About IST

Industrial Solar Technology Corporation (IST) is an innovator in the field of renewable energy dating back more than 20 years. IST has made major contributions to the technical advancement of parabolic trough concentrator technology and to the field deployment of solar thermal systems. In recognition, The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) awarded the prestigious Hoyt Clarke Hottel Award 2000 to the founders of Industrial Solar Technology “for their unique contribution to make solar thermal technology a commercial reality”. 

IST brings an innovative approach to all its projects. Our goal is to build better, less costly and more reliable systems so as to make renewable energy products more affordable. Our systems are engineered for ease of installation, simplicity of operation and minimal maintenance over 20+ years of system life. Details are important. We make no sacrifices in the quality of even minor components, such as valves, pipe insulation and control wiring, that could compromise our goals. When you need us, help is only a phone call or an e-mail away.

Industrial Solar Technology and its dedicated, highly trained employees are committed to expanding the use of renewable energy to conserve conventional fuels and to improve the environment. We all know that the 21st Century will be the Solar Century when the World adopts sustainability as the means of supporting future generations. We invite you to be part of this transition.

Industrial Solar Technology Corporation (IST) is based in Golden, Colorado, where we maintain our offices, laboratory, R&D and manufacturing facilities. The company was founded in 1983 by Ken May and Randy Gee, both engineers and both previously employed at the Solar Energy Research Institute, now called the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Ken May, a professional engineer, is the current IST President.

IST is a long-standing member of the solar industry and our community. We are members of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) and our technicians are certified by COSEIA for solar thermal and solar electric applications. IST is also a member of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (ARSEIA) and the Better Business Bureau of Denver/Boulder. We hold memberships in the Colorado Renewable Energy Association (CRES) and the American Solar Energy Society (ASES).

IST was established with the goal of developing and deploying a new generation of reliable and cost-effective concentrating parabolic trough technology.  This goal was achieved and IST is now the largest US producer of parabolic trough solar systems.  IST systems are operating in Colorado, California, Arizona and Texas, and in six countries overseas.  IST systems are delivering hot water, air conditioning, district heat, steam and potable water from a desalination unit. In experimental uses, IST troughs have been used to detoxify hazardous organics in water, to produce electricity and as a concentrator for photovoltaic solar cells.

IST's success in developing a state-of-the-art concentrator system derives from a radical approach to the production of a parabolic optical surface. Our patented invention incorporates the reflective surface as part of the collector structure. The result is a very lightweight, low-cost concentrator module, but one that is also very strong and robust. Other IST innovations include a multi-row drive system and a receiver that incorporates a highly efficient blackened nickel selective surface and an anti-reflective coating on the glass envelope.

Two models of parabolic trough are available for deployment. Larger systems would use strings of IST-PT modules that are 20 ft (6.1 m) long and 7.5 ft (2.3 m) across the aperture. These are typically mounted on the ground. Such collectors have been installed since 1985.  To cater to the needs of urban users of thermal energy where no land area is available, IST has recently developed and deployed the roof-mounted trough (IST-RMT). Each RMT module measures 10 ft long and 3.7 ft wide (3 m x 1.1 m).

IST is a leader in the design and installation of large-scale flat plate collector systems for commercial applications. Recent applications include the North Boulder Recreation Center and two Veterans’ Administration Hospitals in Texas. These systems are the largest flat plate solar systems to be installed in the US in over 20 years.

IST also serves the needs of residential customers throughout Colorado for renewable energy systems. Our in-house engineering and installation staff provides a single source capability for solar systems to provide thermal and electrical energy. We build standard and custom hot water storage tanks in sizes from 80 to more than 5,000 gallons and this together with the pre-fabrication of many system components in our manufacturing facility helps to control costs.

We install flat plate solar collectors to heat hot water, spas, and swimming pools and to provide space heat. Radiant floor heating systems are gaining in popularity. Using solar energy to heat radiant floors combines high efficiency and comfort without the emissions of conventional fuels. Besides new installations, IST services all brands of existing solar systems and has the technical resources to tackle the most complex systems.

We use collectors manufactured by SunEarth for our flat plate thermal applications. IST is the distributor in the Colorado region for these are highly efficient, SRCC-Certified collectors. We stock common collector sizes for immediate delivery at competitive prices. We also stock a full range of system components, including pumps, controllers, propylene glycol, insulation, etc. for retail purchase.

For those customers in off-grid homes, or seeking to reduce dependence on electricity providers, IST designs, installs and services solar electric photovoltaic power (PV) systems.  

IST offers design, engineering, consultation and installation services for any size of project, whether for residential or commercial applications. For the do-it-yourself enthusiast, IST offers system components and advice on installation.