Company Address NextEnergy 1110 Burnett Ave, Suite E, Concord, CA 94520   Toll Free: 800 600 8171 Phone: 925 798 0600 Fax: 925 798 0900 E-mail: info@nextenergysolar.com

Company History

NextEnergy has three core values about the solar systems we install… Performance, Reliability, Longevity.

NextEnergy was founded in 2000 by Randy Kauffman to focus on high quality installations of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems. Originally a division of Accurate Heating & Cooling (CA Lic # 194796), NextEnergy is dedicated to three core principles in solar applications… Performance, Reliability, Longevity.

Performance - We custom engineer and install each system to exceed industry performance expectations. The combination of our mandated “Marine Grade” installation and use of high-performance panels with utility grade inverters, we have found our solar electric systems to routinely out-perform California Energy Commission (CEC) performance expectations by up to 25%. Me aning, our customers get more power from their NextEnergy system than they would have had someone else do the installation. 

Reliability - Our “Marine Grade” installation means we only use the highest quality materials for every customer. From racking holding panels in place to the bolts attaching the system to the structure, and everything in between, we never compromise quality! We NEVER subcontract our installation. Each of our lead installers is a seasoned professional with hundreds of installations under their belt, which means each of our installations meets meticulous standards to provide years of worry free electricity.   

Longevity - By using the best materials, having highly trained, skilled and experienced installations crews, and custom engineering each system, we provide our customers systems that will last longer than systems installed by other companies. We are one of the rare solar energy companies with a Class A Engineering license in addition to our General Building license (CA Lic # 854338 AB). This allows us to put together solar energy solutions we know have the longevity our clients demand.

What makes NextEnergy different than other solar installers out there is that we do not do “Box” installations. Our expert Solar Consultants, engineers, and installers make it a point to understand the unique subtleties of each client and installation. This personal and custom approach has allowed NextEnergy to flourish and become one of the top local solar contractors in the Bay Area. Our volume has allowed us to get special pricing from our product manufactures, so we can pass on the saving to our customers. For nearly a decade now, we have found the only way someone can beat NextEnergy is if they sacrifice Performance, Reliability, or Longevity in their system. Other companies lower the costs by cutting corners, we keep our costs low by being efficient and installing quality. If someone says they can do it for less than NextEnergy, you will be getting less than a NextEnergy solar electric system!

If you are interested in going solar, give us a call… you'll be glad you did!

The NextEnergy Team.

Solar Timeline     2009 - NextEnergy installs it's 1,000th system.     2008 - Randy's first solar thermal system celebrates its 30th anniversary in operation. More California Homeowners install Solar Electric systems than any year in history of solar installations.     2005 - NextEnergy becomes independent of Accurate Heating & Cooling. NextEnergy partners with SunPower to become one of the first SunPower dealers in the US.     2004 - Harry Kauffman, yep - Randy's brother, joins NextEnergy to help expand operations.     2003 - NextEnergy installs it's 100th system.     2000 - Operating under Accurate Heating & Cooling (CA Lic # 194796), Randy starts the “NextEnergy” division to focus on Solar PV (Photo Voltaic) installation.     1985 - SunPower High Efficiency Solar Cell developed.     1978 - Randy Kauffman installs his first solar system, a solar thermal system in Hayward , CA.     1969 - First man walks on the moon     1960 - Kauffman family starts Accurate Heating & Cooling.     1958 - Vanguard 1 launches, the first US Satellite powered by solar panels.     1954 - First solar battery introduced.     1883 - First solar cell was built by Charles Fritts.     1839 - Photovoltaic effect recognized by French physicist A.E. Becquerel

 

 
Office Staff
 

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Randy Kauffman
CEO & President

Randy is a San Francisco native and has over 30 years experience in the Mechanical HVAC and solar energy businesses. His experience includes Branch Manager in Las Vegas for Norman-Wright Mechanical Equipment Company, the 2nd largest Mechanical Equipment Company in the nation . Randy is a Journeyman Steamfitter (Local 342), PG&E Certified Home Energy Efficiency Rater, Member of CALSEIA, Member of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and Certified with the California Energy Commission for Installing Solar Electric Energy.

Constance Walker
VP Controller

Connie began working at NextEnergy in 2005 and was promoted to Vice President in April 2008. She brings with her over 20 years experience as a Controller in the Construction Industry working for both union and non-union affiliates. For six years she owned and operated Financial Consulting Network working as a consultant for a variety of small businesses implementing accounting applications and providing financial reporting services to her clients. She attended and graduated from DVC and transferred to Cal State East Bay majoring in Business Administration and Finance. She is devoted and dedicated to addressing Global Warming through the efforts of NextEnergy and the renewable energy arenas. She resides in the Bay Area.
 

Emma Brown
Ops Manager

Emma has years of proven experience in the solar energy field, specializing in the coordination of system installs, permits applications, CAD design and state rebate processing. Her experience and detailed knowledge of solar system implementations, particularly in regard to the complex and changing regulatory requirements, ensure that each NextEnergy client installation is handled promptly and quickly. Emma attended University in Russia where she was majoring in linguistics and languages.

Stephen Torres
Director of Sales and Marketing

Stephen is a dynamic sales professional with proven experience. Stephen spent 14 years in direct sales, where he was responsible for over $18 million of business leading day-to-day operations for over 250 sales reps in multiple offices. Before joining NextEnergy, Stephen spent time in Business-to-Business sales as a Corporate Account Manager at one of the world leading SAAS (Software As A Service) companies. Stephen graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in American Studies, concentrating in Organizations in the American Workplace focused on Management and Motivation, and received a Certificate in Management of Engineering & Innovation from UC Berkeley's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.
 

David Loomis
Vice President of Sales

Dave is a SF Bay Area native with a solid background in sales, sales management, training and recruiting for Citibank, World Savings, and The CIT Group.  He has a passion for renewable energy and his solar resume includes system design,business development, and sales training at Sungevity in Berkeley, where he was one of the top salesman.  More recently, he served as Vice President,  Director of Sales at Solar Universe, Inc,,  where he recruited, hired, trained and mentored over 30 salespeople,  sales managers, and new franchise owners in CA, AZ, and Pennsylvania.  Solar Universe grew from 3 franchise partners to 13 and revenue increased five fold during his tenure.  He holds a Bachelors Degree in Earth Science from the University of California at Berkeley,  where he was a key member of  the National Championship Rugby teams and played Bass in the Cal Marching Band.  He is a passionate advocate for renewable energy and the environment. 
 

Jessica Chapman
Customer Service

Jessica joined the NextEnergy team in the summer of 2008 after realizing that recycling at home was not making a big enough impact on fighting global warming. She brings to the business over 6 years of customer service skills and a passion to help save the planet. For customer services needs please contact Jessica.

Bob Halk
Civil Engineer

Bob contributes 36 years in construction design, quality assurance and quality control. He has over 20 years experience with Bechtel in San Francisco where he designed and constructed nuclear power plants and commercial, industrial and residential complexes. Bob responsibilities include the supervision and training of technical staff to ensure solar installations are in compliance with project specifications, city requirements and building codes.

Advisors
 

Robert C. Jaspar
CFO Advisor

Mr. Robert C. Jaspar serves as a financial consultant to NextEnergy Corporation and was elected to our Board of Directors in 2007. He has more than 30 years of financial and operations experience in large and small companies in manufacturing and service industries. Mr. Jaspar holds an Executive M.B.A. in Finance from Saint Mary's College, and a B.A. in Business Administration and Accounting from the California State University at San Francisco. He also holds a Certificate in Financial Planning from UC Berkeley. A Bay Area native, Mr. Jaspar also is a customer of NextEnergy, having installed a 3KW system on his home in 2006.

Jay McLaughlin
CTO Advisor

Jay McLaughlin is a Chief Technical Officer advisor for NextEnergy Corp. Jay has 28 years experience in the solar energy industry. While working for Motorola, Inc. (Franklin Park, IL) in 1971 he designed and developed some of the first stand-alone solar electric systems used to power remote telecommunications facilities. In 1977, Jay created one of the first photovoltaic product lines, marketed under the name Electrosol® and sold by Solar Energy Products, Inc. (Gainesville, FL). Throughout his career he has been at the forefront of technology development serving as President of Energy Design Associates, Inc. (Gainesville, FL), President of General Thermal Corporation (Santa Rosa, CA). VP of Engineering for Servamatic Systems Inc. (San Ramon, CA). Jay was a founding director and Chairman for six years of the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC). Jay played a key roll in the formation of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). For his many contributions to the advancement of the solar energy industry, he was inducted into the Solar Hall of Fame in 1986. Jay has a BSEE from Florida State University, MBA from Illinois Institute of Technology, and he completed mechanical engineering graduate studies in solar and energy conversion at University of Florida.