Meet The Team
Part 1
Meet The Team
Follow along as President Greg Garrison introduces us to the Northeast Solar Team!
There's a unique perspective that unfolds when you experience a process from both ends of the spectrum — as both client and owner of the company rendering the service. As the owner of Northeast Solar, that's exactly what I had the chance to experience when I had my team install solar and battery at my house. The transformation was remarkable, and it gave me a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the dedication and efforts of the Northeast Solar team — and for the nitty-gritty craftsmanship of the installation itself, which I've detailed in my 7-part blog post series. In this next series, I'll introduce you to the people who make these transformations happen — the Northeast Solar team. With an average tenure of eight years, each member of this team is committed to renewable energy, focused on keeping our energy dollars local, and dedicated to ensuring that every customer touch point is a positive experience. My thirteen years as President of Northeast Solar — and, more recently, as a client — have shown me that no magic happens without good people, an ethos that extends to our B-corp status and the many partnerships we build yearly in the community.
The journey into renewable energy for many of us at Northeast Solar started with Greenfield Community College, which continues to offer excellent programs in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. In 2008, I stepped away from a career in the transportation industry — an industry that uses fossil fuels to generate income — and earned an associate's degree in renewable energy from GCC. Our Installation Supervisor, Phil, was also part of that program when I was there. Sales Manager Rusty, and Journeyman Electrician Jeff, all completed the program over the next four years. While studying, I attended a conference where I heard Ian Bowles, then Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, outline the economic benefits of renewable energy. I learned that Massachusetts was exporting six billion dollars annually for electricity. Secretary Bowles suggested that if we could install enough renewable energy to offset just one-third of that, we could keep two billion dollars within the local economy. This vision became my mission when I started Northeast Solar thirteen years ago.
I would not be able to tell the Northeast Solar story without acknowledging the commitment to renewable energy that Massachusetts has made, enabling the successful delivery of Ian Bowles’ idea to capture and convert those energy dollars back into our communities. The state first invested in making renewable energy available and affordable, then created a new working economy around renewable energy. This was done through educational programs (the Commonwealth Corporation funded the degree program I participated in with monies provided by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center), purchasing incentives, and streamlined permitting. I remain grateful for how these incentives and programs supported Northeast Solar’s initial growth and helped create a culture of sustainability in the state, with easier access to renewable energies for more residents.
Investments in Solar
To date, Massachusetts has invested 9.6 billion dollars into accelerating solar adoption. The results below, demonstrate how this investment has paid off:
Solar Installed (MW): 4,236 — 22,266% increase from 2009
National Ranking: 11th (15th in 2022)
Enough Solar Installed to Power: 739,908 homes
Percentage of State's Electricity from Solar: 20.25%
Solar Jobs: 10,548
Solar Companies in State: 502 (89 Manufacturers, 191 Installers/Developers, 222 Others)
The cost of installation has fallen 54% over the last ten years.
Number Of Installations: 145,830
The state’s commitment to clean energy continues today with generous incentives and lending programs for installing Air Source Heat Pumps (mini-splits) — programs that Northeast Solar assists our clients in securing.
As President of Northeast Solar, I share in this vision that renewable energy is good for our local economy — and a critical part of the bigger solutions that will help us move through this climate crisis. Just like every member of our team, I am committed to investing in our communities through the deployment of renewable energy while continually striving to transform the way we harness and use energy. In 2017, Northeast Solar affirmed that commitment by becoming a B Corporation — a corporate structure. that aligns purpose with profits. As one of few solar B Corporations in Massachusetts, we have affirmed that NES will provide a positive and secure working environment, put our clients first, and return as much of our dollars to our local communities as possible. This is a commitment we renew every three years.
Central to our mission and an integral part of being a B Corp is to put the customer first. Our approach is not a one-and-done deal, but the beginning of a longer-term relationship, a partnership built on trust and a shared interest in sustainable growth. We distance ourselves from the hurried sales pitches that have become so prevalent in the industry, focusing instead on building a rapport and a connection that extends well beyond the installation process. Our team continues to rise to the challenge, ensuring we meet and exceed these expectations. We offer our clients not just a service, but an ongoing partnership committed to their energy independence and financial well-being.
The pandemic illuminated the need for energy independence with an unprecedented urgency. With climate change escalating, the need to secure our homes in the wake of such uncertainty has only increased. Times remain tumultuous as we return to a new kind of normalcy. We've observed that our clients value security, consistency, and reliability more than ever, and Northeast Solar has worked hard to deliver. Our team’s approach to building relationships — taking time to listen to our client's desired outcomes and working closely with them to create efficient solutions and systems for the long run — has accelerated our growth. In 2023 alone, we hired five new employees.
The Best Team for The Job
Going solar is a complex journey that requires a skilled and dedicated team to guide our customers from interest to installation — a process that benefits from our slowed down, personalized approach. After a customer makes initial contact with us, our sales team thoroughly explains the benefits and incentives of going solar. This is followed by a detailed site visit to inform the design of a system that meets not only permitting and installation requirements, but the needs of the customer as well. Throughout this process, our administration team handles permits, utility agreements, scheduling, and communications professionally, ensuring a seamless customer experience. We work hard to lighten the customer’s load.
At Northeast Solar, our operation is like a well-oiled machine with two integral halves — Sales and Administration, and Installation. The Sales and Administration side serves as the guide and communicator for our customers. From the moment you express an interest in going solar, they answer all your questions, help you understand the process, navigate the incentives, and ensure that every detail is handled with professionalism and care. The Installation side brings the vision to life. These are the dedicated crews who work on your property, meticulously installing each panel, connection, and system component. Our four electrical crews and racking installation team execute the physical reality of going solar with a commitment to quality that's second to none. Throughout it all, our project manager and installation supervisor coordinate with the crew and communicate with the customer with expert attentiveness — both halves coming together harmoniously to deliver an exceptional solar experience for every customer.
With the recent addition of the Air Source Heat Pump installation team, we continue our mission to return more energy dollars back to our customers and further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. This new team is committed to offering a greener and more sustainable heating and cooling solution to our customers, aligning with our overall vision for a sustainable future. My experience having Northeast Solar install my own personal power plant at my home — complete with solar, battery, and mini-splits — showed me first hand and up close how impressive our team is. I’m proud of them. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to quality have created efficient solar installations and contributed to a broader vision of sustainable and local economic growth.
This is just the beginning...
In the upcoming blog posts, I’m excited to share more about the dedicated employees at Northeast Solar. We wouldn’t be Northeast Solar without the people, their personalities, and their values that make them who they are. As President, I’ve tried to create space for my employees to bring their whole selves to what they do, to empower them to take ownership of their responsibilities and work life within a supportive community. I am amazed at the team that they’ve become.
It's more than just solar — it's about our people, our community, and a shared vision for a sustainable future. Together, we are Northeast Solar. Stay tuned.
Sources:
“Massachusetts Solar, Q1 2023,” Solar Energy Industries Association,
https://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/massachusetts-solar, July 2023.