Meet Christopher Sheldon of Southern Light Solar in South Coast

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Sheldon.

Based in New Bedford, Southern Light Solar was founded in 2013 by Christopher Sheldon and Melissa Welch. Interested in having solar electric systems installed on their own properties, they found that the existing marketplace had two flaws. 1) The incentive policies and sales proposals they received from other vendors were confusing; and 2) Most companies they dealt with were either big national and commercial companies, or mom and pop local companies not well suited for their projects.

After meeting with more than ten local and national companies, Chris and Melissa decided to start their own firm to handle the first batch of projects. Soon, friends and family members were asking if Southern Light Solar could install projects on their homes and businesses, and a company was born.

Four years later, Southern Light Solar has more than 20 employees in the New Bedford area, and has installed several hundred solar electric systems in Eastern Massachusetts.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing is smooth. Changes in incentive programs, seasonal fluctuations in the sales cycle, and the relative successes and failures of our competitors have led to a series of peaks and valleys along the way.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Southern Light Solar installs residential and commercial solar electric systems throughout Eastern Massachusetts. No project has been too big or two small, and the company thrives on projects that are unusual and out of the norm. Many companies in our field are looking for the easy sale, or the easy system. We work closely with our customers on the challenging projects to make sure they get the solar electric system they deserve.

What were you like growing up?
I was very active and a bit of an overachiever. In high school I was captain of the swim team, and Eagle Scout, and a member of the marching band. I graduated college in three years, and received an MBA in one. Since then, I’ve worked for strategy consulting firms in New York and Chicago, run for congress, and started three businesses.

Contact Info:

• Address: 287 Sawyer Street
  New Bedford, MA 02746
• Website: www.SouthernLightSolar.com
• Phone: 774-473-9339
• Email: info@southernlightsolar.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/southernlightsolar
• Twitter: @SoLightSolar

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