The Luminary of the Engineering Sector

A Consultative Approach to Shaping a Sustainable Future

A decade ago, Illumine International Inc. (Illumine-i) was born from a simple observation: there was a widening knowledge gap in the solar industry.

Its founders, two engineering graduates from Arizona State University who had worked with Tesla, Sunrun, and NextEra Energy, noticed that while large solar firms had the processes and technology to deliver quality rooftop systems, smaller and mid-sized players often lacked specialized engineering expertise.

Illumine-i stepped in to bridge that gap by handling the entire pre-construction scope, from engineering to permitting, for solar developers.

Today, the company has grown into a global engineering consulting firm with over 220 professionals across the United States and India. Its foundation rests on a consultative, value-engineered approach, offering tailored solutions instead of single-solution sales.

Strategic alliances with industry leaders such as Draco Solar and AHZ Consulting further strengthen Illumine-i’s ability to manage complex projects while maintaining client profitability.

Internally, the company leverages AI and machine learning to automate workflows and improve turnaround time without compromising quality. It also encourages innovation among its ‘geeks’ through structured development programs, which have led to initiatives like the in-house BIM Studio.

Illumine-i has also been quick to identify emerging opportunities. Its move into EV charging development now helps property owners integrate charging facilities into their buildings, adding long-term value and sustainability.

Today, Illumine-i stands as a globally recognized engineering partner defined by agility, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable progress.

Specialists in Multi-Faceted Sustainable Solutions

For ten years, Illumine-i has stayed at the forefront of solar engineering and beyond, growing steadily by listening to clients and adapting to their changing needs.

“We take a consultative approach, customizing solutions that make sense for our clients rather than selling a single fix, which is what most companies typically do. People value transparency and unique value creation,”
— Sudarsan Krishnan, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer

This mindset has guided the company’s horizontal and vertical expansion into full-suite project development, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), EV charging stations, and BIM services.

Illumine-i has also identified the growing need for specialized engineering in transmission & distribution, substations, and natural gas power plants, applying its cross-disciplinary expertise to these sectors.

Its Buildings & Infrastructure division supports both new construction and renovation projects, while the BIM Studio digitizes assets to improve collaboration among contractors. These initiatives position Illumine-i at the center of the digital engineering movement and the fast-growing EV market, where it now offers turnkey development services.

The company also recognizes that sustainability must make business sense.

“For property owners, sustainability is no longer at odds with return on investment (ROI); instead, it is a significant driver of it,” Krishnan explains.

By showing how EV charging adds commercial value and attracts tenants, Illumine-i helps clients see sustainability as a smart investment rather than a cost.

Harnessing Technology and Operational Excellence

Illumine-i’s drive for innovation extends into its own operations.

“Technology isn’t replacing what we do; it’s amplifying how effectively we do it,” Krishnan says.

The company has built AI-driven tools that automate repetitive engineering tasks, such as extracting meter numbers from photos for applications. It is also developing a suite of market-ready digital tools to support the entire project lifecycle.

Its latest platform, Evolve, simplifies proposal generation for EV charging stations and integrates productivity features for developers and installers. Since launching in early 2025, it has gained strong traction across the EV ecosystem.

In the BIM Studio, AI scripting helps speed up modeling workflows and cut client costs, showing how automation, when applied intelligently, enhances quality and efficiency.

“We’ve built a range of AI and ML tools in-house and plan to make them available to our clients and partners soon,” Krishnan adds.

Externally, Illumine-i’s collaborative BIM environments have powered large-scale construction projects such as a 51-story hotel in Dubai, demonstrating both precision and real-time coordination.

A Culture of Passionate Geeks and Trusted Partners

Illumine-i’s culture is one of curiosity and collaboration. The company seeks out passionate individuals who are encouraged to experiment and take ownership.

“We call our people geeks, not employees. Interviews are conversations, not interrogations,” says Krishnan, noting that this process is designed to be a two-way street where candidates are encouraged to ask questions and learn about the company.

The passion-first philosophy helps retain talent and promotes internal mobility. Mechanical engineers move into software roles, software developers shift to sales, and ideas evolve into new business divisions.

The Individual Development Program (IDP), a three- to four-month hands-on training initiative, helps employees gain real-world experience and mentorship. The ORB 3 program, Illumine-i’s internal version of “Shark Tank,” allows employees to pitch sustainability or innovation projects. The BIM Studio itself was born from one of these pitches.

Strategic collaborations remain a key part of Illumine-i’s growth. Partnerships with Draco Solar in Colorado and AHZ Consulting in California strengthen its service portfolio and expand its reach. The company also maintains a strong presence at industry events such as BOMA, RE+, Solar & Storage, and MOVE Americas, where it continues to explore new sectors.

“Our focus is on building engineering solutions for solar use cases, right now but these collaborations are opening doors to larger and more complex opportunities like microgrids, energy storage, transmission & distribution, and substations” says Krishnan. “We’re excited to be back at BOMA next year.”

With innovation, partnership, and a culture that celebrates passionate engineers, Illumine-i continues to define what “engineering done right” looks like in the modern era.

At a Glance

Who: Illumine International Inc (Illumine-i)
What: A global engineering consulting firm guided by innovation, technology, and long-term partnerships
Where: Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in Brisbane, Australia, and Chennai, India
Website: www.illuminei.com