After spending 27 years working for an energy company, Roger had finally retired – but his passion for learning something new hadn’t. Working in the fossil fuel industry had revealed just how necessary electrical generation and use changes were, and Roger was convinced there was a better way to do things. But at 65 years old, what can you really do?

Being no stranger to the energy industry, Roger has held positions such as Senior Controls Electrical Engineer at a coal-fired power plant, IT manager and IT systems engineer, Senior Substation Electrical Engineer, and Field Service Engineer for a boiler manufacturer. Even with a 35-year career in energy system design, construction, commissioning, testing, and O&M, Roger still saw the need for industry transformation. “I have felt that we need to make some changes in how we generate and use electricity. Being from a fossil fuel background, I believe that the impact on climate change is very significant. We need to leave a better world for the next generation and many more after that. Solar systems seem to be one solution to offsetting fossil fuel use – every installed system helps just a little bit more.”

In his endeavor to address climate change and learn new things, Roger discovered SEI through an internet search and started taking RE100: Introduction to Renewable Energy to get a better understanding of what renewables are all about. In the midst of the course he realized how enthused and willing the instructors were to ‘share their secrets’ about all things solar.

Not long after, Roger enrolled in SEI’s certificate program, unsure if he would even finish. As it turns out, he completed two different certificate programs, receiving a Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems Certificate, and a Battery-Based Photovoltaic Systems Certificate. He even went on to complete his NABCEP PV Associate Credential!

Commenting on his achievements, Roger said “I am proud of that set of accomplishments. I guess the one thing it can illustrate is that even old dogs can learn new tricks. I believe there is a ton to learn about solar after SEI, however, SEI gives a very good introduction into the solar world.  They cover just about everything you would encounter and the labs were excellent at giving a hands-on introduction into industry work life.”

While he is still figuring out exactly what he would like to accomplish in the solar sphere, Roger plans to use what he has learned to help others: “I like to contribute in such a way that I feel that I have helped someone else. I would like to engineer and help engineer systems, supporting the folks that install the systems. I want to make the things I touch better than when I left it and enjoy mentoring others to help make them successful”.

When not helping someone engineer their solar system, you can find Roger taking landscape pictures, camping, fly-fishing or restoring antique slot machines and trade stimulators. As of this writing, Roger is also pursuing his FAA Part 107 remote drone pilots license in order to assist with solar surveying. It is clear that this old dog is still learning new tricks.