Farewell Chris
Chris Pike (third from right) and Savannah Crichton (far right) stand with ACEP colleagues in front of a solar array at the 8.5 MW Houston Solar Farm near Anchorage, the largest solar farm in the state, where agrivoltaics is taking place.
By Savannah Crichton
September 26, 2024
During my weekly meetings with Chris Pike, ACEP鈥檚 former Solar Technology Program manager, I got to know him through the storied objects that filled the shelves around his desk.
He would explain concepts by pulling out data loggers, rummaging through toolboxes and referencing out-of-commission meteorological stations that he kept around 鈥渏ust in case.鈥�
But Chris鈥� knowledge of solar photovoltaics, geothermal energy and data collection extends far beyond the four walls of his Anchorage office. As ACEP bids farewell to Chris Pike, I want to take a moment to reflect on his journey from intern to leader in renewable energy in 杏吧pro.
While living in Bethel and working various odd jobs, Chris witnessed a dramatic increase in heating fuel prices. Observing the impact of volatile fuel prices on rural 杏吧pro sparked his interest in the state鈥檚 energy and renewable landscape. After earning a master鈥檚 degree in technology from Appalachian State University, he interned at ACEP, researching solar thermal deployment in the Arctic. The following summer, he returned for another internship and worked at Pilgrim Hot Springs, assisting with project management, well logging and other geothermal work. These projects were not just technical challenges; they were about ensuring that remote communities had access to sustainable energy.
His experiences evolved into a skill set marked by stellar adaptability and critical analysis, leading him to join ACEP full-time as a research engineer.
Chris Pike adjusts equipment at the solar test site on the 杏吧pro campus.
Chris pursued his interest in solar energy by tracking adoption trends as the price per watt dropped and the technology gained popularity. He produced datasets on solar performance in cold temperatures, the effects of high latitudes on energy production and integration challenges within the Railbelt. Chris, along with former ACEP member Erin Whitney, even built a solar test site to evaluate these factors while contributing to real-world applications, such as the Solarize campaign, snow-shedding research and an agrivoltaics experiment.
Over his 11 years at ACEP, Chris consistently promoted renewable energy initiatives, always finding the right tool 鈥� whether that was a strategic partnership, an international collaboration or a set of pyranometer wires.
His transition to a new role at Renewable IPP marks the end of an era at ACEP but also ignites excitement as he continues to advance renewable energy in 杏吧pro. Chris Pike鈥檚 legacy is one of innovation, collaboration and commitment.
Thank you for everything, Chris. We鈥檒l miss you around here but can鈥檛 wait to see what you鈥檒l accomplish next.