Living and running an electrical business in Alice Springs offers some unique challenges, including plenty of hours on the road, but it’s all in a day’s work for Troy Lawton from Dynamic Solutions NT, writes EcoGeneration editor Gavin Dennett.
Born and bred in Alice Springs, in central Australia, Troy Lawton followed in his parents’ footsteps and worked in their family business. But the lure of independence of running his own operation saw him go it alone with Dynamic Solutions NT in late 2021.
In just over a year of being in business, work is going swimmingly for Lawton, with a loyal team of employees and a constant stream of contracts. By offering comprehensive building, fit-out and electrical services, he has fast-tracked his success in the Northern Territory.
How did you make your way into solar installation?
My parents run a large company here in Alice Springs, and I did solar work for them. I always wanted to be more than a general sparky by specialising in something.
I’m a large, fit bloke and they wanted me to do solar so I took over that for about three years. But it was hard working for your parents as I’d pick up the contracts and do long hours, but there was no real incentive.
I wanted to give it a crack myself, and I’ve been running my own business for a year now.
How is business going?
Things are progressing well. I have seven workers and some large contracts, many for PV in remote communities.
I’m the only local Indigenous electrical business here in Alice Spring so it is a good field for me to be in.
What is the extent of the work you do in Northern Territory’s remote communities?
We do building and construction, as well as solar. We just completed a whole fit-out: re-sheeted a roof, insulated it, put solar on, re-Gyprocked it, ripped out internal walls, flooring, plumbing, put in a new kitchen and painted it.
We have done two jobs like that – one at Docker River [in southwest Northern Territory] and one at Harts Range [northeast of Alice Springs]. We did three solars at Lajamanu [in northwest Northern Territory], 1800km away, and have a few off-grid ones this year.
Is there a lot of off-grid work in Northern Territory?
I am entering into the off-grid sector now, which is exciting as I have a lot of the contract base already. It can be hard living in central Australia because there are no forums or seminars to be taught the work. Being my own boss, I have to figure out everything myself. But I do have a good network of people I have gathered during the past year to help me with stuff.
This is a good industry where there is so much work and so many people to help you along the way. I also like to give people a helping hand and advice where I can.
How is the solar market in Alice Springs?
It was slow going for a while, but Northern Territory has the highest battery incentives in Australia. Unless it is commercial work, no-one does just normal solar here. I’ve got mates in Queensland who still do string systems, but no-one here does that.
Having seven employees after a year in business is good going.
I try to keep a lot of the work in-house as it saves my customers having to get different people to come to the one place, especially in remote communities. Currently, I am 100 per cent Indigenous apart from one staff member.
Being Indigenous myself, I wanted to create a platform to show others what they are capable of. It is not just about money, but growing something where I can make a difference.
How big do you want to get?
I only want to get to a 10-man crew. The reason I get so much solar work is I have a good reputation that I do the solar myself. I am the person you call, and I am the person you deal with. I’m very particular that I am the one who installs the solar.
I’ll still do it with the other guys, but I would never say, “You just go do it.” However, I’m growing the other aspects of my work, putting on more sparkies.
Do you mind the travel required for some of your remote jobs?
I like it. We did seven solar installations in Darwin in 2022. I was meant to go on a fishing holiday with my boys, and I thought I’d do a job there to make it tax deductible, but then one turned into two and then three and four. Then it became a work trip.
Although there is a lot less price margin in Darwin. Installers can charge more in Alice Springs. In Darwin, there is more competition, and you have to pay for building certification and inspection on every job – an extra $1200 every time.
But I like being on the road. Docker River is 1800km away, near the Western Australia border; Lajamanu is 1800km; and I went to Uluru the other week. It’s all part of the job.