Chad Waits, President
This is the part that I really don’t like. I mean come on, who likes talking about themselves? But if you have to know, here’s what I’ve got….
I got my feet wet in renewable energy in 2002 on a grid tie installation in Sedona on house I helped build. I remember the feeling I got after we fired the system up was one of complete enlightenment. I knew right then that my career path had just been laid before my feet. I spent the next 7.5 years working, and learning, for/from some of the best people in the industry. I’ve had the chance to design and install all sorts of different energy systems, from mid range commercial grid tie systems, to off grid homes, water pumping, and remote lighting systems. I enjoy all phases of the sales cycle, but I think I get the most satisfaction from the relationships we build with our customers during the entire cycle. I am still actively involved with the physical installation of all of our projects. I enjoy immensely the physical activity and added time to solidify relationships with not only our clients, but also my crew. Projects are never numbers for me; they are people...... friends that share a common goal. In fact, I still speak with some of the first people I worked with (you know who you are!), and that gives me great satisfaction knowing that I made a positive impact on my customers lives.
I hold both a commercial electrician license and residential general contracting license, but the certification I am most proud of is my NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ certificate. It’s the only certification that is available for the solar industry, and let me tell you, it is not easy to get. I believe to date there are just over 1000 people in the country that have received it.
I live in a solar powered home with my wife Amy, and sons, Cale and Boon. Anyway, that’s a sliver of who I am and what I bring to the table. Call us for a site assessment and we’ll have a chance to get to know each other.
Troy Dainty
My name is Troy, and I am a tree hugger. I have been working in conservation for most of my life. My interest in living sustainably brought me to a career in solar.
This has allowed me the opportunity to have a hands-on approach to making the world a better place. I am proud to have installed hundreds of solar thermal, photovoltaic, and wind systems throughout Arizona. I enjoy seeing my work in action while on bike rides in and around the city. I earned my Plumbing License in 2009, and I am always interested in learning more about new products and advances in the industry.
I currently have; 1 girlfriend, 1 dog, 5 bikes, 2kW of PV, and a sweet Lego collection that is the envy of the neighborhood, and keeping it all clean with solar hot water.
During a "normal" week you can find me on a roof, tracking down parts, or at the shop, rocking the grill on Taco Days ( if you're lucky ).
Trace Nuttall
Trace Nuttall has been a successful small business owner in Tucson for over 10 years. He has owned and operated Arizona Golf Exchange since August of 2000.
He brings his business knowledge and passion to Net Zero Solar. He joined the team to be a part of the growing population committed to helping our environment through sustainable energy solutions. His goal is simple: Help grow Net Zero Solar and make tangible changes in people's lives through the use of sustainable energy techniques/methods/projects while building a successful, well respected and sustainable business. Trace spends his free time mountain biking, trail-running, hiking with his two dogs Spark and Bailey and working on his home.
Louis Woofenden
Louis has a long history in renewable energy, having lived in an off-grid solar and wind powered home until his late teens.
From this background, he began to build his knowledge of renewable energy systems. He also participated in several renewable energy workshops, and projects while in his teens and in college.
Louis has been working professionally in renewable energy for the past six years. During this time, he participated in many aspects of renewable energy business, including installation and project management of residential and commercial solar electric, solar thermal, and wind turbine systems. In addition, Louis has extensive experience managing field operations and developing and implementing training programs. Louis has been a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer® since Fall 2004. In October of 2008, he added the NABCEP Certified Solar Thermal Installer™ to his qualifications.
Nicholas Walker
Born in Tucson, Nicolas Walker has resided most of his life in the Sonoran Desert. After earning an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at the University of Southern California.
Nick migrated back to his habitat of the Old Pueblo to cultivate sustainability within a metropolitan environment. This self-described urban ecologist gains invigoration through hobbies including: solar poetry, mountain bike culture, Native American shamanism, Tibetan Buddhism, sky island hiking, dark comedy, science fiction, turntable trickery, and pick-up basketball games. His wish is to see the sunny Southwest swimming in a sea of solar cells.
Zach Wilson
Zach is a recent transplant to the Tucson area from Glenwood Springs, Colorado. He is a NABCEP certified PV installer, with significant experience in both on and off-grid PV systems, solar hot water and wind energy systems.
Prior to working in the renewable energy industry, Zach was involved in construction and project management. Of all of the positive aspects of working in this business, he says the best is "going to work everyday knowing that you're part of the solution, not part of the problem." Zach is an avid rock-climber, mountain biker and outdoorsman. He is looking forward to enjoying Tucson's natural playground as well as improving Arizona's energy landscape.
Mike Cocchi
I'm a native to Tucson, I have been working in the industry for the last five years. My experience is in solar thermal, radiant floor and pool heating. I am looking foward to more training and experience working with Net Zero Solar.
Jason Babis
Jason is a native Tucsonan who recently joined Net Zero Solar's team. He is passionate about the impact Solar makes on our environment and is eager to learn as much as he can from the pool of knowledge at Net Zero Solar. Jason has been married for 4 years and has 3 children. In his spare time he raises his kids!