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INVEST IN SOLAR DIRECT TODAY!

Solar & Storage, on Steroids!

This Reg CF offering is made available through StartEngine Capital, LLC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.
Solar Direct

$56,116.50 Raised

REASONS TO INVEST

ABOUT

HEADQUARTERS
6935 15th St E 120
Sarasota, FL 34243
WEBSITE
View Site
External Link Icon

TEAM

Dale Gulden
Dale Gulden
President / Manager

A 37 year veteran of the Solar and Renewable Energy Industry Dale Gulden holds a bachelors degree in Business Marketing and Economics from Indiana State University and was the former President of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA). Gulden has served as a keynote speaker to environmental and business groups on the economic and ecological “green benefits” of solar and renewable energy technologies. In 1986, Gulden partnered with Kirk Maust, a leading solar engineer, establishing Solar Direct as a premier solar contracting firm offering installations statewide in Florida. Solar Direct holds state licensing for solar and electrical, and has its own Professional Engineer on staff. Solar Direct also offers consulting and engineering services for large custom residential and commercial projects. As the leader of Solar Direct, Dale has directed the company into one of the highest ranking e-commerce destinations for renewable technology. Gulden then expanded this unique model nationwide by establishing Solar Direct’s internet presence in 1995 with TheEnergySuperMarket.com, becoming the first website to offer renewable product information and consumer eco-education along with the ability to purchase products on the internet.

Kirk A. Maust
Kirk A. Maust
CEO / Senior Engineer / Manager

Kirk Maust earned one of the nation’s first degrees in solar and renewable technology in 1981. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University’s Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department, recognized as having the largest and most prestigious engineering degree program in North America. Moving to Florida, Maust managed and later acquired the solar contracting division of an air conditioning firm. Kirk Maust now represents the new breed of entrepreneurial executive; his defining characteristics encompass 35-years of “real world” solar and renewable engineering experience, Internet technology and digital communication skills, as well as having the spirit and aspirations of an e-commerce visionary. In the early 2000’s, building on the success of offering alternative energy information to consumers via the Internet in the mid 90’s, Maust developed Solar Direct’s first electronic shopping cart – the Energy SuperMarket. This investment in an e-commerce platform dramatically increased revenues, and distribution expanded first nationally, and then globally. His goal now is to further expand the years of knowledge and experience exponentially through the Solar Buyers Club platform, to bring the [solar] power to the people (everywhere). In addition, in 2016 he co-founded Solar Buyers Club LLC (SBC) as Manager. SBC provides customer acquisition services for Solar Direct.

Sheila Schweinberg

Sheila Schweinberg

COO / Administrative Manager

Sheila Gulden joined Solar Direct in 1996 as the Assistant to the General Manager. In 2000, Sheila was promoted to Administrative Manager and in 2005 to COO. Sheila has a comprehensive knowledge of the operations of the company, including back office logistics, warehouse and fulfillment, and finance. She provides daily oversight of the Operation, Warehouse and Finance Departments. While working for the company, she obtained her Business Administration Degree from Keiser University. Sheila's love of brewing Craft Beers led her in 2016 to help with community outreach at a local business, Three Keys Brewing & Eatery, where is an Assistant Manager.

Jason Tomzcyk

Jason Tomzcyk

CBDO

With nearly 12 years field & management experience in solar, Jason brings a wealth of skill to the table. Organization and planning are his forte' and his attention to detail and natural drive to serve each customer with impeccability ensures a satisfying transaction, start to finish. He has managed the installation of thousands of solar systems, both residential and commercial, and is a certified installer of Vortex Solar Panels. Jason has provided consulting services for Solar Direct for over 10 years, and serves as its Chief Business Development Officer. In addition, in 2016 he co-founded Solar Buyers Club LLC (SBC). He is the CEO / Manager and oversees all daily operations remotely from his office in Zürich. SBC provides customer acquisition services for Solar Direct.

Oliver Baumgart

Oliver Baumgart

CSO / Sales Manager

Prior to joining Solar Direct, Oliver worked for Mercedes Benz Financial Services in Munich, Germany. He also worked as a consultant at Bundeswehr Fuhrpark during his time in Munich. His credentials include a Bachelor’s Degree from VWA Stuttgart in Germany, an EnergyGauge Rater Certificate from Florida Solar Energy Center, Balance Sheet Analysis & Financing/Leasing Certificates from Mercedes Benz Financial Services. Oliver joined Solar Direct in 2011, and is the CSO & Sales Manager. He's responsible for in-home and internet sales, along with marketing programs and brand management. Oliver's greatest strengths are his creativity, drive, and leadership. He thrives on challenges, particularly those that expand the company's reach.

TERMS

Solar Direct
Overview
PRICE PER SHARE
$0.50
DEADLINE
Jan 16, 2019
VALUATION
$6.03M
AMOUNT RAISED
$56,116.50
Breakdown
MIN INVESTMENT
$100
MAX INVESTMENT
$107,000
MIN NUMBER OF SHARES OFFERED
20,000
OFFERING TYPE
Equity
SHARES OFFERED
Preferred Class B Units
MAX NUMBER OF SHARES OFFERED
214,000

Maximum Number of Shares Offered subject to adjustment for bonus shares

Most Recent Fiscal Year-End

Prior Fiscal Year-End

Total Assets

$1,054,109

$653,812

Cash & Cash Equivalents

$269,010

-$1,925

Accounts Receivable

$86,258

$83,123

Short-Term Debt

$976,373

$1,062,047

Long-Term Debt

$58,416

$217,448

Revenue & Sales

$2,275,572

$3,178,983

Costs of Goods Sold

$1,296,854

$2,176,260

Taxes Paid

$0

$0

Net Income

$150,187

-$11,007

A crowdfunding investment involves risk. You should not invest any funds in this offering unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. These securities have not been recommended or approved by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority. Furthermore, these authorities have not passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this document. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not pass upon the merits of any securities offered or the terms of the offering, nor does it pass upon the accuracy or completeness of any offering document or literature. These securities are offered under an exemption from registration; however, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not made an independent determination that these securities are exempt from registration.

Irregular Use of Proceeds

The Company might incur Irregular Use of Proceeds that may include but are not limited to the following over $10,000: Vendor payments and salary made to one's self, a friend or relative; Any expense labeled "Administration Expenses" that is not strictly for administrative purposes; Any expense labeled "Travel and Entertainment"; Any expense that is for the purposes of inter-company debt or back payments.

PRESS

Article Image
Solar Direct - Leading the Industry

Solar Direct, founded in 1986 by Kirk Maust and Dale Gulden, was a pioneering company in the solar energy industry. Maust was quite the pioneer himself, having earned one of the nation’s first degrees in solar and renewable technology. He graduated in 1981 from Pennsylvania State University.

Article Image
Solar Direct - Bringing Renewable Energy Down to Earth

Dale Gulden and Kirk Maust understood how important clean energy was when it came to protecting the environment more than 30 years ago. In 1985, they formed Solar Direct, a company in Sarasota, Florida, that offers Solar and other Renewable Energy Products.

Article Image
Tax Credit to heat up sales

Solar Direct featured for solar technology in the early 2000's.

Article Image
Solar Power - An Investment whose time has arrived

The falling cost of Solar Panels, the increasing cost of electrical power and the paltry returns being realized on Investments, in general, have suddenly made returns from Investments from Solar Power look pretty exciting.

Article Image
Crescent Island off-grid power Featured System

Unique solar power and battery storage system featured in Solar Power World magazine (scroll to page 92 in online viewer)

ALL UPDATES

01.03.19

Notice of Funds Disbursement

[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].

Hello!

As you might know, Solar Direct has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Solar Direct be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.


This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.


Thanks for funding the future.

-StartEngine

11.15.18

Notice of Material Change in Offering

[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].

Hello! Recently, a change was made to the Solar Direct offering. Here's an excerpt describing the specifics of the change:

Extending by 60 days.

When live offerings undergo changes like these on StartEngine, the SEC requires that certain investments be reconfirmed. If your investment requires reconfirmation, you will be contacted by StartEngine via email with further instructions.

10.12.18

Notice of Funds Disbursement

[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].

Hello!

As you might know, Solar Direct has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Solar Direct be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.


This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.


Thanks for funding the future.

-StartEngine

10.04.18

Explosive Growth in 2018

This has been a very exciting year for Solar Direct. 

After our Start Engine launch last December, we dedicated much of our time in the first quarter of 2018 to finalizing our BETA version of the Solar Buyers Club (SBC) - both the website and the back-end.  After the official launch in April, we began to see steady growth of new members and SBC Leaders.  

By the end of the second quarter, momentum really started to build, with a dramatic increase in both members and SBC leaders - this has resulted in an explosive growth of sales.  Our focus over the last 6 months has been on developing sales and the behind the scenes structure to meet our projections; this dedication of resources has negatively resulted in less time working with the Start Engine campaign; and if you are not aware, raising capital, even with Crowd Funding, takes a lot of effect.  Consequently we have had to extend our campaign and plan to push to meet our initial goal of $107,000 by the end of this year.  We have re-invested funds from sales into continued expansion, and the results are paying off.  

As you can see below, sales units doubled from calendar 2016 over 2017; however 2018 shows the impact from our new Solar-to-Scale Accelerator plus Solar Buyers Club Platform efforts.  The results are stunning, as we forge our way into a new energy frontier.  This growth is all coming from our Solar Buyers Club - all while we reduced advertising & marketing costs over 80% from the previous year!

We are looking forward to more exponential growth, and want to thank all our investors for their confidence in our exciting plan.

NOTE: Units for Oct - Dec 2018 are projected based on current trend


09.17.18

Notice of Material Change in Offering

[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].

Hello! Recently, a change was made to the Solar Direct offering. Here's an excerpt describing the specifics of the change:

Solar Direct has extended their campaign 60 days.

When live offerings undergo changes like these on StartEngine, the SEC requires that certain investments be reconfirmed. If your investment requires reconfirmation, you will be contacted by StartEngine via email with further instructions.

07.17.18

Notice of Material Change in Offering

[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].

Hello! Recently, a change was made to the Solar Direct offering. Here's an excerpt describing the specifics of the change:

Solar Direct LLC has extended their campaign.

When live offerings undergo changes like these on StartEngine, the SEC requires that certain investments be reconfirmed. If your investment requires reconfirmation, you will be contacted by StartEngine via email with further instructions.

06.01.18

Notice of Funds Disbursement

[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].

Hello!

As you might know, Solar Direct has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Solar Direct be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.


This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.


Thanks for funding the future.

-StartEngine

05.18.18

Amending our Securities Offering

Hello! Recently, a change was made to the Solar Direct offering. Here's an excerpt describing the specifics of that change:

Solar Direct has extended their offering to end on July 17th, 2018.

When live offerings undergo changes like these on StartEngine, the SEC requires that certain investments be reconfirmed. If your investment requires reconfirmation, you will be contacted by StartEngine via email with further instructions.

04.25.18

Solar Direct partners to provide Solar Powered Tiny Homes recycled from Shipping Containers

We've all seen tiny homes, and understand the concept of downsizing.

Wouldn't it be great to find a way to recycle something into an actual home dwelling?  

Watch Video to Learn More

The world has been cluttered with shipping containers making their way across the sea, that often never find a return trip to the source. Over the past five or six years, shipping containers have become an object of excitement over converting them into housing, restaurants, shopping malls, you name it!

Now take this great idea, and put it in the hands of the worlds fastest growing solar company, using the most powerful and longest lasting batteries on the planet, and out comes self contained, self powered housing, ready-ship to anywhere!

Dale Gulden of Solar Direct is assembling a team effort with solar panel installation, Sonnen Batteries, Rainwater catchment, bio-gas fuel generation, LED lighting, composting toilets, and the most efficient appliances available.

We're using local labor, lumber, and supplies to bolster the economy near the installation points, and to better the lives of the local community. The steel construction lends itself to be earthquake, hail, tornado, and hurricane resistant, yet economical to ship or move into place.

In places where grid power is struggling to maintain consistency, technology has made it possible and now has obsoleted the need for public grid growth.

Self-sustaining communities can now be free to grow without fear of polluting the waters or cluttering views with ugly power line installations. Self-contained housing makes disaster recovery a much simpler task, and paves the way to a stable, independent, rewarding home experience like never before.

 Contact Solar Direct Today to bring this concept to your community development!

03.24.18

Investers and Followers: Enter to Win a Free GoSun Solar Cooker & help us spread the word

Enter to win a free GoSun Sport Solar Cooker! Click on the link below to learn how to enter the competition.

http://shop.solardirect.com/#gleam

We are giving away prizes to help spead the word about our Start Engine investment campaign - watch for more contests coming soon.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

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0/2500

HOW INVESTING WORKS

Cancel anytime before 48 hours before a rolling close or the offering end date.

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REWARDS

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SECURE

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DIVERSE INVESTMENTS

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With Regulation A+, a non-accredited investor can only invest a maximum of 10% of their annual income or 10% of their net worth per year, whichever is greater. There are no restrictions for accredited investors.

With Regulation Crowdfunding, non-accredited investors with an annual income or net worth less than $124,000, are limited to invest a maximum of 5% of the greater of those two amounts. For those with an annual income and net worth greater than $124,000, he/she is limited to investing 10% of the greater of the two amounts.

At the close of an offering, all investors whose funds have “cleared” by this time will be included in the disbursement. At this time, each investor will receive an email from StartEngine with their Countersigned Subscription Agreement, which will serve as their proof of purchase moving forward.

Please keep in mind that a company can conduct a series of “closes” or withdrawals of funds throughout the duration of the campaign. If you are included in that withdrawal period, you will be emailed your countersigned subscription agreement and proof of purchase immediately following that withdrawal.

StartEngine assists companies in raising capital, and once the offering is closed, we are no longer involved with whether the company chooses to list shares on a secondary market, or what occurs thereafter. Therefore, StartEngine has no control or insight into your investment after the close of the live offering. In addition, we are not permitted to provide financial advice. You may want to contact a financial professional to discuss possible investment outcomes.

For Regulation Crowdfunding, investors are able to cancel their investment at any point throughout the campaign up until 48 hours before the closing of the offering. Note: If the company does a rolling close, they will post an update to their current investors, giving them the opportunity to cancel during this timeframe. If you do not cancel within this 5-day timeframe, your funds will be invested in the company, and you will no longer be able to cancel the investment. If your funds show as ‘Invested’ on your account dashboard, your investment can no longer be canceled.

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Refunds that are made through ACH payments can take up to 10 business days to clear. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the bank, but we will do everything we can to get you your refund as soon as possible. However, every investment needs to go through the clearing process in order to get sent back to the account associated with the investment.

Both Title III (Regulation Crowdfunding) and Title IV (Reg A+) help entrepreneurs crowdfund capital investments from unaccredited and accredited investors. The differences between these regulations are related to the investor limitations, the differing amounts of money companies are permitted to raise, and differing disclosure and filing requirements. To learn more about Regulation Crowdfunding, click here, and for Regulation A+, click here.

RAISED
$56,116.50
INVESTORS
232
MIN INVEST
$100
VALUATION
$6.03M

@ 2022 All Rights Reserved

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StartEngine’s Reg A+ offering is made available through StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information about this offering, please view StartEngine’s offering circular and risk associated with this offering.