Friday, November 13, 2009

Pete Kadens - Socore Energy



Today Gigs at Startups is interviewing Pete Kadens founder of Socore Energy

Name: Pete Kadens
Company: Socore Energy
Role: Founder & CEO

What is Socore Energy?
SoCore Energy is an innovative solar power (PV) developer and integrator. The company arranges the installation and service of solar power facilities on commercial and municipal rooftops using its own proprietary, portable and non-penetrating racking solution in conjunction with solar panels sourced from virtually any high quality solar panel OEM. SoCore identified a void of economically and strategically viable solar financing offerings in the market, and as such is the first to leverage system portability to bring a Solar Rental Service (SRS) to commercial users. For the first time, commercial users can rent solar to power their facilities for a six to ten year term commitment, and save money in every year of the contract. SoCore can provide this Solar Rental Service (SRS) in any state, but the economics are are most favorable to the commercial user in the states of NJ, MA, OH, CO, NY and potentially IL.



Why did you start Socore Energy?
I started SoCore Energy because I wanted to build a company I could tell my grandchildren about. I call this “Legacy Creation”. I order to create a legacy you have to change the world. Finding better and more affordable ways to bring renewable energy, specifically solar energy, to the masses is certainly a business that has the capacity to change the world.


What is the best thing about working at Socore Energy?
The people and the opportunity. The people I get to work with every day are some of the smartest, most dynamic folks I’ve ever encountered. I am so fortunate to have the chance to work with people who stimulate and challenge me. Similarly, I am fortunate to have found an industry where the opportunity for growth is unparalleled. Today less than 1% of roofs in America have solar on them, but in ten years expectations are that 60% of the homes and businesses in the US will have some solar powering their facility. This is preposterous growth and solving the puzzle that will allow for efficient proliferation of solar over the next ten years is both a huge and exciting opportunity, and a puzzle that is challenging to solve. I love challenges!


What kind of people do you think are best suited to work at startups?
You have to love living on the brink. This is what gets me up in the morning. Every day when you walk in the door to that office you have to be totally energized by the fact that you are either on the brink of colossal failure or tremendous success. If that scares you, you should not work for a start up. In addition, you cannot sweat the small stuff. The type of people that I’ve seen succeed at my two startups are the ones who understand the nature of the startup beast and they don’t get too caught up in the minutia that may impact someone’s job at a larger corporation. You have to be able to have a laser focus on the aligned vision of the company and be willing to sacrifice just about anything to achieve that vision. Everything else….just doesn’t matter.

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