Who says the solar industry is slowing down? Not Martifer Solar USA. The California-based subsidiary of the international Martifer Group has seen a sharp rise in its project pipeline for 2012 growing to more than 100 megawatts (MWs) of anticipated solar installations.

That’s a significant jump from it’s work in previous years. For instance, “Our 2011 capacity reached over 30 MWs,” said Martifer Solar’s Chief Strategy Officer Kent James.

In a press release Martifer Solar USA CEO Raffi Agopian said last year’s growth for the company was “unprecedented,” with more than 70 contracts resulting in revenues growing by 167 percent. To handle the business last year the company had to double staff. It’s likely to increase staff significantly in 2012 as well, since it’s pipeline will likely dwarf last year’s. The company’s made significant headway on the pipeline with contracts for 30 MWs already signed and the busy season is just approaching.

In 2012, the company anticipates that community-owned solar gardens (think solar co-operative) are one of its biggest opportunities for grow. “We anticipate major growth in the solar garden market as the ownership model offers residential energy at utility scale prices,” James said.

Under such projects, like the 858 kilowatt Garfield County Airport Solar Array in Rifle, Col., that Martifer completed last year, community members can buy a portion of the array and use it to offset their electric use. Already Martifer anticipates working on second phase of the Garfield project with its partner Clean Energy Collective, which would double its capacity.

Martifer Solar USA also anticipates working on more projects with schools, small utilities and multi-site commercial projects, with companies like Hertz and the Westfield Group. James also said it could enter into new construction and military projects this year.

Last year the company said it was present in all major markets in the U.S. This year, according to James it will increase its efforts in markets including Arizona, Texas, Ohio and East Coast states that he didn’t directly name.

Image courtesy of Martifer Solar