ONCE snow falls, the work of solarizing the Gunnison Valley slows to a well-earned, reflective, and calmer pace. There is no true pause, as each morning our shop is still roused by the smell of coffee grounds and the sound of electricians quarreling over the best approach to running conduit, but there is calm. In this space, we find gratitude for the work we’ve done and will continue to do.
Looking back, the solar install season of 2025 was prolific and vigorous.
Donny and Ryan smile for the camera while on the job. Back to work, fellas.
Shifting government incentives, namely the expiration of the 30% Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit for customer-owned systems on December 31st, meant increased demand for residential solar. Residential solar has always been our bread and butter, enabling our community, family by family, to produce their own power. Since Nunatak’s inception, “slapping glass” on the roofs of our neighbors is what has made us who we are.
And 2025 was no exception.
From January to December, we installed 304 kilowatts of new solar PV. For reference, this amount could simultaneously power about 250 average homes. This power not only saves our customers money, but helps alleviate strain on the electrical grid and reduces the need for fossil fuel consumption. Needless to say, our install crew certainly had their hands full.
The crew particularly enjoyed working on six unique off-grid, battery-based jobs, as they often signaled an opportunity to explore new remote locations and meet a colorful cast of off-grid characters.
Donny candidly loads up the truck after installing an off-grid system in the mountains. He can’t wait for his daily parfait.
In total, we installed a whopping 277 kilowatt-hours of new battery capacity on systems like these, enough to drive an electric vehicle to Grand Canyon National Park and back on a single charge (if such a thing were possible). On the topic of EVs, we put into service a handful of charging port installations while we were at it, helping customers take advantage of beneficial GCEA rebates to help both save the planet and precious dollars wasted at the pump.
So much of what we accomplished wouldn’t have been possible even two years ago.
2025 was the first year we had multiple licensed electricians on staff. Earning apprentice hours under our Master Electrician allowed two of our long time employees to obtain their Master Electrician and Residential Wireman’s licenses, respectively. This monumental change allowed us to move more into EV charger installation and general electrical work beyond solar. Moving forward, we are now providing new electrical installation contracting and service work year-round, in addition to solar PV and battery installation.
Whatever the job – in town or off-grid, commercial or residential, big or small, solar PV or a broken light switch – we are equipped to provide outstanding service.
As we grew internally, we made friends along the way.
Donny instructing students from Northern New Mexico College as part of the new Trades Culture program.
Memorably, we had the privilege to collaborate with a number of local nonprofit organizations to help them meet their renewable energy goals. By teaming up with Habitat for Humanity, Adaptive Sports Center, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, C.B. Nordic Center, Equitable Solar Solutions, and Trades Culture, we could leverage our craft to support the missions of other organizations that make the Valley a better place to live.
Amidst all of this exciting diversification and collaboration, summer turned to fall and the expiration date of the residential tax credit grew near. As it did, the number of calls and projects grew more frantic. We squeezed in as many jobs as we could and finished them all, assuring exceptional quality and lasting performance, by the end of the year.
As solar moves on from the federal tax credit, we are now offering in-house discounts to help folks make the jump. Regardless of what is coming out of Washington, PV remains a powerful, clean, and fiscally wise answer to our energy needs.
Finally, as we relish in yet another year of honest work, we thank you once more for your trust in us, your commitment to a better, more resilient energy future, and for making it all the way to the end of this article. We look forward to another great year in 2026. But, until it warms up, we’ll be here swapping batteries, bending conduit, drawing up plans, and sipping hot beverages. Should you need us, your local Gunnison Valley solar installer+ is, as always, just down the street.
Dana channels his inner super model while admiring the beauty of our Valley.