RevoluSun, Hawaii’s largest homegrown solar energy company, is launching a new venture in which it will offer partnerships to businesses on the mainland that want to use the RevoluSun business model and proprietary project-management software to better compete in their own markets.

Company officials will roll out the new "Powered by RevoluSun Network" next week at the annual Solar Power International conference in Orlando, Fla.

Being able to tap into RevoluSun’s sales and marketing system, as well as its network of financial contacts and equipment vendors, will give partners the tools they need to compete against well-funded national players that continue to penetrate local markets, said Todd Georgopapadakos, president of RevoluSun.

"Even the smaller guys will be able to be price-competitive with their largest competitors when they have access to our buying power," Georgopapadakos said. "With our management system they will be able to handle volumes significantly greater than what they are currently handling with the same number of employees."

RevoluSun is aiming to sign up about 25 partners in the first six to 12 months. Partners will pay a nominal upfront cost to have their employees trained by RevoluSun staff. After that they will pay a percentage of their sales to RevoluSun, according to Georgopapadakos.

RevoluSun also offers full-scale franchise opportunities for entrepreneurs who require more support to get started in the solar business, he said. Both the network partners and franchisees will enjoy territorial exclusivity that will prevent overlap with other RevoluSun-affiliated entities.

The Powered by RevoluSun Network is already generating interest from prospective partners, particularly from companies such as home security firms that have existing relationships with homeowners, Georgopapadakos said. "They will be able to leverage that customer list into new solar business overnight."