About Us

Michael is a professional engineer and has worked in the electricity industry for over 40 years with much of this time spent within corporate strategic planning at NB Power. Michael’s work has contributed to the development of major supply and transmission projects in New Brunswick as well as the development of NB Power’s long-term strategic plans.

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Currently Michael is working at the Emera and NB Power Research Centre for Smart Grid Technologies located on the University of New Brunswick Campus in Fredericton. Michael is active in electricity grid modernization research and is passionate about the development of sustainable pathways towards decarbonization and how grid modernization can help transform the relationship between the utility and consumer.

Richard Knappe was re-elected as Vice-Chair of Solar NB Solaire at our January AGM.

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 Richard is the owner of Epic Energy Solutions in Tracyville, just outside Fredericton.  Since 2011, Epic has installed over 1000 solar systems throughout New Brunswick totalling over 5 MW of capacity, with a specialty in off-grid and battery-backed up systems.

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Richard has long believed in the need for a provincial association to promote and grow solar in NB.  He was a member of the core committee that spearheaded the establishment of SNBS in 2025, and has been a Director on our Board from the start.

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As SNBS Vice-Chair, Richard is a member of the Executive Committee; helps set SNBS’s policies and priorities; and chairs Board meetings in the absence of the Chair.  He brings a deep knowledge of the solar landscape in NB, and a vision for what we can build with the right policy framework.

Alec Manley joined SNBS at our inaugural meeting in 2025 after hearing about the formation of the group and wanting to lend his voice to support the solar space in NB. 

Professionally, Alec works in research funding administration for the provincial research funder in NB, Research NB, where he is fortunate to be able to see some of the great innovative work being done in our province. 

Outside of the office, Alec lives off-grid (hence the interest in solar) in the Grand Lake area on a beautiful piece of land where he and his partner have a small greenhouse, some laying hens and large gardens. 

As Secretary of Solar NB Solaire, Alec keeps minutes and other records, and ensures our compliance with our by-laws and the Corporations Act.

Carl Duivenvoorden was one of the first Canadians to be personally trained by former US Vice President Al Gore to present live versions of his Academy Award-winning slideshow “An Inconvenient Truth”, in April 2007.

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Since then, he’s worked as a speaker, writer and sustainability consultant, helping people and organizations learn how they can save money, energy and our environment. He’s presented to over 500 audiences, and his column Green Ideas ran for 10 years in New Brunswick dailies.

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Carl is a big believer in the potential of solar, and was a member of the core committee that spearheaded the establishment of SNBS in 2025. His grid-tied solar system generates 100% of the power for his home and EV, plus provides emergency backup.​​

Angela Young has been the SNBS Director since our founding meeting in January 2025.

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Angela is an experienced Outside Sales professional with BayWare., based in New Brunswick. She’s well connected within our region’s solar circles, and brings strong relationship building skills and a proven ability to support customers across the energy and infrastructure sectors. Angela is dedicated to advancing sustainable technologies and supporting clean energy growth in the region.

As representative of an industry supplier, Angela brings a valuable perspective to the Solar NB Board. She’s committed to the responsible, future-ready development of our province’s solar potential.

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Eric Michaud was elected SNBS Director at our founding meeting a year ago.

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Eric works as an Energy Advisor Trainer and Energy Efficiency Consultant with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association New Brunswick (CHBA-NB).  He’s passionate about energy efficiency and high-performance construction, and brings a long list of credentials: he’s a Certified Energy Advisor through Natural Resources Canada; he’s licensed to audit and label residential and multi residential construction projects across Canada; and he’s a CHBA licensed Net Zero Energy Advisor.

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Eric has over 24 years of experience in energy efficiency, and has been involved in Net Zero construction projects since 2006 (including his own solar-equipped home).  He’s SNBS’s resident expert in training, codes and standards.

Chris Meechan is Solar Division Leader at Greenfoot Energy Solutions, where he oversees the design and installation of turnkey solar systems of all sizes, from residential to commercial to community to industrial.

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He’s a certified Canadian Home Builders Association Net Zero Builder / Net Zero Renovator, and is a contributing author of Natural Resources Canada’s Planning and Decision Guide for Solar PV Systems.  He has extensive experience with battery storage, building envelope improvements and the electrification of heating and cooling in homes and buildings.

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Chris was born and raised in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, where he witnessed the health effects of the Sydney Tar Ponds on residents of his community.  That motivated him to work in climate change mitigation, to ensure his daughters will live in a world with clean air and water.

Jeff Rogers is Director of Energy Efficiency for Hansen Solar Energy in Charlottetown, PEI.  He’s a graduate of the Energy Systems Engineering program at Holland College and has been working in the industry since 2021.

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Jeff believes that rising electricity rates, aging grid infrastructure and increasing pressure to decarbonize, combined with advances in panel efficiency, battery storage, and smart inverters, make this the perfect time for solar for homeowners, businesses and public institutions.  It’s a great opportunity for local job creation, skilled trades development, energy resilience and keeping energy dollars within our communities.

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He looks forward to working with the Board to advocate for progressive policies, streamlined application processes, consumer protection and workforce training, plus positioning our organization as a trusted voice in the solar space.

Jason Hibbard is a founder and President of Sunly Energy, headquartered in Charlottetown but active across Canada.  He has over 15 years of experience in the solar energy industry and has managed the installation of over 8,000 residential and commercial systems.

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Jason is passionate about the distributed solar and energy storage industry.  He brings his extensive real-world experience as well as his progressive and nimble thinking to our SNBS Board.