Kyle Edginton
Executive VP of Engineering
Give us a brief overview of your role.
As the Executive Vice President of Engineering, I oversee our engineering team through every phase of a project’s lifecycle. We handle the preliminary design work that supports the development team with site permitting, interconnections, site acquisition, and customer presentations. Additionally, I oversee our construction operations, such as the Turning Sun project, where we manage Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors and on-site construction managers. Our team also provides ongoing technical support for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of our existing assets.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
Without a doubt, it was being on-site to for the first major phase of construction at the Turning Sun Solar Project. It is such a massive project that it’s difficult to see the entire site from any single vantage point. Looking at a two-dimensional engineering drawing is one thing, but standing out there in the middle of it really puts the sheer scale into perspective. Seeing our team’s hard work transition from paper to reality on that scale is an amazing feeling.
What led you to a career in energy policy and market analysis and what have you found rewarding from working in the renewables sector?
After working across several different industries, I took a self-imposed sabbatical to figure out my next step. I have a background in both personal finance and engineering, so when I decided to re-enter the workforce, I threw out resumes for both fields to see what stuck. An engineering opportunity came back first, and a friend of mine happened to be starting a solar company at the time. I joined him in late 2010 and truly learned the business from the ground up, handling everything from sales and installations to design, eventually serving as Operations Director. Over time, the natural evolution of the renewable energy industry guided me to my current role here at GSI. What I find most rewarding about working in renewables is how evolving the landscape is, which continuously brings forward new opportunities.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
I have owned a building lot in Costa Rica since 2009. The original dream was for my family to move down there and live pseudo-permanently. However, after years of paying taxes and condo fees we are currently in the process of selling it.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Depending on the time of year, you can usually find me tackling home renovations, going camping, traveling, or playing pickleball. My wife and I try to play pickleball as much as possible. We play indoors during the winter, and outdoors with friends or at resorts, during the summer.
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
An extended trip to Europe has been at the top of my list for a long time, and I am actually crossing it off this September! My family and I are heading to France and Prague to travel around and explore, and I am really looking forward to taking our time and enjoying it.
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: Action-driven movies with a single protagonist, like John Wick, Jack Reacher, or the Tomb Raider movies
- Tv Show: The Mandalorian
- Book: All the Gabriel Allon spy novels by Daniel Silva
- Musician/Band: The Tragically Hip
- Restaurant (City): Planta on Yonge Street in Toronto
- Food: Thin crust pizza
- Sports Team: Team Canada
- City: Ottawa, Ontario