Welcome, Friends of the Olivette CommunitY
At Sugar Hollow Solar, we believe in the power of community, resilience, and sustainable living. That’s why our partnership with Olivette means so much to us. As one of Western North Carolina’s most inspiring agrihoods, Olivette brings people together around food, farming, and connection to the land — values that align deeply with our mission.
Why Sugar Hollow Solar Aligns with Olivette Community:
Since our founding in 2010, Sugar Hollow Solar has helped families and communities across WNC take control of their energy future. Olivette has been one of our strongest partners along the way — leading by example with solar and battery systems at so many of their homes that make their community more resilient and sustainable.
That leadership became especially clear after Hurricane Helene. While much of our region faced outages and uncertainty, solar+batteries kept the lights on for Olivette families, allowing neighbors to share meals, charge devices, and stay connected. It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when forward-thinking communities invest in renewable energy.
To honor this connection, and the resilience we witnessed together, Sugar Hollow Solar gifted a custom solar panel art bench to Olivette one year after the storm. Titled Hands of the Harvest and painted on one of our solar panels reclaimed from the floodwaters, the piece celebrates the abundance of Olivette’s gardens and the strength of neighbors supporting one another. It also reflects the spirit of generosity shown in the storm’s aftermath, when Olivette families came together to share meals and resources — including donations to MANNA FoodBank — ensuring that the wider community could weather the challenges side by side.
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Artist Spotlight:
Inspired by concepts of love and empathy, artist Kathi Barnhill creates vibrant paintings that celebrate connection, place, and shared experience. Each work is a narrative tale told between her subjects and the environments they have been painted into.
This project is especially meaningful to Kathi, as her family is a six-time customer of Sugar Hollow, has worked closely with the team, and have experienced firsthand the positive impact of renewable energy.
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Why Sugar Hollow Solar
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Family Roots:
Founded by Doug Ager and his cousin, Sugar Hollow Solar's roots are deeply connected to four generations of land stewardship in the southern Appalachians and other local family businesses including Hickory Nut Gap Farm and Flying Cloud Farm.
Community Commitment:
With over 150 Google Reviews and Voted Best Place to Work by Best of AVL multiple years in a row, we are proud to prioritize the wellbeing of our staff and community. As a living wage certified company, we provide our staff with a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401k, and paid time off.
Partnership with Amicus Solar Cooperative:
As the 75th member-owner of Amicus Solar Cooperative, a certified B-Corporation, and Public Benefit Corporation focused on raising up local companies upholding the client's best interest first, along with social and environmental performance. Unlike national solar companies, we understand the specific needs and challenges of our region and can ensure personalized service and attention to detail.
Innovation and Leadership:
Since our inception in 2010, we've transformed into the largest local solar panel and battery backup installation company in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. What sets us apart is our commitment to owning the entire process. Unlike many others, we don't use subcontractors for our installation work. This hands-on approach ensures seamless communication from the design phase to the installation, leaving less room for errors. We prioritize quality installations, exceeding minimum code requirements because it's not just about meeting standards—it's about setting them. After all, we're not just installing systems; we're servicing our own, and that's a responsibility we take seriously.
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Resources to Explore
Curious to learn how our artisanal process works to help homes, businesses, and nonprofits maximize savings and lower carbon offset with clean energy?
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— Michael Fredericks
“I am extremely impressed with Sugar Hollow Solar. For years, I thought about solar power and talked to a couple of local providers. I chose Sugar Hollow over my second choice, as they explained the process much more clearly (the other company 'lost me' right away). Sugar Hollow cost me a little less, and a real advantage was that they could come sooner than the other company. Great bunch of guys did the installation; smart, polite, and trustworthy. I'm producing more energy than they predicted, and, so far, I have no electric bill, even in winter, with the shorter days. I've had the panels for just 3 months, and have set a new kw high record every few days.”
We’re Powered by Partnerships
Olivette isn’t the only partnership we are proud to have! Discover the brilliance of our solar family through our Preferred Partner Program. From innovative programs to shared sustainability goals, join us in spotlighting these radiant allies who help illuminate the path to a brighter future.