OutBack Power Opens New Headquarters amid Solar Industry Growth

OutBack Power Technologies, Inc. announced the grand opening of its new headquarters in the Arlington Advanced Manufacturing Park on August 22. Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert and other guests from state and county government will dedicate the facility, where OutBack Power employs about 70 people and will have hired 20 new employees by the end of 2013 in response to increased interest in renewable energy.

Harvey Wilkinson, general manager of OutBack Power, said, “The support of the governor, mayor, Washington State Department of Commerce and Economic Alliance of Snohomish County has been instrumental in helping OutBack create jobs right here in Washington State. Our move into a larger facility better positions us to hire talented employees, design and test new products, train electrical and energy professionals in grid-smart technologies, and support and promote more environmentally friendly living.”

A recipient of Seattle Business Magazine’s Silver Award for 2013 Emerging Manufacturer of the Year, OutBack Power’s expansion into its new 42,000 square-foot facility comes as the industry grows to meet soaring demand for solar power. With solar now the fastest growing energy source in the United States, the market employs more than 120,000 Americans, and Washington ranks 10th in the country for solar employment. OutBack Power, a member of the Alpha Group of companies, which employs more than 2,000 employees worldwide with 445 based in Washington, will house its certificate training program in the new facility. The three-day curriculum is approved by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and equips electrical contractors and solar installers with the training and accreditation to compete in the growing solar design and installation field.