Brett Belan, Solar-Powered Vehicle Engineer

Occupation: CEO and lead Engineer at Solarrolla Inc.

Place of Residence: Ashland, Oregon

Background:  Brett was born in Duluth, Minnesota. He grew up bow-hunting and fishing — and with a wrench in his hand. During his teenage years, he spent much of his time building cars and hot-rodding Camaros, Chevelles and a 1932 Chevrolet.

Brett received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering along with a second-degree black belt from Michigan Technological University. With a stint at Ford Motor Company and some time teaching CAD at Jaguar in England, he was ready to do his own thing. He started a band and grew his hair! After that, he spent about 10 years living off-grid in California before moving to Ashland, Oregon. He spent his free time building a solar-powered electric Volkswagen bus. He removed the old gas engine, installed the new electric motor, built the battery box, and solar array rack. He and his wife, Kira, custom made the pop-up tent and camper features. During Summer 2016, Brett and Kira and their two kids traveled 1,400 miles, camping along the Oregon and California coasts.

In 2018, he made his passion his job and he and Kira started their solar-vehicle company, Solarrolla Inc. The company develops and builds solar powered electric vehicles and mobile charging stations.