Who We Are
Be Authentic. Master Your Craft. Practice Expedition Behavior.
Creative Energies' purpose is to lead communities into a clean energy future.
Creative Energies is a community of solar craftspeople who value diversity and inclusivity within our team. We believe a strong team is a diverse one. As a certified B Corp, we are committed to using business as a force for good by providing a comfortable living wage, opportunities for advancement, and a manageable schedule for our team members. Whether in the office or in the field, Creative Energies is a safe place for people from all backgrounds and communities. The care and respect that we give to each other translates fully to the service we provide our clients.
We care deeply about our customers and pride ourselves in helping them make well-considered decisions about their energy choices. Our vision is to inspire healthy communities through innovative solar energy solutions. We are engaged in our communities throughout Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho. We place a high value on living in a beautiful part of the country, time spent outdoors, and balanced healthy lifestyles. We strive to be a model of progressive business practices and a voice in local and regional renewable energy policy and education.
Creative Energies has over 20 years of experience installing solar for homeowners, businesses, and organizations. We are a Certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp) operating out of net-zero energy offices and for every solar array we install, we donate to solar energy grants.
Learn more about Creative Energies:
Our Approach
Creative Energies is passionate about the work we do and our impact on the environment. We are committed to our collaboration with the Amicus Solar Cooperative as one of 66 member-owners and believe we are all better off when we are able to help one another succeed. Using our business as a force for good, we continue to maintain and improve our B Corp status.
Solar for Good
Creative Energies is a Certified B Corporation and committed to business for good. B Corp companies focus on using the power of business as a force for environmental, social, and economic good. Essentially, it means we care about a lot more than just profit.
Learn more about what being a B Corp means to Creative Energies.
NABCEP Certified Solar
We pursue progress and are dedicated to our craft of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems. We are solar industry experts with Creative Energies team members who are North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Learn more about Creative Energies NABCEP certification.
REC Certified Solar Professional
Creative Energies has been carefully selected and trained to be the best-in-class for REC service and reliability. Through REC's installer certification program, we can ensure we are equipped with the knowledge and best practices for installing REC solar panels.
Our History
20 Years of Solar Experience
Our company's history began in 2000 when Creative Energies' founders, Andy Tyson and Scott Kane, collaborated on possible solutions that would address climate change. Motivated by worsening regional air quality and our country's unbudging dependence on oil, Andy and Scott, former environmental educators with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), knew it was time to start something that could contribute to meaningful change. In March of 2001, they launched a renewable energy installation business called Creative Energies.
At the end of the 20th century, great advancements had been achieved in renewable technologies. Solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power achieved incredible leaps in efficiency, cost, and reliability. Although these technologies were on the rise, competent renewable energy providers were scarce. Scott and Andy, with the addition of Toby Schmidt, a fellow NOLS instructor, dove into the training and gained valuable experience installing renewable energy projects for residential homes, commercial buildings, and public organizations.
In the first eight years of business, Creative Energies offered services in many forms of renewable energy; solar for mountain cabins, wind power for remote ranches, solar hot water heating, passive solar home design, ground source heat pumps, and micro-hydroelectric systems. If it reduced conventional fuel use, it was a good thing.
Among those renewable energy technologies, a clear winner arose. Grid connected solar electric (photovoltaic) systems became more reliable and more cost-effective than any of the other options. We narrowed our focus to specialize in solar energy.
Today our specialty is solar energy for residential, commercial, and public facilities as well as off grid solar power for stand-alone projects. We are a focused, dynamic company with offices in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho. Our steady growth in the renewable energy market has extended our areas of operation throughout the Rocky Mountain West.
Net Zero Energy Offices
Creative Energies' offices in Wyoming and Salt Lake City are both nearly net zero energy. In Salt Lake, we have converted a former print shop to be a modern and energy efficient office and warehouse. Lighting upgrades, improved insulation and a 23 kW solar power system combine to allow this 50 year old building to provide all of its own electricity though it does use natural gas for supplemental heating in the winter.
Our office in Lander, WY, a 70 year old ranch house, is entirely zero net energy. Due to energy efficient and passive solar design, a ground source heat pump for heating and cooling, a solar hot water system and a 4 kW solar PV system, the building produces more energy than it uses annually. Water conservation and a healthy indoor environment are also priorities in our buildings.
Community of Solar Craftspeople
Creative Energies is a community of solar craftspeople. We care deeply about our customers and pride ourselves in helping you make well-considered decisions about your energy choices. We are engaged in our communities, enjoy living outdoor lifestyles, and strive for a healthy balance between work and time for family and friends. We have come together to sustain the beauty of the world that we share.
Creative Energies is devoted to the mountain regions in which we work, live, and play. Giving back and participating in our communities is important to us. We support local nonprofits that engage in renewable energy advocacy, environmental and social justice, and causes that reflect our team members' passion for the outdoors.
In Memoriam
Creative Energies suffered a tragic loss in April of 2015 when three employees, including one of the company’s founders and owners, were killed in a small plane crash in central Idaho. The pilot of the plane also perished. Rusty Cheney, AJ Linnell, and Andy Tyson all worked in Creative Energies’ Idaho office. Andy was one of the business’ founders and owners. They died in the course of their work, visiting a remote ranch to plan a solar power system.
All three of these men chose to work in solar energy for reasons of principle. Each found purpose and reward in helping people and businesses to choose renewable sources for their energy needs. Rusty used his mechanical engineering background and warmth of personality to help customers navigate technical questions to make values-based decisions. AJ may have been the most experienced solar installer in the Northern Rockies. He brought a level of craftsmanship to solar work rarely seen in this new field and set the standard for our newer installers. Andy’s spirit of adventure and ambition led Creative Energies, and perhaps more broadly, the whole community, in real progress toward expanded use of renewable energy in our region.
Rusty Cheney
Aj Linnell
