Meet the Team
Ray Darby, P.E.
Founder
Lives in Nevada City, California
40+ years in solar industry.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering (1979) with concentrations in Solar Energy and AC&R (Air Conditioning & Refrigeration).
Professional Mechanical Engineering license (1983).
Specialized in energy efficiency and solar energy.
Designed his first photovoltaic (PV) system for his off-grid home.
Dave Stokes
Lead Contractor and Part Owner
He began working in the field of photovoltaics and joined the company as a part owner and license holder in 2008.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (1972) from California State University Long Beach.
In his early years was employed as an electronics design engineer.
Contractor’s license (1976).
Licensed General (B), Electrical (C10) and Plumbing (C36) contractor in the state of California.
Brian Gardner
President & Operations Manager
Lives in Grass Valley
12 years of experience in the solar industry.
Entered construction industry at age 20, building custom homes and doing remodels.
Started in solar as a member of SolarCity’s Energy Efficiency Upgrade Install Crew.
Became a BPI Certified Building Analyst and audited a homes doing Combustion Appliance Zone Testing, Blower Door Testing, and Duct Leakage Testing.
Member of SEG since 2013.
Joe Nelson
Lead Electrician
Lives in Nevada City.
Project manager at SEG for 9 years.
Possesses seasoned solar thermal expertise, having worked for over 8 years on solar thermal projects across southern California.
A licensed professional contractor with both C-46 and C-10 classifications.
Penn Martin
Lead Solar Designer
Lives in Lake Wildwood, California
14 years in the solar industry.
Has designed over 500 solar electric systems.
Attended MIT as a National Merit Scholar (1977).
Applies an engineering-oriented approach to designing custom solar electric systems.
Relies on site specific measurements for designing accurate solar layouts coupled with accurate financial projections.
Tom Benzing
Solar Designer
Lives in Nevada City
Has worked in solar for 8 years.
Designed over 400 solar electric systems, many with battery backup solutions
Tom feels the best part of his job is working with homeowners to solve their energy and backup needs.
Favorite Hobbies: Mountain Biking with his 16 years son
“Being involved in sustainability allows me to give back to a world that has given so much to me.”
Megan Volheim
Drafter/Designer
Lives in Penn Valley, California
Associate Degrees in Science – Architectural / Civil Drafting
Associate Degree in Science – Social Services
Studying for a Residential Architecture – Sierra College
Certificates in Architectural Specialist Skill, Drafting Essentials, Accomplishment in Architectural Drafting
Hobbies: Rides Horses, Paint, Raise and Show Cattle, Swimming
Caleb Walker
Project Manager & Lead Installer
Lives in Colfax.
Has worked in solar for 6 years.
NABCEP Associate Credential in Photovoltaic Installation from the Solar Living Institute.
OSHA 10 certified and competent in fall protection.
Previously worked for the US Forest Service doing wild fire suppression.
Hobbies: guiding river rafting trips.
Sustainability: part of the American White Water Association, volunteers for river clean ups and has solar on his home as well as an electric vehicle.
Dave Sansone
Solar Installer
Lives in Nevada City.
Has worked in solar for over 5 years.
Solar Installation Certification from Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado.
Began working in construction at the age of 19.
Hobbies: snowboarding, photography and being a rad dad.
Sustainability: recycles and makes an effort to use energy efficiently in his home.
Jason Herm
Solar Installer
Has lived in Nevada City for over 40 years.
Worked in solar for 4 years.
OSHA 10 Certified.
Professional disk golfer.
Hobbies: hiking, backpacking, camping, traveling and experiencing different atmospheres.
Ivan Longacre
Journeyman Electrician
Lives in Grass Valley.
25 years of experience in electric
Completed over 500 installations in Commercial, Residential and Solar PV Installations
Former Service Tech of Year
Certified General Journeyman Electrician, CalCTP & Cal OSHA
Long time SYRCL Member
A historian who participates in enactments and as a Docent at the Empire Mine, Columbia State Park & North Star House.
Lead Singer with his son on guiter for the Rockabilly Love Cats
David Bartoli
Solar Installer
Lives in Grass Valley.
8 years in working in solar
Specializes in Install, Trouble Shooting and Service
Enjoys Solar for its challenging technical aspects and that it is part of the solution in saving our planet.
Favorite power tool: Band Saw
Luke Delgado
Solar Installer
Lives in Nevada City
2 years in working in solar
25 Years experience in Construction, Carpentry and Plumbing
B.S. in Biology from UC Santa Cruz
Enjoys Biodynamic Organic Farming
Hobbies: Paramotoring(!), Hiking and Mountain Biking.
Kris Phillips
Logistics Coordinator
Lives in Grass Valley, California
Working in solar and sustainable energy for over 13 years.
Degree in Business Management
Helped develop multiple solar companies in Nevada County.
Moved from a large corporate semi-conductor company in favor of supporting sustainable industries like solar.
“I left SoCal behind and bought a herd of goats in Nevada County”
Diane Wallace
Bookkeeper
Lives in Grass Valley, CA
Bookkeeper for over 35 yrs
Degree in Bookkeeping from Sierra College
Quickbooks Pro from the beginning!
Previous Jobs: Stenographer for the FBI, Medical Transcriber
Harry O’Rourke
Sustainable Business Development & IT
Lives in Nevada City, California
Sustainable Development for over 16 years
Solar for 5 years
Permaculture Designer
Regenerative Organic Farmer
Founder of www.proplanetpeople.com
Supported La Tortuga Verde, a sea turtle and bird sanctuary in El Salvador save 10,000 endangered sea turtles each year for over 3 years. Helped create Eco Casa Madero’s mushroom school and garden program. Supported a bio-reserve for endangered animals and plants at Reserva Biologica Caoba in Colombia.
Ruby Beauchamp
Communication Specialist and Community Outreach Coordinator
Born and raised in Auburn, CA.
Student at the University of Portland, graduating in 2020.
Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication and Bachelor of Art in Spanish with a Business Minor in Sustainability.
Studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador (summer 2017) and Granda, Spain (Spring 2018).
Hobbies: sewing, aerial silks, camping, hiking, backpacking, gardening.
Meet Our Team