Meet Riley Schoeben of Xero Solar

Riley Schoeben leads Xero Solar's Residential New Construction account management team, working with homeowners and general contractors to design solar and battery systems for homes that are still on the drawing board. Below, he talks about what drew him to solar, why new construction projects appeal to him, and what he tells homeowners planning a new build.

A Path Into Solar That Started With the Pandemic

Riley joined Xero Solar nearly five years ago in a marketing and administrative role and grew from there into account management. He's a California native who grew up in Palo Alto, graduated from Loyola Marymount University (LMU) with a degree in Business and Marketing, and moved to the Westside in 2016.

"During my senior year at LMU, the pandemic was worsening," Riley said. "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."

Why New Construction Stands Out

Riley has worked across residential retrofit, major remodel, and new construction projects, but new construction is where he's chosen to focus. "I gravitated toward new construction because I enjoy working with a variety of stakeholders throughout the process," he said. "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," he added. "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."

New construction work has also expanded his network across the industry: "It allows me to build strong working relationships with homeowners, architects, designers, roofers, electricians, contractors, developers, and real estate agents."

How new construction differs from a retrofit

"The biggest difference is the ability to plan ahead," Riley said. "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."

• Collaborating with architects to optimize roof planes for solar
• Working with electricians to wire isolated subpanels for backup loads
• Coordinating with other trades to allocate space for battery storage

"The focus on these details sets Xero Solar apart," he said. "We prioritize meticulous coordination to ensure a seamless and high-quality final product." Homeowners weighing similar tradeoffs on an existing home can read more about our residential solar services.

What He's Learned Working at Xero Solar

"The importance of honesty in business," Riley said. "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."

Outside of Work

"Sports are my main hobby, both watching and playing," Riley said. "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." He also plays in a weekly slow-pitch softball league in Santa Monica that he's been part of 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."

"My biggest advice: start early. This applies not only to solar and batteries but to every aspect of a new build."

Advice for Homeowners Going Through New Construction

"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," Riley said. "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." For a deeper look at the coordination this requires, see our guide on what to know before installing solar on a new building.

Why Homeowners and Contractors Reach Out to Riley

"Xero Solar has the expertise and in-house staff to navigate the inevitable challenges of new construction," Riley said. "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 planning a new home build and want to talk through your solar and battery options, get in touch with our team.

Frequently asked questions

What does Riley Schoeben do at Xero Solar?

Riley leads Xero Solar's Residential New Construction account management team, working directly with homeowners and general contractors to design custom solar and battery systems for homes still being built.

How is new construction solar different from a retrofit?

Retrofits work within fixed constraints, an existing roof, existing electrical infrastructure, and limited equipment space. New construction allows the solar design to shape roof planes, subpanel wiring, and battery placement from the start, which Riley says produces a cleaner, more integrated result.

What is Riley's advice for homeowners starting a new build?

Start early. Integrating solar and battery decisions during the planning phase, rather than after the fact, avoids costly last-minute changes like relocating HVAC equipment, rerouting plumbing vents, or rewiring electrical panels.