Name: Zachary Haithcock
Title: Co-Founder
Employer: 603 Solar
City/Town of Residence:
Newmarket, NH
Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry?
I learned a lot about renewable energy from my father. He started a NH based Energy Efficiency company back in 2008 that performed energy efficiency tests, residential energy efficiency upgrades as well as installed solar and geothermal systems. I have always been a pretty avid outdoorsmen and have immense respect for wildlife and the planet. What I learned from my father and my love for nature made the solar industry a very attractive career path for me.
What interested you in working at your current employer?
I Co-Founded 603 Solar in 2018 with my two business partners, Sean Carlson and Scot Johnson. What interested us was starting a solar company whose main goal was to be as educational and transparent as possible. We want to show people exactly how solar works for their particular situation in the most accurate and honest way.
Describe the work you do in more detail.
I oversee the entire operations side of the business. My goal is to get projects from signed up to commissioned in the most efficient and effective way possible, while giving system owners the best experience possible and minimizing issues. My day-to-day includes managing our install schedule, making sure jobs are getting through the approval process in a timely manner, addressing any concerns with project designs / scheduling and figuring out a solution, etc.
What aspect of your job excites you most? Why?
At first it was helping individual home owners with their transition to renewable energy and seeing how excited some were. Now that I oversee all of the projects we install, it feels like I'm a part of something much bigger. I love being part of the renewable energy movement we are witnessing!
What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire?
In 2022 we saw the most interest in solar I have ever witnessed in my 8 years in the industry. With the transition to relying more on electricity (i.e. mini splits, EV's, electric hot water heaters, etc.), New Hampshire homeowners' electric bills are higher than ever. That, paired with the fact that NH now has the 5th highest utility rates in the continental United States, makes solar very feasible. I also think the public opinion of solar is starting to turn more positive than in past years.
What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state?
The NEM docket (DE 22-060) could have a potentially devastating impact on the renewable energy industry in the Granite State. We are happy to be a partner of Clean Energy NH, who has been an amazing resource for information on this docket and making sure we are doing everything we can!
What interested you most about being part of YPiE?
I have been involved with YPiE for over 8 years and want to represent my age group! I actually work with a lot of people my age in this industry and its exciting to be a part of!
What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college?
Find a good, established, local company to work with. There are a lot of people / companies coming into this industry right now (especially in NH) and you have to be careful who you learn from / work with.
What do you like to do when you aren't working?
My primary hobbies are playing music and disc golf! I play with 3 high school friends in my band, The Hot Chocheys. We play about 10-15 gigs a year and have a lot of fun with it. Disc golf is probably the best sport in the world, and if you haven't tried it, you should. I will warn you though - it's addicting. I also tie dye discs (@Discy_Dyes on instagram), which is super fun! Other than that I'm a big fan of pretty much anything outdoors. My fiance, McKenna, and I are working on the 48 4,000-footers!
A typical weekend for me is…
If I am not going to see live music, or playing a gig myself you will likely find me at a disc golf course, on a mountain, at the lake, or hanging out at home!
What’s on your bucket list?
A lot of traveling... We want to go to Hawaii, Europe and a cross country US trip to name a few.
Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.
I am terribly afraid of heights! You won't find me installing panels on a roof, which I find ironic.
Fun Facts:
Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it?
Coffee for sure! Winter time is a Cortado or Cappuccino, spring / summer is cold brew with a shot of espresso.
Favorite NH Restaurant:
Ember in Dover! We used to live in Dover and had so many good experiences there. Some of the best pizza I've ever had.
Favorite Musician/Band/Music genre:
This is a tough one for me as it always changes. Right now it's Goose (indie jamband) and Billy Strings (jam grass).
Favorite Recreational Activity:
You already know! Disc Golf!!!