Jan. 1, 2010 - Boston Business Journal
Solectria Renewables Inc. could be called the poster child for cleantech’s potential to boost small businesses and provide good jobs to depressed portions of Massachusetts.

The Lawrence company makes power inverters for solar photovoltaic panels, turning energy from the sun into electricity to power homes and businesses. While the first part of 2009 was marred by frozen financing to build solar systems, since the summer they have been hiring like mad.

"What was driving the growth primarily was an increase in customer demand, which we had anticipated, really taking off," said Anita Worden, president of Solectria, which does not divulge revenue. "That’s just an example that this industry, unlike any other industry in this area, does have strength in it."

The company grew its workforce by 80 percent in the last year to about 43, with 80 percent of the new hires in assembly and production of the units. Solectria makes all its inverters for commercial and industrial buildings in Lawrence.