Our Culture

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Positive culture = positive customer experiences

 

Our company has a reputation for having a warm, supportive culture. Several employees of Sun Light & Power have been with the company for over ten years. Building a culture of supportive, positive people helps us serve our customers better. 

 

We became an employee-owned company (ESOP) in October, 2018

 

When considering his eventual retirement, our company’s founder, Gary Gerber, chose ESOP as an alternative to selling our company. As an employee-owned company, every employee has a stake in the business which means we are vested in the success of every customer experience. That impacts our culture greatly, and has made us stronger together.

 

We walk the talk 

 

We are known for our unique culture in our industry. We think, breathe and live ‘green,’ in fulfillment of the company’s mission to deliver a sustainable world. 

 

Recycle: We recycle everything from scrap metal to the cardboard our PV modules are shipped in. Our staff uses recycled content office products and every desk has a paper recycling station nearby. We compost food waste, paper plates, cups, napkins and most everything else allowed within Alameda County.

 

Reuse: We reuse whenever possible, including office furniture, file folders and anything that may be repaired or repurposed. We offer reusable water bottles and coffee cups as promotional gifts, and we encourage limited use of plastics.

 

Travel and eco-commuting: Our fleet of trucks run on renewable diesel and our President has driven an electric car since 2000. Many of our team members bike or ride public transit to work. Each May our bikers compete with other medium-sized companies in the Team Bike Challenge – and we’ve won first place in our category several years.

 

Sustainable buying: We buy from local vendors, especially fellow Benefit Corporations.

Company events typically feature vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food options as well as sustainably harvested fish, poultry and beef whenever possible. 
 

Fun work environment

Our employees love coming to work to our offices and job sites. We care about our people and we enjoy each other’s company. Monthly ‘Thirsty Thursdays’ give us a chance to unwind and share our life and work stories.

 

Hear all about it

Listen to a podcast featuring Sun Light & Power's Founder, Gary Gerber, on Suncast with Nico Johnson.

Sun Light & Power President and Founder, Gary Gerber

 


Want to work with us?

 Consider joining our team by viewing our job postings.

 

  • "Sun Light & Power are great to work with. Their office staff and in-field team are very professional and helped me to resolve any issues or questions that came up."

    Scott L

  • "The San Francisco SPCA strives to be socially responsible in all business practices, and we chose to install solar panels to help decrease our carbon footprint. We were impressed with the high quality of work provided by Sun Light & Power;…

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    San Francisco SPCA

  • "Since Sun Light & Power is committed to making a positive difference in the world, we were delighted to see them selected by Oberlin Dance Collective for their project in San Francisco's Mission District. Sun Light & Power has gone above…

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    Lee Barken, CollectiveSun® Chief Community Officer

  • "Sun Light & Power exercises its deep engineering experience in favor of great solar design. They are realistic in assessing construction requirements and have useful solutions. In the four-school project we did together, Sun Light &…

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    David Kunhardt

  • "When Sun Light & Power installed a 19 kW array at our previous location they were helpful up front, thorough and professional in their installation, and responsive whenever we had questions or needed maintenance. That's why we…

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    Lawrence Grown, Berkeley, CA

  • “CUSD is committed to sustainable facility construction and operations. Part of that commitment is the environmental and fiscal savings afforded by solar electricity generation. Money not spent on utility bills can go back into the…

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    Doug Williams, LEED AP - Construction Manager, Measure G, Campbell Union School District

  • “With extremely limited resources available to provide quality affordable housing, it is critical to work with companies that are committed to provide the highest quality product. Sun Light & Power has proven time and again to be such a…

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    Woody Karp, Project Developer at Eden Housing

  • "This is a remarkable project that will directly help people and uplift the entire community. This used to be a run-down area, but it's now LEED-H Platinum certified affordable housing with superb community spaces. I want to thank Eden Housing,…

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    Congressman Sam Farr (D-Calif.), re: Camphora Apartments, Soledad

  • "Cabrillo is proud to build new 'green' dwellings for some of our valued farmworkers in Ventura County. They nourish our economy through their hard work. They deserve safe, beautiful homes so they, and their families, can prosper, thrive and…

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    Nicole Norori, Project Manager, CEDC

  • "Sun Light and Power is great to work with on any solar project. We have had the luxury of working with SLP since 2008 on ten different construction projects. These projects range from big to small and both photo-voltaic and solar water systems.…

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    Steve Cetrone

  • "You guys did a great job, not just in installing the equipment but in being perceptive as to how to deal with the regulatory authorities of Contra Costa County and the roofers. I decided to have our church hire you because although you were not…

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    William (Bill) Day, Contra Costa County

  • “Roofs are a valuable resource and should be considered as an asset that shouldn’t be wasted on low-performance equipment. Because of the energy intensity of refrigeration and processing, the biggest challenge of going solar is making a…

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    Martin Morehouse – Sun Light & Power ST engineer and estimator

  • “The building’s energy requirements include lighting and extensive power demands from refrigeration and other electrical needs. Some of this energy usage is also related to a new emphasis on ready-to-eat foods, including a second-floor kitchen…

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    Progressive Grocer

  • “I would not hesitate to work with SLP anytime in the future. I would also highly recommend them to anyone looking for a solar system.”

     

    Garry Pollard, Director of Operations, North Creek Church, North Creek

  • “We are very pleased that such a significant portion of our electrical needs are being met with our solar array. Sun Light & Power did a great engineering and installation job with this challenging project. It was not only the…

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    Mike Hannigan, President of First Chinese Baptist Church

  • “The San Francisco SPCA strives to be socially responsible in all business practices, and we chose to install solar panels to help decrease our carbon footprint. We were impressed with the high quality of work provided by Sun Light…

    Read more
     

    The San Francisco SPCA, San Francisco, CA

  • "With extremely limited resources available to provide quality affordable housing, it is critical to work with companies that are committed to provide the highest quality product. Sun Light & Power has proven time and again to be…

    Read more
     

    Woody Karp, Project Developer – Eden Housing Inc.

  • "Sun Light & Power did an excellent job providing us with a full suite of design and installation services."

     

    Jim Gaither Jr. Hanover Page Mill Associates, L.P.

  • "Alameda County’s Board of Supervisors awarded Sun Light & Power this ambitious solar project. Along with the energy efficiency features built into the Library, this well-designed solar system with both non-penetrating ballasted…

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    Matt Muniz, Energy Program Manager of Castro Valley Public Library

  • "From the first day, when we threw the switch, we have been 100% solar powered which feels great and saves money. Sun Light & Power did a great job for us."

     

    Dara O’Farrell

  • "Best contractor experience of any kind that I've encountered in San Francisco. Great, talented, efficient people."

     

    James Lynch, San Francisco, CA

  • "Sun Light & Power designed and installed the PV system currently in operation at my home in Orinda. I am very satisfied with the service and work they provided. They were very pleasant and professional from beginning to end, and I have…

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    John McGonigle, Ornida, CA

  • "We considered three companies, and Sun Light & Power provided the most informed personnel and the best equipment. They were timely, professional, and reliable – a great experience."

     

    D.M., El Cerrito, CA

  • "We’re proud to be part of the growing trend toward sustainability. Every aspect of our restaurant reflects our holistic commitment to using primarily organic, biodynamic, and sustainable ingredients & products from countertops to…

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    Anjan Mitra - Owner of Dosa in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco

  • "I have had a very good experience with Sun Light & Power over the last several years, which includes seven projects."

     

    Ed Bashay- Senior Construction Manager of The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants

  • "My experience with your company for my solar electric and solar hot water system installation was very positive. Both systems have worked extremely well for years. I would not hesitate to recommend you to a friend."

     

    David Grant

  • "My solar water collector/panel had a leak. Matthew came out to assess and instead of recommending a new collector, he actually fixed the leak! And at a very fair fee. Totally pleased with workmanship."

     

    Larry G., Culver City

  • "I think it was 2006 when we had our Solar Hot water installed in Berkeley. The guys who did the job were a) friendly, b) neat and tidy, c) finished on time. The system has worked perfectly, since installation. After ten years, one part…

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    Perry S.

  • This space is more than a headquarters; it’s a home to our inspiration and passion to do business in a better way.

     

    Gary Erikson, Founder and Co-CEO, Clif Bar

  • The resulting system represents our genuine commitment to responsible energy consumption and sustainability.

     

    Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union

  • "We wanted to showcase our dedication to ‘green’ business management and prove that any business can continue being profitable while being better stewards of the planet."

     

    David Meese, General Manager, Primo Honda

  • "So glad to see the system functioning fully again. Thank you so much for finding a solution for the bad inverter situation and getting it implemented. Sun Light & Power remains to be a highly professional solar company that I have no…

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    Donald Tong, VP-Operations and Finance, CJ United Food Corporation, Oakland, CA