Fresno-born solar, built by neighbors
Since 2011 we've helped Central Valley families, farms and businesses make their own clean power, with our own crews and a lot of honest advice.
Our story
Brightpath started with one truck, one ladder and a frustration. Elena Castañeda spent six years reviewing solar interconnection applications for the utility and kept seeing the same problems: oversized systems, sloppy roof work and homeowners who had been promised a zero bill.
In 2011 she started a company to do it differently. Size systems to real usage. Put employees, not subcontractors, on every roof. Answer the phone after the install is paid for.
Fifteen years later, that approach has powered more than 3,900 homes, farms and businesses from Oakhurst to Hanford. The trucks have multiplied, but the rules have not changed.
- 3,940+Valley rooftops and farms powered since 2011
- 48.6MkWh of clean energy produced by our customers
- 34,200 tCO2 kept out of Valley air, in metric tons
- $2.1MEstimated customer bill savings last year
What we stand for
Four promises every Brightpath employee signs on their first day.
Tell the truth, even when it costs a sale
If your roof needs work, your shade is too heavy or solar will not pencil out, we say so. About one in nine consultations ends with that advice.
Build it like it's our own roof
Employee crews, torque-checked attachments and photo documentation of every penetration before panels go on.
Hire and buy local
92 of our 104 employees live in Fresno, Madera, Tulare or Kings counties, and we source racking and electrical supplies from Valley distributors.
Leave the Valley cleaner
We recycle packaging and old panels, and donate systems to a Valley nonprofit every year.
The people behind your project
A leadership team with more than 90 combined years in solar, electrical work and utilities.
Elena Castañeda
Founder and CEO
Electrical engineer, Fresno State grad and former utility interconnection planner. Started Brightpath in 2011 with one truck.
Marcus Oyelaran
Director of Installations
NABCEP-certified PV installation professional who has led more than 2,400 installs.
Andrés Villaseñor
Senior Design Specialist
Bilingual system designer and our resident expert on NEM 3.0 battery sizing.
Hannah Lindqvist
Commercial Projects Lead
Manages ag and commercial builds from feasibility study to commissioning.
DeShawn Carter
Service and Monitoring Manager
Runs our monitoring desk and service fleet across four counties.
Mei Tanaka
Customer Experience Manager
Keeps every homeowner updated from permit to permission to operate.
Licenses and credentials
CSLB licensed
C-10 Electrical and C-46 Solar (demo license #1000000)
NABCEP certified
PV Installation Professionals lead every crew
Fully insured
General liability and workers' compensation coverage
Manufacturer certified
Authorized installer for leading panel, inverter and battery brands
Fifteen years in the Valley
- 2011
Elena Castañeda leaves utility planning and installs Brightpath's first system in the Tower District.
- 2014
First agricultural array powers well pumps for a Kerman almond grower.
- 2018
Brightpath passes 1,000 installs and opens a monitoring and service desk.
- 2021
Visalia crew yard opens to serve Tulare and Kings counties.
- 2023
NEM 3.0 arrives; battery-first design becomes our standard for Valley homes.
- 2026
3,940 systems and counting, with 104 employees across two locations.