Recent Insights

Kevin O’Leary Reacts to GigaWatt’s $50M Proof

Kevin O’Leary reacts to Deep Patel’s GigaWatt pitch, including $50M+ gross revenue (2019–2024), DIY solar, and the post-subsidy solar market. ...more

Interview

February 13, 2026•5 min read

Reg CF & StartEngine Guide: How It Works + What to Expect

New to Reg CF or StartEngine? Learn how regulated crowdfunding works, what you’re buying, what to expect during signup, and how to follow updates. ...more

StartEngine

February 12, 2026•8 min read

Testing High Voltage Solar and Storage at GigaWatt Labs

We stress tested a high voltage solar and battery system with an EV charger and a high inrush blower load. Here is what stayed online, what dropped, and why it matters for system design. ...more

GigaWatt Labs

February 05, 2026•4 min read

About GigaWatt

For the past 19 years, GigaWatt has engineered, supplied and supported solar and battery energy storage solutions for DIYers, professionals, and homebuilders across America. As a leader in the industry, we simplify every step from design to permitting and installation, driving faster adoption of independent prosumer solar and battery storage systems that save customers money and strengthen the U.S. power grid.

Through our family of brands, we deliver high-quality, reliable kits and support services that remove the guesswork and ensure seamless integration, providing unmatched value to our customers.

About Deep Patel, CEO of GigaWatt

Entrepreneurial Origins: From Research Report to Industry Leader

Deep Patel founded GoGreenSolar in 2006, a venture that would ultimately evolve into GigaWatt, a leading platform in the solar and storage industry. What began as a college research report transformed into a business idea fueled by curiosity and a desire to help people understand solar energy.

Deep started by blogging about solar power technology, making complex topics accessible to everyday homeowners. This content would organically grow into an e-commerce platform for solar panels. To build trust and transparency, Deep personally installed a DIY ground-mounted solar system using panels from multiple manufacturers, collecting real-world performance data and sharing it online. This early commitment to transparency inspired his long-term vision: an open, online platform that made buying solar and storage simple and honest.

Hands-On Experience Through Service: Grid Alternatives

To deepen his technical expertise, Deep volunteered with Grid Alternatives, a nonprofit that installs solar systems for low-income families while training people for solar careers. Starting as a volunteer installer, Deep developed hands-on skills and a strong connection to the mission of energy equity.

His commitment led to him joining the Board of Directors for Grid Alternatives’ Los Angeles Chapter, where he helped guide initiatives that expanded access to solar energy across underserved communities.

Recognition by the City of Los Angeles

Deep’s innovative leadership earned recognition from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles City Council, who honored him and his company as the Minority Green Firm of the Year.

This recognition was awarded specifically for Deep’s pioneering work on SunPole, a GigaWatt innovation developed in partnership with the Bureau of Street Lighting. SunPole was an AC grid-tied solar panel engineered to mount directly onto streetlight poles, generating electricity during peak demand periods, reducing strain on the electrical grid, and offsetting the city’s streetlighting costs.

By transforming everyday urban infrastructure into a source of clean power, SunPole demonstrated Deep’s vision for practical, distributed, and scalable energy solutions. It was this breakthrough innovation that led to his recognition by city leadership.

Engagement at the National Level: Obama White House

Deep was invited to the White House during the Obama Administration to participate in policy discussions on the future of the grid and small business innovation. At these roundtables, he advocated for a distributed, resilient grid powered by solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles, emphasizing their potential to empower everyday Americans through lower energy costs and greater grid independence.

CALSSA – Los Angeles Chapter Leader

Deep became an active member of the California Solar and Storage Association (CALSSA), formerly CALSEIA, building relationships with policymakers and educating them on the economic, environmental, and community benefits of solar adoption.

His leadership and advocacy led him to become the Los Angeles Chapter Leader, where he organized local industry events and strengthened collaboration within the solar ecosystem.

In 2019, Deep joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in celebrating California’s achievement of the 1 Million Solar Roofs milestone—a goal first set in 2006, the same year Deep began his solar journey.

National Policy Advocacy: SEIA

As a committed member of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Deep has been active both in Washington, D.C., and at the state level, lobbying Congress to defend the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) across multiple campaigns. He also testified before the International Trade Commission, speaking out against tariffs on solar panels that would restrict industry growth and limit consumer access.

Mergers & Acquisitions Leadership in DIY Solar

Deep led strategic acquisitions of three of the most recognized brands in the DIY solar marketplace: Unbound Solar, AltE Store, and Real Goods. These acquisitions brought legacy brands under the GigaWatt platform, expanding market reach, strengthening customer trust, and unifying decades of solar expertise into a single platform.