Applied Solar Energy opened its doors in Carmel Valley Village in 1982, becoming the first company to bring solar power to the Monterey area. Since then, we’ve delivered sustainable, cost-saving energy solutions to countless local homeowners. The company was primarily working with off-grid solar power until 2001, when ASE applied the first grid tie system for clients in the Santa Cruz area.
We installed an ambitious large-scale solar system at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Monterey Peninsula in 2004. Church members volunteered to work side by side with our installation crew, thus reducing costs significantly for the client and fostering personal connection for members in our community. The final step was like a traditional barn-raising, installing 180 panels with a chain of 4 members in a mere 2 hours, followed by a celebratory picnic. We’ve also worked with the City of Monterey to lead a project on creating Affordable Housing in the area in 2010. Our work with the Monterey Conference Center in 2019 received national awards from Solar Builder Magazine for a bid process that encouraged the lowest cost per kilowatt generated and high efficiency. This project continues to provide clean energy, savings, and benefits to the city today.
In 2001, we moved our offices to Pacific Grove, where we remain today—focusing exclusively on solar, tailoring each system to our customers’ properties, and delivering truly personalized service. As a small, locally owned business, we’re deeply engaged in our community and committed to integrity. Those values have forged lasting partnerships and client relationships that have seen us through every challenge—from the 2008 recession to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, we remain committed to our mission to apply the sun’s energy to create value for our clients, achieve sustainability, and protect the environment. We achieve this through high flexibility, installing and servicing systems including those by Generac, Enphase, SMAs, Panasonic, Hyundai, QCells, PointGuard, and more. We want to work with you to provide the most economical, safe, and beneficial solar system that fits your property.