Interview: Chris Warfel: trainer, installer, designer, solar oyster farmer.

He’s a busy guy—a very busy guy.

It was 20 years ago when Christopher Warfel, Principal of ENTECH Engineering, responded to a request from his brother to conduct an energy audit at the school at which he (the brother) taught. The audit went well—well enough that Warfel ended up writing a grant for new windows, lighting and a new furnace for the school, ultimately launching his energy career.
Today, Warfel, through his firm, ENTECH Engineering, teaches, designs, installs and inspects renewable energy systems. He’s a NABCEP certified PV installer–his classes range from three hour seminars to 40-hour CEU certified courses based on NABCEP’s task analyses. ENTECH’s installation work, primarily on Block Island, Rhode Island, includes solar domestic water heating, solar electric, and small wind turbine systems.

Last month, Chris was teaching a pre-conference workshop on advanced concepts in design, installation and performance of PV to a crowded room at the 3rd New Ideas national green workforce education conference in Albany, which is where I caught up with him. Despite his busy schedule, Chris was kind enough to talk about his work. Here’s our conversation.