Founded in 2016, Hawk-Attollo is a solar development partner serving as a one-stop solar partner for schools, churches, and other non-profit, tax-exempt organizations. Hawk-Attollo offers engineering, procurement, contracting, project management, operations, and maintenance services. Each project is designed based on the partners’ priorities and goals. This work not only creates investment opportunities for local banks and jobs for local contractors, but it also ensures customers save money on their utility costs while being eco-friendly.
Hawk-Attollo was developed under the combined efforts of two other startup organizations, Hawk Energy Solutions(HES) and Attollo. Jason Hawksworth founded HES in 2010, an engineering, contracting, and solar developer. Attollo, established by Ken and Steve Zika in 2013, is an investment firm dedicated to helping startup businesses in the community eliminate the financial challenges that keep them from scaling. Hawksworth identified a flaw in the system: customers doing business with HES must pay to convert to solar energy using cash. This left many nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations that did not have such resources or could not prioritize unserved renewable energy infrastructure. Further, renewable energy credits and tax-based incentives could not be utilized then. Hawksworth wanted to find a solution.
Hawksworth presented this challenge to Ken Zika. Together, they created Hawk-Attollo to provide non-profit organizations with alternative energy solutions while helping them navigate the best economic options based on the ever-evolving legislation to combat the energy crisis. They’ve created a business model servicing the underdogs that the larger developers cannot or will not serve.
Hawk-Attollo has been stationed at Peoria NEXT Innovation Center since its launch in 2016. Yvonne Long, Hawk-Attollo’s Operations Manager, shares that working in a facility like NEXT supports small businesses that cannot jump into brick-and-mortar during the startup and growth stages. Her team appreciates that the amenities are accommodating, clean shared spaces, and coffee is made when she arrives each morning. She also expresses her appreciation for the various spaces offered. “ I have meeting spaces, projectors, and screens, and I can host events here, “ Long said.
Long also shared how valuable Karen Smallberger, the Administrative Assistant at Peoria NEXT, is to the overall flow of each tenant’s daily work. “Karen keeps us well informed about what is happening at NEXT and manages room reservations, technology resources, etc. She makes sure things are easier for us [tenants] so we can focus on our business.” Long shares that Peoria NEXT is a community and that each startup helps support one another. The Hawk-Attollo team appreciates having that support all in one convenient location with parking and other amenities nearby.
Hawk-Attollo is wrapping up several long-term projects, developing new projects, and expanding into the community solar market. Additionally, it is continuing to map out what the future will hold for its team and will soon undergo a rebranding. To learn more about its services or to schedule a consultation, visit their website.