Luminalt is dedicated to providing the San Francisco Bay Area with premium solar electric and solar thermal solutions. Luminalt understands the challenges our society faces in paving a path toward a sustainable energy future and we believe solar power is the way to this future.  Alternative energy is our passion and we aim to design and install systems that help our customers reduce their ecological footprint and improve their finances.

We recognize that there are many options to consider in making the decision to go solar.  What separates Luminalt from the rest of the industry is the precision of our installations and our attention to quality from project conception to completion.  We work with our clients to optimize electricity usage and maximize the benefits of their systems.  Luminalt customers receive the personal attention necessary for us to understand their energy needs so that we can craft solutions to meet those needs.

Luminalt is a California-licensed Solar Contractor (C-46), Electrical Contractor (C-10) and Class B General Contractor (License #845219). We have three staff members who are NABCEP® Certified Photovoltaic Installers and one who is a NABCEP® Certified Solar Thermal Installer.

Located in San Francisco, Luminalt provides design and installation services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our expert design and installation staff includes engineering and technical specialists who are knowledgeable in a wide range of alternative energy applications.

The Luminalt Leadership Team

Noel Cotter is the President and Chief Technical Officer of Luminalt. Noel has over 25 years experience in alternative energy systems. He completed his first solar project in 1981, a 50KW photovoltaic system for the University College Cork, Ireland. Since then, Noel has worked on and designed micro-hydro, wind generation, photovoltaic and hybrid off-grid systems. He has vast experience with commercial, industrial and residential electrical systems in Europe, Africa and here in the States. Noel is committed to the important role that alternative energy systems can play towards our and our childrens’ health and well being.  To this end, Noel volunteers in local schools to teach children about electricity. He explores with them the sustainability of our current generation systems which rely heavily on non-renewable polluting resources such as fossil fuels. The children learn about sustainable environmentally friendly alternatives. You’ll see Noel out on in field keeping the crew happy and assuring that each and every system is completed to Luminalt’s exacting standards. Noel is a NABCEP® Certified Photovoltaic Installer.

Jeanine Cotter is Luminalt’s Chief Executive Officer. She is responsible for the overall operation of Luminalt and ensures that Luminalt is kept abreast of the latest legislative and regulatory developments relating to solar electric and solar thermal systems, energy efficiency (including Title 24) and green building practices at the federal, state and local levels. Jeanine is a member of the San Francisco Solar Task Force and is on the organizing committee for Solar Power 2007. She was a practicing attorney for over a decade, and brings those analytical skills in working with clients and their advisers to structure rebate, tax incentive and financing arrangements. Jeanine received her J.D., cum laude, in 1993 from the University of San Francisco where she was a member of the McAuliffe Honor Society.

August Goers is Vice President of Engineering at Luminalt. He is responsible for design, technical analysis and permitting of Luminalt’s solar electric and solar hot water installations. August first designs installations for performance, aesthetics, and longevity. August is not the sort of engineer who just sits at his desk and designs systems. His designs reflect his deep technical expertise and his practical real world installation experience. You will often find him on the roof working with crew members to ensure flawless project execution. In 1997 August began work with a solar firm installing off-grid battery-based PV systems around California's central coast. In early 2006 August joined Luminalt. He holds an engineering degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and holds both NABCEP® Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal certifications.

Our Advisory Board

We are extremely proud and grateful to the members of our Advisory Board. Each of them is an expert in the field of alternative energy. They are individuals who have demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to alternative energy solutions. The members of the Advisory Board provide us with strategic vision and technical expertise. They are a valued resource.

Michael Hegarty – For more than thirty years, he has provided technical support to on- and off-grid wind, hydro and photovoltaic projects from Southern Spain to islands off the coast of Ireland. He is best known for his ability to troubleshoot vexing problems in electrical systems. Mick is an eloquent and knowledgeable advocate of alternative energy. His knowledge of electrical systems is phenomenal in its depth and breadth and his years of technical expertise provide us with valuable technical counsel.

Dr. Sean McCarthy – Sean McCarthy has extensive academic and professional experience in the field of photovoltaics. Dr. McCarthy received his Masters and PhD in Photovoltaics. He was responsible for designing the monitoring systems, sensors and test specifications for the European Community Energy Commission’s Photovoltaic Monitoring Committee. These have been adopted in Europe as the standard by which to assess the performance of photovoltaic systems. In addition, the European Commission engaged him to monitor performance of 15 of its large photovoltaic systems. His responsibilities include advising on improvements to the control and monitoring systems. Dr. McCarthy has been a project manager for the design and installation of large commercial photovoltaic systems as well as residential off-grid systems. Other professional achievements of Dr. McCarthy include managing the design of a handbook on battery problems in photovoltaic systems and the design of an advanced photovoltaic battery control and monitoring system. The handbook is used by installers to monitor battery performance and as a resource for resolving technical issues with batteries. His system has been incorporated into commercial battery monitoring systems by Varta in Germany.

Michael Royce – Michael is a founder, Executive Director,  and Chair of the Board of Directors of Green Empowerment, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Portland, Oregon. Green Empowerment collaborates with rural communities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world to provide training, funding, organizational assistance and technical expertise for small-scale decentralized renewable energy projects and potable water systems. Michael is also founder, past President and Board member of the EnerGreen Foundation located in Calgary, Canada whose mission also is to promote renewable energy technology internationally. He has served as Secretary, Chairperson and President of the Magrath Energy Corporation, a private sector Canadian renewable energy company, since 1986.  Michael has a deep commitment to the environment based on principals of social justice and equality and has served on the Boards of a number of environmental organizations. His years of organizational experience, deep understanding of alternative energy and the alternative energy community provide us with strategic leadership and counsel.