Xero Solar’s Residential New Construction Account Management Lead
Riley Schoeben leads Xero Solar’s Residential New Construction account management team, driving the growth of that business. Riley works directly with homeowners and general contractors to design custom solar systems for our customers who are in the process of building their dream homes.
Riley joined Xero Solar nearly 5 years ago in a marketing and administrative role and quickly grew into Account Management. He’s a California native and grew up in Palo Alto. Riley graduated from Loyola Marymount University (LMU) with a degree in Business and Marketing. He moved to the Westside in 2016.
We sat down with Riley to learn about what makes residential new construction projects unique, why he takes pride in his work, and some of the most incredible locations he’s been able to travel to with his fiancée.
What drew you to the solar industry after graduation?
During my senior year at LMU, the pandemic was worsening. I saw that energy is one of the most critical industries in any human society, meaning that no matter what happens—politically or economically—the need for energy remains constant. Beyond that, renewable energy is a rapidly growing sector, and it was easy to envision a long-term career in the space.
Your focus now is on residential new construction, but you’ve worked across all types of residential projects. What interests you about new construction compared to other types of projects?
As you mentioned, I’ve worked on residential retrofit, major remodel, and new construction projects. Over time, I gravitated toward new construction because I enjoy working with a variety of stakeholders throughout the process. It’s rewarding to see a project come to life after years of coordination and planning.
Some of my most memorable projects at Xero Solar are those where early coordination is reflected in the final installation. I’ve worked on projects where we determined the target system size early on, allowing the architect to design a roof layout that seamlessly accommodated the solar array. The result was an installation that maximized energy production while maintaining the homeowner’s aesthetic vision. Being able to achieve that type of seamless integration into the home design is unique to new construction.
From a career development perspective, new construction projects allow me to build strong working relationships with homeowners, architects, designers, roofers, electricians, contractors, developers, and real estate agents—expanding my network and presence in the industry.
How is the process of installing solar or battery storage different in new construction compared to remodeling?
The biggest difference is the ability to plan ahead. With retrofits, you’re working within fixed constraints—existing roofs, electrical infrastructure, and limited equipment space. In contrast, new construction allows for strategic planning from the start.
We can collaborate with architects to optimize roof planes for solar, work with electricians to wire isolated subpanels for backup loads, and coordinate with other trades to allocate space for battery storage. The focus on these details sets Xero Solar apart. We prioritize meticulous coordination to ensure a seamless and high-quality final product.
What is something you’ve learned while working at Xero Solar?
The importance of honesty in business. While honesty is valuable in all aspects of life, I’ve seen firsthand how it strengthens client relationships and fosters long-term growth.
When we’re transparent with our clients, they trust us—not just to complete their project, but also to do it right. That trust leads to referrals, repeat business, and a strong reputation in the industry.
I take pride in helping homeowners lower their energy bills, provide meaningful outage resiliency, and most importantly, contribute to a greener world.
When you’re not helping homeowners with their solar and battery projects, how do you enjoy spending your time?
Sports are my main hobby—both watching and playing. I grew up playing football and baseball, but in recent years, I’ve leaned into racket sports since it’s a great way to experience that competitive spirit again. Lately, I’ve been focusing on tennis and playing a few times a week. I’ve also dabbled in pickleball (of course), paddle tennis, and padel.
I’m also part of a weekly slow-pitch softball league in Santa Monica, which I’ve been playing in since college.
My fiancée, Julia, and I love to travel and have been lucky enough to visit some incredible places. My favorite trips as of late have been to Mexico City, the Loire Valley in France, and most recently, Thailand, where Julia is currently teaching elementary school English.
What are you most excited about as you move into your new leadership role?
I’m excited to grow our team and bring in like-minded individuals who are passionate about the solar industry and eager to build a career in it. Right now, I’m hiring for an account manager who has experience in new construction and renewable energy.
I’m also looking forward to expanding my network in the greater Los Angeles area and establishing Xero Solar as the premier solar and battery installer for new construction. I believe there’s a large market that can benefit from our expertise, and my goal is to fine-tune our processes and expand our team to serve even more of that market.
What advice can you give to homeowners going through the new construction process?
My biggest advice—start early. This applies not only to solar and batteries but to every aspect of a new build. Integrating key details during the planning phase leads to a cleaner, more efficient installation and can save money in the long run by avoiding costly last-minute changes.
Early planning helps prevent issues like relocating HVAC equipment for battery space, rerouting plumbing vents that obstruct solar arrays, or rewiring electrical panels to optimize backup loads. Thoughtful pre-planning ensures the best possible outcome.
Why should homeowners or general contractors reach out to Xero Solar for their new construction projects?
Xero Solar has the expertise and in-house staff to navigate the inevitable challenges of new construction. We actively engage throughout the entire process, coordinating with all stakeholders to ensure our systems integrate seamlessly into the project to meet the overall goals.
We also prioritize education—helping homeowners, designers, contractors, and electricians understand how to optimize system design for performance and aesthetics. When solar and battery storage are treated as an afterthought, the result is often a compromised final product. By involving us early, homeowners and contractors get the best possible outcome.
If you’re considering adding a solar and/or battery system to your new home build, I’d love to talk and hear about your goals. Feel free to send me an email ([email protected]) or give me a call (310-376-8740) to schedule a consultation!
