Joseph P O'Connor

Joe O’Connor is a solar entrepreneur, educator, and the creator of the popular YouTube channel @solarjoejoe, where he breaks down the complexities of solar and battery backup systems.

With over a decade of experience building off-grid solar energy systems around the world—including in Haiti, Nepal, Portugal, Guatemala, the U.S., and in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—Joe has seen firsthand how access to reliable power can transform communities.

A former solar manufacturing entrepreneur, Joe now focuses on helping homeowners and businesses navigate the rapidly changing energy landscape. He shares his expertise as a consultant, speaker, and writer—and through his book, Off Grid Solar, he empowers others to design their own systems with confidence.

To support this mission, Joe launched Off Grid Solar Store, a curated shop of tools, gear, and system kits to help people take control of their energy needs and build smarter, more resilient power systems.

Joe holds an M.S. in Manufacturing Engineering from NYU Polytechnic University, where he was awarded the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurship. He earned his B.S. in Industrial Technology from Cal Poly University.

He discovered his passion for renewable energy through volunteering with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit bringing solar to low-income families. Joe is on a mission to help more people achieve energy independence—and ultimately, to accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels.