Solar Works is a full-service, licensed solar contractor specializing in photovoltaic (PV) systems for homes, communities, non-profits and businesses in the Sonoma County area.

We provide energy efficient solutions that conserve natural resources and promote individual and community self-reliance.

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Our Philosophy
Since 1986, Solar Works has been Sonoma County’s one-stop solar electric shop, helping homeowners, businesses and communities become more self-reliant by meeting their energy needs efficiently, effectively and in ways that are good for the planet. We are a local employer, active in our community, and dedicated to social and economic justice and a healthy environment.

Here's our one-page, fact-filled Corporate Profile.

To find out more about our friendly staff, please read on...

John Parry, CEO and owner of Solar Works, has worked for a healthy planet for much of his life. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, with a BS in Physics, John built Solar Works from a fledging solar hot water business -- created from a customer list purchased from a retiring contractor -- to a company that offers a full spectrum of renewable energy and resource conserving services. For more than 20 years, John has worked with individual, community, business and institutional energy systems, and has served in such diverse roles as consultant to the California State Contractors License Board solar exam review committee, college faculty member, guest lecturer and community educator in renewable energy, and site director of an appropriate technology research, demonstration and education center. John also has been an operator of a university steam plant, and is a long-time proponent of hydrogen fuel. In his spare time, John is a peace and justice activist and concerned scientist, bird-watcher, star-and-cosmos-gazer, weather-observer, fearless explorer, home improvement maestro, crossword puzzle solver, music aficionado and collector, and electric bass player.

Consultative Sales

Jason is our solar electric consultant, responsible for helping people connect to Solar Works - and the sun. His solar experience and knowledge combined with an easy-going nature and affinity for people make Jason an effective communicator and educator. Jason has a passion for PV and stays on top of industry news, technology and new products. He enjoys talking with people about the benefits of solar power, and helping them become happy Solar Works customers. Jason graduated from Humboldt State University with a major in recreation administration and a minor in business administration. He worked for many years with CYO and was assistant director of their summer camp and Caritas Creek Environmental Education Program. A San Francisco native transplanted to west Sonoma County, Jason has a fondness for the redwood forest, ocean and outdoors, and is a committed environmentalist. Jason loves to travel and has volunteered and visited in Central America and Chile. When not working, he's an active and involved father of two children who enjoys sports and exercise, good music, dark chocolate, local zinfandel and life in Sonoma County.

Craig is the Solar Works sales support go-to person, providing expertise and a calm presence in all daily operations. Craig is responsible for many tasks, including new inquiries and pre-qualifications, customer service, sales tracking, as well as sales and marketing support. Craig earned a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and studied social and economic development at the University of the West Indies, Barbados. He also spent a year pursuing an MBA in Sustainable Business Management at San Francisco’s Presidio School of Management. Some of Craig’s most meaningful work has been as a learning disabilities instructor to students with learning differences. He has also been a renewable energy markets financial analyst, inventory manager and insurance agent. Living in rural west Sonoma County, Craig and his wife enjoy abundant organic foods, learning about the local ecology and connecting to their community. When not working, Craig finds inspiration in the great outdoors – hiking, camping, backpacking, mountain biking and exploring the world off the beaten path.

Ben, our solar research associate, follows electric rates, solar incentives, and solar financing options. Before moving to Sonoma County, Ben lived in Tuscany, Italy for six years, where he had his own business teaching English. Originally from Ashland, Oregon, Ben was nurtured on Shakespeare and nature. Ben received a BA in economics and philosophy from Whitman College, which included a year of study at University College, London and IULM in Milan. Passionate about good living and a healthy environment, Ben is dedicated to the use of renewable energy and clean technologies. He balances work life with yoga, Latin dance (especially the Bachata), great cuisine, and now Aikido. Ben loves traveling and learning new languages. He practices Italian daily with his wife at home in Sebastopol.

System Design & Installation

Autumn is the Solar Works designer and installation materials manager. An integral member of our staff, Autumn is responsible for computer assisted design (CAD) drawings for PV systems, purchasing materials and maintaining inventories. She is a competent and committed professional who moves gracefully through the intricacies of solar-related work with patience and good humor. Autumn has been trained in building integrated PV systems with solar luminary Steven Strong, and in performance-based PV systems with industry experts. With years of drafting and design experience, Autumn has received awards and recognition for her mechanical drafting skills. She has been a university-level math reader and exam grader, specializing in calculus, and earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis on renewable energy from UC Santa Barbara. Autumn is originally from Humboldt County, and has traveled through Kenya, Central America, Europe and New Zealand. In her leisure time, Autumn enjoys gardening, cooking, knitting, weaving, reading about the rest of the world, camping, and spending time near and on rivers.

Greg is Solar Works’ installation coordinator. Greg has a B.S. in Construction Management from Cal Poly SLO, as well as Associate degrees in Adobe Construction (N. New Mexico College) and Renewable Energy (San Juan College). Greg has worked over 11 years throughout Africa on renewable energy and appropriate technology projects.  His credentials include project management for off-grid rural health center installations with Solar Electric Light Fund in Rwanda; Vocational Skills Training coordination for the re-integration of Burundian ex-combatants with PADCO, Inc. in Burundi; Area Development Program Coordination for World Vision Burundi; Director of Operations and pioneer for the start-up of Habitat for Humanity in Abidjan, Ivory Coast; International Partner for Construction and Appropriate Technology with Habitat for Humanity in Uganda; and a 3-year Volunteer for the U.S. Peace Corps in Mali. Greg is fluent in Bambara (West Africa) and French, with basic understanding of Spanish, Swahili and Kirundi (East Africa). Greg is a NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) Certified Solar PV Installer and has also completed additional design and installation training at SunPower’s headquarters. Greg enjoys spending time with his Burundian wife, Narizadi and baby girl, Kaya and they dream of the day when they build an off-grid, woodless domed adobe house somewhere in the world.

Kevin is a solar installer practiced in the fields of plumbing, electrical and carpentry work. He has worked on multiple-unit apartment buildings, as well as at the Fort Ross Water Treatment Facility. Previous to his construction career, Kevin was a consultant for event marketing companies. He has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Cal State University, Sacramento, with a minor in German. When he is not “Saving the world, one solar panel at a time,” (as he likes to put), Kevin enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and spending time with his family.

Steve is a solar installer who brings enthusiasm, attention to detail and a deep belief in solar and all sources renewable energy to his work. Steve is a "green thinker" who has worked as a roofer, rough carpenter, handyman, landscaper (to the stars!) and horse and ranch caretaker. Mechanically inclined, Steve says he can learn just about anything he puts his mind and heart to ­ his solar abilities are proof of that! Steve follows a spiritual path of heart-mind teachings to guide his way and enrich his life. He is also a scuba and free diver who has worked on dolphin and whale trips in the Caribbean. Steve has been a guitarist since childhood and plays bluegrass and classical music in his leisure time.

KC, our installation support assistant, keeps the Solar Works’ warehouse in order and provides support to the installers to help them get the job done. Solar is a fresh career change for KC: along with his enthusiasm, he brings his organizational and communications skills from his management experience in the restaurant and retail trade worlds. KC has also traveled the country doing professional, live-sound engineering for many Bay Area jam-rock acts. Excited to be part of the Solar Works team, he is eager to learn as much as possible about solar logistics. Solar is a great new direction for KC, as it matches up with his personal convictions for renewable energy, a cleaner environment, progressive politics, and healthy, happy living. In his free time, KC enjoys spending time with his new wife, playing and writing music, gardening, hiking, backpacking, and traveling.

Cristian is a solar installer with a background in multiple construction skills. Cristian’s experience includes new construction plumbing, plumbing repairs, commercial gas, water and sewer lines, carpentry, trim and finish work, framing, HVAC, and concrete forms. A mechanic and machinist, Cristian is fluent in Spanish and English, and conversant in French, Italian and Portuguese. When not working, Cristian enjoys the family life and having fun with his wife and two year old son.

Andrew, a solar installer, comes to Solar Works with experience in both solar system installation and troubleshooting. He is also skilled in framing, siding, roofing and dry wall construction, as well as appliance repair. Previously, Andrew worked as a vet technician and a dog handler/kennel coordinator. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys tinkering with his Volkswagen Bus, Bug and Carmanghia; hiking anywhere up and down the Northern California coastline; relaxing after a hard day’s work in his tree-covered, front porch hot tub. Andrew also likes collecting and organizing his vintage junk along to the rhythms and beat of...what else...vintage music.

Support Staff

Laura is VP of marketing and human resources at Solar Works, where she has been a “problem solver and people person” since Solar Works began. Laura serves as a link to clients, our community and the world at large. She develops and edits written materials and advertising copy, designs and co-presents solar workshops, coordinates events, and helps the Solar Works team stay happy and productive. Outside Solar Works, Laura is a consultant to academic institutions, community-based organizations and agencies, and other clients in the US and internationally. An educator with an MA in Medical Anthropology, Laura is also a bi-lingual link between English and Spanish-speaking communities. She is on the faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she teaches Community Health Workers and Health Care Interpreter Program. Laura also reviews renewable energy proposals for foundation funding, and is a community activist in peace, health-related and environmental issues. In her spare time, Laura enjoys hiking, the outdoors, being in the garden and solar-heated hot tub, practicing tai chi, connecting with friends and family, and exploring the world.

Kara is the willing and able office assistant at Solar Works, providing all-around support to our operations and installation staff. Kara is a Santa Rosa native and graduate of Ursuline High School. She earned a BA in history from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Kara has found a good match with Solar Works because she cares deeply about the environment and believes solar energy is an efficient source of energy that contributes to a healthy planet. Kara loves spending time outdoors, especially hiking, boating and camping. An active, long-time member of the Sierra Club, Kara has helped her parents lead trips throughout the United States. Her love of travel has taken Kara (so far!) to England, Costa Rica, Mexico and Canada, and she is eager to expand her itinerary.

Sue is the bookkeeper for Solar Works. Bookkeeping is her third career. After graduating UCLA with a major in English, Sue earned her Elementary Teaching Credential and moved from Los Angeles to Forestville in 1969 for her first teaching position. Having traveled in Europe during her undergraduate career, Sue had not quite satisfied her travel bug, so she left teaching and became a travel agent. While working as an agent in Sonoma County, she traveled throughout Asia and Europe with trips to Alaska and most areas of the United States. She and her husband, Jim, built an off the grid home in Bodega in 1976. She served on the Board of Directors of the Bodega Land Trust and remains a member. After the birth of their daughter, Sue returned to teaching and spent fourteen years teaching K-4 in the Santa Rosa City School District. Taking early retirement, she returned to SRJC and earned her Accountant Assistant certificate. In her spare time Sue enjoys working in her native plant garden, bird-watching, reading fiction, and camping and hiking in Northern California, especially along the Smith River.