You've probably seen the name pop up if you've spent any time digging into the solar boom of the late 2010s. Edward Harner Green Solar Technologies LinkedIn profiles often serve as the first point of contact for people trying to figure out what happened to one of the most outspoken residential solar companies in America. It’s a bit of a rabbit hole. Honestly, the story of Edward Harner isn't just about a guy with an MBA from Oxford; it’s about a specific era of the American energy transition where "Made in the USA" became a battle cry.
Green Solar Technologies (GST) didn't just want to sell panels. They wanted to sell a philosophy. Based in Los Angeles, they grew at a breakneck pace—over 250% by some accounts. Harner, serving as the Chief Operating Officer, became the face of this expansion. He wasn't your typical quiet executive. He was out there testifying in front of the U.S. International Trade Commission, arguing that American solar manufacturing was on life support and needed protection from foreign imports.
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The Man Behind the COO Title
Edward Harner’s background is actually pretty heavy on the finance side, which explains why he was so focused on the ROI of solar for the average homeowner. He’s an Oxford man—specifically Saïd Business School—and has roots at Boston College too. Before he was talking about PV systems and "smart home" tech, he was navigating the worlds of British American Tobacco and Citi.
That financial pedigree gave him a different "vibe" than the typical green-tech evangelist. He looked at solar through a lens of American economic independence.
On LinkedIn and in various press releases, Harner leaned into the idea that millennials would be the generation to truly flip the switch on renewable energy. He saw them moving from a "nation of renters" to a "nation of environmentally conscious buyers." It was a smart play. By positioning solar as a "smart home" concept rather than just a utility upgrade, GST managed to penetrate markets most big solar companies ignored, like Wyoming and Montana.
Why Edward Harner Green Solar Technologies LinkedIn Searches Spike
People search for this for two reasons: they either want to replicate GST’s former growth or they are looking for answers regarding the company's legal hurdles. It's not all sunshine. In 2019, the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) issued a stipulated settlement involving Green Solar Technologies Inc. and Edward Harner.
The case—No. N2016-283—was a big deal. It resulted in the revocation of a specific license, though it allowed for a stayed revocation with five years of probation under a different entity. If you look at the legal filings, Harner was listed as CEO/President during some of these transitions. This is the "messy" part of the solar business that doesn't usually make it into the polished LinkedIn headlines.
It highlights a common tension in the industry:
- Rapid growth vs. strict compliance.
- Aggressive sales tactics vs. consumer protection.
- The difficulty of managing dozens of sub-contractors across 20+ states.
The "Buy American" Crusade
One thing you have to give Harner credit for is his consistency on domestic manufacturing. While most of the industry was chasing the cheapest possible silicon from overseas, Harner and GST doubled down on American-made products like SolarWorld. They were even a "Platinum Installer" for SolarWorld at one point.
Harner argued that using panels of "questionable origin" would eventually ruin a brand. He wasn't just being patriotic; he was being pragmatic. He wanted his customers to have a verifiable warranty they could actually exercise. When SolarWorld and Suniva filed their Section 201 petition, Harner was one of the few installers to stand up and say, "Yes, we need these tariffs." It was a controversial stance because tariffs usually drive up prices for the end-user, but Harner believed the long-term survival of U.S. manufacturing was worth the cost.
Navigating the Solar Industry in 2026
If you’re looking at Edward Harner’s trajectory today, you’re seeing a microcosm of the solar industry's volatility. The landscape in 2026 is vastly different from the 2017-2019 era. We’ve seen major players like SunPower face massive restructuring, and smaller regional installers have faced a wave of bankruptcies.
The LinkedIn presence of executives from that era often reflects this shift. They’ve moved from "disruptors" to "seasoned consultants" or shifted into energy storage and "safe-harbor" project management. For anyone trying to track down Edward Harner or Green Solar Technologies today, it's basically a lesson in corporate evolution.
Actionable Insights for Homeowners and Professionals
If you are researching this because you're considering a career in solar or looking to install a system, keep these points in mind:
- Check the License, Not Just the LinkedIn: In California (and most states), the CSLB website is more important than a profile page. Always verify the current standing of a contractor's license and any past disciplinary actions.
- American-Made Still Matters: Harner’s point about warranties holds true. In 2026, with shifting trade rules, having a domestic manufacturer makes it much easier to handle long-term maintenance.
- Growth Isn't Everything: A company growing by 250% is impressive, but it puts immense strain on quality control. Look for steady, sustainable growth over "explosive" expansion.
- The Finance Factor: Follow Harner’s lead on one thing—understand the finance. Don't just look at the monthly bill; look at the long-term ROI and the impact of interest rates on solar loans.
The story of Edward Harner and Green Solar Technologies serves as a reminder that the renewable energy transition is a high-stakes environment where policy, finance, and consumer reality collide.
To move forward with your own solar research, you should first visit the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website to verify the active status of any solar provider you're considering. Once you've confirmed their legal standing, compare their hardware offerings against the current Department of Energy (DOE) list of domestic manufacturers to ensure your investment is backed by accessible, long-term warranties.