To Our Valued Customers and Community Members, At California Solar Electric Cooperative, we’re closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and working tirelessly to serve the needs of businesses and individuals who are considering solar for their home, business, or farm. In response to the virus, for those...
Article on YubNet.com February 5, 2020, There is synergy with the people of Cal Solar. And, after formalizing that connection through its worker-owned cooperative, Cal Solar has cast a wider, synergetic net through Amicus Solar Cooperative. Amicus Solar is a member-owned purchasing cooperative of over 50...
Nominations are now being accepted for the Shared Capital Cooperative Board of Directors. The election will be from March 30 to April 12 and this year four seats are open; three seats representing cooperative members and one seat representing individual members. Shared Capital seeks a diverse pool...
How Worker Cooperatives are the Model for a Sustainable Future Worker-owned cooperatives have proven to be beneficial for businesses and communities. Cal Solar, known as a company that is focused on the environmental and human condition, is the first of such co-ops in Nevada County. Cal Solar...
https://youtu.be/chDThDlspfs ...
Appearing in The Union Newspaper | November 10, 2019 Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley is a community hub of sports, nature, entertainment and many picnics and get-togethers. With electricity available at several of the sites, it was a natural choice that a solar array be...
Appearing in The Union Newspaper | November 21, 2019 By Sam Corey| Staff Writer Back in 2010, the California Solar Electric Company considered transitioning to a worker cooperative. Nine years later it became a reality. On Sept. 1 Cal Solar, a business that sells and installs solar panels for...
While there are many benefits to a grid-tied solar system, having power for your home or business during a blackout is not one of them. There are two reasons that grid-tied solar does not work during a PG&E blackout: #1 The primary reason for solar systems to...
Michael joined the California Solar Sales Team in 2016. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Michael has traveled extensively across the globe and lived in Maui for 16 years before finding himself in Nevada County. Friendly and solution-oriented, Michael enjoys a good challenge and will help his customers find the best system for their home and finances. In addition to his work in solar, Michael is a certified life-coach and deeply involved with the ManKind Project, a nonprofit that focuses on building and supporting emotionally mature, accountable, and compassionate male role models. When not working, he can be found hiking, playing ping pong, and spending time with his two children.
Reid is part of California Solar’s installation team and a Lead Solar Electrician. Prior to joining California Solar Electric Company in 2011, Reid served for four years in the United States Marine Corps. Reid is a certified Journeyman Electrician and certified at the NABCEP entry level. He is known for his clean wiring practices, his attention to detail, and his amazing conduit work. Reid’s dedication to the solar industry and to sustainable energy has permeated his entire life. As friends and family can attest, he has a difficult time not talking about solar constantly. When not on a roof, Reid spends his weekends visiting the river and camping, always with his guitar in tow.
Laura Parkes is one of California Solar Electric Company’s system designers. Before moving into residential design, she worked at California Solar as a solar systems installer. Laura has a passion for educating the public about the benefits of going solar and helping people to understand that it is a simple process, a wise choice both financially and environmentally, and hugely beneficial in both the short term and the long term. Laura’s deep love for the natural world fuels her work in sustainable energy, which she approaches with unfaltering enthusiasm and cheer. Detail-oriented with an eye for beauty, she brings an incredible amount of care to everything she does.
Originally from Penryn, CA, Lorenzo spent eight years working as a wildland firefighter before deciding to go back to school to study mechatronics, eventually segueing into the solar industry in 2012. He joined the California Solar team in 2016, bringing with him certifications in NABCEP, Photovoltaic Skills, SunPower Advanced PV design, and OSHA 10 hr Safety. A friendly and focused problem-solver, Loren enjoys getting to work with the rapidly evolving technologies of the solar industry. When not designing systems, Loren spends his time playing bass guitar, making art, and hiking at the river.
Treat is a Lead Solar Electrician and a self-proclaimed “tree ninja” – a good title for someone who is regularly harnessed up on steep rooftops. He has worked at California Solar since 2014 and has established his reputation as a friendly, positive person who works hard to get the job done right. Treat is NABCEP certified for installation and is known for keeping the job site tidy. He occasionally breaks into song and dance which makes him a staff and customer favorite. In addition to his work in the solar electric industry, Treat is a certified massage therapist. On the weekend, you can find him paddle-boarding, working in his garden, or living the hobbit life by the river.
Rob is California Solar Electric Company’s Sales Manager. He got his start in the solar industry in 2012 through Sierra College’s Photovoltaic Skills Program. Before moving into Residential Sales & Design, Rob spent a year and a half as a systems installer. He holds certifications in NABCEP PV Technical Sales and SunPower ARS. Rob has a passion for educating the public about the benefits of going solar and helping people to understand that it is an easy process and hugely beneficial in both the short and long-term. In addition to being a skilled solar system designer, Rob is an accomplished photographer. He loves bacon, yard sales, and hiking around the Yuba River.
Angelica has been with California Solar Electric Company since 2008, when she was hired as the company’s first female installer, one of the first female PV installers in the United States. Today, Angelica is California Solar’s Operations Manager. She has a strong work ethic and a willingness to take ownership for a wide-range of responsibilities. Despite occasionally listening to lounge music at her desk, she is great to have around the office. Her impeccable organizational skills allow her to pay attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture. Angelica is always striving for knowledge and creativity in her life. She holds a Vocal Performance Degree from Berklee School of Music and a BA in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin. When not at work, Angelica can be found buried in a book, growing her vinyl collection, or volunteering with local environmental protection groups.
Nick came to California Solar eager to find work that had real value and a significant contribution to society. In addition to having a love for science he is a musician, songwriter, audio engineer and producer. We are hoping one day to say that a bona fide rock star worked at Cal Solar!
Melanie is California Solar’s Sr. Project Manager. She has been a customer service professional and warehouse operations specialist for seven years. Melanie was brought into the organization to help with the day to day and to assist with long term projects. Her patience and attention to detail comes from her background in child development and from her experience as a toddler teacher. Melanie is a native to California’s Gold Country, growing up in Pioneer, California, and now resides in Nevada County with her family. She loves gardening and spending time with her daughters.
Lars manages California Solar’s thirty employees, including the company’s own NABCEP certified installation crew and NABCEP certified technical sales team. He completed his first solar installation over twenty years ago, when he built a system for his RV. Lars holds several state and national certifications: NABCEP certified Technical Sales and Installation Professional, DIR CA Certified Journeyman Electrician, CSLB C-10 contractor, and OSHA 30. Lars studied Rural Development in college while training as an electrician. Lars loves Cal Solar, its employees, the customers, and its community. In his spare time, he volunteers at Utah’s Place, Western Nevada County’s homeless shelter, and served on the school board for the Nevada City School of the Arts. He believes that Cal Solar should maintain an education focus and provide instructional programs for local schools and youth organizations. When not at the office, or volunteering, Lars is swimming in the South Yuba River, on a bike ride with his two daughters, or traveling to the coast with his family.
Josh joined California Solar as the Facilities Coordinator in November of 2015. Born in Wisconsin and raised in Minnesota, he moved to California to go to school. After receiving a Bachelors degree in Business Management, he ran his own business building custom skateboard ramps in San Diego before relocating to Grass Valley for work. A carpenter by trade, Josh was building frames and stretcher bars for local artists when he got introduced to California Solar. As the Project Coordinator, he is a vital link between the warehouse and job sites, providing support to the crew and customers throughout the installation process. When not dedicating himself to solar, Josh enjoys woodworking, snowboarding, and camping.
Jay is a Nevada County native. He grew up in a solar-powered off-grid home and is a carpenter by trade. Jay brought his 12 plus years of carpentry experience to the California Solar installation team in 2015, adding a unique level of expertise that is a huge asset to a company that takes on wide-ranging projects. Jay is hard-working and kind, which he believes may be the result of drinking lots of coffee. An avid mountain bike racer, he has several medals to his name. On the weekend, you can find him out riding his bike, fishing, or spending time with his family.
Ellis joined the California Solar sales and design team after being self-employed in the construction industry for nearly two decades. He is most passionate about helping people save money while simultaneously helping the planet—a perfect win-win! Ellis has completed his OSHA 10 safety certification, the Solar Living Institute’s 40 hour photovoltaic design course, he is also a CSLB registered Home Improvement Salesperson, and currently pursuing his Associate NABCEP certification. When Ellis is not designing solar power systems, he can usually be found with his 3-year old daughter Clara, and 8-year old son, Rowen. They love hiking and swimming in the Yuba, road trips up the hill or to the coast, and exploring all that Gold Country has to offer.
Alex grew up in the small town of Lompoc, CA in the northwest part of Santa Barbara County. He first became interested in solar when he moved to an off-grid location in Grass Valley that was in dire need of electrical improvements and decided to take classes in solar energy. Before long, Alex found his way to the California Solar installation team. He takes pride in being part of the green energy movement and is known for his clean, finished work. When not building solar arrays, Alex can be found on his skateboard, rock climbing, or hanging out at the river with his two black labs.
Chuck studied solar in college and later broke into the industry as technical support and worked his way into sales and design. Chuck loves understanding the science of solar so much he considers himself somewhat of a solar nerd. His words not ours, but he loves taking that passion and turning it into a value proposition for our customers and the Earth. Chuck volunteers with local Rotary groups as well as youth empowerment organizations. On the weekends Chuck can be found hanging out with his wife and two Golden Retrievers or brewing his own beer.
Solar Technician Travis is what you’d call a real people person. He’s pleasant, professional and loves talking about solar. He came to California Solar looking for something meaningful and forward thinking. He also wanted to learn about the future of energy. We know we are in good hands with Travis because he is a former EMT, Wilderness First Responder and certified Swiftwater Rescuer. When he is not working or saving people, Travis can be found boating on a Sunday afternoon.
