Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1535039
A Trusted Partner in the Solar Industry S olar power has emerged in recent years as one of the fast- est-growing forms of energy in the U.S. CTEC Solar has been there every step of the way. e company helps its clients sift through the ins and outs of development, from finding land to connecting panels to the electric grid to maintaining projects after they start generating power. "We are unique in that we have a full view into all the different as- pects of a project," said Mickey Toro, co-founder and president of the Bloomfield-based company. "We take all of that knowledge and ex- perience into consideration as we work for the benefit of our clients." Founded in 2010 by Toro and his father-in-law, Gene Rosenberg, CTEC has grown from humble be- ginnings in the basement of Toro's home to a thriving enterprise with a team of more than 50 experienced professionals. "Our people are really the driver of our business," Toro said, noting that some have more than a decade of experience in the field. e company initially focused on the New England market but has since expanded its reach to the Mid-Atlantic, South and Midwest, diversifying its portfolio and client base. Its typical solar installation is anywhere from 2 to 10 megawatts, or what are known as community solar projects. ey are often undertaken on behalf of independent power producers (IPPs), utility companies and local governments that are looking to reduce electricity costs. As part of its work, the company often ends up modernizing surrounding electric infrastructure such as substations and three-phase overhead circuits. A key aspect of the company's recent growth has been a strategic decision to vertically integrate its services, adding an in-house civil construction division to its other three arms: for land development; engineering, procurement and construction; and operations and maintenance. e company previously subcontracted site prepara- tion work, but that is now handled by the civil construction division, Toro said, noting that it translates into better quality and better pric- ing on CTEC projects. "We're always looking for different ways to vertically integrate the business and become a more efficient, more inclusive one-stop shop for our partners," Toro said. CTEC also takes pride in the ethos behind its services. e company's leaders instill a culture of doing the right thing, no matter what it takes. "Our partners, whether they are landowners or the operators of our projects, understand that, and we expect it from ourselves," Toro said. e company's partners now also include a new investor: Alan Lazowski, founder of LAZ Parking. He joined CTEC over the last 18 months as a minority partner through LAZ Investments. e solar market has had its challenges over the years – what Toro describes as a "solar coaster." But Toro believes the industry is stabi- lizing, and he is bullish on what it means for energy costs, domestic infrastructure and the global climate. "ere's never been a longer runway for the industry," he said. "And that's because both sides of the aisle recognize the value of solar energy and understand the value of what we do, what it means to ratepayers, what it means to the environment and what it means for the utilities as a whole, especially in New England, where the infra- structure is often antiquated." ADDRESS: 1 GRIFFIN ROAD, SUITE 200, BLOOMFIELD, C T 06002 PHONE: (860) 580-7174 WEBSITE: W W W.C TEC SOL AR .COM TOP EXECUTIVE: MICKEY TORO, PRESIDENT PRODUC T OR SERVICE: SOL AR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUC TION NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 50-PLUS YE AR FOUNDED: 2010 16 HARTFORD BUSINE SS JOURNAL | 2025 BUSINE SS PROFILE S