Join Solar Power World and Top Solar Contractors as we have a roundtable discussion on the best business practices the installation community has adopted for the residential solar + storage market.
While COVID-19 sent many in the United States to work and learn at home, utility bills increased along with the interest in solar and storage. Residential solar installers will talk about their businesses and where they’ve found success — from sales software, mounting techniques, lead generation, inverter choice, battery backup requests and more.
Live roundtable
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT
Participants:
Chris Koczaja, president and CEO, LightWave Solar
Chris Koczaja serves as LightWave Solar’s President and CEO, leading the company in its pursuit to deliver quality solar power solutions across the residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and utility sectors. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and has over 20 years of engineering and management experience in the energy sector including Chief Operating Officer for PHG Energy, and engineering and sales positions with Caterpillar and Michelin. Chris serves on the board of Amicus Solar Cooperative and is President of the Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA).
Kelly Shawhan, founder and co-owner, Semper Solaris
Kelly Shawhan, a former Marine Corps Captain, is the founder and co-owner of Semper Solaris. The name Semper Solaris was inspired by the Marine Corps Motto “Semper Fidelis” meaning “Always Faithful”. Kelly has taken the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment and applied them to every aspect of Semper Solaris.
Since 2012, Kelly has played a vital role in Semper Solaris’ expansion across California. Semper Solaris is now recognized as one of the fastest growing solar sales and installation companies, and is the No. 1 Tesla Powerwall installer in the nation. Semper Solaris is also a top Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, offering one of the few 50 year roof warranties in the industry. Likewise, Semper Solaris offers one of the only lifetime warranties in the business for HVAC systems.
During his time as a Captain in the US Marine Corps, Kelly served in many posts around the world and taught at the Army Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, OK, being one of a small number of Marines to have done so. He attended business school on a full military scholarship at the Miami University of Ohio, graduating cum laude before joining the Marines as a newly commissioned officer. Kelly is also co-founder of the Semper Cares Initiative, which assists in providing relief to deserving veterans and their families by gifting them with brand new solar, battery, roof and HVAC systems.
Nate Bowie, head of residential sales, ReVision Energy
Native Mainer Nate Bowie graduated from UVM with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2004. After college, his dream of being paid to ski and save lives in the process lead him to Mammoth Lakes, California, where he took a job as a Pro Ski Patroller. While in California he started a firewood business, but ultimately decided to return to Maine to be closer to home and join the solar industry.
Since joining ReVision in 2010 Nate has transitioned from being a Project Manager on our Portland-base solar hot water crew, to managing our Safety Team, to transitioning into sales, where he was recently promoted to Director of Residential Sales. In his new role, Nate’s responsibilities are to foster the personal/professional growth of our team of solar designers, ensure we keep up our record of legendary customer service, and lead New England’s transition to a fossil fuel-free economy by designing cost-effective and environmental beneficial solar energy systems.
Nate lives in Windham, ME near plenty of lakes where he sates his fly fishing addiction. While not fishing or installing solar, he loves skiing, taking things apart and putting them back together, wielding a chainsaw, and spending time with his wife, Kim, daughters, Sage and Blake, and dog, Trout.
Moderator: Kelsey Misbrener, senior editor, Solar Power World
Kelsey joined Solar Power World in 2017. She gets excited about all things solar policy and also enjoys covering the inverter and software beats for SPW. She spearheads the magazine’s Solar Basics video series and is always looking for new ways to reach SPW’s audience. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Kent State University and is passionate about renewable energy and the environment.
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