child, probably because of polio,...

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Founders

In January 2016, Greg and Deb hit the road to enjoy the RV Lifestyle that so many of their customers have been living. The Holders remain as valuable advisors and product testers. Although they won’t be in the office very often, they have left the business in good hands with a team of experienced managers who are committed to continuing the tradition of exceptional quality, service and innovation that has been integral to AM Solar’s success.

Greg and Deb Holder started working with solar in 1987 as Alternate Means, selling and installing solar systems for a wide variety of applications including vacation cabins, RVs and even a monastery. Later, as the Holders’ focus turned to recreational vehicles, RV Solar Consultants was formed.

Seeing the demand for a device to regulate electrical current between solar panels and multiple battery banks, Greg worked with Heliotrope General to design the world’s first dual battery solar charger, the RV30. As orders were coming in, a fire destroyed the factory where the charge controllers were being manufactured. Instead of rebuilding, the owner sold the charge controller manufacturing rights to Greg as a percentage of gross sales, thus starting Heliotrope PV. These charge controllers were initially assembled by hand and later outsourced to electrical assembly factories. RV manufacturers were the primary market for the controllers, who without solar, were seeing batteries die while their vehicles waited in assembly line parking lots.

Over time, the expensive analog technology used in the Heliotrope controllers gave way to more efficient digital technology and Heliotrope PV was abandoned, but Greg’s foot was in the door and business was booming. In 2002 the Holders founded AM Solar and five years later, they moved into their custom constructed headquarters in Springfield, Oregon.

While growing AM Solar, Greg and Deb lived, worked and played for extended periods of time in their RV. They traveled throughout North America giving seminars at “Life on Wheels” events and attended various other rallies. During these adventures, Greg and Deb spent long periods of time boondocking in remote locations which helped them understand and appreciate the challenges associated with the RV lifestyle.

Over the years, AM Solar has installed power systems and RV solar kits on thousands of vehicles and built a respected reputation throughout North America.

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The am solar way

  • Treat customers right

  • Treat each other right

  • have fun

  • build a strong business