REC Solar appoints Matt Walz, a Duke Energy executive as chief executive officer

REC Solar has announced the appointment of Matt Walz as chief executive officer.  Walz has worked at Duke Energy for 12 years and joined REC Solar after serving on the company’s board of directors.

Walz brings to REC Solar leadership experience in renewable energy, retail electric supply and wholesale generation. Building off his tenure as a vice president at the nation’s largest utility, Walz will help REC Solar further integrate with Duke Energy Renewables and create additional strategic partnerships to solve commercial customers’ most pressing energy challenges.

“Our customers want an energy partner that understands the unique needs of both small and large businesses and is able to provide simple, affordable and customized solutions,” said Walz. “As CEO, I am bringing together the nearly two decades of solar experience at REC Solar with Duke Energy’s more than 100 years’ experience serving customers’ energy needs.”

 Walz also said that “Duke Energy and REC Solar together are providing secure financing options, partnering with best-in-class service and technology providers, and using our energy experience to build the best solution for each customer,” he added. “We want to make it easy for customers to save money and generate onsite solar power.”

When Duke Energy acquired its majority interest in REC Solar in 2015, the company committed to invest up to $225 million in commercial solar projects developed through the commercial solar leader and supported by long-term power purchase agreements.

“Delivering a simple sales and financing process to commercial energy buyers gives them quick access to smart, high-quality solutions to their complex energy problems,” said Rob Caldwell, an REC board member and president of Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology. “Matt’s leadership experience makes him well qualified to solve these challenges and lead REC Solar into its next phase of growth. REC Solar and Duke Energy Renewables bring unmatched collective expertise to any company seeking to lower energy costs and find multiple services under one provider.”