Darren Kimura (Concentrated Solar Power)

Originally from Hilo, Hawaii. Darren began his energy career in 1989 working at his family’s electrical contracting business as an electrician, project manager and Vice President. In these roles he had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects including the construction of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan on Mauna Kea, the Subaru Astronomical Support Facility and energy efficiency upgrades at the State of Hawaii Airports.

In 1992 he transitioned into energy efficiency and renewable energy working as an EPA Green Light Surveyor and an entrepreneur in 1994 founding Energy Conservation and Management Hawaii (ECMH). Over his career he created several companies which he grew internationally, led teams with several hundred employees and grew his businesses to multi-million dollar success.

Darren founded Energy Conservation and Management Hawaii (ECMH) now called Energy Industries in 1994, Pacific Energy Services in 1998, TechnO3 in 1999, Energy Laboratories in 2000, Sopogy in 2002, Energy Smart News in 2004 and Keahole Solar Power in 2007. He gained experience in acquisitions leading the purchase of three energy companies and exits in selling two portfolio companies. He has raised over $30 million in venture capital, secured $45 million in bond financing, $10 million in debt facilities and sold over $1 billion in energy technology, systems and services.

Distinctions
Darren’s entrepreneurship accolades include Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 from Ernst and Young, Top 40 under Forty 2000 from the Pacific Business News, SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2002 for California, Hawaii and Arizona from the Small Business Administration, Hawaiian Electric Trade Ally of the Year 2006 from Hawaiian Electric, Technology Leader of the Year 2006 from the Technology Foundation, Green Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 from Hawaii Business and Honua (Earth) Award for Clean Energy by the Blue Planet Foundation and was named to the Hawaii Business 2010 Ten for Today list.

He has a BA from the University of Hawaii and attended Portland State University where he studied electrical engineering. He is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Demand Side Manager, Certified Distributed Energy Professional and Certified Sustainable Development Professional. Darren is also an Eagle Scout.

Over his career Darren led his companies to the following achievements:

•Energy Conservation Hawaii – Winner Service Firm of the Year 2002 (Small Business Administration)
•Energy Industries – Winner Trade Ally of the Year 2005 (Hawaiian Electric)
•Energy Industries – Winner Technology Company of the Year 2007 (Pacific Technology Foundation)
•Energy Industries – Finalist for Best in Business Division II Year 2007 (Pacific Business News)
•Sopogy – Finalist for Venture Capital Deal of the Year 2006 (Hawaii Venture Capital Association)
•Sopogy – Winner of Venture Capital Association Deal of the Year 2007 (Hawaii Venture Capital Association)
•Sopogy – Winner of National Society of Professional Engineers New Product of the Year 2008 (NSPE)
•Sopogy – Winner of Innovation Company of the Year 2008 (Pacific Business News)
•Sopogy – Innovation by an Organization Award 2008
•Sopogy – Finalist for Global Energy Awards 2008 (Platts)
•Keahole Solar Power – Finalist for Venture Capital Deal of the Year 2008 (Hawaii Venture Capital Association)
•Keahole Solar Power – Innovation by an Organization Award 2009
•Sopogy – Winner, Gold Medal for Energy Product of the Year by Plant Engineering 2009 (PE)
•Sopogy – Always on Global 250 2009 (AO)
•Sopogy – Always on Going Green 2009
•Sopogy – Platts Sustainable Energy 2009
•Sopogy – Winner Hawaii Business Magazine Small Business Innovation Award 2010

Director/Producer/Videographer: Henry Curtis

Original source: https://www.solrenen.com/2020/10/10/darren-kimura-concentrated-solar-power/