Steve Unger

John Ho at the city let us know that the Fernwood neighborhood was doing a solar bulk buy. Ruben Anderson at Fernwood NRG coordinated on behalf of interested parties. The provider is Viridian, a worker-owned cooperative with eight owners and two employees. We love that idea. Stay with the company for a year, you become an owner.

Steve Unger has been our contact and chief explainer of how solar power systems operate. Initially Steve (an engineer by training) just wanted to assist his friend and learn the skill of installing. He ended up leaving his corporate job in Vancouver and joining Viridian. Steve has a great blog on his own house build (which unfolded over three years ) in Sooke. We are particularly grateful that when the pandemic hit and the panels we were expecting from China failed to arrive he figured out a swift alternative so our install would not be delayed.

Steve also took care of applying for net metering with BC Hydro and rebates.

In 2012, three fellow alumni from Vancouver Island University’s Green Building & Renewable Energy Program were looking to take their skills and education to the next level by starting a unique business on Vancouver Island. They were looking to create an equal partnership one-stop shop for renewable energy systems, from design to installation to service. They partnered up with Don Skerik, Sam Pyefinch and Juergen Seuzle to create a team with electrical, plumbing and heating to back up the renewable energy expertise of the others.

Later in 2014, Eric Smiley would be added to the group to add his engineering and design expertise, industry and code knowledge. In 2015, Mike Isbrucker joined the coop with his 15 years of experience as a specialized solar and renewable energy electrician. In addition, Steve Unger (P.Eng) and Clayton Fischer (Red Seal Electrician) joined to help Viridian develop more markets.