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

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 and now President & Owner.

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

Operations & Project Manager

Lives in Colfax.

Has worked in solar for 7 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 6 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

Electrical Department Manager

Lives in Grass Valley

25 years of experience in electric

Completed over 500 installations in Commercial, Residential and Solar PV Installations

Certified General Journeyman Electrician, CalCTP & Cal OSHA

Read more about our Electrical Services headed by Ivan here >>

Former Service Tech of the Year

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.