Dan Conant is the Founder and CEO of Solar Holler headquartered in Huntington, West Virginia, in Cabell County. Conant is an eight-year veteran of the solar industry. Conant previously helped start-up the largest solar installer in Vermont and served as a technical advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. He has an M.S. in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins.
At Solar Holler, they relentlessly pursue innovative approaches that bring solar within reach of the people and places who have always been left out. They’re on a mission to make clean energy affordable; to rebuild the Appalachian economy; to spread the benefits of clean energy to those who need it most.
Conant was a guest on The Positively West Virginia Podcast. He talked with podcast host, Jim Matuga, about how his solar business and how it has been growing in Huntington.
Where did you grow up/go to college?
“I grew up out in the woods near Shepherdstown, [West Virginia]. I went to Allegheny College in Northwestern Pennsylvania, near Erie and then after college; I moved back to West Virginia to work in the efficiency or renewable business. When I got here, I realized no one in the state was doing this, so I bounced around the country working in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C.,” said Conant.
What is your 30-second pitch?
“We do everything to bring solar projects to life for homeowners, businesses and nonprofits. We do everything from designing the systems through financing them to even installing them. We are a one-stop-shop for people who want to cut their electric bills with solar, and we will help bring their projects to life,” said Conant.
What is the thing that you are most excited about for your company – right now?
“The incredible growth and the growth of the team. We have really smart, talented and passionate people. The amount of people on our team has doubled this past year,” said Conant.
How do you attract new customers?
“Lots of word-of-mouth, we are a small state, we like to talk and gossip, so word gets around,” said Conant.
What point in a company’s growth would an HR director be ideal?
“Probably after ten employees, I would get a Human Resources director,” said Conant.
Listen to his full podcast here.
PWV QUICK BITS | SOLAR HOLLER
- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: How I Built That by Guy Raz.
- RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: Friends outside the business to bounce ideas off of,” said Conant.
- PIECE OF ADVICE: “Be ready for a lot of risks and a rollercoaster ride,” advised Conant.