Sugar Hollow Solar

What We Believe

Fossil fuels are dirty, expensive and entirely unsustainable while renewable energy sources are plentiful and good for the world. The clean energy revolution is happening and at Sugar Hollow Solar, we are committed to leading the charge in our little neck of the woods.

Sure, solar panels are a technology, but they’re also more. Solar unites communities of people who believe a better future is possible. We are committed to doing right by our community, customers and employees, now and for generations to come. Sugar Hollow Solar was birthed and has continued to grow on the same land that our founders' great grandparents farmed. We believe that as a community we need to act now in order to build a future where the next generations can thrive.

Learn more about our community driven donations and efforts in our statement of impact.

What We Offer

Simply put: we focus on providing solutions that transition your home, business, or other building away from fossil fuels and give you more comfort, control, and savings. We’re all about beautifully designed, people-first solutions to our current energy challenges.

Right now, those solutions are solar electric systems (rooftop or ground mounted), battery backup, maintenance on those systems, and EV charger installations that don’t require trenching. We’re always keeping up with innovation in the industry, and will certainly add new products when we feel they are ready to help people. Here, sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about technology advancements.

Our history at Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Our co-founders, Phelps Clarke (2010 - 2022) and Doug Ager, were born loving this land. Two cousins with four generations of Blue Ridge Mountain land-tending running through their veins.

As kids, they explored the forests and farmland surrounding Sugar Hollow Road and had the values of land stewardship and being servant leaders instilled in them. (Speaking of servant leaders, maybe you’re familiar with James Clarke or John Ager? They are Doug & Phelps’ elders who have served in the US Congress and NC State House, respectively.) These two are deeply rooted in doing good in and for this region.

Fast forward a few years and Phelps and Doug started Sugar Hollow Solar with a simple goal: create a great business that helps heal the world. They had become aware of the existential threat of climate change and wanted to build a business that could create meaningful jobs in their home community and tackle climate change at the same time. Since the company’s first solar installation in 2010, every year has solidified their vision: it’s possible to do right by our community and our planet while building a successful business that can exist for the long haul.

It runs in the family: Doug and Phelps’ family members have started other local businesses trying to do good in the area - Hickory Nut Gap Meats and Flying Cloud Farm.

Click here to read about each member of our team:

 We’re not in this alone, meet our partners.