Semper Solaris Construction, Inc.

Semper Solaris Construction, Inc. is a private, veteran-owned residential solar power installation company headquartered in El Cajon/San Diego County, California. Founded in 2012 by former Marine Corps Captain Kelly Shawhan and business leader John Almond, Semper Solaris has built its reputation on military values such as honesty, integrity, discipline, and service to community. The company specializes in solar panel installations using premium American-made equipment—primarily for homeowners—and has expanded its offerings to include battery storage solutions with Tesla Powerwall and Enphase systems, roofing services (including replacements), as well as heating and air conditioning installations.
With thousands of completed projects across California—and more recently Texas and Florida—Semper Solaris emphasizes exceptional customer service backed by a strong veteran workforce. The firm has received notable recognition including SunPower’s Residential National Dealer of the Year award in 2015/2016, ranking #1 nationally for solar + battery installations, multiple appearances on Solar Power World’s Top Contractors list, an A+ BBB rating, and inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list.
Community engagement is central to their mission: through initiatives like Semper Cares they provide free home energy upgrades to veterans and first responders while actively hiring veterans whenever possible. Their commitment extends beyond business into supporting local communities with scholarships for alternative energy studies.
The name “Semper Solaris” reflects their Marine Corps roots (“semper fidelis”—always faithful), which permeates both their branding strategy focused on American values/products and their internal culture of reliability.