Five years after launching the company, Lumina Solar CEO Mike Kirby sees big growth in the future. The Halethorpe-based business started with just four employees in 2018, but now has 198 employees in two states – more than 160 in Maryland and the rest in Pennsylvania – with plans to open a Virginia location later this year.
Within three or four years, Lumina’s workforce could double, he said.
“Our goal is to be the best solar installation and services company in the country in our market class,” he said. “We think we can be the #1 renewable energy company in Maryland in the residential and commercial space.”
A native of Northern Baltimore County, Kirby has worked in the solar industry since graduating from college in 2009. When it came time to launch his own firm, Maryland’s strong market made it a natural choice for Lumina’s headquarters, as well as a recently opened second office in Halethorpe to support its commercial business.
The company has three areas of focus: residential solar installations, commercial solar installations, and energy services. Those adjacent services include maintenance for existing solar systems, EV charger installations, and roofing.
The company sees opportunity ahead due to the growing appetite for renewable energy, particularly amid concerns about rising energy costs and climate change.
“For us, it’s really important to deploy as much clean power throughout Maryland as possible in the next 20 years and we think we can lead the state's transition to a renewable based economy,” Kirby said. “To do that, we have to be a great partner for our customers throughout Maryland by delivering a world-class installation and experience.”
Lumina Solar also prides itself on creating a positive environment for its employees – it recently ranked among the Baltimore Sun’s Top Workplaces for 2022 .
“We want to be a great place for our colleagues to work and to build a future. It's a core element of our long-term strategy,” Kirby said.