David Schieren

David co-founded EmPower Solar in 2003 to make solar energy the dominant energy source in New York and beyond.  This vision continues to drive every action the company takes.  EmPower Solar installs home and commercial solar power and battery systems for bill reduction, back-up power and income generation.  

David is particularly focused on leveraging market forces to advance clean, resilient, distributed generation systems in ways that are economical and strategic for all stakeholders.

David is the board Chairman of the New York State Solar Energy Industry Association (NYSEIA), Vice-Chair of the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA)  Distributed Generation Division, and Board Member of the Long Island Association and Vice Chair of its Energy Committee.

He has a Master of Science in Energy Management from the New York Institute of Technology, where he received the Faculty Award for outstanding achievement.  David co-led the 2005 US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon solar-hydrogen zero energy home project. He has a BA in Economics from the University of Vermont, where he received the Freeman Saltus Award in Economics.  David was a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Installer.  David started his career as an Institutional Equity Advisor at Merrill Lynch where he sold Japanese equities to large US based investors.

David lives in Long Island City with his wife, Cristina Zancani, a sustainable architect and Urban Designer, and their young son.