Cast Your Votes

Rachel Gates

Kingston

I manage the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe's Energy Sovereignty program which includes managing solar infrastructure projects, renewable energy outreach, and green economy workforce development. I also studied community engagement for tidal and wave energy in college. I am also on Puget Sound Energy's Equity Advisory Group.

These are challenging times for the solar industry with the removal of tax credits for residential solar at the end of 2025 and increased barriers for the commercial ITC. Cancellation of the EPA Solar for All program also limits access for low income Americans and Washingtonians. I want to ensure that we retain and hopefully grow the solar industry despite these setbacks - including making solar more readily available for tribes and others who have historically not been able to install solar. I also want to make sure connections are being made to other relevant areas such as weatherization.

I would be happy to share my experiences working in the tribal energy space, engaging with the UTC, teaching/developing communications materials for a variety of audience, being a mentor for those interested in entering this field, grant writing (I worked in development at the Forest Stewardship Council), or anything else Solar Washington might require.

Richard Hartung

Seattle

Incumbent Board President

I grew up in Seattle, went to college and graduate school in California, and then served in a variety of roles in banking in multiple locations. I have also served on boards of nonprofits for nearly all of my adult life. I first engaged directly with solar when we had solar panels and then a battery installed in our home in Seattle. Being a fan of solar energy, I organized workshops for people in my neighborhood and for other organizations to promote solar. I have also analyzed innovative solar industry startups in my role as investment lead or co-founder of investor groups that invest in solar energy or other environmentally sustainable startups. I have leveraged those experiences as well as research on solar and writing about solar for a variety of audiences to continue to educate the community about the benefits of solar energy. I have held various roles in Solar Washington and recently joined the board of the American Solar Energy Society, both of which seek to advance the installation of solar energy.

Advancing solar energy is essential for the future of our communities, our state and our nation. I hope to join the board again so that I can encourage and support more usage of solar energy.
Serving on the Solar Washington board for nearly the past four years has given me a chance to contribute to the solar industry and help to advance solar energy usage in Washington state. I would like to continue on the board for one more term so that I can leverage my experience to grow solar energy usage, contribute to the solar community and develop ways to benefit members even more.

I have written articles regularly for the monthly Newsletter in order to educate consumers as well as professionals and hope to continue to contribute to educating the community. I led the development of a strategic plan as president of Solar Washington for nearly the past year and would like to continue on the board so that I can work on implementation.

I have served in leadership positions in a multitude of nonprofits and have taken roles ranging from secretary or treasurer to governance committee chair or president. I would leverage the experience and skills I have gained for service on the board of Solar Washington. My background in banking helps me to understand the financials of the organization and contribute to the strength of Solar Washington. I currently focus on environmental sustainability through work as investment screening lead for organizations investing in sustainable startups, freelance writing for media as well as blogs and serving on nonprofit boards, so I can leverage experience in a broad range of areas for the benefit of Solar Washington. I look forward to leveraging my experience and skills for the benefit of Solar Washington, our members and the broader solar community.

Chris Muench

Duvall

Incumbent Board Treasurer

I have been an industrial professional for over 30 years, starting my career in Germany as a Software Architect for Siemens. In 1996, I moved to Redmond to manage the relationship between Siemens and Microsoft, and later joined Microsoft as a manager for Windows Embedded. In 2009, I started my own company focused on the industrial IoT. Today, I also work for Hyviva, where I develop long-duration energy storage systems.

I am a homeowner with a 13.4 kW solar system installed, including battery backup, and I am deeply passionate about zero carbon and climate improvement. My personal goal is to have my home achieve zero carbon emissions. After installing my solar system last year, I was struck by how little these systems are integrated with broader energy management systems.

I believe solar has tremendous potential to improve our climate situation. In order to make solar more attractive and accessible to more people, Solar Washington is an ideal platform to drive innovation and adoption. My hope is not only to help expand the use of solar in Washington by working with partners and legislators, but also to contribute directly to innovation and better integration of solar with other energy production, storage, distribution, and consumption systems—ultimately helping reduce carbon emissions at scale.

Elijah Selman

Ballard

I have worked in the renewable energy industry for five years across sales management, distribution, and manufacturing roles. I am continually seeking new opportunities to become more involved, grow professionally, and deepen my understanding of the industry as a whole.

My interest in joining the Solar Washington Board is threefold. First, I would like to become more involved in local education efforts to help drive the development of alternative energy from the ground up. Second, I hope to grow as a young professional by using Solar Washington to build new connections and continue my personal development and education. Finally, serving in a board position would provide added visibility to my current role and would likely create new opportunities for collaboration.

As a sales leader, my skills include but are not limited to relationship development, effective time management, strategic planning, and stellar communication. I offer insights into the distribution, manufacturing, and supply chain segments of the industry. I also have a direct line to boots-on-the-ground installers in Washington and understand their needs and challenges, as well as those of homeowners, better than most because I speak with them daily.

Zoilo Sotero

West Seattle

I am a first-generation immigrant who grew up in Seattle, Washington. I am a forever student and learner who loves to pursue knowledge. My solar connection is being a Sphere Solar Energy intern, being active in sustainability events from the YESC Environmental Leaders Summit and Environmental Symposium to information sessions and helping install a solar panel as part of my independent contractor work.

I would love to join the Solar Washington Board of Directors because I can advocate as a young voice to the board, especially as we transition to a Gen Z and Gen Alpha world. There needs to be someone who can speak on behalf of teens and young adults who is well-connected to the local community.

I bring a strong background in community outreach, event planning, and hard skills in tech such as Microsoft 365, Adobe Suite, and Google Workspace. I am a writer and community advocate with deep ties to teens and young adults, working families, and BIPOC frontline communities. I combine creativity and technical rigor with a strong equity lens. In high school, I was a Clean Water Ambassador for King County DNRP and spoke about accessibility of clean water and sanitation to vulnerable populations and environmental health advocate like the persistence of microplastics.

Now I am an intern with YWCA, a nonprofit organization focused on economic advancement for Section 8 low-income King County Housing Authority residents. My position as a YWCA intern and community advocate in South King County neighborhoods make me a strong candidate who knows what people are interested in and care about.

Dave Warren

Olympia

As a clean energy lobbyist, I've been involved in solar policy and supporting the advancement of solar for over 30 years, including, as Director of a regulatory staff promoting the adoption of one of the nation's first net metering rule, negotiating what would have been the world's largest grid connected PV generating facility, lobbying Washington's first solar incentive legislation in 2005 and the reauthorization of those incentives in 2015, that also included the first consumer protections in state statute and a module recycling component, several amendments to the state's net metering statutes, and the first legislatively successful community solar statute in 2020 that, unfortunately had to be vetoed due to the onset of the Covid epidemic. Past solar clients include Olympia Community Solar and Silfab Solar. I am also the recent proud owner of an east-side off-grid roof top solar facility installed by Fire Mountain Solar.

The Pacific Northwest electrical grid is undergoing profound changes, including requiring a major expansion to meet growing loads, including electrification of transportation, while simultaneously transforming to 100% clean energy in Washington and Oregon in a time of advancing technological and policy developments. Solar, both distributed and utility scale, has a necessary and vital role to play in this transformation and expansion. Solar Washington plays a vital role in education the public, stakeholders and policy makers about solar's opportunity and contributions to this rapidly changing industry.

I would bring 30+ years experience in the development and evolution of legislative and regulatory policy, technology, permitting, and manufacturing, as well as an engineering and utility related background. 

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