25 Best Solar Influencers in 2025 (for Installers & Business Owners)

If you’re in the solar space, you already know how fast things change. New policies. Smarter tech. Shifting customer expectations. Trying to keep up? It’s not easy — unless you’re plugged into the right people.

That’s where these solar influencers come in.

Whether you're an installer, EPC, designer, or business owner, these are the voices who can help you stay ahead — sharing the latest updates on incentives, project best practices, design tools, battery integration, and more. They’re not just posting pretty charts — they’re offering real-world advice that helps you close more deals, work smarter, and stay compliant.

We didn’t throw this list together based on follower counts. Each person featured here was selected based on four key factors:

• Credibility: Are they active professionals or leaders in the field?
• Engagement: Do their insights actually resonate with other solar pros?
• Relevance: Are they sharing content that helps solar businesses grow?
• Practical Value: Can you take action on what they share?

‍LinkedIn content from solar thought leaders gets 30% more engagement than general energy posts (LinkedIn B2B Insights, 2024). That’s because their advice hits where it matters — in the field, in the boardroom, and at the installation site.

This freshly updated 2025 list includes a mix of industry veterans, emerging voices, policy insiders, field-level educators, and visual storytellers — all of whom are helping shape the future of solar. Ready to meet them? Let’s dive in.

Why These Voices Matter to Solar Businesses

In a hands-on industry like solar, the best insights don’t always come from textbooks or corporate whitepapers — they come from the people who are actually out there doing the work.

These influencers aren’t just talking heads. They’re solar professionals, policy leaders, engineers, marketers, and business owners who’ve been in your shoes. And whether they’re sharing tips from the job site, breaking down the latest policy changes, or walking through a new proposal tool on Instagram — their content can make your life easier.

Here’s why tuning into the right voices matters:

• Stay ahead of change: Regulations, incentives, and tech are always evolving. Influencers often talk about these shifts before the big trade journals catch up.
• Learn from experience (without the mistakes): Many of these folks share real-world lessons — what worked, what didn’t, and how they solved tough challenges on the ground.
• Train your team smarter: Use their videos, posts, or podcasts to onboard new hires or keep your crew sharp without spending hours on courses.
• Grow your business faster: Thought leadership doesn’t just build credibility — it attracts leads. Sharing or engaging with the right content can fuel sales conversations and brand trust.
• Avoid blind spots: When you're busy in the field, it's easy to miss emerging trends. Influencers help you spot what’s coming next — from software shifts to battery policies — before it impacts your bottom line.

In short? Following the right people helps you save time, make better decisions, and grow with confidence.

How We Selected the 25 Influencers

Let’s be real — not everyone with a big following is actually helpful to solar professionals.

We didn’t just search for who had the most likes or followers. Instead, we took a careful, well-rounded approach to make sure every person on this list brings real value to people like you: installers, EPCs, designers, and solar business owners.

Here’s how we narrowed it down:

• We looked at leadership and credibility. Are they actively shaping the industry? Running solar companies? Leading policy change? Speaking on major platforms?
• We paid attention to content — not just quantity, but quality. Are they sharing practical insights? Consistently? Is their content actually helping people in the field?
• We made sure they speak to the right audience. This list is built with working solar professionals in mind — not hobbyists or hype accounts.
• We aimed for balance. You’ll see a mix of policy pros, business leaders, field trainers, tech voices, and even visual educators who make complex topics easy to understand.
• We thought globally. While many are based in the US and Europe, we’ve included voices from around the world — because solar is a global movement, and the best ideas often cross borders.

In the end, we chose people who are respected, relevant, and real — the kind of folks who make you stop scrolling and think, “I can actually use this.”

25 Best Solar Influencers in 2025

Policy & Industry Leaders

These are the solar world’s big-picture thinkers — the people influencing policy, scaling projects, and shaping the future of clean energy from the top down. If you want to understand where the industry is heading (and what might impact your business next), these are the names to know.

Steph Speirs – Founder & CEO, Solstice

Why She Matters: Steph is a powerful advocate for community solar and energy equity, making solar accessible to families who traditionally get left out of clean energy. Her work is changing who solar is for — and who benefits.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn, Twitter (@StephSpeirs)
Quote: “Community solar is how we flip the power dynamic.”
Location & Followers: US-based, ~20K followers

Abby Hopper – President & CEO, SEIA

Why She Matters: Abby is at the forefront of solar policy in the U.S., helping shape everything from the Inflation Reduction Act to interconnection rules. She’s not just fighting for growth — she’s fighting for fairness.
Where to Follow: Twitter, LinkedIn
Quote: “We need to remove barriers and scale solar for all Americans.”
Location & Followers: US, ~15K followers

Jigar Shah – Director, DOE Loan Programs Office; Founder, Carbon War Room

Why He Matters: Jigar bridges government and finance better than almost anyone. He’s helped unlock billions in clean energy projects by thinking like a startup and moving like a policymaker.
Where to Follow: Twitter (@JigarShahDC), LinkedIn
Quote: “Bring the private sector capital to drive clean energy at scale.”
Location & Followers: US, ~25K followers

Lynn Jurich – Co‑Founder & CEO, Sunrun

Why She Matters: Lynn helped invent the solar-as-a-service model, bringing rooftop solar to homeowners who didn’t want the hassle or upfront costs. Her vision made solar mainstream in the U.S.
Where to Follow: Twitter (@LynnJurich), LinkedIn
Quote: “Solar isn’t just panels—it’s a whole-home energy solution.”
Location & Followers: US, ~30K followers

Richard Chandler – Managing Director, AEP Renewables

Why He Matters: Richard leads major utility-scale solar deployments, overseeing gigawatts of clean power projects that feed directly into the U.S. grid. Quietly, he’s helping solar go big.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn
Quote: “We’re positioning solar as a grid-scale solution.”
Location & Followers: US, ~8K followers

Business & Operations Experts

These are the leaders turning clean energy vision into solar-powered reality. From scaling billion-dollar portfolios to making financing frictionless for homeowners, these experts are shaping the way solar gets sold, built, and sustained — every day. If you're running a team, growing a business, or building your operations, these are the people worth watching.

Nico Johnson – Host, SunCast Podcast

Why He Matters: Nico is the guy who’s been having real conversations with solar pros since before it was trendy. With over 300K+ podcast downloads, his interviews with CEOs, sales teams, and field veterans give you the stories — and lessons — behind the headlines.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify
Quote: “Every installer has a story — SunCast shares them.”
Location & Followers: Global, 20K LinkedIn followers

Leonardo Moreno – EVP, AES Clean Energy

Why He Matters: Leonardo has led the development of over 23 GW of clean energy, helping push large-scale solar into utility portfolios worldwide. He’s a strategic thinker who makes big moves — and gets things built.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn, Twitter (@LE0NARD0M0REN0)
Quote: “Affordable clean energy is within reach.”
Location & Followers: US, 10K followers

Mark Donahue – SVP, Mortenson Solar Team

Why He Matters: Mark has overseen 7 GW worth of solar — and counting. If you want to know how utility-scale operations really scale, he’s one of the minds behind the curtain.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn
Quote: “Execution at scale is where real value is created.”
Location & Followers: US, 6K followers

Sara Ross – Co-Founder, Sungage Financial & Undaunted 12

Why She Matters: Sara’s work in solar financing has opened the door for thousands of homeowners and schools to go solar. Her mission? Make financing simple, ethical, and accessible.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn
Quote: “Financing is how we close adoption gaps.”
Location & Followers: US, 5K followers

Jesse Jenkins, PhD – Research Director, Princeton ZERO Lab

Why He Matters: Jesse sits at the intersection of energy systems modeling and real-world policy. His research helps utilities, governments, and businesses understand how to decarbonize efficiently — with solar at the center.
Where to Follow: Twitter (@JesseJenkins), LinkedIn
Quote: “We need a zero-carbon grid that works for everyone.”
Location & Followers: US, 12K followers

Declan Flanagan – EVP & CEO, Ørsted US Onshore

Why He Matters: Declan is a behind-the-scenes force in utility-scale renewables, helping Ørsted scale its U.S. footprint through acquisition and execution.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn
Quote: “Bringing scale and synergy to renewables.”
Location & Followers: US, 4K followers

Billy Parish – Co-Founder, Mosaic

Why He Matters: A true solar visionary, Billy co-founded Mosaic, one of the earliest platforms to finance residential solar. His mission to democratize solar financing has helped shape the industry’s growth.
Where to Follow: Twitter (@billyparish), LinkedIn
Quote: “Solar needs to be simple and accessible.”
Location & Followers: US, 7K followers

Field-Level Technicians & Consultants

These are the people working closest to the action — the boots-on-the-ground experts, lab testers, tech marketers, and field trainers who turn strategy into execution. They know what really happens on rooftops, in trenches, and behind the software — and they’re generous enough to share what they’ve learned.

Tor “Solar Fred” Valenza – Founder, UnThink Solar

Why He Matters: Tor blends marketing with mission. Known online as “Solar Fred,” he’s a longtime advocate for humanizing solar messaging and helping installers better communicate with their customers.
Where to Follow: Twitter (@SolarFred), LinkedIn
Quote: “Talk solar like people, not engineers.”
Location & Followers: US, 8K followers

Kelly Pickerel – Editor-in-Chief, Solar Power World

Why She Matters: Kelly’s work has helped thousands of contractors and manufacturers stay on top of product trends, policy changes, and field success stories. She brings clarity to an industry filled with noise.
Where to Follow: Twitter (@SolarKellyP), LinkedIn
Quote: “We aim to lift contractor expertise across the board.”
Location & Followers: US, 6K followers

Jenya Meydbray – CEO, PV Evolution Labs

Why He Matters: If you’ve ever worried about solar panel durability, Jenya is the guy who’s probably tested it. His work at PVEL sets the industry standard for module reliability and performance benchmarking.
Where to Follow: Twitter (@Jenya101), LinkedIn
Quote: “Test, validate, trust — module reliability matters.”
Location & Followers: Europe, 3K followers

Michael Arndt – President & GM, Recurrent Energy

Why He Matters: Michael’s been behind the scenes on some of the largest utility-scale solar builds in North America. His focus on execution and long-term performance makes him a must-follow for anyone working at scale.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn
Quote: “The challenge is building once — not piecemeal.”
Location & Followers: US, 4K followers

Erika Mackie – Co-Founder & CEO, GRID Alternatives

Why She Matters: Erika is a force for good in solar — combining job training, economic empowerment, and renewable energy to serve underserved communities. Her organization has helped train thousands of workers and install no-cost systems for families across the U.S.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn
Quote: “Solar isn’t just energy — it’s economic opportunity.”
Location & Followers: US, 5K followers

Tom Buttgenbach, PhD – Co-Founder & CEO, 8minute Solar Energy

Why He Matters: With over 18 GW of solar and 24 GW of storage under development, Tom is behind some of the biggest solar projects in the world. His work is pushing the boundaries of what large-scale solar can do.
Where to Follow: LinkedIn
Quote: “We must marry solar and storage at scale.”
Location & Followers: US, 3K followers

Visual & Community Educators

Not every influencer needs to be behind a policy desk or a billion-dollar portfolio. These creators are boots-on-the-ground educators, storytellers, and content pros who bring solar to life through reels, tutorials, and relatable visual content. Whether you’re training a team, explaining solar to customers, or just staying inspired — these are the accounts worth adding to your feed.

Brandan Sirrine (@the_solar_goat) – Solar Installer & Influencer

Why He Matters: Brandan makes solar education fun and hands-on, sharing real installation footage, tips, and tools through Instagram Reels. With over 10 years in the field, he bridges the gap between technical know-how and everyday installer life.
Where to Follow: Instagram (@the_solar_goat)
Quote: “10 years in solar and still never a boring day!”
Location & Followers: US, 114K IG followers

Solar Lily (@solar.lilli) – Solar Educator & Visual Storyteller

Why She Matters: Solar Lily brings solar to life through gorgeous visuals, infographics, and day-in-the-life stories that resonate with the next-gen solar community. Her content is as educational as it is scroll-stopping.
Where to Follow: Instagram (@solar.lilli)
Quote: Consistently shares engaging, informative visuals that simplify solar for everyone.
Location & Followers: Global, 106K IG followers

Solar Guitars Official (@solarguitars) – Solar Lifestyle Content

Why They Matter: Merging lifestyle with solar branding, this unique account connects solar themes to culture, design, and music. Not your typical solar feed — but one that earns attention and sparks ideas.
Where to Follow: Instagram (@solarguitars)
Location & Followers: Global, 304K IG followers

Solar Tackle (@solar_tackle) – Practical Installation Tips

Why They Matter: Built for installers by installers, this account shares short, practical clips on tools, gear setups, and job-site hacks. Ideal for field techs or anyone who likes bite-sized, real-world content.
Where to Follow: Instagram (@solar_tackle)
Location & Followers: Global, 100K IG followers

Louis Cole (@funforlouis) – Travel + Solar Storytelling

Why He Matters: A global traveler with a passion for sustainable energy, Louis documents solar projects across continents. His videos mix adventure with awareness — perfect for broadening your perspective.
Where to Follow: Instagram (@funforlouis), YouTube
Quote: Showcases real-world solar stories from India to Iceland.
Location & Followers: Global, 2M YouTube subscribers

E4 Energias Renovaveis (@e4renovaveis) – Brazilian Solar Insights

Why They Matter: E4 offers a vibrant look at the Latin American solar scene, showcasing installs, product demos, and regional insights with high engagement from local pros.
Where to Follow: Instagram (@e4renovaveis)
Location & Followers: Brazil, 161K IG followers

Canal Solar (@canal.solar) – Educational Solar Channel

Why They Matter: One of the top Portuguese/Spanish-speaking accounts for tutorials, product walkthroughs, and regulatory updates — especially valuable for solar teams working in Latin America.
Where to Follow: Instagram (@canal.solar)
Location & Followers: Latin America, 151K IG followers

How to Use These Influencers Effectively

Following the right people is great — but how you follow them is what really makes the difference. These influencers aren’t just here to inspire your scroll breaks. They’re sharing knowledge you can use to grow your business, sharpen your team, and stay one step ahead in a fast-moving industry.

Here’s how to make the most of their content:

Follow With Intention

Not every post will apply to your work — and that’s okay. Focus on what aligns with your goals.

• Policy watchers (like Abby Hopper or Jigar Shah) help you stay on top of legislation, incentives, and deadlines.
• Installers and trainers (like Brandan Sirrine or Solar Tackle) bring job-site techniques, tool reviews, and real-world tips.
• Finance and ops experts offer frameworks for better proposals, faster installs, or streamlined sales.

Engage Actively

Don't just lurk. Comment on posts, share insights with your team, or ask thoughtful questions. The more you interact, the more value you’ll get — and the more likely you’ll build relationships with industry pros.

Use Their Content Strategically

Great influencer content doesn’t have to stay on Instagram. Reuse it in:

• Team trainings to show best practices
• Sales decks or proposals to strengthen your pitch
• Client conversations to add credibility or explain complex topics visually

Collaborate When It Makes Sense

Think beyond likes. Reach out for guest podcast spots, webinars, interviews, or even co-branded resources. Many of these influencers are open to partnerships — especially if you bring a unique audience or idea to the table.

Bottom Line

The solar industry isn’t just growing — it’s evolving fast. And keeping up doesn’t have to mean digging through long reports or waiting for the next conference. The right influencers are out there sharing gold daily — from funding updates and proposal tricks to regulatory alerts and hands-on install tips.

Whether you’re a seasoned EPC, a solo installer, or scaling a solar sales team, these 25 voices can help you stay informed, connected, and ahead of the curve. Follow them. Learn from them. And don’t be afraid to engage. Because in solar, community moves faster than competition.