SolaBlock’s technology is the next direction in solar, allowing the entire building to be used for renewable energy production. Founded to address the need for wall-mounted solar where conventional solar modules are poorly suited, SolaBlock’s Vertical Solar Solutions (VSS) offer a transformative vision of the future.
Imagine affordable multi-family housing that offsets the need for retail power, providing peace of mind. Every hospital, school, parking garage, shopping complex, and highway wall could partly or fully cover their own costs.
Founded by renewable energy expert Patrick Quinlan and veteran mason Jason Laverty, SolaBlock addresses the need for vertical, masonry-backed solar.
Eric Planey joined SolaBlock as CEO in September 2021. He has 25+ years of international banking and economic development experience, with a focus on industrial, automotive, aerospace, and energy industries. Eric is a proud graduate of Bowling Green State University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management. In 2015 Eric completed NYU’s inaugural Energy Finance program in their School of Professional Studies. He is currently co-host of the Pirates of CleanTech podcast, and a board member of the City Parks Foundation in New York City.
John O'Connor has more than three decades experience developing and producing high reliability power conversion products for renewable and distributed energy, heavy duty commercial vehicle, and semiconductor markets. In 1997, he co-founded Oztek Corp and served as CEO until 2023, when Oztek was sold to Trystar, LLC.
Patrick Quinlan founded SolaBlock in 2012. He has been actively involved in renewable energy since 1982. He worked on solar at Southern California Edison and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). He was also a Congressional fellow for the Ranking Member of the House of Science Committee, and a Technology Fellow supporting the Presidential Science Advisor at the Office of Technology Policy. Patrick currently has three projects in the Smithsonian.
Jason Laverty joined SolaBlock as co-founder in 2015, as a veteran R&D mason. He is a co-inventor of SolaBlock technology and a former instructor for both the International Masonry Institute and Job Corps. Jason is a member of Local Union No. 3 of the Boston International Union of Bricklayers, and is a recognized troubleshooting mason, involved in several large scale projects restoring historic buildings.
Lee Wipper joined SolaBlock in December 2021. She has two decades of experience in marketing and corporate communications and managing complex and multifunctional, global teams in both the corporate and volunteer worlds at entities like Pfizer, Delta Airlines, and the Oregon Community Foundation. Lee is a graduate of Portland State University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
As a LEED architect, Candace Shermansong has built apartment buildings, restaurants, and schools. She completed her architecture education at the University of Illinois - Chicago and practiced at Design 21 before starting her own firm, Architecture4. Returning from maternity leave, Candace founded Smart Stuff NYC to create engaging, sustainable experiences and spaces.
Chris is an electrical engineer with an emphasis on global safety and performance certification, primarily in renewable energy. Chris spent over 16 years at UL developing standards in the renewable energy sector prior to becoming a Renewable Energy Compliance and Regulatory Consultant.
He holds a BSEE from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Rick has 30 years of solar and renewable energy experience and will be assisting us in refining our business and sales plans as we become operational.
Eran Harish is a global businessman with experience in fields such as renewable energy, digital health, agritech and cleantech. Eran has been operating in Israel for more than 25 years and possesses a wide network of business partners and colleagues both locally and internationally. Eran and SolaBlock see Israel as a fantastic market for SMUs given its dense population and sunny climate.
Vince has extensive experience in manufacturing and operations management and engineering, most recently as Vice President and General Manager of Hi-Tech Mold & Tool in Pittsfield. Vince has bachelor’s degrees in plastics engineering and business from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
Joanne has over 30 years’ experience as an accountant and contract CFO bridging the service gap between traditional CPA services stressing compliance and a company’s need for a knowledgeable financial partner to help chart a successful business strategy. She holds a BA in Accounting from Plymouth State University.
