About Us

Inspecting the NCSU / DOE Brownfield to Brightfield Project, left to right - Steve Kalland, Director NC Solar Center, Richard Harkrader, CEO CSE, US DOE Secretary Bodman, NCSU Chancellor, James Oblinger, Chair of NC GreenPower, Bob Goodman.

Carolina Solar Energy, LLC (CSE) is a renewable energy company making distributed photovoltaic (PV) solar energy projects in North Carolina a reality TODAY.

We are committed to working closely with Investor-Owned Electric Utilities, Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMC), City-Owned Municipal Utilities, NC GreenPower and large electricity users who want to purchase solar-generated electricity and/or solar Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or host or own 125 KW to 2.0 MW solar PV electric generators.

Carolina Solar Energy’s management team consists of highly qualified professionals with many years of experience in renewable energy, real estate and telecommunications. Our demonstrated skills sets include business development, system design, project management, sales and marketing, financing and operations.

CSE Principal’s Bios

Richard Harkrader, CEO and Founder

Richard’s primary responsibility is to ensure a complete and timely execution of system design, project financing, construction and operations as well as overall management of Carolina Solar Energy, LLC.

Richard Harkrader, an architect emeritus, building contractor, solar installer and real estate developer, is founder and partner in two other businesses: New Morning Solar Realty built and managed 45 passive solar apartments with solar hot water and now owns and manages commercial real estate. Richard is Treasurer and Projects Manager for Sister Communities of San Ramon Nicaragua where he and his wife, Lonna, manage community development projects and an international award-winning eco-tourism business as well as raise organic, shade-grown coffee. http://fincaesperanzaverde.org/

Mr. Harkrader advocates for renewable energy and energy efficiency serving three times as Chair of the NC Sustainable Energy Association, where he is currently Policy Committee Chair. He served for 7 years as the environmental representative on the NC Legislative Study Commission on Electric Utility Deregulation and was instrumental in starting NC GreenPower where he was Vice Chair for 2 years. Mr. Harkrader lives in Durham, NC.

Gerry Dudzik, COO

Gerry’s primary responsibilities are new business development, marketing and communications. In addition, Gerry has responsibilities for project proposal development, project management and technology vendor relations.

Prior to joining Carolina Solar Energy, Gerry was one of the founding partners of Carolina Green Energy LLC, a North Carolina utility scale wind energy developer. Gerry led the launch of the digital wireless service in the Southeast US for AT&T, serving as their Vice President of Marketing. Before joining AT&T, Gerry held senior marketing, operations and sales management positions with GTE Wireless, Cellular One and Volvo Cars of North America.

Gerry has over 25 years of experience in strategic marketing, field operations management, new product introductions and new business development. Mr. Dudzik lives in Durham, NC.

Jim Cain, CFO

Jim joined the Carolina Solar Energy management team in 2004. Jim’s responsibilities include oversight of the financial strategy and day-to-day financial and accounting operations. In addition, Jim has responsibilities for both Human Resources and IT Systems.

Before joining CSE, Jim served as the CFO of Yankelovich, Inc., a leading North American brand market research firm. In addition, Jim held executive and management level positions with KMB and Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Cain Lives in Raleigh, NC.

CSE’s Mission

CSE’s mission is to save the planet one solar panel at a time by reducing the cost of solar so it will soon be competitive with the cost of new nuclear generation and new coal generation.

CSE has proven that zero-emission commercial scale PV Solar energy can provide good economic returns, fight global warming, protect the environment and meet growing energy needs.

Using our pioneering finance, delivery and service models, CSE makes commercial PV solar systems accessible for North Carolina utilities, commercial customers, non-profits and universities so that 125 KW to 2.0 MW market-transforming projects can be accomplished NOW!

CSE’s Vision