OUR HISTORY

Alain Ratheau with family

ISA was founded in 1975 as Solar Applications Company by Alain Ratheau, an electrical and mechanical engineer, originally from Paris. Alain designed and installed solar thermal and photovoltaic systems. In April 2008, Andrew Cay acquired Solar Applications Company and changed the name to reflect a focus on combining technologies to achieve net zero energy solutions. Alain continues to work with ISA as a lead engineer and system designer.  Andy received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with Distinction and an MBA from the University of North Carolina.  Andy worked for IBM Corporation as a manufacturing engineer, Related Companies as a mortgage broker and real estate development project manager, and BankNorth as a real estate workout specialist.  He owned a real estate development company specializing in energy efficient housing.

ISA’s core team has a combined total of more than 120 years in the energy, building science, and construction trades fields, providing a depth of practical experience and expertise that is maximized to the fullest benefit for our customers. As a team we hold degrees in Engineering, Business, Sustainable Design & Environmental Studies, and International Studies.

ISA has expertise in solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, small wind, geothermal, and biomass, as well as hybrid systems that combine these technologies.  ISA’s business emphasis has changed as market dynamics have resulted in greater emphasis on solar photovoltaics and geothermal.  As the market has expanded ISA has become the leading installer of photovoltaics in southern Vermont and has been installing large commercial and utility scale projects.  The largest at this time being the 2.5 MW solar array located at 190 Technology Drive in Brattleboro.  Vermont (and therefore ISA) has received considerable attention by national PV development companies that have been attracted by Vermont’s group net metering laws, utility solar adder, feed-in tariff program and ease of project permitting.

Andrew Cay, Jeffrey Robison, and Alain Ratheau