tening to Mark talk about his team, and how they spend their time talking to customers, it is clear how important that is to him and his team. What can a customer expect when working with Sun Kissed? Well, they can expect to always be able to get a hold of somebody when needed. Mark adds, “There’s nothing worse than going through a very complex endeavor, and not being able to find the answers or feel comfortable, especially with a large investment.” The average solar system installation is between $20,000 to $30,000, here in Nova Scotia on average and Mark and his team don’t take that investment lightly. Marks was very passionate when he told us, “Our team, and project managers are very committed to our customers. For example, if you look at Brayden Currie, one of my project manager’s phone right now, you will see that every customer is in his phone, which means you can call or text him and he is going to be there for you, its great to have that level of comfort and customer service.” Mark is a truly humble man, who has such an amazing entrepreneurial spirit, and yet it feels when you’re talking to him, he is often unaware of how exceptional that is. He talks about a drive for excellence, a need to offer the best products and experience for his customers. However, this is not easily done and cannot be accomplished without everyone involved in the solar industry working together, for example, the team at Solar Colchester, Joanna Burris and Sarah Lynds, have been outstanding in the adoption of solar for Colchester residents, efficiency Nova Scotia workinghard toprovide a provincial rebate, Julian Boyle and staff at PACE have been amazing to work with as well. Overall, our customers feel we all have the same goal – taking control of their utility bill and reducing their carbon footprint. “There’s nothing worse than going through a very complex endeavor, and not being able to find the answers or feel comfortable, especially with a large investment.”
into exceptional customer service and project experience for their clients. Mark tells us, “I always say that if you want to come to learn, be treated right and have fun while treating our cus- tomers right, then this is the place to work. Now I might be a little biased, but I believe that to be true.” While the move into the world of solar power can feel quite overwhelming to most, Mark spends the time educating himself, and his staff, on every detail of the business. This is vital so that consumers leave informed and under- standing all aspects of their project and what to expect. Mark and the team are now shifting some of their focus on the future of the industry with research and development. Looking into ways we can take the technology we have now and make it even better and more accessible in the future. Taking products like batteries and putting them to the test. Seeing what works and what doesn’t. That’s also something you really feel when talking to Mark, he’s not on anyone’s payroll. He doesn’t play favourites with any of the materi- als he uses, “I’m not brand oriented, I don’t get any kickbacks, I don’t promote any one supplier over another, in our opinion, we offer the most reliable products on the market and the solution that will best meet the customers needs now and in the future.” The proverbial air almost went out of Sun Kissed Energy tires though, after Nova Scotia Power announced their plan to implement a net metering program for next year. It shocked many in the industry, as well as those who were in the process of considering switching to solar now, or in the future. Thankfully however, due to quick work from the Nova Scotia government, they were able to halt Nova Scotia Power from imple- menting their plans and set customers’ minds at ease. “If the proposed NSP Net Meter changes would have gone through, it really would have killed the industry in Nova Scotia, so we had a few hectic days of trying to get our customer’s applications completed and submitted to grand- father them into the current NSP program. But luckily, our government stepped in.” The Mari- times in general, and Nova Scotia specifically, has seen amazing growth in the solar industry over the past decades. So many businesses have
“If the proposed NSP Net Meter changes would have gone through, it really would have killed the industry in Nova Scotia,”
“I’mnotbrandoriented, I don’t get any kick- backs, I don’t promote any one supplier over another, in our opinion, we offer the most reliable products on the market and the solution that will best meet the customers needs now and in the future.”
started up in Nova Scotia offering solar solutions because of the growth of the industry in the province. Mark says, “I’m not a politician, I don’t follow too much into that, you know, my main objective here is to eliminate people’s power bills, but it was very encouraging to have Dr. Stephen Ellis, Member of Parliament for Cumber- land—Colchester, and Dave Ritcey, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Truro-Bible Hill-Mill- brook-Salmon River to reach out to me personal- ly to show their support for my business and the industry as a whole. It was great to see the quick action of Premier Tim Houston, and the provin- cial government of Nova Scotia along with David Brushett of Solar Nova Scotia and the solar com- munity, show their commitment to solar energy and the development of renewable and sustain- able energy, they have given this industry a real and viable chance to flourish in this province.” Clear, direct communication is another pillar of the business model of Sun Kissed Energy. Lis-
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MARCH/APRIL 2022 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MARCH/APRIL 2022
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