ABOUT US
In 1974, Sunscape Solar company founder Mark Gardner began his solar career while attending Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff, AZ. Majoring in Physics and Political Science, and minoring in Behavioral Sciences, Mark came into the solar energy field quite by accident. He was asked by a friend to help design a heating system for his grandmother on the Navajo/Hopi Indian reservation without the use of electricity or natural/propane gas. Using basic building materials and elementary physics, Mark designed a ‘passive’ (no outside energy sources) solar heating and cooling system for the Indian grandmother. Her home was never hot in the summer or cold in the winter again. From that time on, Mark was hooked on solar and continues to find new ways to conserve energy, save money and ultimately, help to save our planet!
Mark continued his passion for solar by studying at Arizona State University (ASU) under such famous solar pioneers as Dr. Harold Hay, ASU & UCLA, (passive solar skytherm system), Dr. John Yellott, ASU,(active/ passive solar systems, solar electric PV’s (photovoltaic’s), Dr. Steve Baroldy, ASU & U of Ariz., (solar electric PV’s, active/passive solar systems) and Paolo Soleri, world famous Italian architect and founder of Arcosanti, an experimental ecological village in central Arizona.
During his time with "Master" Soleri, Mark came to build numerous passive solar homes in Arizona and New Mexico utilizing Soleri’s concept of “arcology”, a mixture of architecture and ecology. His construction company was named Solaria Solar Construction, in honor of his teacher.
In 1978, Mark moved the company to the Inland Empire region of Southern California, changed the name of the company to Mark Gardner Construction and was active in the solar industry here. Mark Gardner Construction was extremely active in building "solar homes" as well as "solar remodels." Recently, the company changed names again to Sunscape Solar, Inc. in order to emphasize the importance of the solar side of the company. Sunscape Solar has become a premier solar innovator, designer and installer. Throughout our history, we have over 1100 solar installations, solar projects, and custom homes to our credit. We are proud members of ISES (International Solar Energy Society), ASES (American Solar Energy Society) a charter member of Cal-SEIA (California Solar Energy Industries Association), SEPA, (Solar Energy Producer Association), SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) and other ‘green’ building organizations, Mark and Sunscape Solar continue to promote safe, efficient, ecological and renewable sources of energy in the solar industry. And our commitment to using American-made components proves our commitment to America also.
Having a B-1 General Contractor's license has allowed Sunscape Solar to complete many of our residential and commercial jobs without the use of subcontractors. Keeping the control of projects in-house eliminates problems and accelerates production schedules as well as providing up to the minute changes.
