Eric T. Youngren
Solar Nexus International is an international supplier of solar, wind and micro-hydro electric systems based on Orcas Island in Washington State, USA.
Our primary business model is that of a value-adding distributor of complete solar power systems, but our mission is Solar Empowerment through market-based development of local solar energy resources worldwide.
We seek to help support the transition to a low-carbon economy by bringing appropriate scale high quality renewable energy to the developing world.
Design & Integration - Complete systems at various scales
Our SolarNexus integration hardware, system design and marketing approach provides simplified yet high quality solutions for distributed electric power needs from the smallest household system up to village-scale micro-grids.
The SolarNexus line of power centers are essentially solar home power appliances, equipped with circuit breakers, meters and power distribution hardware to serve as the central wiring hub for a home solar electric system. They can be used in remote off-grid sites as well as in grid-interactive systems for backup power where grids are unstable. By simplifying and standardizing the home solar power system, we make installation easier and we improve the safety, quality, and reliability of the systems.
Installer Training and Business Development – Building the market infrastructure
Solar energy education, installer training and customer support is an essential part of our business model. Our "Nexus Certified" training programs for solar dealers and installers will help ensure installation quality and system longevity while developing market infrastructure and technical capacity for the solar electric industry in emerging markets worldwide.
We will send teams of instructors from the USA to lead training sessions. Training will include technical topics such as solar electric system design, installation and operation as well as business management, finance and marketing. We are developing curriculum materials for a range of audiences, from rural African farmers to advanced system technicians.
Distribution Network and Supply Chain – Regional wholesale sales points
Our primary income producing business activity is that of a value-added commodity product distributor. All materials are shipped from Washington State, USA. Electronics and 'balance of systems' (BOS) components are sourced from US suppliers, with some value-added assembly work done in both US and in-country locations.
To bring Solar Nexus Systems to rural international markets we have developed the concept of the "Solar Store in a Box" (SSB) solar hardware distribution center. The SSB is a standard ISO shipping container modified to serve as a sales point and warehouse for bulk wire and wiring components. SSB containers will be located in central locations to serve regional markets. Inventory will be limited to those materials required for installation of the range of Solar Nexus Systems. Inventory controls and reordering procedures will help ensure availability of proper components.
Current Business Activities
In 2010, Solar Nexus International is providing 30 300-Watt Solar Nexus "D" Systems to the UK based NGO, SolarAid, to be installed on public school classrooms and dormitories in rural areas of Tanzania. The Operations Director of SolarAid Tanzania, Mason Huffine, is a long-time colleague of Eric Youngren from Seattle. Mason's support and on-the-ground experience in Tanzania will be a significant asset to help ensure the success of this first bulk order of low-power Solar Nexus Systems. This is our first opportunity to ship a full container of systems and test our products in the East African market. SolarAid will receive, inventory and dispense bulk quantities of wire and wiring components from Dar Es Salaam to support the installation needs of the 30 first systems. Established Tanzanian solar power systems dealers will be invited to participate in the first "Nexus Certified" training sessions and complete the system installations.
About Eric
Eric lives in a microhydro powered off-grid home on the side of a mountain on Orcas Island, Washington. Before starting as a full-time solar installer in 2001, Eric worked as a wilderness expedition leader and instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Mexico, Alaska, Patagonia, British Columbia and Washington State. Eric has degrees in Anthropology and Geography and has studied renewable energy and appropriate technology with Solar Energy International (SEI) and Aprovecho Research Center. He has been a NABCEP certified solar PV installer since 2005. Before founding Island Energy Systems in 2008, Eric was general manager and lead system designer/installer for Rainshadow Solar, Inc. between 2003 and 2008.
