Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, energy efficiency technologist Ameresco (NYSE: AMRC) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Ameresco's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Ameresco facts

Headquarters (Founded) Framingham, Mass. (2000)
Market Cap $519.5 million
Industry Industrial electrical equipment
Trailing-12-Month Revenue $719 million
Management Founder/Chairman/CEO George Sakellaris
CFO Andrew Spence
Trailing-12-Month Return on Equity 16.5%
Cash/Debt $31.7 million / $344.0 million
Competitors Constellation Energy Group (NYSE: CEG)
Honeywell (NYSE: HON)
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI)

Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 99% of the 347 CAPS members who have rated Ameresco believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include 703Hawks and HigherLife.

Earlier this year, 703Hawks touched on the trends working in Ameresco's favor:

Energy efficiency should be a goal for all companies. With the goal that this kind of green-thinking can save a business money in the long run, how can one lose? Ameresco should be highly sought after in the coming months and years.

Over the next five years, in fact, Ameresco is expected to grow its bottom line at a solid rate of 17% annually. That's faster than listed rivals like Constellation Energy (4%), Honeywell (15%), and Johnson Controls (16%).

CAPS member HigherLife elaborates on the Ameresco bull case:

Transparent, responsible, and well connected management. Clear vision, reasonably immune to market fluctuations, and easily adaptable to industry innovation. Still at a very good price with plenty of reasons to see future growth; what's not to like?

What do you think about Ameresco, or any other stock for that matter? If you want to retire rich, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future, and on Motley Fool CAPS, thousands of investors are working every day to find them. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!

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