Solar Electrician & Crew Leader

Thinking about a career in the green or high-performance building space? We sat down to talk shop with Mainers from six different fields: solar, weatherizing and energy auditing, architecture, construction and landscape design. Read on to learn how they got started, their favorite parts of the job, training required and what it might take for you to get there. 

This interview has been edited for length and readability.

From left to right, crew members Chris Trembly, Ryan Herz, Andy Garneau, and Noah Burditt. Photo courtesy of ReVision Energy.

Chris Trembly
ReVision Energy

GHM: How did you get into this line of work?
CT: I enjoyed doing electrical work at my vocational school during high school and was also exposed to some solar design and installation there. I went on to the Electrical Technology Program at Kennebec Valley Community College and found that while I really enjoyed doing electrical work, I wanted to be in a field involving renewable energy to try and offset the large amount of energy I used every day and to help other families do the same. I took some courses on solar design and decided it was the path I wanted to take. I heard about ReVision Energy from a neighbor and went down for an open house, where I met some fantastic people and had a great time chatting about their history and what they do for work.

GHM: What training is required of the work you do?
CT: In addition to the electrical training I received in college, our biggest training focus is safety. All of our new hires go through training on every hazard we encounter, and receive regular updates as needed. The rest is on-the-job training following a mentor and using references from NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Products) to learn everything from how we find rafters and secure our feet to the roof, to how to assemble the framework, to laying modules on the roof.

GHM: What do you like best about your job?
CT: The people, the atmosphere and the mission. I get to work with great, talented people every day, and I love working outside and traveling all across this beautiful state. Every day I help make a difference in offsetting Maine’s energy consumption for many years to come.

GHM: What challenges do you face on a daily basis in your job?
CT: We install most of our systems on buildings, some of which were built in the 1800s; others are brand new. Every job is slightly different and comes with its own unique set of challenges — from steep, wavy old barn roofs, to four-story mansions and the task of running a conduit from the roof to the basement without it being seen. The wonderful thing is my crew and I have lots of freedom to figure out how to overcome these challenges and safely accomplish our work.

GHM: In what ways is your industry growing, shrinking or changing in Maine?
CT: The solar industry is booming in Maine. The recent policy changes in favor of solar have created an abundance of work for everyone involved in the industry, and most of them are hiring as a result.

GHM: What advice do you have for anyone starting out in the field?
CT: Do it! Whether you are looking to join a large company or a small group of folks, there is a lot of opportunity for work in this industry in Maine and it is only going to increase.

GHM: How does this job help you make decisions about your own home?
CT: It has enlightened me on just what can be done to improve the efficiency of my own home, which we just bought last fall. We will be installing solar to offset 100% of our usage in the spring.

GHM: When you aren’t working, how do you spend your time?
CT: I enjoy the usual Maine activities: fishing, gardening, hiking, four wheeling. I also have a bad habit of restoring and driving old cars.

This article first appeared in the Fall 2019/Winter 2020 edition of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES. Subscribe today!