MEMBER PROFILE
The many hats of SAM CRAFT Where to begin when introducing Sam Craft? She’s a New York trained lawyer who is now a director of a bustling, successful solar business, plays a key role with installer advisory group Solar Cutters, and earlier this year was elected to the board of the Smart Energy Council. Despite all her daily pressures, Sam found time to tell us about her vision for the industry.
SAM CRAFT’S SOLAR JOURNEY is a little different to most. It begins with a Bachelor of Law and Legal Practice from Flinders University and a Certificate of Human Rights from Fordham University (New York) followed by a series of internships at law firms. Now Sam is fully committed to the development of the solar energy industry, and has added a Diploma of Management and Leadership to her qualifications which is coming in handy with her string of advisory positions.
Smart Energy Council: Let’s first take a look at your role with Adelaide based solar and storage installer NRG Solar.
My role as a Director is to help develop and implement key strategic initiatives to strengthen and encourage professional, valuable and customer focused experiences.
SEC: What consumer trends are you picking up on regarding solar system sizes and storage? SC: These days more customers are optimising their roofspace and where possible installing larger PV systems – generally between 6 kW and 8 kW – to future-proof their system for batteries or electric vehicles. In terms of getting the most value from systems,
Sam Craft: I initially started part-time at NRG
I believe that solar system monitoring is and will be
Solar helping out with administration duties. After learning everything I could about solar, I moved into the role of Operations Manager to help create and implement processes to ensure every customer has a positive solar experience and all installs and jobs completed to exacting standards. I was tasked with building our installer team and warehouse management teams from scratch, building team’s skills and creating processes.
the key for taking control of energy needs; the first step towards better self-consumption, transparency and home automation. It allows customers and ourselves to make sure their solar solution is producing just what we expected.
SEC: How do NRG activities dovetail with the work of Solar Cutters? SC: At NRG Solar we strive for high level of service and quality, while thinking about what tomorrow will bring in terms of innovation and new technologies. We aim to be at the forefront of technology to ensure we’re always future-proofing and creating a sustainable business and solutions for our clients. We are engaged in the Solar Cutters movement daily as our staff share support, ask for advice and share work they are proud of with the online Cutter community.
SEC: Congratulations on your appointment to the board of the Smart Energy Council, how does this complement all your other roles? SC: I’ve been pleased to provide feedback and practical advice on a number of SEC initiatives during meetings. This consultancy work ties in well with my role as a Solar Cutters Committee member
“
I have only been in the solar industry for four years but I look forward to doing as much as I can to bring about positive change and support the industry.
40 SPRING 2019
