Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Barrett.
Joshua, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised on a working farm in central Illinois. A big part of my youth was enjoying the simple farm life and the freedom of the outdoors. I spend a lot of time in our farm shop with my dad. He taught me how to build things and not to be afraid to take something apart and learn how it works. When I was not in the shop was outdoors in nature. Through the years, I really developed a love for nature and how it all works together.
After graduating high school, I left for college and became a civil engineer and eventually moved to the Chicago suburbs to start my family. Being a civil engineer, I worked in land development and construction most of my life because I love to build things! What I began to see was that most developments begin with land clearing, mass grading and covering the property with buildings and pavement. While I love to build, I felt there was a better way to do things. I no longer found the same satisfaction in building these types of projects. Rather, I found myself reading and learning about renewable energy, energy efficiency technologies, and water conservation.
In 2011, I decided to make a change. I went back to school and got a Masters degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Illinois Chicago. I didn’t have a specific plan but rather wanted to see where life was going to take me. As I was learning how energy was generated and how it was used, I realized solar energy is the solution. Once storage is fully developed, solar will be the energy of the future. So… I started a SolarShift to develop solar projects.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anytime someone is introducing something new and innovative, their audience is likely to be hesitant and have lots of questions and concerns. Although solar energy is not new to the world, it is certainly new to Illinois and is met with caution and skepticism at times. In response to the initial fears and concerns that are often barriers to promoting solar energy, Illinois recently has changed the laws and policies to promote clean energy in the state. SolarShift is currently working with advocacy groups and policy makers to help educate communities and residents about the benefits of using solar energy. Of course, this isn’t been a smooth road because as the saying goes “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” We believe that as we educate consumers about the realities of solar, “the old dogs” will be more and more comfortable with the idea and the concept will spread like wildfire. Until then, we’ll continue to teach and inform anyone who wants to listen to us!
SolarShift – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
SolarShift is a mission-based startup that develops solar projects. We are a for-profit company, but the real focus of our company is to create opportunities for consumers that provide benefits to them, as well as benefits to the environment.
We currently have a very real opportunity to change our path and improve how we live while helping our planet. With most things in life, economics, convenience or desire drive change. We believe community solar is an opportunity that will allow all 3 of these to drive renewable energy into the mainstream marketplace. The consumer will become a producer and save money while helping drive clean energy production. The community solar economies of scale allow for an affordable investment into solar and allow most consumers to participate. According to the Department of Energy, 80% of rooftops are not suitable for rooftop solar. We started a mission “to leave the earth better than we found it” and community solar is the start of the solar revolution. One of our current projects, “the honeybee” project brings clean energy to communities and also adds tremendous environmental benefits by restoring the undesirable agricultural land to its native prairie state through strategic design. This business model allows us to clean the air, soils, and water while allowing widespread geographic dispersion of renewables and natural habitat in local communities.
We build rooftop solar systems as well. By offering rooftop systems in addition to community solar, we provide our clients with the best solution for them.
Our proudest moments are when people contact us about how much they love what we are doing, and want to be part of it. We love what we do, which is why we do it, but its times like this that help you push through the tough times because you know others believe in what you are doing too.
SolarShift is a mission-based company, and I welcome anybody who wants to join our mission.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moments of my career have come from watching and listening to my children. I have 4 young children that are more in tune with my career than I realized! I have had a few moments of frustration that really make one reflect on what path I am on and why I am doing this. But to my surprise, my kids passionately support me and encourage me to keep moving forward to follow my dreams. They understand SolarShift’s mission and promote it within their circles of friends and schools. The fact that they see that I am following my dream and weathering the obstacles makes me extremely proud.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mysolarshift.com
- Phone: 630-514-6217
- Email: info@mysolarshift.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysolarshift/
- Twitter: @mysolarshift
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
