Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Kevin Butler, Founder & CEO of Sole Trader Renewable Energy

By Constance Thompson
August 30, 2021

Man in sunglasses, blue and red jacket, and yellow shirt standing in front of building.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the second installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.

Each installment will feature industry leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable energy economy.

In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August features highlight how three Black-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable energy sector.

Kevin Butler, PMP, PE, is the Chief Executive Officer of Sole Trader Renewable Energy LLC, a minority- and veteran-owned renewable energy company based in Memphis, Tennessee. Sole Trader helps utilities, co-ops and governments integrate renewables into their energy portfolios.

 

What inspired you to start your company?

A drive to bring innovative technologies and advanced building techniques to the renewable energy industry. I want to reduce the amount of green space used to support the growth of renewable energy around the world and help bring our industry into the future. I founded this company after working for a couple of large utilities and realizing that the old model will not get us to where we need to be as a nation. We need dynamic, unencumbered thought that embraces the possibility of where we can go. Albert Einstein said, “Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” This is the genesis of Sole Trader.

How are you making an impact through your company?

We are changing the way utilities, governments and co-ops think about powering the future of this great nation. We invest in finding and utilizing proven, emerging technologies from around the world that can be used to power the present and the future. Sole Trader gives our clients access to clean energy, and we are inspiring the next generation with our ability to shape the country each and every day.

Tell us about your company.

Sole Trader is a diverse, professional, leading-edge renewable energy company with 200+ combined years of experience covering power generation, construction, operations and maintenance. Our team of utility professionals helps us reduce construction costs and timelines for our clients. We can also provide consulting and strategic planning services, site identification and preparation, construction, operations and maintenance, equipment recycling, cybersecurity, site startup or shutdown, and so much more.

Is there anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?

There is no challenge too large or small for us. We embrace opportunities to bring our clients into the future, using our extensive lessons learned and our proven new technologies. We can help our clients think differently about their community and the world. We like to say, “We give you more power over your power.” And we believe energy independence is the key to green growth.

To learn more about Sole Trader, visit soletraderenergy.org.

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