Hal Aronson, Ph.D.

Hal Aronson, co-founder of The Solar Way Forward, has been teaching solar electricity and designing solar electric systems for over thirteen years.  Most recently, Hal helped establish solar training programs for electricians and general contractors at several public and private colleges in the San  Francisco Bay Area as well as solar training programs for inner city young adults in Detroit and Richmond (CA). In this same time period he also Co-Founded WE CARE Solar www.wecaresolar.com to enhance health care in developing countries through the use of solar electricity.  Hal's solar electric systems are in use in Nigeria, Haiti, Tibet, India, Rwanda, Kenya, Mexico, Burma, Tanzania, and Uganda.

In 2001, Hal co-created the California-based Solar Schoolhouse program which brings renewable energy education to 3rd to 12th grade students through training school teachers. As part of this work Hal created hands-on projects, solar teaching kits, and co-authored the well-received Your Solar Home Guidebook.  Additionally, Hal leads trainings for Solar Energy International in Colorado and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation in Oregon. In 2000, Hal started the California Youth Energy Services (CYES) as a program of his non-profit organization, Rising Sun Energy Center. CYES now employs over one hundred youth in thirteen communities to improve the energy efficiency of homes and apartments.
As one of the early solar "guys," Hal built the first legally permitted solar house in Santa Cruz County in the early 1980s.
Hal was awarded a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1997. His research focus was Environmental Justice and Social Movements.

Contact:  hal.aronson@gmail.com

Mike Strykowski,

Mike Strykowski is the co-founder of The Solar Way Forward. As the former Renewable Energy Education Manager for Solar Living Institute, Mike designed solar electric systems, curriculum, and taught around California. He works for PG&E doing renewable energy trainings, and engages in off-grid and on-grid PV design, wind energy, micro hydro, solar thermal and whole house energy efficiency for Real Goods. Mike provided solar electric design and consultation for solar powered schools in Africa through "Paths to Native Africa," and provides solar design consultations for WE CARE Solar.  Contact Mike at mike@solarwayforward.com 707-888-3044