Our Story
From necessity to service
Like so many American small businesses, the Lighthouse story started from a need. In 1989 the Hamberger family moved to a new home located in the foothills of the Chiricahua mountains in southeastern Arizona. The power company said it would cost $20,000 to bring in power to their new home and so began their off-grid solar journey.
They started small — a few panels and a couple of batteries — and over the years upgraded, changed and learned. Bruce started his own business in 1995 as Bruce's Ag and Auto Repair but with his solar knowledge he was often called to help off-grid friends and neighbors even then.
As Bruce and his wife, Diana, raised their four children, the opportunity to connect to conventional electricity occasionally presented itself and was considered, but ultimately they decided to remain off-grid. The whole family took pride in learning to live the solar life-style, experimenting and expanding until they had built the system they have today.
As the years went by and his experience and the need for knowledgeable solar technicians grew, Bruce knew that solar was where his heart was. When he became a licensed electrical contractor in 2006, Lighthouse Electric and Solar was established. Over the years, Bruce has built a business around good old-fashioned service because he lives it and intimately understands the needs of his customers.
As the solar landscape has changed, many new players in the residential solar world have started selling and installing solar, but few of them have the level of experience that compares to thirty years of off-grid living.
Family Business
In 2018 Bruce's son-in-law, Joshua Schaa, sat down across from Bruce at an In-N-Out and asked to come join the family business. After that conversation many more happened but the decision was made. Joshua and his wife Jenna along with 2 kids and one on the way moved from Tucson back to Pearce to learn the electrical trade and the art of running a small business.
Since marrying into the Hamberger family Joshua has been involved in the business in various ways over the years. From solar installation grunt power to helping stand up the building that ultimately has become the warehouse the business is run from.
Over the next few years Joshua and Bruce spent many hours working together and working on building the business. In 2022 the business officially changed hands and is now owned and operated by Joshua so that Bruce could slow down. Bruce is still active in the business and provides much needed guidance and wisdom.
Joshua is passionate about solar, electricity and family business. The good old-fashioned service that Bruce has been known for since 1995 is still at the core of the company. Joshua is proud to take the torch and keep serving our community.
Off-Grid Specialist — Licensed, Bonded, Insured
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