About Us
Solvest began operations in the Yukon in 2015 and we have since established ourselves as the standard for renewable energy services in Northern and remote regions.
The partners in Solvest have extensive experience in resource development across northern Canada and this provides us with unique insight into the challenges posed by reliance on diesel power generation and related high costs. The advancements in renewable energy technology provide an opportunity to assist people in remote regions in reducing their reliance on diesel, becoming more self-sufficient, and demonstrating environmental stewardship.
Solvest was founded to take on this challenge.
Solvest is vertically integrated with in-house departments that allow us open access to a wealth of information and a seamless transition from one stage to the next.
Departmental communications and ongoing engagement allow us to be ahead of the curve and offer full support throughout the entirety of the customer journey.
ENGINEERING
DESIGN
PROCUREMENT
COMMISSIONING
OPERATIONAL SERVICE + MAINTENANCE
OUR CORE VALUES
-
INNOVATION
We confront the unique challenges of living and working in Northern Canada by thinking differently.
This means finding creative solutions to problems that are perceived by others as insurmountable and approaching everything with an open and curious mind.
-
TRUST
Trust is the foundation of great work.
Our team has built a culture of listening and respecting each other, watching out for each other's safety, and trusting each other to do great work.
We earn our client's trust by providing reliable and economically viable solutions with support every step of the way.
-
EMPOWERMENT
Empower our team, our clients, and our communities.
At our core, we provide employees with opportunities to solve challenges with creativity and grow.
In our view, success does not happen in a vacuum, and whenever it is achieved, it should be shared with the community.
-
TENACITY
To us, tenacity means pushing the boundaries of renewable energy in the North.
We are willing to take calculated risks and position ourselves as leaders during difficult times.
We advocate for our clients and for renewable energy policy across the North.
We are constantly improving, individually and collectively.
OUR PROMISE
We build highly economic renewable energy solutions for remote communities and mines, transitioning you to renewable energy at the speed of your ambition.
EXECUTIVE PROFILES
BEN POWER
CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
-
Ben's diverse professional background spans various industries, including mining, and corporate sales, before finding his way to the energy sector. Regardless of the industry, or position, Ben immerses himself in every venture quickly learning the ins and outs, always looking for ways to do something better than it has been done before, while making room to mentor a team behind him. This passion and drive attracts and inspires like minded individuals to follow suit.
While working in northern, remote areas of Canada, Ben was exposed to the challenges of remote energy generation, igniting his interest and subsequent passion for renewable energy. Recognizing this gap in energy stability and security in remote locations and the investment opportunities for new infrastructure in this space, Solvest was born.
In 2012, Ben co-founded Solvest, now the largest PV solar installer in northern Canada, with 1000+ systems totalling installations of 50 MW PV, 50MW of energy storage, hundreds of cold climate heat pumps and now 1MW of wind in process. Ben's expertise has grown from residential solar to cover all aspects of northern solar, wind and energy storage feasibility, design, procurement, construction, maintenance, and consultation services. This holistic approach to projects is reflected in Solvest's vertical integration with in house departments for engineering, procurement, construction, and operations and maintenance. Ben continues to lead the charge today as Solvest's visionary, navigating new regions, markets and emerging technologies. He remains the sounding board for his team on complex system integrations and has never failed to find a custom fit, workable solution.
Throughout Solvest’s history and continued growth, Ben has worked with all levels of Government, Indigenous Governments, Development Corporations, businesses, non-profits, hundreds of residential clients, and a wide array of funding bodies.
DREW CAMERON
CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER
-
An entrepreneur at heart, Drew co-founded Solvest after having had two other businesses prior, allowing him to draw on previous learning and experience when designing Solvest. Drew initially started his career as a paramedic in Ontario and Alberta, fulfilling his desire to serve those in need. Subsequently, Drew worked in Health and Safety in remote locations for the energy sector. Now, he has turned his focus to a larger canvas and is looking at green energy as the next frontier for the socially conscious enterprise.
DAN GUHL
PRESIDENT, PARTNER
-
As President of Solvest, Dan Guhl is responsible for ensuring the company's internal operations run efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with its strategic goals. He works directly with department heads across Business Development, Operations, Finance, People & Culture, and our Technical team. He drives cross-functional coordination to solve organizational challenges and maintain accountability throughout the company.
Dan brings over a decade of experience in northern business, renewable energy, and community engagement. Since joining Solvest more than seven years ago, he has played a central role in scaling the company from a local residential solar installer to northern Canada's largest renewable EPC and a leader in remote clean energy, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous partnerships and off-grid project delivery.
He holds a business degree, graduate certificates in energy security, and is currently completing a Master's in Sustainability. His leadership approach is shaped by both academic training and practical experience. Internationally, Dan has presented on panels on energy security in Iceland at the Arctic Circle Assembly, supported environmental policy development at the European Union through his work with WWF in Belgium, and most recently, participated in the Emerging Leaders program in Norway, focused on Arctic energy, entrepreneurship, and governance.
Born and raised in Northern Canada, Dan brings both personal and professional insight to Solvest’s mission of advancing energy independence and resilience in remote communities.
CAMERON OUELLETTE
CHIEF CONSTRUCTION OFFICER, PARTNER
-
Cam has had a diverse career, working in the oil & gas sector before transitioning to clean energy at Solvest in 2017. As Director of Large Projects, he coordinates the planning, execution and commissioning of Solvest’s large projects across the North. When he is not spearheading complex operations, Cam can be found improving the company’s installation process, focusing on the remote, harsh, northern conditions, and how it affects Solvest’s operations.
Cam believes Solvest's biggest strength is the company’s ability to find innovative solutions to challenges which other companies seldom face, and he ap
TYLER MARTIN
CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, PARTNER
-
Tyler is a journeyman electrician with over a decade of experience working on commercial, residential, and PV projects throughout Canada. Tyler takes great pride in his work and serves his community by helping integrate renewable energy systems into the grid.
Since joining Solvest in 2015, Tyler has worked on over 600 northern solar installations, from small-scale residential systems to complex, utility-scale projects. Tyler’s wealth of experience has made him an excellent mentor and supervisor for our electrical apprentices ensuring that we provide all our clients with the highest quality electrical installations.
ERICA CRUTCHLOW
CONTROLLER
LAUREN HUMBLE
CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER
-
After years of global travel and cross-cultural exploration, Lauren first arrived in the Yukon in 2015 intending only a brief stay. But the magnetic pull of the North, with its boundless natural beauty and spirit of community — made it home.
Lauren joined Solvest in early 2025, bringing with her a wealth of executive experience in northern construction and mining. She offers a holistic, values-driven approach to project development, with a particular focus on sustainability and strategic diversification. Her dynamic leadership style ensures every team member is empowered with the tools, structure, and support to thrive.
Her work in renewable energy reconnects her with her academic roots in International Development at the University of Guelph, where she developed a passion for grassroots empowerment and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Outside of work, Lauren can be found hiking Yukon's trails, photographing the wilderness, or testing new gluten-free baking experiments.
TESSA WENSEL
DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE
-
As the Director of People and Culture, Tessa uses a strategic skillset based on attracting scarce specialized talent, managing a dynamic, project-based work force and embedding mission-driven, sustainable ethos into the core company culture and employee experience.
This energetic and compassionate steward of the people found her home as the Director of People & Culture with Solvest in 2024. Prior to her deep dive into the world of People and Culture, Tessa helped build businesses from the ground up exercising a holistic perspective spanning business development, marketing, occupational psychology and finance. She brings extensive cross-departmental experience to encourage a thriving work environment across all facets of the organization. Her mission is to ensure that people strategies support and elevate both the short-term and long-term goals of our company and its People. Tessa's superpower in using a lens that crosses multiple departments empowers our teams and encourages a strong culture of development, accountability, and cohesion. Under her leadership, Solvest employees are challenged to become the best version of themselves in a supportive, growth centered environment.
She believes that a successful organization starts from within: if Solvest is a living, breathing company, our People are the heartbeat - full stop. Tessa's approach to People Operations is to truly get to know our People, as individuals and as team members. By promoting autonomy, mastery, and meaning, she strives to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and motivated.
