Winchester Mayor David Smith with Kim Herbstritt, Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity
Winchester, Va. city officials and affordable housing advocates celebrated the start of a project this week to add solar panels to five newly-constructed Habitat for Humanity homes in the downtown area. Winchester Mayor David Smith said the renewable energy addition to the two-story homes is exactly what the city’s planners have in mind for the future. The Winchester Star reported on the gathering on Wednesday.
Kim Herbstritt of Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity welcomed visitors on Tuesday, March 19 to see the homes and watch mtvSolar installation crews work to prepare the solar installations. High winds on Tuesday kept the crews from attaching solar panels to the first of five homes, but the rails to hold the panels are installed and ready. Five panels will go on each home to start.
Homeowners are expected to reduce their energy bills to somewhere around $20 per month once the panels are connected and feeding their electric supply. More Habitat for Humanity homes in the Blue Ridge area will get solar panels in the near future, with mtvSolar as the trusted solar installation partner.
mtvSolar President Mike McKechnie talks as installation crews worked to prepare a roof for solar panels.
mtvSolar Mike McKechnie talked about the importance of making homes affordable for residents over the long term by fixing their energy costs. Installing solar panels essentially locks in electric costs, which normally rise steadily over the life of a home, Mike said. When mtvSolar began as a construction company, his crews donated their labor and time to help build Habitat for Humanity homes in the area. Mike McKechnie said 20 years later, mtvSolar is still an advocate for affordable housing and is excited by the movement toward more energy efficient homes. The company continues to support the mission of Habitat for Humanity through direct donations, community give-back partnerships and reduced-price work. mtvSolar customers can choose to give a panel to community projects like Habitat for Humanity when they purchase their own solar energy system.
Jeff Heie ofGiveSolar, headquartered in Harrisonburg, said charitable donors have made it possible to add solar energy systems to Habitat for Humanity homes throughout Virginia, adding another level of sustainability both to affordable housing and the environment. Additional solar energy projects are in the planning stages.
Building a new home comes with hundreds of decisions, large and small. What’s the square footage? What material is the exterior? What’s the roofline look like? Throughout the process, homeowners have to pick bedroom sizes, window styles, flooring and appliances. One of the most basic decisions can have the biggest impact over the life of the structure – what will power the home?
Many of today’s new homes are all electric – an approach that takes fossil fuels out of the home energy landscape and creates energy savings. Indoor air quality and safety also benefit from the removal of various fuels from a residence.
But what supplies the electricity? In most cases, a residential connection to the power grid is one of the first utilities to be brought to a house under construction. So what do you do if you want solar energy or battery storage to be part of your home energy supply? At what point in the construction process can those systems be brought into the planning and design?
Mike Studholme.
This blog will explore how you can bring solar into the early stages of planning your dream home to create a residence that can generate its own energy for the decades ahead.
So when is the right time to bring solar into the construction conversation? As early as possible, says Mike Studholme, Senior PV and Battery Consultant with mtvSolar.
“Orientation is key. Make sure the roof is going to be oriented properly from the start,” said Studholme. How a new house will sit on the site, what kind of clearance the site has and the pitch of the roof all affect the viability of solar panel systems.
If a builder doesn’t offer a solar package among their services, ask if they have worked with a solar installer they trust. Well-established solar companies like mtvSolar have a track record of working with multiple contracting companies in an area, making the coordination of building and installation much smoother.
And if a builder doesn’t have “a solar guy,” a homeowner can bring a solar company into the process themselves.
“You can contact us directly and we can talk with your builder, do a design and give them a proposal they can build into the project costs,” said Studholme.
Solar proposals for a brand new home can come from house plans, with a few added details – what appliances the homeowner expects to have and other electrical demands in the home like an EV charger, heated pool or hot tub.
“We can take a plan set and design a solar array. It can take place very early in the process,” said Mike.
Starting the solar conversation early in a construction project can pay off in multiple ways:
Ensuring the home and roof are oriented for maximum solar production
Adding solar costs to construction contract for integrated financing
Reducing extra costs by incorporating trenching and electrical work into initial build
Starting energy production and banking solar credits DURING construction
Streamlining permits
Getting a builder and a solar installer talking together with the homeowner early in the process helps everyone – whether solar panels will be part of the main construction process or will be added after the new home is complete.
“Our production and sales team, builder and homeowner come together on a call where we all agree to a plan. We’ll coordinate with the builder as to when it’s the ideal time for us to come install,” Mike said.
Once the solar plan is in place, construction will follow its normal path, with a few minimal preparations for a future array. A designated “solar conduit chase” from the attic to the electrical room clears the path for solar connections after walls are closed in, for example.
Mike Studholme said as with all solar projects, mtvSolar works with each homeowner to design and install a system that will meet their needs best and fit into their energy budget. For a brand-new home, that personal approach extends to collaborating with contractors all along the way.
“We’re very experienced with how to coordinate with builders,” said Mike. “Communication along the way makes all the difference.”
If you’re wondering, could your dream home power itself? And your vehicles? With the right kind of building site, some forward planning and an experienced solar installer, the answer is likely a sunny Yes!
Like most solar owners, John Snyder calculated how long it would take for his solar panel array and battery backup system to pay for itself from the initial upfront cost. That calculation prepared he and his wife for a 7-year return on investment. But their solar and battery payoff came much sooner than that. Their 45-panel, 10 kW system was installed by mtvSolar at their Summersville, W.Va. farm in 2011. In June of 2012, a freak derecho storm hit West Virginia, knocking out power to most of the state for 12 days in sweltering temperatures.
“The battery backup system paid for itself in that derecho,” said Snyder. He and his wife watched people lined up at gas stations trying to get gasoline to power their generators to keep refrigerators cool, fans running and supply electricity to essentials.
“We never lost power,” he said. Their solar and battery backup saved two freezers full of expensive meats and specialty products that would have been near impossible to replace. “It paid for itself in one storm,” Snyder said.
Shortly after, Super Storm Sandy knocked power out for another seven days. He and his wife never lost electricity.
Nearly a dozen years later, operating a rare breed chicken farm with multiple coops and pens, the Snyders have an even bigger solar array and slightly different battery backup, all paying for itself in self-generation.
For 10 months of the year, their electric bill is around $5.
Back when the couple started looking for a solar contractor, there were very few choices in West Virginia. He found a number for mtvSolar and called to see if the Berkeley Springs company would travel to Summersville, several hours away, to install a system. A salesman said yes, drove down to see their farm and talk about the possibilities.
Snyder said one thing in particular made an impression on him.
He and his wife had started thinking about a combination of solar panels and wind, thinking one of their fields would be a good candidate for a windmill. The mtvSolar salesman didn’t recommend it. The location would have required a 150-ft. mast and the equipment would have been expensive to repair if anything malfunctioned.
“He could have said, ‘Okay, we’ll sell it to you’ but he didn’t,” Snyder said. That honest approach impressed him, and kicked off a long customer relationship, including added solar panels and battery upgrades.
“We have recommended mtvSolar to anyone who’s looking at solar,” said Snyder.
The world’s full of uncertainties. From monster storms to surprise grid hacks, you deserve power on demand. Forget scrambling in the dark – mtvSolar builds ultimate backup systems, crafted for your peace of mind.
No outages, no worries:
Stay grid-connected: Enjoy solar power with seamless backup during dips and blackouts.
Go fully off-grid: Ditch the grid entirely and embrace independent energy freedom.
Fuel for all seasons: An auto-start propane generator can kick in when sunlight is limited and the batteries need a boost, only sipping fuel as needed.
Control without being online: We design systems that thrive even without internet reliance.
Tailored to you: We craft the perfect backup solution for your needs and budget.
Don’t wait for the lights to go out.Embrace your power today.
Get a free consultation and secure your bright future with Mountain View Solar.
Maryland’s Energy tax credits for residential energy storage projects (think battery systems) were so popular in 2023 that the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) stopped taking tax credit applications in August, anticipating the state would run out of designated funds well before the end of the year. Maryland’s lawmakers had agreed to set aside $750,000 in the 2023 tax year. Once the money was given out in tax credit certificates, that was it for the year.
The MEA was authorized to give out tax credits for 30% of the cost of an energy storage system — up to $5,000 in tax credits for a system installed in a residential property, and up to $150,000 for a system installed in a commercial property.
For many homeowners and businesses, these credits offered a big incentive to add energy storage components for a variety of reasons — to weather power outages, offset peak demand charges and establish energy stability for themselves.
The popularity of the tax credits this calendar year are a preview of 2024. Under Maryland law, the new year will replenish the Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit fund back to its annual level of $750,000. That means homeowners and businesses can start adding energy storage and battery systems, and tap into the new pool of credits for 2024. The fund is set to run through the end of 2024, as long as the money holds out.
Maryland customers thinking of adding a battery storage system to tie into your solar panels should act early in 2024 to grab the state tax incentives while they last. mtvSolar is proud to serve customers all over Maryland and has the battery expertise to talk you through your options. Call us at 540-686-2052 to find out more.
This week, we put the SolarEdge Smart Home load controller to the test! Our team trained with SolarEdge on site to install the controller in one of our own homes — letting us see how this new component can fit into residential settings and work with existing solar components. We liked what we saw!
Take control of your home energy like never before!
The SolarEdge Smart Load Controller is a game-changer. It gives homeowners an easy way to manage what gets power during an outage, and for how long. Here’s what else:
Maximize your solar self-consumption: Use more of the clean energy your panels produce, reducing your reliance on the grid and saving you money.
Extend your backup battery power: Prioritize essential appliances during outages, keeping your lights on and your family comfortable.
Schedule and control your heavy hitters: Run appliances like pool pumps, air conditioners, and electric vehicle chargers on your own terms, using smart scheduling and remote control.
Track your energy in real-time: Monitor your solar production, consumption, and savings with the user-friendly mySolarEdge app.
Our field-tests of the controller, with company reps and our top electricians working side by side, gave us a real-life look at whether this new component is suitable for our customers. The answer — it is.
The SolarEdge Smart Load Controller is available NOW from mtvSolar! Want to know more? Let’s chat!
After losing power over Christmas for a day and a half, Steve Hendricks starting looking into a battery backup system to tie to his home’s solar panels in the rural countryside of Bedford County, Pa. He and his wife were in line for a Tesla Powerwall, but the installation options fell through. Steve searched online and found mtvSolar was a certified Tesla Powerwall installer, and called us. Consultant Natalie Friend responded right away, and very soon Steve had four Powerwalls in action. Several months later, he decided to add two more Powerwalls to help charge the couple’s electric vehicles and add to their rural home’s power backup system. Steve called us back and after a day’s work, we had upgraded his system to six Powerwalls.
Steve said the first four batteries were able to cover the whole house electric needs, but he wanted to ensure there wouldn’t be any more power interruptions. Just last week, the power went out for his neighbors and he said he never would have known the grid was down except that his Tesla monitoring app sent him a notification it had happened.
Steve was impressed by how responsive mtvSolar was to his request for the batteries and installation work, and how hard everyone worked to get the job done. Everyone he encountered was friendly and took time to explain the work they were doing. “It was a totally positive experience,” he said. He would recommend mtvSolar to anyone interested in building out their own solar and battery backup system.
The industry standard warranty on a photovoltaic panel is typically between 25 and 30 years, according to industry experts. At mtvSolar, we work under warranties that promise our components will last 25 years — but we know they will last much longer. Some solar panels installed in the 1980s are still generating effective power still today! Battery systems have a shorter expected lifespan — and generally have a 10-year warranty. But the real-life use of battery backup systems means they last much longer, too.
“Depending on use, they will last much longer. Most batteries that we install are for backup, and not cycled daily. So they’re not going to be worn out in 10 years,” says Lydie Miles-Monaghan, Director of mtvSolar’s Department of Technology & Design. Miles-Monaghan is our company’s battery expert, and tracks new developments in lifespan issues and performance for the products we install.
Our customers take the realities of product lifespan into consideration when planning their solar energy and battery storage systems. How old will they be when the panels need to be replaced? Who will own the home then? What’s the age of the roof that will hold a mounted solar array? Will the roof need to be replaced before the solar panels do? What do we do with solar panels and home battery systems at the end of their life?
As solar energy surges in popularity for residential homes, farms and commercial buildings, our industry continues to refine panel design to make them last longer and perform better. Meanwhile, others in the energy sector are figuring out the best way to reuse and recycle solar PV panels that are out of service. Developing these processes will become more important as the number of panels installed grows exponentially.
At mtvSolar, we collect and store broken or aged-out panels and work with a local recycler to dispose of them. Panels that are still functional but have been removed for one reason or another from a customer’s property are held for our service projects and give-away programs. Some customers will upgrade their panels long before they wear out. These are panels that still have years of effective solar generation left in them, and just need a new home, which we love to find.
Battery systems are relatively new in the residential energy world but are taking hold more widely. No lithium batteries we’ve installed have had to be recycled yet. All lead acid batteries are 100% recycled into new batteries.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energies Technology Office is working with the solar industry to track solar panel lifespan, measure the cost of recycling panels (vs. landfilling them) and develop ways to cut the end-of-life disposal costs in half by 2030.
“As we accelerate deployment of photovoltaic systems, we must also recognize the pressing need to address end-of-life for the materials in a sustainable way,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. “We are committed to ensuring that the recovery, reuse, recycling, and disposal of these systems and their components are accessible, low-cost and have minimal environmental impact.”
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 70% of the current solar PV systems in the U.S. have been installed since 2017 — a huge jump in deployment that points to a need for recycling and disposal answers down the road. They are funding projects that promise to reveal new materials, new technologies and better manufacturing processes to reduce pollution associated with the making and disposal of panels. DOE Releases Action Plan For Photovoltaic Systems End-Of-Life Management | Department of Energy
Our approach at mtvSolar at the local level is to use high-quality components that are proven to last, to install panels and their components properly to maximize their function, and to reuse panels by donating them to nonprofits. Our design team right-sizes all solar installations for each customer, so there are no wasted panels and components can function as they are designed for the full length of their warranty and beyond.
Mike Studholme’s rising career in the solar industry began, in his words, with one Thanksgiving conversation with his uncle. Mike was going to community college in Northern Virginia for a degree in business administration and his uncle, John Christensen, was working for Mountain View Solar. The company was putting up a windmill at the time, and the two talked over the project.
“Uncle JB” mentioned that Hagerstown Community College (Md.) had a renewable energy program, and Mike’s interest was hooked. John offered for his nephew to live with him, just a short distance from the college, while he completed the program. Mike said he hesitated because he wouldn’t be earning enough to pay his uncle rent. JB proposed a deal — Mike would cover his uncle’s electric bill in lieu of rent. They agreed, and Mike soon learned his first lesson in residential solar.
“He had 40 solar panels on his house. The electric bill was like $5 per month,” Mike recalled, laughing.
While he finished his degree, Mike interned with mtvSolar once a week, and then moved into a full-time internship in 2013, helping the company do whatever needed to be done. His first solar installation was a ground mount. Back at the Berkeley Springs office, he took care of the company’s recycling and entered data in the sales program. That’s where he learned about the tax credits that helped customers afford to solar to their homes and businesses.
In May of 2014, Mike started with the company full-time, taking phone calls, processing return authorizations for equipment replacements, helping with permitting and learning to do lead qualifications. All the while, Mike was helping with solar installations, and working toward one of the company’s first energy certifications – the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
“I took it and passed it the first time,” Mike said of the rigorous testing. “In order to take the test, you have to show your hours and level of involvement and study in the field.”
The certification was just one of the many thresholds Mike crossed on his journey to become mtvSolar’s Senior Solar PV and Battery Consultant. He went on to become the lead for the installation crew, which he led for several years, primarily in residential solar. Then mtvSolar took on remote power services for FAA lights on top of large power transmission structures, and Mike became foreman of that project.
“That’s the cool thing about solar – every day is different,” Mike said. “It felt like I was wearing five hats at a time.”
With so many aspects of the company’s technical work under his belt, Mike asked management if he might have an opportunity to join the sales team. His friends told him he had a talent for pitching projects, and Mike had already been working with the team at home shows, talking about mtvSolar’s capabilities and offerings.
In 2016, Mike stepped into sales at the company. He didn’t leave his other roles entirely, though.
“Some of the early jobs I sold, I also installed,” he said.
Solar installations weren’t so mainstream then, and panels were more expensive than they have become in today’s energy market. In the years since, Mike Studholme has seen access to solar energy equipment open up immensely.
“I think the adoption of solar is going to explode,” he predicts. “Solar’s one of those things – once you have it, you’re never not going to have solar.”
Mike and Samantha Studholme with their children in front of their solar-powered home in West Virginia.
Mike’s own home solar generation system has grown along with his career and his family. Mike married his wife Samantha in May of 2018. Samantha works for the American Heart Association, and is a “social butterfly” who enjoys music and books, says Mike. The couple have a daughter Mila, and younger son Jack, who turned 10 months old just shy of the Studholme’s fifth wedding anniversary. The couple celebrated their anniversary at the Nestled Inn in Bluemont – one of Mike’s solar clients.
Every month, Mike is reminded of the value of powering his family home with the sun.
“It helps me feel like I’m making an impact, but silently. I see it every month in the electric bill and in how many carbon pounds I’ve offset,” he said. “It’s just a great investment.”
Mike’s own deep knowledge of solar – through every step of the process – continues to grow as he enters his second decade with mtvSolar.
“It’s been such an awesome ride. Mike and Kelly have always been supportive of me growing in the company,” he said.
Over the years, Mike Studholme has come to understand what his customers are looking for, and what they value in going solar.
“The sentiment of taking ownership of your power needs instead of renting it monthly from the utility resonates well with people,” he said. Fixing or lowering a monthly electricity expense over many decades just adds up.
“People are adding a tangible asset at the same time they’re making a global impact on our carbon footprint,” Mike explained. “It’s an investment that people never regret making.”
A company to grow with — Mike Studholme’s first 10 years with mtvSolar
Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..”, comes from a line in section 1.10.32.
The standard chunk of Lorem Ipsum used since the 1500s is reproduced below for those interested. Sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 from “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” by Cicero are also reproduced in their exact original form, accompanied by English versions from the 1914 translation by H. Rackham.
Kate Shunney
Kate Shunney joined mtvSolar in November of 2023 as a part-time member of the sales and marketing team. Kate was raised in Morgan County and returned to Berkeley Springs after graduate school. She is the editor of the local newspaper, the mother of two teenage sons and likes to hike and take pictures of native wildflowers.
Ryan Beauford
Ryan Beauford joined mtvSolar in April of 2025 after serving in the U.S. Army. Originally from Louisiana, Ryan is married and has a son and daughter and two dogs. When he’s not on the mtvSolar crew, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family. He looks forward to adding more solar knowledge to his valuable experience to advance in the future.
Jack Cibula
Jack Cibula joined mtvSolar’s team in October of 2023 after working construction and as an Assistant Superintendent for contractors. He’s worked in the sustainable industries for years, from commercial green roofs to sustainable energy systems. When he’s not working on the Commercial Mechanical team, Jack might be found golfing, fishing or working out. His future goals are to expand his family’s Stonescapes business, to add new solar certifications to his professional skills and keep growing with mtvSolar’s commercial department.
Luxious Burleson
Luxious Burleson joined mtvSolar in January of 2025, entering the solar industry after working as a line painting truck operator and a carpenter at Camp David. Calling Martinsburg, WV his hometown, Luxious then moved to Pennsylvania then back to the Mountain State again. He shares his life with his girlfriend and their two cats, Baby and Pumpkin. When Luxious isn’t on the job, he enjoys writing music and playing a variety of instruments. His future aspiration is to earn a Master Electrician’s license, buy some property and start a family.
Will McKechnie
Will McKechnie started working at mtvSolar in early 2025 as an office assistant, having made the leap from five years of warehouse work for Amazon. Will calls the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia his home, just a hop away from mtvSolar’s headquarters. When he’s not managing office tasks for the company, Will loves to cook and be part of anything musical. He’s the proud dad of a daughter and shares their home with a large German Shepherd/Pitbull dog named Bear and an orange tabby named Oliver! His goal is to provide for his daughter and prepare her for future success in life!
Britton Buckham
Britton was born in Doylestown, Pa. but lived in Maryland before settling in West VIrginia with his girlfriend and their baby boy. When he’s not being Dad or leading a commercial project, Britton could be found gardening, working on a project and generally keeping his adrenalin flowing! His goal is to build mtvSolar as the best commercial outfit in the region, to finish his electrical training to become a Master Electrician and to keep learning new and different solar and renewable energy technologies like wind and hydroelectricity.
Bo Frederick joined mtvSolar as our Warehouse/Fleet Manager in July of 2024. Prior to joining the solar industry, he worked in warehousing for eight years, for a furniture factory for 13 years and for a poly coating firm for two years. He brings a diverse set of skills to mtvSolar and hopes to use those skills to add functionality and organization to the growing company. Bo was born in Morgantown, calls Martinsburg his hometown and then moved to Berkeley Springs. When he’s not sorting out our inventory and vehicle challenges, Bo likes to hike, travel, go to the beach and play sports. He and his wife Megan have three children and a dog named Bruce Wayne!
Robert Yancey joined mtvSolar in April of 2025 on the Commercial Installation team. Before coming into the solar field, Robert worked in the traditional construction trades. When he’s not on the job adding solar for our commercial partners, Robert uses his construction skills to help renovate his wife’s grandmother’s historic home, which dates to 1850! Calling Winchester, Va. his hometown, Robert now lives in Woodstock with his wife Kasey and their three dogs, Bella, a pit, and Roxy and Titan, their Rottweilers. His goal for the future is to continue to learn the solar industry and grow his knowledge to advance in the field.
Stuart Smith
Stuart Smith joined mtvSolar in May of 2024 after working for himself in the solar industry doing sales, installation and surveys. He’s been in the solar business since July of 2011, watching it change and grow. Stuart is from Hagerstown, Md. where he lives with his wife and son and two cats, Rocco and Dottie. When not helping customers design their solar dreams, Stuart might be found on the racetrack, as an amateur road racer with the Sports Car Club of America, or metal detecting or spinning records as a DJ! For the future, Stuart envisions growing with mtvSolar as it becomes West Virginia’s #1 Solar Company!
Karleigh Dodson
Karleigh joined mtvSolar in December 2022 as the company’s Accounts Payable clerk. She saw an opportunity to grow her skillset in a growing industry that makes a positive impact on the planet.
She said she knew right away she’d made the right decision to join the company, which feels like a family.
Karleigh is from Hancock, Md. and now lives in Berkeley Springs, WV with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.
When she’s not working, you can find Karleigh outdoors with friends and family, making new memories or enjoying delicious food. She also enjoys watching mystery, drama or reality TV shows.
Karleigh’s favorite quotes comes from Theodore Roosevelt: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
If she could change one thing about the world, it would be for everyone to be kind and accepting of one another, regardless of our differences. Our differences are what make us unique and that is what makes the world such a great place. How boring would it be if we were all the same?
Kasey Yancey
Kasey joined mtvSolar in October of 2022 after working in the banking industry for Navy Federal Credit Union for six years. Before that, she worked with adults with disabilities to help them volunteer in their communities. Kasey comes from Shenandoah County, Va., where she calls Strasburg her hometown. Currently, she and husband Robert (who works on our Commercial Install team) are living in Woodstock, Va. renovating Kasey’s grandmother’s 1850 home! The couple also shares their home with three dogs – Bella, a pit, and Roxy and Titan, their Rottweilers. When Kasey isn’t managing mtvSolar’s many demands, she loves to walk her dogs, read and restore her family’s historic home. In the future, Kasey wants to keep growing with the mtvSolar family. She moved from office assistant to residential project manager and hopes to keep adding to her expertise and professional development.
Natalie Grantham Friend
Natalie joined mtvSolar in July 2022 as a Solar PV Consultant. She was looking for an opportunity to use her electrician skills in a creative way and is naturally a people person.
Natalie lives in Kearneysville, WV with her three children — Nell, Lew and Sam — and their Chocolate Lab, Finn. They live on her family’s farm, the Bi-Centenial Farm. As a solar consultant, Natalie hopes to get solar on as many farms as possible.
When she’s not working at mtvSolar or on farm-related endeavors, she likes to socialize outdoors with family and friends. If she’s inside, you might find Natalie binge-watching comedy specials or making one of her killer care-packages.
Natalie’s favorite quote is from Bishop Desmond Tutu: “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”
Two changes she’d wish to see in the world is for people to realize we all have more in common than we are different, and for everyone to know where their food comes from.
Casey Feezle
Casey Feezle joined mtvSolar in December of 2022 as Solar PV Consultant. His eagerness to join mtvSolar stemmed almost entirely from the company culture, which he said was an inviting group of people with the most “electrifying” positive energy he’d seen. He said he’s very excited to work for a company so passionate about helping their employees grow, both personally and professionally.
Casey lives in Winchester with his fiance, who is a world-traveling opera singer, their three cats — Salem, Baron and Potts — a dog, Oliver.
When he’s not helping customers with solar, Casey is active in the wine community, which is his first passion. He is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, helps people with private curation, wine tours, and private tastings. He’s also a TAMS certified Bartender and Mixologists.
Casey’s favorite quotes is from Beverly Sills: “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
In addition to being a wine expert, Casey is also incredibly ambidextrous!
In his downtime, he likes to watch Stranger Things, The Golden Girls, Survivor, Chopped, Spartacus, The 100, Jane the Virgin and other shows.
In the next few years, he plans to become a Master Sommelier, own his own distribution company, and be amongst the top sales people at mtvSolar.
One change he would like to see in the world would be for people to have a greater sense of empathy, to listen carefully before making the commitment to judge another.
Bob Marggraf
Bob has more than 20 years of senior level executive responsibility
as CEO and COO of a number of companies from start up organizations
to international companies with annual revenues in excess of $200
Million. Over his career Bob has raised venture capital in excess
$170 Million for a number of startup companies, led several M&A
transactions and as an investment banker with the McLean Group he
advised and facilitated merger and acquisition work for a number of
clients. He has also done a number of turnarounds and restructuring
in a variety of industries including stabilizing a large not for
profit involving more than 25 international organizations.
At
mtv Solar Bob supports the team in the development of larger
commercial accounts, financing, capital formation , organization
development and creation of new service offerings. He began working
with mtv approximately 10 years ago when the company was first formed
and has enjoyed seeing the organization mature into a leader in the
solar industry.
Danielle Hovermale
Danielle Hovermale joined mtvSolar in March of 2021 after working in food service, account management and manufacturing, as well as serving in the Army Reserve since 2007 as a medic, carpentry and masonry specialist, construction supervisor, construction project manager, and instructor.
Growing up in southwestern Pennsylvania and Western Maryland, Danielle moved to Berkeley Springs in 2015. She and her husband Matt have been married since 2021 and have a dog named Duke and two cats, MacArthur and Clyde. When they’re not working, Danielle and Matt will most likely be found on a bike trail somewhere, riding or teaching youngsters how to ride mountain bikes or BMX bikes. Danielle also loves fitness and cooking. One of her dreams for the future is to become a certified mountain bike instructor, and focus on getting more women on bikes!
Kerry Allden-Collins
Kerry officially joined the mtvSolar team in 2019. She had followed the company’s growth since 2009 and was drawn to the company’s inspiring mission and strong values. Kerry wholeheartedly believes in mtvSolar’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and is proud to be part of a collaborative and dedicated team of professionals. The mtvSolar mission and family-first values create an environment that fuels her passion for making a positive impact in our communities and in the lives of those with whom we partner. She is tireless in harnessing the talents of those on her team to bring out the best for employees and clients.
One aspect that holds special significance for Kerry is mtvSolar’s solar give-back programs, which actively benefit local communities. Being able to contribute to these initiatives brings her immense fulfillment, knowing that she is helping create a brighter future for those around her.
Mike McKechnie
Mike McKechnie is the President of Mountain View Solar which is a leading local solar and battery installation firm with twenty-five local staff and more than 1,000 renewable energy systems installed in the residential, non-profit, commercial, and public sectors. In 2008, he was awarded with the West Virginia Environmental Council’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award, in 2012 he was awarded the Small Business Administration’s “Entrepreneurial Success of the Year” Award, and in 2018 he was awarded the Small Business Administration’s “West Virginia Minority-Owned Business of the Year Award”.
Sarah Joy
Sarah joined the MTV Family in September 2019 as our Project Manager. After graduating college she held a few jobs in a number of different fields, from being a corrections officer, a lab tech and an assistant project manager in the wireless telecom industry to finding her new Family here at MTV.
She knew it would be a good fit after her first interview and felt good in knowing she could help both the company, and the world as a whole by joining the alternative energy field, something she knew next to nothing about, but has dived in and learned quite a bit over the past few months. Sarah is the main point of contact at the office and gets to know so very many of our wonderful clients.
Sarah grew up in New Jersey, so one might think of her a a “Joisey Girl”, but she lived surrounded by hundreds of acres of woodlands which instilled her love of the outdoors. Since college she has lived in Virginia, and Maryland, but she and her Husband Scott, wanted some land of their own and found it in beautiful West Virginia.
Sarah and Scott are converting a barn into their home, so most of her spare time is spent on numerous DIY projects. When they do take a break from that, you can find Sarah outside, either gardening or playing with their two dogs, Daisy and Cookie. In the evenings, or if the weather doesn’t allow for outside time, Sarah enjoys watching “This Is Us”, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”, or more likely, a movie, as she’s a huge movie buff and has a collection of over 200 films!
In the next few years Sarah would like to have her home completed, and be able to spend some time exploring the world with Scott, learning a new language and perhaps learning how to paint!
Rob Thompson
Rob started his career with Mountain View Solar six years ago. Having a passion to learn about the solar industry, and wanting to do something in the fight to combat climate change, he knew this would be the best place to work.
Although Rob was born in Baltimore he has been in Berkeley Springs for quite some time and calls it home. He met his partner Amy in high school and together they have three incredibly gorgeous, smart and athletic teenage children; Jared 19, Peyton 18, and Jayda 13. They all share their house with their active 2 year old Husky Apollo.
Anyone with children may be able to guess where Rob can be found when he’s not hard at work. He spends a great deal of time at football games, wrestling matches Softball, basketball and volleyball games! That is a full schedule for all of them! He lives for his children and is a super proud dad!
Having had experience with construction equipment, Rob soon found himself the designated driver/trainer for the big equipment we use for Ground Mounted Systems. He has an eye for detail and helps make all of our ground mounted systems look unbelievably beautiful.
He is always willing to help in any way that he can, and there is no doubt that if he ever came back to the shop shirtless, it would be because he literally gave someone in need the shirt off his back.
Rob has been through a lot in his life and often thinks of his favorite quote, from the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali: He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life
When he’s not at the kids sporting events, or walking the dog (husky’s have a LOT of energy!) you can find Rob watching anything Marvel related on TV, and most likely whipping up a delicious meal in the kitchen.
Recently Rob has started learning more about the electrical side of the solar business, and is looking forward to getting his Journeyman license soon.
Rob would love to live in a world without poverty where all beings were treated equally.
Trevor Jamison
Like many of our employees Trevor came to work here because he wanted to make an improvement in the world. He studied electricity and could have gone a number of different routes, but ultimately new this was the place he wanted to be.
Working along side Ryan, our master electrician, for the past 4.5 years, Trevor has learned a great deal about solar and is now the lead electrician on a good deal of our residential installs.
Trevor loves to work on cars and trucks in his spare time, and can often be found in his garage, doing just that. He also loves to go to car shows, go fishing and kayaking.
Trevor will also happily sit down and have a long discussion about any manor of things, he will listen and contribute, always willing to learn and impart knowledge. That may sound a little “deep” but he also thoroughly enjoys a good binging of The Munsters, or laughing hysterically with friends over seemingly benign statements, or the fact that he can roll his eyes into the back of his head!
Trevor is continually studying and looks forward to becoming a Master Electrician, not at all an easy feat, but one we are sure he will achieve.
Trevor would love to live in a world where peace reigned supreme, I think we can all agree that living in such a world would be wonderful. With gentle souls like Trevor in this world, we are already on the way to a better place.
Brandon Widdows
Brandon Widdows joined mtvSolar in August of 2015, just three months out of high school. He came into the solar job with experience in general construction, helping his grandfather on summers and weekends on different jobs. He even worked at Dairy Queen before finding his niche with mtvSolar. Today, Brandon is a clear leader on our team, having moved from installation team member to the Lead of our Commercial crew. When Brandon isn’t driving our commercial projects to completion, he likes to golf, fish and hunt. Originally from Hagerstown, Md., Brandon moved to West Virginia in middle school and has stayed. He and his fiance have a 7 year old daughter and 2 year old son, and they share their home with two cats, Blaze and Binx! Brandon continues to build his future as a solar professional, looking to obtain his NABCEP professional installer certification this year, continuing to add to the well-built reputation of Mountain View. In 2024, he achieved a huge goal of his, becoming a West Virginia Master Electrician.
Shane LaBrush
Shane joined our Mountain View Solar Team two years ago as a Solar Consultant. He brings much experience to the MTV sales team.
He had worked for another solar company, but ultimately Shane wanted to join our team after meeting Mike, the owner, and some of the other team members, he had never met so many people in this industry that had such vast experience and knowledge about PV Solar, battery backup, and energy management. He also truly appreciates Mike’s enthusiasm and vision, as well as his commitment to helping the community through give back programs, helping to find a new path for the West Virginia energy. Couple that with Shane’s love of the mountains and rivers as well as the people of West Virginia, and Mountain View Solar is a perfect fit.
Shane has two beautiful little girls that keep he and his wife Katie very busy. They also have one dog, a scruffy little fella named George!
When he isn’t working you can find Shane on the river, either whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking, skills he is passing onto his children. He also likes hiking, climbing, and fishing. Shane always has his girls enjoying the outdoors and trying new things. He also teaches Middle and High Schoolers about water quality issues, a truly important thing for kids to learn! He is a team building facilitator, working with business professionals and with struggling veterans in a nature setting.
Shane also coaches his daughter in sports, as well as teaching scouts. Not only is he an ACA Kayak instructor but a snowboarder as well! I definitely can say Shane loves the outdoors.
Shane currently lives in Pleasant Valley, Maryland but is originally from Sabillasvile Maryland, where he grew up as a child.
You may hear Shane say, “Do your part, that’s all you can do to make the word better, but that’s a lot!”. It is one of his favorite quotes, and it’s a good one.
Shane doesn’t have much free time, but when he does, he enjoys educational documentaries pertaining to the wild outdoors. I can’t say we’re surprised.
He is able to play multiple instruments, a skill he calls weird, but we in the office call awesome! We are lucky to have him as part of the team.
John Christensen
John worked as a Merchant Marine for 30 years, but knowing he was too young, and full of energy to retire, he began another career as a lobbyist on behalf of the environment and people’s health through enviro- protection measures.
His goal as a lobbyist in 2008 was to get introduced a bill that gives WV residents a $2000 tax credit to install solar energy systems on their property. In 2009 that goal became reality as we passed on the final night of the session our bill just before the stroke of midnight. Although the credit is no longer available, it certainly helped a lot of West Virginians get Solar early on when the cost was a bit higher than it is now! Shortly after the bill passed John asked Mike for a job and he said YES on the spot without an interview or resume’, thus his life with MTVSolar began. John continuously fights for solar and other renewable energies for the state.
When he first joined MTV he wanted to get back to doing some “hands on “ work, as he had done for years on the ship. Before long Mike put John on a crew installing solar hot water systems in existing homes to help them lower their electric usage. Two years after that, John found himself on rooftops helping install full solar arrays. John was wonderful on the crew, but as happens with all of us if we’re lucky, he soon realized that steep roof planes, and full adulthood wasn’t the best mix, so John opted to get off the roof and spend more time as a lobbyist. In this role John has gone to numerous meetings in Charleston, always representing Solar and MTV in a wonderful light, and helping the powers that be, understand the wisdom and importance of renewable energy for all.
John, who incidentally is the uncle of Mike Studholme, one of our Energy Consultants, lives on a 5 acre Farmette, just outside of Hedgesville, WV. He shares his farm with his handsome yet mischievous cat Willie! He enjoys his gardening area, and plans on adding a greenhouse into the mix so he can grow vegetables in an extended season.
He still has one of the original Nissan Leaf sedans! His home and transportation needs are mostly covered by the 9.4kW solar system on his roof.
Mike Studholme
Mike Studholme joined mtvSolar as an intern in 2012 and then became a full-time employee in May of 2013, joining the residential install crew and working all sorts of different positions before rising to become one of the company’s top PV consultants with solar professional certifications to match. Before getting into solar, Mike managed a camp store and worked at restaurants and in retail. His diverse experience and people skills have put him in the lead on the mtvSolar sales team and help him advance the solar industry in the region.
When he’s not designing solar and energy solutions in the quad-state, Mike will be spending time with his wife Sam and their son and daughter and dogs Ollie (Mountain Shepherd) and Izzy (Border Collie Shepherd mix). They’ll be exploring the outdoors, playing sports and floating down a river somewhere. He credits mtvSolar Master Electrician Ryan Slack with introducing him to his future wife, who works for the American Heart Association – a fitting job for someone with a heart as big as Sam’s!
Mike hopes to be celebrating 30+ years with mtvSolar one day, making an impact on people’s lives, the reliability of the energy grid and the planet. He aspires to be able to look back on his life surrounded by people he loves, and feel joy and pride for all the memories they’ve made. He’d also like to someday own a house with a dock to boat and fish with the family from.
Brenda Rippeon
MTVSolar hit the jackpot when Brenda joined the team almost two years ago. We desperately needed a shop Manager, and Brenda fit the role perfectly.
Not only does she make sure the crew has coffee and fresh baked muffins in the morning and water for the job site, she also keeps inventory of the many, many pieces of hardware we use, takes deliveries, cleans the shop, and helps make sure every job has what it needs. If the crew finds they need something unexpected, Brenda will bring it to them with a smile on her face.
Brenda came to Berkeley Springs from Cumberland Maryland 15 years ago. She lives here with her husband Wade and their two dogs and six cats. Brenda also is the Grandmother to Brandon Widdows, who is an electrical journeyman for MTV Solar. His grandmother Brenda has instilled such a great work ethic in him! She loves her family, riding her motorcycle, and helping sick children and their families. She is continually gathering food, clothes and special little gifts to give to those in need. When she isn’t out riding, or helping others, she likes to put her feet up and watch Dennis the Menace or Blondie and Dagwood. When she was younger she was very good at jumping rope backwards, and I’m sure we will see her great-granddaughter doing that in a few years!
She would love a world where all children, the elderly and animals were safe from harm, and she absolutely does her part to make that happen.
Ryan Slack
Ryan Slack joined mtvSolar in October 2011 with an interest in the electrical trades, and has risen to be the company’s Master Electrician and Production Manager. Ryan balances the technical knowledge, logistical expertise and spirit of excellence that drives mtvSolar into the future. Before entering the solar industry, Ryan worked in residential electrical, commercial HVAC, sheet metal fabrication and manufactured fiberglass insulation. While he grew up in Charleston,WV, Berkeley Springs has become home to him, his wife and their son along with their pets Clutch, a Stafford terrier & Gizmo, their French bulldog. When Ryan is not leading the team, he loves to go bowhunting. In the future, Ryan sees mtvSolar as the #1 solar and energy storage contractor on the East Coast!
MaryKate Monaghan-Miles
MaryKate began working full-time with mtvSolar in June of 2018 after gaining four years of experience in Human Resources at Horizon Goodwill Industries, building on her previous work as an office worker and legal assistant.
When she is not championing the team at mtvSolar, MaryKate enjoys music, movies and TV, mixed media crafting and art.
MaryKate is married and the proud mother of two grown sons, and lives in Hagerstown, her forever home. She strives to make her family home the best place for family and friends to relax and truly enjoy life.
Stacy Slovinsky
When Stacy joined the MTV family four years ago, she brought with her a wonderfully friendly energy to accompany her brilliant smile. Stacy is one of two Project Coordinators. She submits most of the building, electrical and net metering applications. It may not sound like much, but since MTVSolar permits in four states and numerous counties, each with their own process, Stacy is an essential part of the operation, from the beginning to the end. She has relationships with permitting offices, utility companies and inspectors from our entire installation area, and we are lucky to have her.
Stacy heard about the opening from Kelly Waugh, MTV’s VP, and since the hours she would be needed worked out perfectly for her schedule she came for the interview. Within minutes, we knew she was a perfect fit.
Stacy grew up in Baltimore, but in 2000 her husband was transferred to Fed Ex in Hagerstown. That led to them buying their house in beautiful West-By-Gosh- Virginia.
At home Stacy lives with her husband Mike, their three children, Mathew, Evan and Ava, a mini lop bunny, appropriately named Nibbles, and a sweet Cavachon pup named Brinkley. If it were completely up to Stacy, there would be another dog or two, and perhaps a cat in the mix too.
Her children are her life, and as any parent of three children knows, she spends most of her time running the kids to and from sporting events and dance classes, She wouldn’t have it any other way, and enjoys every moment spent with them.
Stacy is also a phenomenal DIY-er, and has many projects to prove it, all of them turn out perfectly! When she’s not working on crafts, she likes to paint, and maybe hop over to TJ MAXX to pick up a few things. It works, as her sense of style is second to none!
After a long day of working, running the kids around and taking Brinkley for a good walk, Stacy enjoys snuggling on the sofa with her pup while watching Gilmore Girls, Greys Anatomy and sometimes Criminal Minds.
Stacy believes that you should Smile always, as the warmth of a smile goes a long way. She is so very right, especially with her magnificent smile.
Stacy plans on continuing to grow with her second family, “MTVSolar”, as she loves the people and the company and what it is doing for the future of the world
When asked if she could change one thing in the world, her response was one that truly shows the beauty within: “That everyone could see the good in each other despite any political preference. There are wonderful people in the world and we live in the UNITED States! I would love for everyone to be United together for the good of the world!”
Kiki McKechnie
Kiki McKechnie joined mtvSolar in September of 2014 after working in the IT department for a nationwide retail chain. Kiki grew up in Prince George’s County in Maryland, but spent many of her formative years in Holland and England! When she’s not sorting through leads and inquiries for mtvSolar, Kiki loves to spend time taking photos – especially of her grandchildren and animals. Family and pets are super important to Kiki, as she celebrates having two sons and a daughter and their spouses, two grandchildren, husband Dave, bonus son and daughter and granddaughter, plus Pup Zelda and Cats Snickers and Big Grey. (That’s a lot of pictures she has to take!) If she’s not behind the lens, Kiki may be watching a soccer match of any kind, always cheering for the underdog (or Barcelona). She hopes for a future in which she and Dave can retire to some land by water, and spend their extra time visiting friends and family.
Lydian Miles-Monaghan
Lydie: The Electric Avenue Queen
Lydie is the brains behind mtvSolar’s battery magic. With over a decade of wrangling complex tech, from software to circuits, she’s our go-to guru for energy storage. But don’t let her techie title fool you – this woman is a passionate environmentalist with a love for all things electric. When she’s not conjuring up battery breakthroughs, you might find her resurrecting ancient computers, spinning vinyl, or cruising in her solar-powered ride. A true innovator with a heart of gold, Lydie’s on a mission to power the future and banish hatred from the world. As she wisely says, “Experience is the one thing you get, right after you need it!”
Kelly Waugh started working with Mike McKechnie when she was in high school and got hired to do office work for his construction company, Mountain View Builders. Since 2001, Kelly has supported and invested in the growth and transformation of the company into a renewables energy leader for the region.
Now CFO, Vice President and minority owner of mtvSolar, Kelly continues to lead and guide the company through ongoing changes in the renewable energy industry.
“I have had the pleasure of working for, and with, some of the greatest people I have ever known. I enjoy the work that I personally do, and I am genuinely proud of the work that mtvSolar does, and the integrity with which we do it,” Kelly said. She stands out with a leadership style that values employees, highlights excellence and advances equity.
When she’s not working, Kelly loves to read, exercise, attend live sporting events, have dinner with friends, travel, and above all else, spend time with her family. Originally from Maryland, Kelly has called West Virginia home since childhood.
One of Kelly’s guiding philosophies is to make the world better at any opportunity.
