The Solar Power World editorial team is proud to continue our Top Solar Champions awards program that began in 2021. These four awards, open to all those employed by Top Solar Contractor companies, highlight talent in the industry in different skill areas.
The 2022 Top Solar Advocate award-winner is Mike Teresso, president of Escondido, California’s, Baker Electric Home Energy.
Since joining the company in 2013, Teresso has used his leadership position to advocate for positive solar policy at both the state and federal level.
Teresso provided testimony before the California Public Utilities Commission during the NEM 2.0 hearings in 2016 and has recently been a vocal supporter of Save California Solar’s campaign to rectify the CPUC’s NEM 3.0 proposal. Teresso encourages his employees to get involved in these efforts, making Baker well-represented at rallies and other advocacy events.
Teresso also wrote an opinion piece against the initial NEM 3.0 proposal for the San Diego Union-Tribune, and appeared on local news stations talking about the implications of poor solar policy.
At the national level, Teresso traveled to Washington, D.C., in 2017 to testify before the U.S. International Trade Commission during the Section 201 solar tariff hearings.
State, local and national policy has a major impact on solar markets in the United States, and leaders like Teresso are necessary for ensuring industry growth.
I think that Mike has lost touch with his business. I am a happy Baker Solar customer that noticed today that all of the wiring on my solar panels is laying on my roof and no longer secured to the panels. I called Baker and held for 28 minutes and no one ever answered and then it disconnected me. I tried again with no results.
I wrote them on their internet site and they had someone call me that did not speak English as a first language and she informed me that she would have someone call me. They did and she did not speak English at all and wanted to sell me a solar system.
The hardest think to acquire is a customer and once you get one you should do everything in your power to keep them! Mike, you used to be involved with your company and that is how it grew so fast. Now, you do TV ads and no one answers your phones! Spend less on ads and more on people that can talk to your customers and you get back on track!
I’ll call one of your competitors and get them to look at my system and give me a bid on fixing it correctly. I’ll then forward the bill to you for prompt payment.
Scot Stern
A former Happy Customer
Congratulations Mr. Teresso!
Congratulations Mike and well deserved! It’s been a pleasure knowing you and “talking shop” over the years.