Sustainable Living Technologies, Bella Energy Partner

Growing up in Ashland, Oregon, among many of the pioneers of the solar field planted the seed for Ben’s interest in renewable energy. Ben moved to Durango, Colorado, in 1993 after graduating from high school in search of adventure. His first business venture was starting a bike and snowboard shop called Hard Line Sports in downtown Durango. At the same time, Ben moved into a small off-grid cabin, and after getting an estimate of $62k to bring in power he exclaimed “Holly cow, there has got to be a better way!” He then installed a wind turbine for electricity and added solar energy soon after.

Ben’s other passion was for off-road vehicles — especially Toyotas. He worked as a Certified Toyota Technician at New Country Auto in Durango for three years. During this time, Ben also installed many solar systems for friends and family, educating himself more on the technology. He then decided to enroll in the full Solar Energy International Certification Program. In 2002, Ben was selected as a US Delegate to Cuba for the International Solar Conference, and then graduated from SEI later that same year. He founded Sustainable Living Technology after graduating, and soon after installed the first grid-tied solar photovoltaic system in Durango. Ben then went on to become one of the first people in Colorado to get the prestigious NABCEP certification.

Sustainable Living Technologies has currently installed close to half the grid-tied systems in Durango. In early 2006 Ben met Jim Welch, the founder of Bella Energy. They soon started talking about partnership ideas and have formed a strategic partnership. Ben’s passion for Toyotas lead him to research plug-in hybrid
technology and how to bring plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles to the
Colorado market. This interest in transforming hybrid cars with expanded battery packs into 100 miles per gallon vehicles has lead to a (SLT-Bella) partnership with Plug-In Conversions. Now Bella and Ben are offering the first solar powered plug-in hybrids in the Rockies!!
Colorado Connections: Ben moved to Colorado because of his passion for the outdoors and his interest in the environment. He met his wife, Holly Nagler, while running the bike and snowboard shop. Holly was born and raised in Evergreen, Colorado. The two married in 2004. Ben and Holly live with their five dogs, horses and mules on three acres south of Durango.