In 2001, three former National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) educators – Andy Tyson, Scott Kane, and Toby Schmidt – launched Creative Energies, as they saw “the need for renewable energy technology and construction know-how in combating climate change in the Northern Rockies.” The company installs solar and battery storage systems in Utah and Wyoming. Employees visit each property, identify the most cost-effective solution, recommend financing options and available incentives, navigate the permitting process, and finally install the project.
Over the course of more than two decades, Creative Energies has developed over 2,500 projects, including over 10 megawatts (MW) of residential generation, over 13 MW of commercial generation, over 364 kilowatts (kW) of off-grid generation, and over 2,954 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of battery storage. In its first 20 years, 23,357 kW of installed solar offset 31,531,172 miles of car driving and 12,704 tons of coal burning.
The company presents multiple reasons why going solar is optimal for its customers. Solar power is limitless, making it a reliable source: “every panel installed taps into this endless resource,” and panels can be installed on any property. For example, Creative Energies’ 153.92-kW system at the Wasatch Waldorf Charter School in Holladay, Utah, “maximized every inch of their rooftop space by installing over 400 panels.” At the other end of the spectrum, a 4.26 kW ground-mounted solar system enables Utah Goblin Valley State Park to operate completely off-grid. Plus, solar panels operate efficiently even in colder climates, as demonstrated by the 16.0 kW Chrisman off-grid system, which is “equipped to endure the harsh winter conditions in Wyoming.” Creative Energies’ solar repair and maintenance services also ensure that any problems that arise will be handled quickly and efficiently.
Households and businesses save money on their energy bills and can lock in low energy rates that shield them from variations in utility costs. Creative Energies is also a member-owner of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, enabling it to achieve savings by securing the “highest-quality solar equipment at competitive prices by harnessing collective buying power,” which can be passed on to customers. Customers like the Patagonia outlet in Salt Lake City have therefore offset their energy costs with the company’s help. Additionally, customers who adopt clean energy sources see a positive return on investment and higher property values, while these projects create jobs and boost local economies.
By providing a viable alternative to fossil fuels, solar installations reduce carbon emissions, helping to “build a cleaner energy future and ensure a healthier planet for future generations.” The company elaborated, “Poor air quality impacts all of us, but together, we can breathe easier by choosing cleaner, more sustainable energy.” A 14.6 kW system at Snake River Brewing in Jackson, Wyoming, offsets 10.5 tons of carbon per year. Meanwhile, a 778.32 kW solar carport for the Davis School District in Farmington, Utah, offsets approximately 693 tons of carbon per year, equivalent to the amount offset by planting 15,140 trees. One residential customer said, “There’s so much sun out there, especially down here. Why not use it to better the world?”
Photo Courtesy Creative Energies Solar
Finally, these projects support local communities. For example, a 28.8 kW solar and energy storage system not only provides power for the commercial operations of Culture Coffee and Salt Lake Barber Co., but also powers a community refuge. Co-owner Eric Stone explained to Utah Clean Energy, “Not only was it a financial benefit for us, but we wanted to be a place of refuge for people during power outages, or extremely hot days, or extremely cold days.”
Creative Energies summarizes, “Once installed, your system will be powered up, and you can enjoy years of savings, energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint—all backed by our dedicated service team.”
For each solar project that Creative Energies completes, it donates to the Honnold Foundation, founded by renowned rock climber Alex Honnold. The foundation’s solar energy grants to partner organizations that increase access to clean power or spearhead energy self-sufficiency initiatives. Between 2019 and 2024, the Honnold Foundation’s Core Fund has supported over 225,000 people in more than 275 communities, including providing first-time access to electricity in 200 communities and utilizing solar energy to address climate threats in 150 communities. Over that time, the foundation invested more than $10 million in solar projects. 100% of donations to the Honnold Foundation, like those from Creative Energies, go toward these impact-driven partners.
Photo Courtesy Creative Energies Solutions
Creative Energies is boosting its own environmental friendliness and that of its customers. As a certified B Corp, the company explains, “our intention is to source and dispose of materials responsibly to help reduce the amount of waste in our landfills, to further reduce our impact on the environment, and to better support working conditions within the communities of people that make harnessing solar energy possible.”
Although the solar systems have a long lifespan of 25 years, the company partnered with Cascade Eco Minerals, which recycles the solar panel glass and sends the remaining materials as inputs for other panels or industrial processes. Meanwhile, Creative Energies’ Salt Lake City, Utah, office collects, sorts, and recycles materials, including food waste, e-waste, batteries, glass, styrofoam, aluminum, copper, and plastic bags.
Both the Salt Lake City and Lander, Wyoming, offices are also net-zero. In Utah, a 50-year-old print shop now generates all its electricity with a 23 kW solar system, except for the natural gas needed to provide extra heat in the winter. The company has also enhanced the site’s energy efficiency by upgrading lighting and insulation. With all these initiatives in place, it makes perfect sense that Creative Energy chose community, quality, and integrity as its guiding values.
Photo Courtesy Creative Energies Solar
