About Us
Our History
The Story of Unicorn Solar
Unicorn Solar’s journey began with a vision long before its official founding. In the mid-2000s, Robert Benedict and Karlita Benedict were already deeply immersed in the solar industry—Robert since 2005, and Karlita since 2006. Over the years, they gained not only expertise in sales, logistics, and operations but also an intimate understanding of the challenges that developers, EPCs, investors, and installers face in navigating the rapidly changing solar supply chain.
Robert, who had already managed Jinko Solar for 2 ½ years and RECOM for 6 years, saw it was time to build a company that offered modules, inverters, and batteries, and would audit the factories to ensure the BOM (bill of materials) was of high quality. The factory knew what they were doing and followed quality production standards.
By 2017, they noticed a growing gap: while solar was rapidly scaling, the procurement process was often fragmented, inefficient, and filled with uncertainty. Developers needed more than just a supplier—they needed a trusted partner who could simplify procurement while guaranteeing quality and reliability.
Founding Vision
On January 19, 2018, Unicorn Solar Development (affectionately abbreviated as “USD”) was officially founded. The name itself reflected their ambition to stand out in the industry—offering something rare, valuable, and dependable. Unicorn Solar was envisioned not just as a broker of equipment but as a bridge between equipment and responsible product purchase execution.
Robert and Karlita combined their reputations and expertise to build a company rooted in trust. They weren’t interested in being “just another supplier.” Instead, they aimed to redefine procurement in the solar space—ensuring customers not only received the products they ordered but also a seamless and transparent process that supported their long-term success. We call this “De-Risking the Purchasing Process®.”
What Makes Unicorn Different
From the beginning, Unicorn Solar set itself apart with a holistic approach. Unlike many brokers who focus solely on transactions, Unicorn invested in its customers’ projects. Every shipment, every order, and every deal was handled with the mindset that what they offered had to match precisely what they delivered—no compromises.
This commitment went beyond the supply chain itself. Unicorn saw procurement as a partnership: by securing the right products at the right time, they empowered developers, EPCs, investors, and installers to bring more clean energy projects to life—whether residential rooftops, commercial arrays, or utility-scale solar farms.
A Legacy of Trust and Growth
What started as a response to a niche market need quickly grew into a trusted name in solar procurement. Unicorn Solar gained recognition not only for its ability to source and deliver high-quality equipment but also for its unwavering transparency and commitment to client success.
Today, Unicorn Solar continues to embody the spirit on which it was founded: integrity, expertise, and a deep commitment to advancing solar energy. With each project they touch, Robert and Karlita’s vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future shines a little brighter.
