This August, Gimecol Solar marked its 10th year in partnership with Enphase, a collaboration that built Colombia's microinverter market from the ground up. Behind this milestone is a story of visionary founders who embraced cutting-edge technology when few others dared to.
Founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Julio Darío Fuentes Polanco and Nohemi Carreño Ortiz, Gimecol partnered with technical expert Juan Manuel Álvarez. The company was the first to champion technology virtually unknown in the market. Nearly 7,000 Enphase microinverters later, Gimecol has grown into one of Colombia's leading solar providers, proving that reliability and quality drive lasting growth.
“We were the first to bring Enphase microinverters to Colombia—pioneers, in a way,” Julio recalled in a recent conversation with Enphase. That pioneering spirit, combined with a decade of demonstrated microinverter reliability, has proven that depth of expertise and long-term partnership can deliver lasting value.
Proving microinverter technology
Gimecol's breakthrough came in 2013, when Colombia's solar market looked nothing like it does today. Regulatory frameworks were nascent, installer education was limited, and convincing customers to invest in unfamiliar technology required proof, not promises.
Gimecol Solar led by example, becoming an early adopter at every stage. In 2015, it installed the first pilot Enphase system at its own office using M215 microinverters. A year later, it legalized Colombia's first grid-connected M250 system. As regulations evolved in 2017 and 2018 to enable broader grid connections, Gimecol adopted IQ6 Microinverter technology, advancing to IQ7 in 2019. By 2021, the installer was tackling high-capacity commercial and industrial rooftop projects, culminating in a pioneering 2024 installation with IQ8P-3P Microinverters.
Each milestone demanded flexible technology to keep up with Colombia's evolving regulations and market needs. “Our collaboration with Enphase has been a true partnership,” Julio explained. “They've consistently adapted their versatile technology to meet our needs and position us for future projects.”
This partnership, based on education and trust, has paid off. Today, Gimecol balances 60% residential and 40% commercial and industrial installations. Its 98% satisfaction rate is driven largely by what customers value most: real-time, customized system oversight through the Enphase App’s advanced monitoring capabilities. This transparency has fueled strong repeat business and accelerated solar adoption across Colombia's public sector.
Scaling from facilities to schools
The Espartaco Concentrates facility in Girón, Santander tells the story of Gimecol Solar’s evolution. The 297 kW installation showcases its capability to handle large-scale commercial projects while maintaining its strong reputation for reliability. The installer also delivered a 50 kW system at the EDS Moya Gas Station and contributed to Casitas Campestres, a residential housing complex in Barrancabermeja, Santander. These projects highlight Gimecol’s versatility across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors.
Its most significant impact, however, has come through partnerships with public schools and enterprises—projects made possible by Enphase's 20-year warranty, which gave Colombian banks and financial institutions the confidence to fund solar at scale for the first time.
“Enphase treats us as if we were the highest of priorities,” Julio said with a grin. “That makes us trust the relationship we've built over the years.”
A decade-long, loyal partnership
As Enphase microinverter technology has evolved, so has Gimecol’s capacity to meet growing industrial demands. “My confidence in Enphase has ensured we are the most reliable, advanced, and profitable solution in Colombia for any company considering solar,” Julio noted. “There is no more powerful or intelligent system than an Enphase system.”
That confidence extends beyond customers to Colombia’s grid operators, who have learned from Gimecol's projects and now approach Enphase installations with trust rather than skepticism—a shift earned through years of consistent performance to achieve. “We’ve grown hand-in-hand with Enphase,” Julio reflected. “Even grid operators have learned from our projects and have immense confidence when Enphase technology is involved.”
Building on a decade of trust
Gimecol Solar’s future is deeply tied to its ongoing partnership with Enphase, with plans to adopt emerging technology such as energy storage and EV charging as Colombia’s energy needs evolve.
As this collaboration deepens, Gimecol continues to build on the trust and excellence that have defined a decade of work. Its tenth-anniversary milestone with Enphase celebrates the past while signaling the promise of Colombia's solar future. As solar adoption expands across Latin America, Gimecol Solar demonstrates that family-led innovation and steadfast partnership can transform entire markets.
“Our thanks go to God, our family, and each of our collaborators and clients who have made this possible,” said Julio.
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