Over 25 Years of Trusted Solar Expertise
For nearly 30 years, Sunlight Solar has been one of Central Oregon's most experienced solar installers in Oregon. We started installing on-grid solar around the year 2000, and we've spent every year since building a reputation for honest work, clear communication, and systems that hold up. We're a smaller, locally rooted company, and we like it that way. It lets us treat customers like neighbors rather than transactions.
As one of the few solar installers in Central Oregon with deep local roots, we handle every stage of a project ourselves: system design, permitting, installation, inspection, and utility interconnection. You work with the same team from start to finish, and that team will still be here years from now to service what we built. Nearly 30 years in one region has given us a working knowledge of local roofs, utilities, and permitting that a national company passing through town can't match.
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What We Value
Honesty guides how we quote and how we advise. We do the vetting before we recommend anything, and we never ask for money before a purchase. Professionalism, reliability, and consistency show up in how we permit, install, and follow through. Above all, we believe education is the heart of good solar work. The more you understand your system, your incentives, and your options, the better the decision you'll make. Community runs through all of it, because Central Oregon is where our team lives, and we want solar done well in the place we call home.
Why Local Matters
Solar is a long-term relationship with the company that installs it. Permitting rules, utility interconnection requirements, and even snow and sun exposure vary across Central Oregon, and a local team builds with those realities in mind. When you choose solar installers in Oregon who actually live in the region, you get a partner who knows your utility, can reach your home quickly for service, and has a reputation in the community to protect. That is the difference between a company passing through and one that has served the same towns for decades.
Central Oregon's trusted solar installer since 2000
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Certifications and Awards
Sunlight Solar is an Energy Trust of Oregon Trade (ETO) Ally, NABCEP certified, and certified via our manufacturers. These include Enphase, Tesla, SolarEdge, Eaton/Span smart panels, ChargePoint EV chargers amongst others. These certifications mean our licensed installers are trained to install and support product such as the Tesla Powerwall battery and commissioning Enphase systems. Our Trade Ally status lets us help eligible Pacific Power customers access Energy Trust rebates. We also work closely with Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) and Mid-State Electric Cooperative (MEC) in Central Oregon.
Our work has earned Best of Central Oregon recognition from The Source Weekly and Energy Installer of the Year from Energy Trust of Oregon.
Community Partners
We're proud to bring solar to affordable housing across the region through our work with Central Oregon Habitat for Humanity, Rooted Homes, and Thistle and Nest. These partnerships reflect a simple belief: clean energy should reach the whole community, not only those who can pay the most for it.
Central Oregon Solar
Where We Work
Sunlight Solar serves Central Oregon and the surrounding communities, including Bend, Culver, La Pine, Redmond, Madras, Prineville, Sisters, Sunriver, Terrebonne, Tumalo, and Warm Springs. As local solar installers in Oregon, we know the permitting, utilities, and climate of this region because we live and work here too.
Our Team
The people behind Sunlight Solar live and work in the same Central Oregon communities we serve. Our team brings decades of hands-on experience in solar design, permitting, installation, and service, and that local knowledge shows up in every project we take on. When you call Sunlight Solar, you reach a real person who knows your system, your roof, and your neighborhood.
Want to join our team? Explore open positions and find out what it's like to build a career in solar with a company that's called Central Oregon home for over 25 years.
Paul Israel
Founder and President
Joe Mazzarella
System Design and Project Development
Since 2011, Joe has performed System Design and Estimation for over 50 residential and 5 commercial/municipal projects per year. He graduated from Washington State University with a BA-Business Administration. Joe is NABCEP Entry Level and Technical Sales Certified. He has a great deal of experience in developing and helping see through numerous municipal PV system projects throughout Oregon. See Oregon Municipal Projects Portfolio. In his free time, you may be lucky enough to find Joe doing the dishes.
Robert Johnson
Supervising Electrician
Robert joined Sunlight Solar in 2001 and earned his Journeyman Electrician’s License in 2004 and is now the Signing Supervisor for Sunlight Solar. He has worked for long standing local electrical companies and is OSHA 30 Certified, and an Oregon Certified General Supervising Electrician. Robert oversees the installation crew and signs off on all permit sets and is responsible for quality assurance.
Max Sampsel
Project Manager
Max joined the Sunlight Solar team as a racker and quickly worked his way into project management. He now runs the construction team. Max handles permitting, scheduling, procurement, and customer contact. Prior to working with Sunlight Solar, he worked for an architectural firm in Northern California. Max holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Josh Cartwright
Procurement and Project Support
Josh has been with Sunlight Solar since 2017. He is a man of many hats, but we call him the Purchasing and Warehouse Manager, as well as the Mechanical Foreman. Josh is originally from Reno, Nevada. When not working, you can find Josh fishing or gardening.
Jasmine Vincent
Customer Outreach and Marketing Coordinator
Jasmine joined Sunlight Solar in 2025. Although she is new to the solar industry, she has more than 10 years of customer service experience. As the first point of contact for customers, Jasmine supports the sales team, coordinates the company’s marketing efforts, and helps ensure every customer has a positive experience from start to finish. Outside of work, Jasmine enjoys attending live music events, crafting, and spending time outdoors.
Gwen Stollenwerk
Bookkeeper and HR
Gwen started at Sunlight Solar in 2021 and mainly focuses on Accounts Receivables. Prior, she was the director of a Waldorf Preschool and is comfortable wearing many hats. She enjoys learning more about the solar industry as she has been an advocate for environmental consciousness from a young age. Gwen was raised in Wisconsin and moved West to enjoy the natural beauty of Central Oregon and received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon. As the mother of a very active teenager, she hopes for more focus on sustainability for future generations.
Stephanie Israel
Bookkeeper and HR
Stephanie joined Sunlight Solar in 2021 as a bookkeeper. She has Bachelor’s and Associate’s Degrees in Geography and GIS. She worked for a County GIS/IT Department for 6 years, prior to taking time off to be a stay at home Mom. In addition, she has held jobs in Human Resources, Customer Service, and is working toward her Post BACC Certificate in Accounting.
Shaun Matthews
Warehouse Support
Shaun has been with Sunlight Solar since 2024. He is a Racker and Construction Support Specialist. When he isn’t working, Shaun is hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and spending time with his kids.
Luke Clark
Oregon Licensed Renewable Technician and Service Coordinator
Luke has been in the Solar Industry for several years, and with Sunlight since 2023. He is a Licensed LRT and Service Coordinator. He is also a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional. Originally from California, Luke has lived in Bend for about two years. When he is not working, you will find him fishing or playing baseball.
Kris Helmer
Journeyman Electrician
Kristopher Helmer has been a journeyman electrician since 2017, and with Sunlight Solar since 2023. He is originally from Twin Falls Idaho. When Kris is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and camping. He also spends time supporting his son with baseball by attending his practices and traveling to his games.
Don Campbell
Journeyman Electrician
Don Campbell has been installing solar for Sunlight Solar since 2010 with a leadership role of General Foreman on many of our residential and commercial PV projects. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping with his kid. Donnie’s favorite food is a Bronco Breakfast Burrito from Strictly Organic.
Clark Miller
Journeyman Electrician
With more than a decade of experience in the electrical trade, Clark became a Journeyman Electrician in 2019. He’s originally from Alaska and holds a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University. When he’s not on the job, you’ll usually find him outdoors or enjoying time with his grandkids.
Shawn Tatos
Journeyman Electrician
Shawn has over three years of experience in the solar industry. In his free time, he enjoys paddle boarding, mountain biking, and spending time with his family!
Nolan Cook
Journeyman Electrician Apprentice
Nolan has been in Solar since 2017 and has experience in a variety of positions. He started at Sunlight Solar in 2022 as an LRT, and is currently a Journeyman Apprentice. He has helped teach some of the LRT Apprentice and Pre-Apprenticeship classes for the State of Oregon and OSSIA. Nolan also holds certifications on most of the product brands that we sell. When he’s not working, you’ll find Nolan camping, hiking, bowling, or playing video games.
Taber Busche
Oregon LRT Apprentice
Taber is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been working in the solar industry since 2021, but began working at Sunlight Solar in 2023. When he is not working, you can find him hiking with his three dogs.
Abbe Corwin
Oregon LRT Apprentice
Abbe is an Oregon LRT Apprentice who has been with Sunlight Solar since August 2024. She is a Central Oregon local. In her free time, you can find her listening to records, hiking, or cuddling with her cat, Sirius.
Brian Massey
Oregon LRT Apprentice
Brian started at Sunlight Solar in 2025. He grew up in Coos Bay, Oregon and loves the outdoors. Brian is a family man, who raises two teenage boys with his wife of nine years. When he is not working, you will find Brian spending most of his time fishing and hiking with his dog, Lukas.
Conrad Eggert
Construction Support/Solar Racker
Conrad has been with Sunlight since 2025. When he is not working, you can find him fishing or surfing!
Banyan Howell
Construction Support/Solar Racker
Banyan is new to the solar industry but has always had an interest in renewable energy. He’s even taking several sustainability classes at the local community college. In his free time, you can find him mountain biking, camping, fishing, or playing his guitar!
Aurelio Garcia (Ace)
Construction Support/Solar Racker
Ace has over 10 years of solar experience and is working towards his Journeyman Electrician license. He enjoys cycling, hiking, swimming, and playing basketball! Most importantly, he finds pleasure in cooking a good steak.
Cooper Iker
Construction Support/Solar Racker
Cooper is new to solar but has been working in the construction industry for a couple of years now. Depending on the season, you can find him snowboarding, biking, or fishing in his free time!
Aaron Nelson
Construction Support/Solar Racker
Over the past few years, Aaron has worked with the U.S. Forest Service, fighting wildfires and helping protect our forests. Although he’s new to the solar industry, he has hands-on experience with solar energy, having installed a small PV system on his own truck. Outside of work, Aaron enjoys hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and taking a nice, slow-paced run.