Meet Brian Mehalic – Instructor Spotlight

Every HeatSpring course is powered by an exceptional instructor – industry veterans who don’t just share what they know, but bring genuine enthusiasm, hands-on experience, and a deep dedication to student success. Though thousands of learners engage with their teaching through our platform, the digital classroom can sometimes feel like a barrier to truly connecting with these remarkable educators.

Our Instructor Spotlight series bridges that gap. These features introduce you to the inspiring professionals who drive HeatSpring’s mission forward, shaping the next generation of clean energy leaders through their expertise and mentorship.

Say hello to Brian Mehalic!

Courses on HeatSpring: Solar PV Ground-fault Troubleshooting: Theory, Tools, and Field Application and NFPA 70B: A New Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance

Enrollments in Brian’s Courses: 74

How many years have you been in the industry?

SEI class of 2002! Been in the industry ever since. Before that – and knowing I wanted to get into PV and renewables – I took an electrical job with a small resi / commercial company, my only qualifications being: I had a truck, I’d show up on time, and I could afford a few hand tools. OJT of varying quality for sure, but it really set me up for the training I got later on.

What was your first job in the industry?

Entry-level installer with EV Solar Products in Chino Valley Arizona, which presented the opportunity to work on cool off-grid projects; participate in the early days of the grid-tied PV market; sell, install, and service PV and solar hot water and solar cooling and space and pool heating systems; train new installers as the business grew; and get NABCEP certified (2008). 

Since then I’ve worked for a project developer on large-scale PV in North Carolina; developed curriculum and taught classes for SEI; co-founded an engineering and consulting firm that we sold a few years back; became a member of CMP-4 for the National Electrical Code; contracted with utilities, EPCs, manufacturers, and integrators in many capacities; and now have a new company, Solar Tech Collective, specializing in codes and standards, O&M, and training. I’ve pretty much been involved with all types and sizes of PV and storage along the way – a great ride continues! 

What’s a quote you think about often?

Hindsight is 50/50.

What are your hobbies?

I love Tucson and the southwest, and spend a lot of time hiking in the Sonoran Desert; if you haven’t been it’s amazing, home to Saguaros, Ocotillos, javelina, bobcats, Gambel’s quail…and speaking of quail, feeding and watching the birds is definitely one of my hobbies. 

Wild birds: the best pets because they take care of themselves when I’m not around. Which is good because travel in general is a hobby – we have a badass 4×4 van (basically a hard-sided tent on big wheels) that we take all over, sometimes for fun, sometimes as a mobile office, most often both. 

But also travel abroad – we’ve been able to spend some time in Europe – particularly France – the last few years; the history and architecture, the food and wine, the trains, the Alps…it keeps me coming back for more for sure!

What’s a fun fact about you that your students don’t know?

I’m an English major. Yep. My father, bless his soul, surely would have loved for me to follow his engineering path (aeronautical, NASA). But I didn’t. I got a job selling posters on college campuses. Sounds crazy, and it was – crazy lucrative – think empty dorm room walls and textbook money. And seasonal. Off-season ended up getting spent camping out of the back of my pickup. Extended camping trips – and the warm beer that was inevitable when in the boonies for days on end – were among what first piqued my interest in PV.

Your favorite song at the moment?

Renegade. Styx. Go Steelers!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Tacos? Er, I mean: ¡Tacos! So many fillings, toppings, salsas, and types of tortillas. Not only are they my fave, the variety is a great workaround for that “one meal, rest of life” conundrum.