Solare Energy, Inc.

About Us

Solare Energy provides residential, commercial, government, and non-profit customers in San Diego County with smart energy solutions that integrate solar and energy efficiency systems, and provide the highest energy, economical, and environmental benefits to customers.

Solare Energy was established in 2009 via the merger of Van’s Electric (a PV installation and electrical contracting business) and Economics Energy Consultants (an energy auditing firm). By combining the capabilities of both legacy firms, Solare Energy can offer its customers integrated energy solutions that combine solar with various energy efficiency measures that are customized to each particular client’s energy needs, and provide maximum energy and economic benefits. Solare Energy’s offering is unmatched in San Diego.

Management Team:

• Jose Luis Contreras, Co-Founder and President. Jose Luis has a strong business background in the clean energy sector. As an Associate Director in Navigant Consulting’s energy practice, he covered a wide range of clean energy and sustainability issues, including renewable energy technologies (photovoltaic, concentrating solar, wind, geothermal and biomass), greenhouse gas emissions, climate change impacts, end-use energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, energy storage, and clean transportation. His consulting clients included the U.S. Department of Energy, California Energy Commission, San Diego Gas & Electric, Chevron, equipment manufacturers, and investor groups. Jose Luis also worked as an Innovation and Technology Management consultant for Arthur D. Little, and as a business development associate for the internet startup Latino.com. Jose Luis has an MBA from Columbia Business School and B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Monterrey Tech (ITESM).
• Larry VanderPloeg, Co-Founder and Vice President Installations. Larry is a third generation electrician. He has had his C-10 electrical contractor license for over 20 years. Larry is highly experienced in installing PV and electrical systems for residential and commercial customers. Larry started his career with Taft Electric in Ventura County and worked there for 10 years. In 1989, he founded Van's Electric, an electrical contracting and PV installation business with up to 8 employees. During the last 20 years, Van's Electric has successfully developed projects for residential and commercial customers.
• John Davis, Co-Founder and Vice President Energy Assessments. John is a certified HERS auditor by the CHEERS program and a registered energy manager with the Energy Star program. He is also a certified 'Green' Energy Manager specializing in renewable energy systems. John founded Economics Energy Consultants and has significant experience performing energy audits for residential and commercial customers. Prior to founding Economics Energy Consultants, John co-founded a Helios Biofuel, a biofuel distribution business. John has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from San Diego State University.

Products/Services Provided

Energy Assessment: Develop energy profile based on past energy bills and inspection of key energy use systems including furnace, air conditioning, pool pumps, water heater, lighting, appliances, and electronic equipment. Also includes visual inspection for air leaks and insulation in doors, windows, walls, and attics.

Integrated Solution Design: Design comprehensive solutions that maximizes energy cost savings and provides customers with attractive paybacks given all available incentives (federal, state, city, and utility) and financing options.

Solar PV Design: process permits (city, utility, HOA) , process incentives, install, test, and support inspection for grid-connected rooftop and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems.

Solar Hot Water Design: process permits (city, utility, HOA) , process incentives, manage installation, test, and support inspection for solar hot water systems, including backup water heating system.

Efficient Building Envelope: average homes in San Diego can save up to $600/yr through better insulation and reduced air leaks in doors and windows. Solare can design and install insulation materials in attics, seal central heating and air conditioning ducts, and install weather strips in doors and windows.

Smart Energy Solutions: Solare Energy provides customers in San Diego County with smart energy solutions that integrate solar and energy efficiency systems, and provide the highest energy, economical, and environmental benefits to customers. Solare Energy is the leading provider of comprehensive energy solutions in San Diego County that cover various energy products and services, including solar PV, solar water heating, building retrofits, high efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, high efficiency lighting, and high efficiency pool pumps. Their in-house HERS certified energy auditors assess the customer’s energy needs and design a customized solution, while their highly experienced crew installs the solar and energy efficiency systems. Solare's solutions combine various energy saving systems, incentives, and financing options to offer customers higher energy and economic benefits, as well as shorter investment paybacks and higher financial returns.

Certifications/Awards

Solare Energy is a C-10 licensed electrical contractor and their energy auditors are HERS raters certified by the CHEERS program. Here is their license and certification information:

• C-10 Contractor License 941109
• Seller’s License SR FH 101-317112
• Business License B2009033920
• CHEERS Certification CCN80829212
• Energy Start Registration Solare Energy
• Certified Energy Manager (Green)