The Belmont Solar journey begins in 2002, when founder Ben Zook, then only 18 years old, first experienced solar energy. Always fascinated with electricity, Ben started working for an electrical contractor after earning his GED. In his spare time, Ben built electrical circuits and home projects as a hobby. This included testing battery-run lighting for homes without electricity. The challenge was how to recharge the batteries required to light a whole home. That’s when Ben discovered solar and the amazing potential for “power out of thin air.”