14 years of OnSite Energy

14 Years of OnSite Energy

Fourteen years ago this February, OnSite Energy was founded on a simple but ambitious belief: that solar could be done better—more thoughtfully, more rigorously, and more humanely—than the industry standard at the time. What we didn’t know then was how many stories, systems, and relationships would grow from that belief.

As we celebrate our 14th year serving Montana and the greater Rocky Mountain region, we’re reflecting not just on the projects we’ve built, but on the people, principles, and persistence that have shaped who we are today.

Because if there’s one thing that’s become clear over the last fourteen years, it’s this: OnSite Energy is powered by our customers.

Technical Expertise from Start to Finish

OnSite Energy is one of the few solar companies that truly does it all—design, installation, and long-term service under one roof. That wasn’t an accident. From the beginning, we knew that clean energy systems aren’t “set it and forget it” products. They’re living systems that must be designed for real lives, real environments, and real expectations.

Our team works across the entire project lifecycle because that’s what accountability looks like. It allows us to:

• Design systems that are properly sized (not over- or under-engineered)
• Install with precision and best-in-class safety standards
• Service systems over decades—not just warranty periods

This integrated approach becomes especially important in complex applications like large commercial installations or off-grid residential solar systems, where margin for error is small and thoughtful design makes all the difference.

Off-Grid, On Purpose: An “Off-Grid Paradise” in Montana

Some companies shy away from off-grid systems. We don’t.

Off-grid solar requires deep technical knowledge, honest conversations, and a willingness to design around lifestyle—not sales assumptions. And no story illustrates that better than Sean and Kathy.

More than a decade ago, Sean and Kathy built their home in rural Montana—far from utility lines and even farther from wanting to rely on them.

From the start, solar and energy storage weren’t add-ons; they were foundational.

“Because our property is back three miles of two-track and at least three miles from the nearest power lines, we knew it would be unacceptably expensive to run residential power that distance… After talking with OnSite about an off-grid system, we knew our expectations for daily living would easily be supported.”

Working closely with OnSite’s team—especially Co-Founder Orion Thornton—Sean and Kathy designed a system that balanced realism with comfort. Trade-offs were discussed openly. Electric heat was replaced with more appropriate alternatives. Gas appliances were chosen intentionally. The system wasn’t designed for excess—it was designed for how they actually live.

And the result?

An 1,800-square-foot home with a full basement that “looks and works just like any home in any residential development in the country.”

Their system includes:

• 6.6 kW of installed solar
• ~29 kWh of usable battery storage
• A backup generator is used sparingly during winter’s lowest-production months

Even during Montana winters, they run their generator only a handful of days each year—and often just a few hours at a time.

“The bottom line is we do not even know we are off-grid. We have everything in the house we want and do anything we want without even thinking about it.”

For ten years now, Sean and Kathy have lived 24/7/365 in what they lovingly call their “off-grid paradise.”

Independence, Designed In

For many off-grid customers, including Sean and Kathy, resilience is about more than outages—it’s about independence.

“What we appreciate most is the independence we have. We are not relying upon anyone for our power needs… To lose power, something would need to go wrong with the solar system, the batteries, and the backup generator all at the same time.”

That layered reliability is intentional. It’s what happens when systems are designed by teams who think forward, plan redundancies, and choose high-quality components—not shortcuts.

And it’s also where long-term service matters.

Sean and Kathy are candid about something we believe in: being honest about solar is an investment, not a magic trick. Batteries eventually need replacing. Technology evolves. Maintenance matters.

“Living off-grid with a solar system does not mean your electricity is free… We got nine years out of our original battery system, which met expectations. Our new lithium batteries should last considerably longer.”

That kind of transparency—on both sides—is what makes long-term success possible.

Local Roots, Global Standards

OnSite Energy is proudly Montanan. We live here. We build here. We understand the weather, the terrain, and the realities of rural infrastructure.

At the same time, we’ve always believed that being local should never mean thinking small—or holding ourselves to anything less than the highest standards.

That belief took a more formal shape in 2017, when OnSite Energy became a Certified B Corporation, committing ourselves—legally and publicly—to using business as a force for good. Today, we are the only Certified B Corp solar company in Montana, and one of roughly ten B Corp–certified companies statewide. In a state defined by independence, land stewardship, and close-knit communities, that distinction carries real responsibility.

B Corp certification is not a marketing label. It is a rigorous, third-party verification that evaluates how a company operates across environmental impact, worker wellbeing, community contribution, governance, and transparency. It also requires ongoing accountability—something we reaffirmed with our most recent recertification in January 2026.

For OnSite Energy, becoming a B Corp wasn’t about changing who we were.
It was about formalizing what we already believed: that clean energy should be delivered by companies that value people, place, and long-term impact as much as technical performance.

That same year, we took another step toward strengthening our standards by joining the Amicus Solar Cooperative. Invited as its 51st member nationwide, Amicus connects independently owned solar companies that believe collaboration makes the industry stronger. Through shared buying power, deep technical insight, and decades of real-world experience, the cooperative helps ensure our local projects are informed by some of the highest standards and smartest minds in solar. Today, Amicus has grown to more than 90 member companies nationwide, and OnSite Energy remains the original and only member company from the state of Montana. 

Together, B Corp certification and Amicus membership allow us to remain deeply rooted in Montana while staying connected to a broader network of accountability, innovation, and shared learning—locally grounded, globally informed, and always responsible for how we show up.

As co-founder Conor Darby reflects:

“We founded Solar for Conservation in 2017 to leverage our solar projects to the benefit of local conservation efforts. In the same year, we became a certified B Corp and joined the Amicus Solar Cooperative. This was a springboard for OnSite as we gained not only the strength of collective buying power, but a vast experience base and industry resources as well.”

Solar That Gives Back: Solar for Conservation

Those commitments didn’t stop at how we operate—they also shaped how we give back.

Through our Solar for Conservation program—founded by Orion Thornton and Conor Darby—customers can choose to donate 1% of their solar installation cost to local environmental nonprofits working to protect Montana’s land, water, and wildlife.

Since its founding, Solar for Conservation has supported 10+ organizations, ensuring that the clean energy transition strengthens the very ecosystems and communities it depends on.

The Values That Carry Us Forward

After fourteen years, our core values aren’t just words on a wall—they’re habits:

• Elevate the Standard — We continuously improve our processes, our installations, and ourselves.
• Do the Right Thing — Especially when it’s hard, inconvenient, or costly.
• Think Forward — Staying ahead of technology, training, and industry change.
• Stronger Together — Leveraging teamwork, collaboration, and specialization.
• Powered by Passion — A team of long-time solar professionals who believe deeply in this work.

These values show up in the quiet moments: the careful system sizing, the honest conversations about trade-offs, the service calls years after installation, and the relationships that span decades.

Looking Ahead

Sean and Kathy hope they have another forty years in their off-grid home, and we intend to still be here to support them—and thousands of others—along the way.

Fourteen years in, we’re proud of what we’ve built. But even more proud of how we’ve built it: alongside customers who ask thoughtful questions, value long-term thinking, and trust us with something as fundamental as their energy independence.

To our customers, partners, and community: thank you for powering OnSite Energy for the last fourteen years.

Here’s to what’s possible next. 🌞

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