2024 in Review

This January, Chroma Energy Group has been reflecting on an exciting and transformative year of growth and innovation. In 2024 Chroma made notable strides in our operations, culture and company identity, setting the foundation for an even brighter future.

Defining Our Identity and Path Forward

One of Chroma’s most defining achievements this year was the process of solidifying who we are as a company. We worked collaboratively to define our core values and essential employee behaviors:

• Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast: We take the time to do things right the first time, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in the long run. 

• Knowledge Is Power: We make informed decisions, solve problems and influence situations, effectively granting a sense of power or control over our circumstances.

• X-Factor: Each member of our team has special qualities that propel our business toward success.

• All Terrain: Our team is adaptable, versatile and determined. 

• Follow the Recipe: We deliver quality through consistency, leveraging our subject matter expertise. 

• Confidence Breeds Confidence: We offer our customers confidence in our ability to get the job done right. 

We set clear strategic goals, and mapped out our path forward. This internal alignment has been instrumental in shaping our culture and focusing our energy on what truly matters — building a supportive and resilient team that delivers high-quality, impactful projects.

Landmark Projects: Impacting Communities and Advancing Energy Reliability

In 2024, we completed several standout projects:

• McGee Tyson Air National Guard Base: We completed a 1.4 MW Solar Installation at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base. This project was a milestone for Chroma, in which we provided additional energy reliability and reduced operational costs to support the base’s important work.  

• Poplar Bend Flats: We installed a 1 MW solar array at a 329-unit affordable living complex in Nashville, reducing resident utility costs and demonstrating our commitment to social responsibility.

• Solar Canopy at World’s Fair Park:  A truly iconic installation, this solar canopy powers Knoxville’s Sunsphere, a symbol of the city’s innovation and forward-thinking spirit.

We are proud of our 2024 projects, which not only demonstrate our technical expertise but also reflect our commitment to creating positive impact in our communities. 

Team Growth and Cultural Development

In 2024, Chroma also experienced impressive growth in our team. With a 45% increase in headcount, we now proudly employ 16 full-time team members. We recruit top-tier talent to fuel our focus on energy resiliency and collaborative expertise. 

Specifically, we expanded our operations and pre-construction teams, which has bolstered our capabilities and allowed us to take on more complex and larger-scale projects.

Complementing our team’s evolution, we created a new employee recognition program to celebrate exceptional contributions. We’ve begun company pickleball and fantasy football leagues, and started monthly raffles to foster fun, appreciation and teambuilding among Chroma Energy Group’s employees. 

Industry Engagement and Thought Leadership

In 2024, Chroma actively engaged in the broader clean energy industry, attending numerous conferences and contributing to workforce development initiatives. Notably, our team participated in these key events that facilitated knowledge exchange and positioned Chroma as a thought leader in the renewable energy sector. 

• Opportunities in Energy: In November, Chroma Energy Group’s CEO Ed Rottman was featured on the Beyond Solar panel at the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council’s annual Opportunities in Energy event. The event focused on learning about new and innovative “opportunities” in the advanced energy sector, including trends, businesses, technologies, partnerships and initiatives. 

• Southeast Renewable Energy Conference: In October, Jacob Duncan, Vice President of Business Development, and Jacob Parker, Vice President of Preconstruction Services, attended the Southeast Renewable Energy Conference. The event brought together key state policymakers, influential decision-makers, leading utility executives, and top renewable energy players from the Southeast region to provide updates on issues and opportunities throughout the region.

• TenneSEIA Annual Conference: In November, our team attended TenneSEIA’s Annual Conference. The conference brought together like-minded individuals interested in growing solar business opportunities in the Tennessee Valley to discuss strategies, market trends, and policies that impact the solar industry. They also participated in in-depth and forward-looking discussions on TVA policy and processes and evolving technical opportunities facing the industry in the Tennessee Valley region.

We also made meaningful contributions through sponsorships and volunteer efforts, reinforcing our commitment to the communities we serve.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

A cornerstone of Chroma’s success this year has been our commitment to continuous improvement. Through regular debrief meetings, we examined what went well on our projects and where we could refine our processes. This focus on quality and craftsmanship ensures that we are not only meeting client expectations but consistently exceeding them. Looking ahead to 2025, we will continue to prioritize these lessons learned, maintaining a laser focus on delivering exceptional results and fostering long-term client relationships.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we step into 2025, Chroma Energy Group is poised for another year of growth and achievement. A corporate retreat later this month will give us the opportunity to reflect further on 2024 and refine our strategic goals moving forward. The lessons learned in 2024 will serve as the foundation for our future endeavors, ensuring that we continue to lead with innovation, excellence, and a commitment to sustainability.

In summary, 2024 has been a year of building, evolving, and advancing for Chroma Energy Group. With a strong foundation in place, we are excited for what the future holds and are confident that our ongoing pursuit of excellence will enable us to meet new challenges and deliver even greater success in the years ahead.