MISSION
Soluz works to advance the global transition to sustainable energy, with a special commitment to increasing access to electricity using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Soluz, Inc. is a Massachusetts corporation committed to advancing sustainable energy in developing or emerging market countries. Our core expertise is in the utilization of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to increase access to clean electricity in both rural and urban areas. Soluz pursues its mission through two divisions:
Soluz's product division Is operated through our subsidiary Soluz Honduras, S.A. de C.V., a corporation and social enterprise based in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Central America. Soluz Honduras imports and supplies solar PV products and systems for both rural off-grid PV markets and urban grid-tied PV markets. The off-grid PV solutions serve customer needs where there is no access to an electrical utility grid providing first time access to electricity is the objective. The urban grid-tied PV markets are now emerging with the recent significant decline in PV costs where the objective is reducing utility bills and providing back-up power.
Soluz's consulting division Provides advisory services to international institutions assisting efforts that advance the global transition to sustainable energy especially to increase access to energy. Clients include the public sector, typically the multilateral development banks (the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank) as well as NGOs, and private sector companies engaging in the global transition to sustainable energy.
OUR TEAM
Richard Hansen
Senior Consultant and President of both Soluz, Inc & Soluz Honduras
Richard founded Soluz Inc., a Massachusetts corporation in 1993 and then established Soluz in Honduras in 1994 to commercialize PV for rural electrification. Richard is a pioneer in the application of PV technology combined with micro-finance to increase energy access in rural areas of Honduras, having introduced PV technology in the country starting in 1989 under a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy. Richard has provided advisory services for major institutions including USAID, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank in Bangladesh, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nepal, Nicaragua, the Philippines, and elsewhere. He has also been an invited speaker in countries ranging from Argentina and Honduras to Senegal and the Philippines. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts and a master's degree in business administration from Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.
Paola Rodriguez
General Manager of Soluz Honduras
Paola Rodriguez Smith is a Logistics Management Engineer, graduated from University of CEUTEC in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Over the past five years, Paola has established her career in the field of sustainable energy with a focus on operational efficency and innovation at Soluz Honduras. Her work focuses on advancing Sustainable Development Goal 7.1 by creating operations that serve the most remote Honduran households with a range of off-grid photovoltaic products given with microfinance services.
Isabel Chavez
Customer Credit Manager of Soluz Honduras
As Credit Manager of Soluz Honduras, Isabel is responsible for organizing, directing, controlling and monitoring operations related to providing Microfinance for solar products and systems. Isabel has brought to Soluz Honduras over 15 years’ experience working in several micro-finance institutions in Honduras.
Enrique Maldonado
Photovoltaic Systems Engineer of Soluz Honduras
He is responsible for the company's photovoltaic projects, ensuring their optimal design and installation. He also oversees the management of processes related to project legalization with the National Electricity and Energy Administration (ENEE). He studied at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Electrical Engineering.
Oscar Aguilar
Senior Advertisor
Oscar is responsible for coordinating with the electric utility, and other government agencies related to energy in Honduras. He provides engineering services for grid-tied PV projects. With over 30 years of experience in the electrical sector, Oscar has worked for ENEE, the national utility in charge of distribution, and for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) on rural electrification projects. He has performed many consulting assignments for clients including the World Bank, USAID, and UNDP. Oscar has an electrical engineering degree from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and a master’s degree in power engineering from the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ribelino Pastrana
Finance Manager and General Accountant of Soluz Honduras
He has more than 20 years of accounting experience. As Financial Manager and General Accountant, Ribelino is responsible for the entire accounting process of the company, from making and controlling the quality of the entries in the accounting system, to the presentation of the monthly Financial Statements. Responsibilities include ensuring the application of internal controls, coordinating with external auditors to complete the annual audit, and ensuring fiscal compliance with the government. Ribelino has a degree in Public Accounting and Finance from the National Autonomous University of Honduras in Valle de Sula.