Our Philosophy

Nearly a decade ago my wife and I decided to rededicate our livelihoods by breaking the energy dependence paradigm that carries with it so many social, economic, and environmental problems.  We established the first USA Solar Store in Vermont with dreams for a 100-store National Chain.  Our primary goal is to bring renewable energy and sustainable living to Main Street USA.  Our secondary goal is to wean ourselves away from fossil fuel addiction, by assisting in the development of cottage style industries, services and to provide training as necessary .

When we got started in this business, we wanted to be the most responsive to customers' inquiries - more than anybody else had ever dared to do - a mixture of Mom & Pop service with Big Box prices.  It's a challenging mission, but our customers tell us that we're doing it!

Putting it All Together
So within a very short time we were looking up info on Geothermal heating systems, Russian Fireplaces, treatments for water purity, whole house building systems, and biodiesel.
We succeeded in learning lots about all of these things, and well we should. They are all parts of the answer.
It goes beyond simply solar panels; it becomes a way of connecting all the dots!
Applying all this info was the fun part. We decided to help create a whole building company, putting all that know-how to work. That focus became E Squared Homes or E2H.
This is the story of the House that Paul built! (PDF -Acrobat Reader Required 1.4 mg)
 
A Community Focus
Another thing we wanted to do was to help our town, Springfield Vermont, find a way to tap into the growing demand for the double digit renewable energy manufacturing and service opportunities.
Springfield had a proud history as "Precision Valley" and a "Heritage of innovation".
It bothered us to see the town losing its jobs, its workforce and its spirit.
To help focus on the emerging RE industries and the JOBS that they could help create, we formed "The Solar PANEL" (Solar Planning And New Energy Logistics). We soon merged with two other action groups after a historic meeting on the Summer Solstice in 2001 and that group became the SVG, The Sustainable Valley Group. The SVG is a powerhouse of innovative folks with a vision of a sustainable future for Springfield and the whole area. "Sustainable Valley" has no boundaries and its potential is awesome and optimistic....'A Star Trek Future!"

What's next?
We had started CET Solar Store with the idea that someday there would be more stores like this one!
By buying in volume, we can offer even lower prices and get the stuff out there.
It has never been more necessary than right now.
People need access to information and affordable renewable energy more than ever before.
With that in mind, we are opening stores all around Vermont.
The first one opened in the Manchester, Vermont area in 2005, and was soon followed by stores in Greenfield and Auburn MA.
Look for our new store launch at this year's Solarfest!
We are also planning on opening stores in Montpelier, Burlington, Brattleboro, and Peterborough NH!

David Bonta
Founder & President, USA Solar Store

About The Painting

We commissioned local artist Carmen Bywater to recreate the style of our favorite magazine, BackHome. We really loved the folksy look, and she really nailed it. Every element of the painting relates to something we have either done or we believe in.

• The Blue house is one of our first clients that we converted to solar back in 2001.
• The log cabin in the foreground is our own totally off-the-grid home in Weathersfield, Vermont, with a friend installing a compact fluorescent bulb by the front door.
• In the truck is Dave himself, making one of the first deliveries from the original CET Solar Store.
• The yellow house in the background is one of the first large scale projects that we worked on. Learn more about it here.
• The man on the motorized bike is riding past Thoreau's cabin.