At Front End Solar, we take a holistic approach to our work, empowering local communities through training in the operation, maintenance and delivery of renewable and hybrid energy systems. Our team has extensive expertise in delivering solar technologies, integrated with other renewables, to meet energy demands and displace traditional fuels.
We specialise in integrating solar, wind, hydro, and battery technologies to offer cutting edge on-grid and off-grid solutions for residential, community, commercial, and industrial needs.
We empower local communities through comprehensive training while upholding ethical standards aligned with the United Nations Global Compact’s principles on human rights, labor, and the environment.
Managing Director
Tony is a leading figure in New Zealand’s solar energy landscape, with a distinguished career that spans over 30 years. With a background in physics and solar energy research, Tony has been New Zealand’s leading solar energy research scientist, publishing more than 100 papers in top-tier scientific journals. His expertise in solar energy is unmatched in New Zealand.
As a company founder and consultant, Tony brings unparalleled experience to Front End Solar. He has played a key role in designing and delivering innovative solar projects from residential to industrial scales. His vision for renewable energy led to the founding of Front End Solar, with a mission to provide sustainable energy solutions in Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands.
Tony is currently focused on consulting for utility-scale projects in the Pacific Islands, helping communities transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in their fight against climate change. His leadership and expertise continue to drive the company’s mission of making a lasting contribution to the renewable energy transition.
Director
Ian is a highly experienced energy engineer with extensive expertise in the design, construction, and commissioning of renewable energy systems. His leadership roles in the industry underscore his deep knowledge and commitment to advancing renewable technologies in New Zealand and overseas. Ian is a fellow of IPENZ and a founding member of the NZ Energy Management Association and Photovoltaic Associations (Now SEANZ).
With a diverse consulting background in energy, Ian has made significant contributions to the field. He has served as technical advisor for ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability (NZ) in Oceania and Europe, reflecting his broad impact on sustainability initiatives for local governments.
A dedicated advocate for sustainability and community engagement, Ian provides support, leadership, and training in technical engineering and development. His passion lies in deploying innovative renewable energy technologies to enhance energy independence, resilience, and drive positive change for communities and individuals facing energy poverty.
Project Manager
Olivier has spent most of his career overseas working in various sectors from marine and environmental monitoring, to commercial diving and construction on large-scale infrastructure projects in the oil and gas industry. His extensive experience has taken him to over 72 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia. In each of these regions, he has successfully navigated the complexities of challenging projects, demonstrating a consistent ability to find positive solutions when projects inevitably hit difficult hurdles.
In addition to his vast construction experience, Olivier completed a Master’s degree in Business Management from the Technical University of Munich. His studies focused on renewable energy markets and entrepreneurship and he began his career in renewables with a utility-scale EPC company in Germany where he gained valuable experience working on multi-megawatt projects.
Olivier has transitioned his career away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and has returned home to help Front End Solar deliver distributed solar energy projects in New Zealand.