CedarSun Electric LLC is a new, full-service electrical contractor based in Hovland, offering residential and commercial electrical services with a specialization in solar energy solutions. It is owned and operated by Cook County residents Steve and Wendi Kuchera. “We will be open for business this fall,” Wendi said. They’re ready to do everything from new construction to remodels and general troubleshooting.
The Kucheras met in Oregon almost 20 years ago.
Steve, who was raised in southeast Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2005 and then moved to Oregon. He became a journeyman electrician, working on commercial and residential projects, as well as doing repairs and maintenance.
Wendi grew up in Tucson, AZ, and moved to the Eugene, OR area in 2000. She was a landscape designer for 20 years. She managed an 11-acre city forest, which included a cemetery, before the couple relocated to Minnesota.
A couple of years ago, the Kucheras began searching for a place to move that offered a quieter lifestyle that would feed their need to be nearer to nature, for what Steve called “a fresh start. They were attracted to Cook County because of the Dark Sky Sanctuary, which is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The county is renowned for its dark skies and is one of the best places in the country to see the Milky Way and the Northern Lights.
Having decided to move closer to family and choosing the Arrowhead as a preferred home, Wendi said, “We were having a hard time finding housing.” She then posted on a Cook County-focused Facebook page seeking a rental property or house for sale. Almost instantly, she was notified about an off-grid home in Hovland that was for sale. A phone conversation with the seller led to an invitation for the couple to visit for a week. They learned all about the solar and water systems on the property during that visit and purchased it, which came with acres of mature cedar trees. They moved in last summer.
Steve immediately went to work earning his Minnesota journeyman electrician certification upon arrival. The combination of an aging workforce nearing retirement and increasing demand, particularly due to electrification and renewable energy, contributes to a noticeable shortage of licensed and experienced electricians across the Arrowhead region. This shortage is part of a broader national trend affecting many skilled trades.
“We will provide electrical services of all types,” Steve said. “There is a lot of interest in off-grid power here, and a lot of people wanting solar have to go out of the county.”
The Kucheras have found lots to enjoy during their first year in Hovland. “We both love the winter,” Steve said. Wendi said she hated to see the snow melt. But she has another favorite thing about the North Shore, Lake Superior. This might surprise many Shore residents, but Wendi swims in the big lake almost daily, and likes it.
Wendi said that they are very grateful for the warm welcome they have received from the people who call Hovland home. One of their early excursions last summer was to the annual Hovland Arts Festival, an event held each year on the July 4th weekend. They were there this year, too. “We didn’t know anyone there last year,” Wendi said. “This year we knew many more.”
The couple is excited to be here and looks forward to giving back to the community that has welcomed them.
As for the business, the self-described hardworking couple will, according to Steve, be driven by “honesty, integrity, transparency, and quality work.”
If you’re a homeowner, solar energy can be a wise investment. Being informed throughout the process, from initial assessment to ongoing maintenance, helps you maximize savings and enjoy clean energy for decades to come.
The folks at CedarSun Electric are here to assist you with all your electrical needs, and you can contact them by email at cedarsunelectric@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook at CedarSun Electric LLC.
