Supply chain issues have been a top concern ever since the pandemic began, hampering the production of everything from paper products to pick-up trucks and, of course, RVs. One possible remedy is to source locally, which is why Crossroads Solar co-founder and president Patrick Regan is confident that his South Bend, Ind., company can help satisfy the RV industry’s solar demand.
While streamlining the supply chain is reason enough, there is another, perhaps more compelling, reason to buy from his company. “Everyone who works here, except me, was in prison,” Regan commented.
You heard right. The workforce at Crossroads Solar consists of former inmates now given a chance for a better life through Regan’s venture.
Regan was a Notre Dame University professor before starting Crossroads Solar(with his business partner Marty Whalen). He is an international expert on the causes and prevention of civil wars and the politics of climate change, whose work has been cited in more than 7,000 academic articles.
As a climate expert, Regan sees solar as a growing industry well into the future. What’s more, through his affiliation with the Moreau College Initiative, he could tap into a plentiful source of labor while offering hope and a living wage to those formerly incarcerated.
The Moreau College Initiative is a collaboration between Holy Cross College and the University of Notre Dame. Through the program, inmates at the Westville Correctional Institute can earn a Holy Cross Associate Degree. Regan and Whalen are both teachers in the program.
Regan’s business approach seems to be paying off. The company was founded on producing high-quality, sustainable solar panels while creating jobs for returning citizens.
According to Regan, “Many of our customers tell us they no longer sell foreign panels. Instead, their clients want to buy products made locally, from a company with a mission to give back to the community and help people get back on track.” Better products and a better world are how he sums it up.
“To date, most of our sales have been to installers in the commercial and residential markets,” Regan said. “One of the advantages of sourcing locally is that you can send a truck right to the factory where the panels are made rather than waiting for a container ship from China. You can also buy in smaller quantities rather than full container loads, saving inventory costs. I believe RV manufacturers will also find our local sourcing and our community focus appealing.”
The company first began production in September 2021 and utilizes high-efficiency PERC technology, resulting in panels in the 21.1+% efficiency range.
You can reach Regan at patrickregan@crossroads-solar.com. View this link for a story about the company and its community-based approach. Although the company is a bit unorthodox, its products are more than competitive. Crossroads produces panels ranging from RV-sized 200 and 220 Watts systems to 325 and 380 Watts for larger installations. The modules are certified to UL/IEC 61730 and 61215 standards and carry a 25-year performance warranty. In addition, they are made with G1 cells, which Crossroads says results in about 4% more surface area to capture sunlight over other cell designs. While dwarfed in size by competitor’s standards, Crossroads expects to add a second shift soon.
