Publish Date: September 7th, 2026
After applying four times, Juan got his chance to join Namaste Solar. That was over 10 years ago, and since then, he’s had a significant impact on multiple teams and has embodied Namaste Solar’s values. Learn about why he loves it here along with the highs and lows in this blog.
How long have you been with Namaste Solar and what’s your role?
I’ve been with Namaste Solar ten years and three months. Currently, I’m an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) lead technician.
What has your journey been over your decade with Namaste Solar?
In the very beginning, I had no construction experience. There was nothing on my resume to bolster any construction or electrician activity. I applied to Namaste Solar four times and the fourth time I included in my application that I was going to keep applying. I just said, “This is going to keep happening. I’m not going to stop.” I was really motivated by the employee-ownership model and Namaste Solar being a cooperative.
Finally, I got my in and started as a Builder New Construction (BNC) installer. I became a DC installer after that. Then a service apprentice followed by a service lead. I then helped start the training crew. After that, I wanted to go for my Journeyman’s license, so I went back to BNC to lead a project on multiplex homes. I spent some time as an EPC crew lead and moved to the commercial electrician side when the cooperative needed it.
I was able to get my Journeyman license in January which allowed me to be a lead on the O&M side. I really enjoyed my service time in residential, so I moved to the commercial service, O&M, role this year.
Why were you first interested in working here?
I want my job to matter more than just being a resource or a number. I worked at a big company before, and it just didn’t feel like any sort of meaning was behind the work. Renewable energy had that intrinsic interest to me. And then trying to do it in a way that was meaningful for the people that participated in it was important to me. Our triple bottom line was compelling – the certified B Corp, the public benefit corporation, the fact that we really put our money where our mouth is. To me that was so meaningful. It was just so nice to see that there was actual structural pieces embedded into the business that helped define it as being something more than just a machine that’s trying to spit out solar installations. And I wanted to matter. I wanted to make a difference.
What motivates you to get up and go to work?
It has meaning and I enjoy it, too. Especially now going back to this diagnostic troubleshooting type of role, it resonates a lot with me. I like to troubleshoot. I like to diagnose. I get a kick out of it. I find myself pursuing some of the work-related things out of work hours, because I think it’s fun. And then it’s just so much easier to wake up in the morning knowing that when I do my job, and when I do it well, it’s playing whatever small role I can to make a difference. I go to bed at night thinking that what I did has some meaning. I feel good about the work that I’m doing, and I get to feel good about how I’m doing it.
Never in my time here has someone stopped me from trying to do the right thing in favor of doing it quicker. The conversations have been had in a healthy way about finding the balance and trying to make sure we’re getting appropriately paid for our work. But if I have ever had a conversation with a manager or a supervisor or a colleague where I’m advocating for the right thing to do, that’s always been welcomed and cherished and embraced. And, man, that feels good.
What’s something about your job that most people don’t know?
People who aren’t in the field might hear a lot about the challenges of field work. The heat in the attics and on the roofs is real. But on the flip side, the teamwork and camaraderie are treasures and it’s not something we share as much about. I mean it’s just unbelievably enjoyable to have this relationship with people that are aligned in a mission. Of course, people come and go. Everyone’s a little different, but by and large we surround ourselves and we get the feeling of being part of an actual community that’s alive, that’s trying to achieve something good. It’s hard to imagine not being part of that or having that around me regularly. It’s easy to talk about the challenges, but sometimes I think folks that aren’t in the field don’t get to see that it’s so nice working next to someone doing things, fixing them, and installing them in a way that you could see your work together. You can see the teamwork accomplish those things. It’s incredibly rewarding.
What’s been one of your proudest moments working here?
The silo BNC community in Lafayette. It was about 110 homes that were three stories high. We had a telehandler on site. I was there for about a year. It was really fun to have a crew and to build the relationships with the other trades and the other construction managers. We did a really nice job even though we had a lot of obstacles.
These homes were 100% offset. And BNC historically isn’t 100% offset. Being completely offset means we filled up most of the real estate on the roofs. It wasn’t easy to work around vents or plumbing or HVAC. And we did. We did it in a way that was aesthetic and that was considerate. I felt really proud of that. That’s the team thing.
Selfishly, over 10 years, I don’t think I’ve ever taken a day for an injury of any sort nor has anyone on a crew that I’ve been lead on. Even with so many things out of our control. I’m extremely proud of that. It terrifies me, the idea of someone getting hurt, and I may be slower as an installer than some other leads and other folks. But I’m extremely proud to have had a safe crew all these years.
What’s the most unique part about working at Namaste Solar?
Being supported to do the right thing. I don’t know how else to say it. I haven’t really had to push or try that hard historically to make a case to do the right thing, even if it’s slower or costs us. I can say, “I think this is our mistake. I think we should do this with the customer.” Or, “No, I think we should pull off from the site because I think this storm is a risk that we can’t take.” I don’t think I’ve ever had anything but support in so many ways. Of course, not everything’s perfect, but by and large, day in, day out, I think it’s incredibly unique to feel supported to do the right thing in the work that we do.
How has Namaste Solar helped you develop your skills and career?
On the electrical side, I’ve been able to go from no experience to licensed. On the other hand, retreats, Big Picture Meetings (BPMs), and co-ownership all have helped me be comfortable talking and having an opinion, sharing an opinion, participating in a group, and learning to find my voice a bit. Using your voice – that’s terrifying. It still terrifies me in so many ways. Namaste Solar has given me practice and exposure. It has facilitated a space to allow us to grow in more than just the titles of our roles. It does take you stepping out of your shell a bit. Not everything can be handed to you. Namaste Solar showed me the door, but I walked through it.
What advice would you give to recent new hires?
It feels a little bit like carpe diem. You have a place here that genuinely offers opportunities. Sometimes they’re not explicit. Sometimes you have to be willing to ask or pursue. Look for something that you are interested in resolving or a solution that you think you might have for a particular issue, a team that you may want to start, or a program that you may want to manage and, at the very least, you can have a conversation with people here and with leadership. You can initiate something that doesn’t have to be limited to the scope of your role. You have opportunities to grow outside of the confines of the role of the job description. You have to step out of the comfort zone. But that space exists. At the very least, you have an opportunity to create it here. So, seize it.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
A lot of racquetball. I play racquetball two to three times a week. I play in a league pretty competitively. Trying to go to the gym. Right now, it’s about once a week, hopefully twice a week. I’m a video gamer, and a reader. I do Dungeons and Dragons with Elliot, Billy, and Mike Dodson – other Namaste Solar installers. And I like to travel. Aviation, while an incredibly expensive hobby, is a passionate interest of mine. I would say in a parallel universe, I’m definitely a pilot.
What’s your favorite local spot?
Thump, here in Cap Hill, is my favorite little coffee joint.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
If there was a superpower that allowed me to go to space, I would. I would love to view the Earth from the Moon. It’s cheesy, but the idea to look back and see everybody and everything in one go is fascinating. From up there, everyone’s people, there are no lines. It’s a beautiful thing what people have created in society. But ultimately, it is all made-up, and it is cool to just be reminded that we’re just this other animal species on this planet by some sheer craziness of raw numbers. I think it’s just stunning and incredible and awe-inspiring and I’d love to be able to see that.
