Joanna Frith has become the first woman in Bermuda to obtain the PV Associate Certificate from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

Ms Frith is the director of sales at BE Solar.

The company said NABCEP, headquartered in New York State, is a highly-respected, well-established and widely-recognised certification organisation for professionals in the field of renewable energy.

It offers certifications and credentials for skilled professionals, specialists and those new to working in the areas of photovoltaics (solar electricity), solar water heating, and small wind technologies.

BE Solar said Ms Frith has joined a select group of 10 people on the island who hold NABCEP certifications.

Seven work at BE Solar, representing half the company’s team. The organisation said its goal is to have 80 per cent of staff certified by year-end.

Ms Frith said: “I am so proud to be the first woman in Bermuda to obtain this certification and to represent BE Solar. It will be exciting to see other women get involved in the renewable industry as we see the demand for jobs on the rise.”

She added: “Studying during my pregnancy and maternity leave was a lot to balance, but it was exciting to know that what I was working towards would be a great example for my daughter and her generation.

“As I transitioned into my new role as a working mom, it was a lot to juggle as my studies involved a great amount of attention towards technical knowledge and hands-on experience. I am so thankful to my husband and family for their support which allowed me the flexibility to tackle this while adjusting to life as a new parent.”

Stuart Kriendler, managing director of BE Solar, said: “We are so proud of Joanna for achieving this significant milestone and showing her dedication to raising the bar in our industry and continuing to set us apart.”

Ms Frith worked as a dental assistant before changing careers.

BE Solar said she was recruited to join their team in order to train and play a critical role in helping to grow the company by focusing on sales and marketing initiatives.

Since joining in 2018, the company said, Ms Frith has helped BE Solar to sell and install hundreds of solar systems and offset thousands of barrels of oil.

She said: “Although I loved working in a clinical setting, I always envisioned myself working in environmental sustainability and the renewable energy field.

“Taking a step outside of my comfort zone and transitioning careers into a field that challenged my personal and professional growth was a life-changing experience and has been so rewarding.”

BE Solar said it is a fourth-generation, 85-year-old Bermudian company dedicated to providing the highest quality solar and energy efficiency solutions.

It was founded in 1935 by Gordon Burland, who pioneered the first wind turbine and micro-grid in Bermuda. The company said he also designed the “Bermuda Sun Heater”, a solar water heating system for application in Bermuda in the mid-1930s.

The BE Solar showroom is on the corner of Pitts Bay Road and St John’s Road in Pembroke. For more, see www.besolar.bm.