We’re dedicated to living local, serving 100% local, and doing all that we can to take great care of the community that takes great care of us.


OUR STORY

Shaw Solar was founded in 2006 by Master Electrician John Shaw after two decades of solar and traditional electric work in the Durango area. (Fun Fact: John installed the first grid-tied PV solar system in La Plata County back in 2001 - part of the world-famous Smily Building retrofit.) Since the company’s inception, the goal has been to provide matchless customer service and help our clients find the right solution to their energy goals.

Over the years, we’ve grown to about twenty employees and are proud to be our area’s most trusted expert in solar and energy storage. We believe in creating an uplifting, knowledge-sharing work atmosphere as well as a healthy work/life balance, which means our employees are happy and highly-trained. We felt this really set us apart, so in 2018 we applied and were deemed worthy of receiving the highly coveted B-Corp Certification (Durango’s 1st!). Something John, and the entire team, is extremely proud of.


Communities We Serve

Shaw Solar is proud to service Durango, Mancos, Cortez, Dolores, Silverton, Bayfield, and Pagosa Springs.


Our Crew

Office / WAREHOUSE / SALES

John Shaw - Owner of Shaw Solar
Mike Ellis - Solar Business Operations and Finance
Dusty Bender - Solar Operations Manager

JOHN SHAW
Owner/Master Electrician

John’s been the lead designer/installer on hundreds of systems for Shaw Solar, but most enjoys building relationships with his clients and working to find the right solutions for them. He’s a Master Electrician and a NABCEP Certified PV Installer. When not installing solar, John might be found in the Silverton backcountry, rafting, and spending time with his two little girls.

Lindsay Harmon - Solar Project Coordinator

LINDSAY SNYDER
Business Operations & Special Projects

Lindsay comes to us by way of the Jersey Shore and a life of Project Management for environmental non-profits. While part of her heart will always be at the beach, she has happily found her home here in the mountains with Shaw Solar. When not in the office Lindsay can be found on a bike, up at Purg, or out pushing the limits on where her Prius can go.

GREGG DUBIT
Solar Sales Consultant

A 20+ year local, Gregg is truly living the ‘Mountain Town Dream Life’. He and his wife own and operate the Durango Dog Ranch offering mushing adventures. And he is also a nationally certified Building Analyst. Gregg has been with Shaw Solar since November of 2014. “We invested in solar on our home with John Shaw in October of 2013 and we haven’t looked back." 

ASHER JAFFE
Office Administrator

Asher loves living in Durango because of the abundance of natural beauty and the frequency of sunny days! As a part of the Shaw team, he is eager to help our planet's environment by helping our clients seamlessly transition to solar energy. Asher was born and raised in the East Bay Area of California and he has a BA in Economics from Whitman College in Washington. 

MIKE ELLIS
Business Operations Manager

After learning about solar from the ground up, Mike joined the Shaw Solar family in 2010. His growing interest in renewables was sparked by his time spent balancing the energy needs on his 34′ sailboat. Mike was one of the first to build a passive solar Straw Bale home in La Plata County, and installed a 10 kW grid-direct PV array for his all-electric home.

BILL TALLEY
Project Coordinator

Bill came to Durango by way of the Univ. of Virginia (Enviro. Science Degree) in search of a smaller town with bigger mountains. He is excited to put his skills to use in a way that benefits the community and Earth in equal measure. He also looks forward to building intimate knowledge of our local mountains and the many ways they can make him tired and hungry.

GREG WALTON
Solar Sales Consultant

Greg is a 5th gen Colorado native, making his way from Denver to Durango 20 years ago, and working for Shaw since 2017. He holds an MS degree in Environmental Policy and Management, focusing on renewable energy. During Greg’s free time you’ll find him mountain biking, camping, playing golf, visiting craft breweries and seeking the perfect cup of coffee throughout the western U.S.

DUSTY BENDER
Operations Manager

Dusty was raised in Alaska where he thought everyone knew how to shoot a gun and operate heavy equipment by age 13. A man of many skills, he has done biomed research, wild land firefighting, heavy equipment ops, massage therapy, and carpentry. He is also a licensed Journeyman and NABCEP certified PV installer who has been working at Shaw since 2007.

MIKE O’DONNELL
Warehouse Manager

Mike came to Durango in 2007. He’s a seasoned Craft Butcher with a passion for sustainability. He loves a challenge, walks in the high country, and really wants to know what’s at the end of that random dirt road over there. When he’s not adventuring with his wife and kids you can find him playing around on his bike, sliding on snow sticks, or working on his Subaru (again).

PETE VANDERBILT
Solar Sales Consultant

Pete Vanderbilt was born in Detroit, and eventually made it to Durango, where he tries to maximize the benefits of mountain living. He studied renewable energy and photovoltaics at San Juan College, and has worked in the solar energy industry for several years.



FIELD OPERATIONS

Scott Archer - Energy Systems Engineer - Battery Storage Expert - Solar Installer

SCOTT ARCHER
Energy Systems Engineer

Our resident energy storage expert, Scott has a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus on Sustainable Energy. He moved to Durango in 2014 for the mountains and favorable gardening climate, and began working with Shaw Solar. His credentials include being a NABCEP PV Installation Professional, Master Electrician and PHIUS certified Passive House Consultant.

Nate Keil - Lead Solar Installer

NATE KEIL
Lead Solar Installer

Nate has been with Shaw Solar since 2014 and has had this smile on his face the entire time. We often joke that he should enter a solar strong man competition because Nate carries solar modules onto a roof faster and more elegantly than anyone we’ve ever seen. He’s a machine! As well as a Licensed Residential Wireman. When not at work, Nate is busy working away on his large spread in south La Plata Co.

CORRY ARCOMANO
Solar Installer

Corry, a Durangotang from the start, is our most recent addition and already a value member of the team. The guy can carry some modules! When not on the roof, Corry can be found playing drums with his band Desiderata or in the mountains hiking and skiing. He’s got a passion for growing plants and a newfound passion for PV systems!

Evan Goldstrand - Commercial Solar Installer/Project Lead

EVAN GOLDSTRAND
Commercial Project Lead

Evan is a well traveled solar ace that got his start with large commercial solar in 2005, and has taken those skills across the west as far as Hawaii before landing here with us. Evan can be found with his husky sidekick - Juno - or on his snowboard or snowmobile come wintertime. His experience in the solar industry is extensive and he’s also a licensed Journeyman Electrician.

Micah Rieke - Solar Installer

MICAH RIEKE
Solar Installer

Micah is a Durango local who came to this area almost a decade ago by way of Wyoming. An incredible jack of all trades, he is a fantastic addition to our crew and someone we are so proud to have on board. In addition to solar, Micah is an enthusiastic outdoorsman and native species geek, whose favorite activities are working in his garden and planting trees.

Caleb Allen - Shaw Solar Installer

CALEB ALLEN
Solar Installer

Caleb grew up in Montana running and skiing, after which he spent some years studying physics at Fort Lewis College. He has worked construction jobs and is excited to work towards an Electrical License with such a good crew. In his time off, Caleb is in the middle of bicycling from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina. 

Tyler McKnight - Solar Service Manager

TYLER McKNIGHT
Service Manager

A Durango native, Tyler has worked with Shaw since 2015 and is a licensed Journeyman Electrician. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Engineering & Architecture. He’s also an athlete at heart. Tyler was All-American center fielder at West Texas A&M and can be found skiing, biking, climbing, running, or golfing when not on a roof.

JOSH WILD
Solar Installer

Josh was born and raised in Fort Collins and has lived in Idaho, Brazil and Utah since. Now fully settled into Durango, he is excited and proud to be a part of the Shaw team bringing solar power to the people! When not at work, Josh (an avid outdoorsman) can be found adventuring with his amazing wife Autumn and their dog Luna.

Brent Johnson - Solar Installer

BRENT JOHNSON
Solar Installer

Brent, originally from Rhode Island has been enjoying the Durango area for the past few years. As a new employee to the Shaw Solar team he is excited to expand his knowledge of the PV systems and continue his electrical apprenticeship. Brent is a Marine Corps Veteran, a college grad from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a completer of the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Colorado Trail.