At ParagonSun, success isn’t measured by headlines or flashy accolades. It’s in the systems designed to perform and the relationships built to last. Founded in 2009 by CEO Cori Larsen, the Southern California installer was built on a Midwestern principle Cori still lives by: “Do what you say you're going to do.”
From day one, that mindset has defined ParagonSun’s approach. The company has earned a reputation for taking on complex projects and doing things the right way, even when it’s the harder route. “I wanted to build a company where no one could stop me from doing what’s right for a customer,” Cori explained. “At ParagonSun, integrity isn’t optional.”
Today, ParagonSun has installed more than 290 batteries and roughly 93.6 MW of solar capacity. Through thoughtful design and a hands-on approach, the team has set a standard for reliability and long-term performance across Southern California.
Building trust through craftsmanship
Cori built ParagonSun to be the opposite of what she saw in the early days of solar—companies focused on sales volume instead of craftsmanship and customer care. She earned her C10 and C46 licenses so she could run projects on her own terms and prove that quality work and transparency could thrive together. “Sometimes it means spending hours on the phone before we even talk numbers,” Cori said. “I want to understand how a homeowner uses their energy, not just how much they use.”
Even today, she stays closely involved in each design. “If I can’t be proud of the way it looks and performs, it doesn’t leave our hands,” she said. Cori credits much of the company’s success to her team, including longtime colleagues Josh Basara and Victor Tapia. “They are the best in the industry doing this work,” she said.
Tackling complexity with care
Most installers want simple, repeatable jobs. ParagonSun built its reputation on the opposite—projects that require problem-solving and a steady hand. “I like the ones that make you stop and think,” Cori said. “Anyone can sell a clean roof array. It takes real experience to make a system work on a site with quirks and still make it look good.”
That same mindset drives ParagonSun to help homeowners with systems that other companies walked away from. “We see it as a chance to help people who need it most,” Cori said. “It’s also where you learn the most as a team.”
A commitment to quality and innovation
As a Platinum Installer for more than eight years, ParagonSun has trusted Enphase for its reliability and performance. Cori and her team were early adopters of the Enphase IQ Battery when it launched in 2019. By 2021, more than 80 percent of ParagonSun systems included batteries.
“We knew home energy storage was the future,” Cori said. “Batteries give homeowners flexibility and control over their power while saving them money.”
This forward-thinking approach has positioned ParagonSun as a leader in energy storage across the region.
An off-grid success story
One recent service call perfectly captured what sets ParagonSun apart. Kathy, a homeowner, reached out with what she thought was a battery issue. After troubleshooting with Enphase, the team discovered the system had been running completely off grid for 19 straight days. The issue wasn’t the equipment–it was the utility connection. Despite that, the Enphase system kept her home powered the entire time. For Cori and her team, it wasn’t a surprise. It was proof that thoughtful design and quality components perform when it matters most.
The ParagonSun team also enjoyed giving Kathy the good news that no service was needed, and no cost would come out of her pocket–a moment that reflects how ParagonSun operates. “A lot of companies would have seen it as a chance to charge first and ask questions later,” Cori said. “That’s never how we do business.”
Leading with integrity
Even as the solar industry evolves, ParagonSun remains grounded in the same values it was built on: honesty, craftsmanship, and personal accountability.
Cori is also mindful of her role as a woman leading a traditionally male-dominated field. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a woman or a man, as long as you set customers up for long-term success,” she said. “I have daughters myself, and I want them to see this industry as open and inclusive.”
Looking ahead, Cori is focused on building resilient systems, growing her team, and continuing to show that doing what’s right for the customer will always be the foundation of ParagonSun.
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