About Solare Energy
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.
History
Solare Energy was established 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.
Licenses and Certifications
Solare Energy is a B (General) and C-10 (Electrical) licensed contractor. Our VP of Installations is a certified PV installer by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and our energy auditors are HERS raters certified by the CHEERS program. Here is our license and certification information:
- B, C-10 Contractor License 941109
- Seller’s License SR FH 101-317112
- Business License B2009033920
- NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer Certificate 031310-232
- CHEERS Certification CCN80829212
- Energy Star Registration Solare Energy
- Certified Energy Manager (Green)
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 Building Analyst Professional certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) and a HERS auditor certified by the CHEERS program. John is also a registered energy manager with the Energy Star program and 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 Helios Biofuel, a biofuel distribution business. John has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from San Diego State University.
