Home Energy Experts
Alex Richards doesn’t live any closer to the sun than the rest of us, but he certainly emits a lot of positive energy for one guy.
Working in the solar energy industry isn’t for the bashful because there is a lot of misinformation online and a number of “bad actors” trying to sell it, but through transparency and educating clients on personalized opportunities to conserve energy and save money Richard’s has built Ori Energy into an industry leader in Central Florida.
He acknowledges a big reason people are weary of solar energy solutions is because of “a stark lack of transparency.” Ori’s first step with a prospective client is to thoroughly evaluate the energy usage and efficiency of their home or business, much like a mechanic opens the hood of a vehicle for diagnostic testing.
“If a car is getting bad gas mileage, that doesn’t mean it needs a whole new engine. It might have low tire pressure, old spark plugs, or worn belts,” Richards says. “In the same regard, we want to find and fix these types of issues within the home before assigning a major overhaul. Common causes of energy loss in a home are poor insulation, air leakage and bad ductwork.”
Ori, which is the Hebrew word for “my light” found in the Biblical book of Isaiah, specializes in solar roofs as well as full home battery-backup systems and ground-mount/pergola mounted options that don’t penetrate a home’s roof.
Richards said people are often surprised to learn they don’t need a massive amount of panels to offset their energy consumption.
He is passionate about serving mobile home owners who have been affected by recent tropical storms and hurricanes and is keen on helping them work through the often taxing recovery process.
Ori Energy also helps solar customers better understand how they are being charged by utilities like Lakeland Electric and TECO so they can maximize their solar benefit.
The industry Richards has made a home in is growing rapidly. In 2024, the United States saw a 61 percent growth in the capacity of its utility-scale solar grid, according to the Energy Information Administration.
While customers need help understanding the short- and long-term advantages of solar energy, Richard’s mission is simple.
“We want to help people live more comfortably in their homes while also reducing the amount of money they spend on electric bills,” he says.
