Blue Selenium, founded in 2009, is proud of its local heritage.
Blue Selenium Solar was founded in 2009 with two office locations, one in Winchester, MA and the other in the historic town of Sandwich, MA on Cape Cod. Since that time, we have rapidly expanded to serve communities in six locations: Newburyport, Woburn, Whitman, and Stratham, New Hampshire. Prior to the wide-scale launch of the company, co-founders Wally cole and Mike Tanghe invested serious time and effort to build a highly scalable operations infrastructure for end-to end customer management, project management, inventory, service, and customer finance. This important investment of time and money in scalable infrastructure enabled them to maintin exceptional levels of personalized customer service while rapid growth took place. As a result, we have now have a wonderful community of satisfied customers from the tip of Cape Cod to the north and south shores of Boston and its western suburbs.
In order to provide the best system modeling and customer service, extensive investments have also been made in integrated IT and solar energy modeling systems. The co-founders also developed a highly scalable energy system modeling system in a close alliance with the software development team at Energy Matters, LLC. By being on the early Beta team for testing and enhancing it's Energy Periscope solar modeling and financial forecasting software, Blue Selenium was able to customize a solution that can model a system in 10 minutes that includes information ranging from a 3 page Executive Summary to a multi-page technical and financial proposal with a 25-year cash flow, full advanced financials, environmental attributes, system technical specs, and many key financial and system production graphs and metrics. During this time, wholesale relationships with many different distributors were established which now enable us to offer a wide variety of solar panels, inverters, racking and balance of system components. Our providers include SolarWorld (the largest manufacturer of 100 % American-made solar panels), Conergy Solar (a worldwide provider based in Europe and the U.S.), Mage Solar, AEE Solar, Northeast Electrical Distributing, Solectria Renewables, SMA Inverters, Solar Depot, U.S. Solar Distributing, GroSolar, Focused Solar, and several others. We also have relationships with Solectria, SMA, Enphase, and Solar Edge for inverters and microinverters. We also have relationships with several large electrical and plumbing and mechanical supply houses.
Blue Selenium Solar's Management Team
Wally Cole, Co-founder, President and CEO
Masters in Business Administration, Boston University
PV Systems Designer, Wind Turbine Systems Designer
Wally has more than 25 years of experience at New England-based high technology companies where he led the product management, marketing and global launch of complex computer systems. Wally served as a Director and Vice President of Product Management and Marketing for technical product lines at companies such as Navisite, Compaq and HP. Wally also founded a successful property development company focused on restoring historic homes where he gained years of general contracting experience working closely with architects, builders, building inspectors, electricians, plumbers and other key sub-contractors and suppliers. Wally has completed training in wind turbine systems design and installation taught by nationally-known wind turbine systems expert Ian Woofenden, currently Senior Editor at Home Power Magazine. Wally completed advanced training in solar systems design and installation from IREQ-certified instructors at Alternative Energy University. He is currently a registered Home Improvement Contractor in Massachusetts. As an active member of his community, Wally was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to the Town of Winchester's Energy Management Committee and has implemented several large-scale energy efficiency improvements and municipal solar projects for the DPW and the Ambrose School.
Mike Tanghe – Co-founder and COO, Mechanical Engineer
BSME University of Massachusetts, BMET Rochester Institute of Technology
NABCEP-trained PV Systems Designer (taking Sept, 2012 exam), Solar Thermal Systems Designer
Mike brings 25 years of experience in all aspects of mechanical engineering, construction, and renewable energy systems design to the table. Mike uses his engineering talents to assure that only the highest quality components are used in our systems. He is also an expert in a variety of computer software applications for modeling and optimizing the system design to assure the highest output (and the most energy savings in the customer’s pocket). Mike also works closely with all of our solar component manufacturers to be sure we can provide a wide range of high-efficiency systems and options. Previously, Mike has worked in engineering at companies like Eastman Kodak Co., Foster-Wheeler Energy Corp., DT Industries, and Boston University. Later Mike co-founded a successful engineering firm focused on industrial automation, providing automation to Titleist, Taylor-Made, Callaway, Sealed-Air, and AirXchange. He has advanced training and hands-on experience in solar electric and solar thermal systems design and installation, taught by IREQ-certified instructors at Alternative Energy University, and has completed a graduate level engineering course on solar thermal system design and analysis. Construction experience includes home remodeling and building energy efficient super-insulated homes.
Solar Energy Installation Team -- Relevant Experience, Skills, and Capabilities:
The Blue Selenium team is already an “expedited installer” for MassCEC Rebates, with extensive experience in performing site assessments, shade analyses, rebate submissions, and cost justifications. Our lead engineer and Chief Installer have each completed IREQ-certified advanced training in PV, solar thermal, and wind systems. Our Chief Installer is also NABCEP-certified, and other members of the team are taking the advanced NABCEP test this fall. Because of this extensive training and engineering background, we are very good at project managing the end-to-end assessment, design, installation, quality, and commissioning process according to the high standards of the previous Commonwealth Solar Program and the MassCEC.
We utilize one of the highest-rated modeling systems for the design and optimization of solar energy systems in the country. We were personally on the Beta development team that developed the Energy Periscope Solar Modeling software that is the foundation for the System you may know that is offered by Clean Power Finance, Inc. We worked closed with Energy Matters, Inc founder Scott Cronk to develop and refine this next generation web-based system that is now used by 1700 installers and OEM’s in the U.S.
Our PV installations have been very highly rated in follow-up audits by the well-known Cadmus Group. We have flexibility and experience in customer financing for solar energy system cash sales, loans, and PPAs. We are extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of State and Federal financial incentives and are also particularly adept at explaining how accelerated depreciation, depreciation and tax credits and grants can provide positive cash-flow benefits to small- and medium-sized businesses. We also have solid experience working with well-known SREC Aggregators Knollwood Energy and SRECTRADE to create successful installations that automatically report system production to the PTC.
In addition to extensive training and experience in the renewable energy business, Blue Selenium’s management team has extensive experience in community marketing and outreach. One of our two co-founders, (Wally Cole) was previously a high-tech product marketing VP at HP and is an expert at sales and marketing, CRM, marketing communications, press relations, social media, and Web-based marketing. These skills are directly applicable to driving solar adoption in any community. Wally also has years of experience working as a volunteer in local sustainability groups, such as Sustainable Winchester and Cool Winchester, which runs a community-based energy audit program that is being driven on a large scale across the community. Wally is also an appointed member of the Winchester Energy Management Committee. Our other co-founder (Mike Tanghe) is a highly qualified mechanical engineer with years of experience in developing and installing complex mechanical and electrical systems in the renewable energy industry. Mike also has experience in the construction industry and has completed several deep energy retrofits in his earlier career. This adds up to a senior leadership time with a wide breadth of directly applicable experience.
Bill Sullivan, Chief Installer
NABCEP-certified PV Systems Designer and Installer, # 092411-138
Solar Thermal Systems Designer, Wind Turbine Systems Designer
Bill has more than 30 years of experience running a successful construction company and knows every aspect of home and commercial construction – experience which guarantees that your system will be installed properly, in compliance with all building codes, and with full consideration for the unique challenges and considerations at a job site. Bill has completed advanced training in renewable energy systems design and installation at nationally known training centers such as Solar Energy International and Alternative Energy University. Bill also has hands-on experience installing solar electric, wind, and solar thermal systems with the Cape and Island’s Self-Reliance cooperative. Bill is a licenced Construction Supervisor (License # 5813) and has successfully held one for the last three decades. Bill is an active member of the Town of Wellfleet, MA Energy Committee.
Anant Wadalkar, Solar Design Engineer and Project Manager
Masters of Science Degree in Energy Engineering from UMass Lowell Graduate School
Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Information Technology from Mumbai University
Anant provides pre-sales solar design and engineering support to the sales team for residential and commercial customers. He also provides overall solar project management to insure on-time coordination of every project from site analysis to contract signing through system commissioning and service. During his stint at Gehrlicher Solar Corp in New Jersey, he helped design a 1.2 MW system for IKEA that was installed a year ago. In his spare time, he enjoys doing high altitude trekking in the Himalayas and rock climbing in the mountains of New England.
Michelle Cudilo, PE
Structural Consulting Engineer
Michelle, is an experienced and licensed structural engineer who has wide experience in the design of systems that can stand up to stress of all kinds, from wind turbines to solar energy systems on flat roofs, pitched roofs, and ground-mounts. She consults on many of our projects to insure customer safety, building and structural integrity, and compliance with all codes.
Sean Rogan, Master Electrician
Sean holds licenses in 3 New England states (Master Licenses in MA # 20141 NH 11639 ME 40089829) and has decades of experience as an electrician. Sean and his team have developed a strong working partnership focused on growing the residential and commercial solar business. Every Blue Selenium installations has a Master Electrician involved in the design, installation, and grid–interconnect.
Blue Selenium Solar's Energy System Sales Team:
A. Joseph DiBiase, Director of Sales
Bachelor of Arts, Boston College
Juris Doctor, Suffolk University Law School
Joe brings a variety of experience to Blue Selenium, garnered during his 25-plus years in technology, law, real estate, and education. As a Director and Vice President of Business Development at several software and technology companies, always with a focus on increasing efficiencies, he was responsible for expanding markets and creating partnerships with other companies. At PCi Corporation he created industry partnerships to ease the task of more than 1,000 mortgage lenders to comply with the Community Reinvestment Act and various Fair Lending Laws. At Insight Direct he successfully negotiated the first software partnership in which Google’s mapping and routing tools were used in a commercial software application to reduce the miles driven of hundreds of field service companies’ fleets, ultimately reducing these fleets’ mileage by millions of miles. As an attorney, with a focus on land use planning, he encouraged his clients to utilize innovative planning methods to increase the amount of open space and reduce the need to extend roadways. Whether acting as a business driver for technology companies, or as an attorney, adjunct professor, or volunteer for a number of organizations, Joe has always believed that technology can be a great enabler for students and colleagues alike. His consultative and innovative marketing and business style distinguishes Blue Selenium as a thought leader and resource for prospective customers of green energy technologies.
Dave Judelson, Regional Sales Executive, Winchester, MA
BS Electrical Engineering and Biology Stanford University
Peace Corps, Inland Fisheries Program Volunteer, Cameroon West Africa
Dave drives sales and marketing efforts focused in the area around Winchester, MA. Dave is a very active member of several local sustainability groups and was a co-founder of Sustainable Winchester, where he and others worked hard to establish Winchester as one of the first official "Green Communities" in Massachusetts. Dave was also the leader and community liaison for the successful Solarize Winchester Program developed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. He is also an appointed member of the Winchester Energy Management Committee and has worked to dramatically lower the energy costs for the Town. Dave recently completed the NABCEP Technical Solar Sales Training course.
Elissa Carreras, Regional Sales Executive
BS- Hotel and Restaurant Adminstration, Cornell University
MBA- Masters in Business Administration, Boston University - School of Management
Elissa lives with her husband and three children in Medford, MA where she works very closely with our clients in metro-west Boston and it's suburbs. She is responsible for driving residential and commercial systems revenue through local and regional networking, customer events, solar seminars, and targeted marketing programs. Elissa has more than 15 years of financial, accounting, general contracting, and management consulting experience. She worked as a management consultant at Novations/J. Howard and Associates, and in finance and accounting at The Gillette Company and Ernst and Young, LLP. She enjoys explaining the very attractive ROI of solar projects to her residential and business solar clients. During her career, Elissa also founded and managed two successful businesses- a photography business and a Real Estate Development company which also provided her with valuable hands-on experience acting as General Contractor for her own construction projects.
Neal Dwelley, Regional Sales Executive
BA -Whittemore School of Business and Economics- University of New Hampshire
Company Commander in the United States Army Reserves
Neal joined Blue Selenium Solar in 2011 and brings strong experience in sales and marketing from his previous work as an Account Executive at companies such as Sanofi-Aventis and Pezrow Food Brokers. Neal is a passionate advocate of renewable energy and works with commercial and residential clients in Massachusetts and southern N.H., where he resides. Neal recently completed the NABCEP Technical Solar Sales Training certification. Neal is also a certified Scuba Diver and can frequently be found diving off the Isle of Shoals.
Eric Saftler, Regional Sales Executive, Southeasten Massachusetts
BS Accounting, University of Massachusetts
Before joining Blue Selenium Solar, Eric was the 3rd generation owner of Saftler’s Inc. This family owned and operated retail store was known and respected throughout New England. He has a strong sales background, focused on customer service and satisfaction. His accounting background gives him a solid understanding of the solar tax credits and rebates and how to best maximize these incentives for his clients. He resides in Whitman with his wife and two daughters.
Karen Fenton, Inside Sales and Business Administration
Karen is passionate about renewable energy and is very enthused to be a part of the team at Blue Selenium Solar. Karen has previously held key sales and supervisory positions, managing accounts with sales totaling over $3 million annually. Karen’s job includes office support, customer support, and business and sales development.
Natalie Tudor - Customer Support and Internet Marketing Cape Cod Community College - Associates Degree - English and Liberal Arts Studied at Boston Architectural College
Natalie is responsible for supporting Blue Selenium’s sales team by developing solar array designs and rooftop CAD layouts. She also provides administrative support for many aspects of solar project management including rebate processing, permitting, and system commissioning. She manages the consolidation of system documentation, specs and Warranties into a customized reference document that is given to every customer. In addition, Natalie is also responsible for key aspects of Blue Selenium Solar's internet marketing strategy and customer communications through website content development, writing of blog articles, and management of the company's client communications on major social networking sites that drive increased web traffic and leads.