Energy is at the core of everything we do. From turning on a light switch to powering businesses, access to energy is essential for progress. Without it, nothing moves forward. Lester Crafton understood this fundamental truth and built a company that ensures communities are not left in the dark.
“What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”
That single question changed everything for Lester Crafton.
Ovanova wasn’t just built as a company; it was discovered—through a relentless pursuit of a better way to empower communities with energy independence. Today, Ovanova isn’t just about installing solar panels; it’s about developing, deploying, monitoring, maintaining, and maximizing microgrids. It’s about unlocking human potential—an ethos that Lester has carried throughout his journey.
From a Door-to-Door Hustler to a Renewable Energy Pioneer
Lester Crafton’s journey started far from the world of solar grids. What set him apart was his resilience, embracing rejection daily without hesitation. Facing 20+ rejections a day, knocking on doors from morning to night, and still moving to the next with unwavering determination, this is the mindset that shaped him into a leader who sees opportunity where others see obstacles. His foundation was built in the grind of door-to-door sales, an industry that demands resilience and relentless energy.
For over 12 years, he recruited and trained students in door-to-door sales, a role that went beyond selling books. It was about building people, teaching resilience, leadership, and self-discipline. From leading a 1,500-student salesforce to transforming training models at Southwestern Advantage, Lester learned one truth: people change the world, not companies.
This realization paved the way for LEAD Clean Energy Project, where he and his friends got their first hands-on experience in solar energy—knocking on doors, talking to homeowners, and learning the true impact of clean energy at the ground level.
That experience planted the seed for Ovanova.
Ovanova: A Different Kind of Solar Company
While most solar companies chase leads, Ovanova eliminates traditional marketing costs—passing the savings directly to homeowners. Their first-of-its-kind fundraising model allows organizations to raise funds at no cost, simply by introducing solar solutions to their communities. This means:
- Organizations benefit by raising funds effortlessly.
- Homeowners save thousands by switching to solar through a trusted network.
- Communities win by transitioning to sustainable energy without the pressure of traditional sales tactics.
Ovanova’s mission is clear: maximize value for as many lives as possible.
The Liberty Hill Farm Project: A Testament to Vision and Innovation
One of the most groundbreaking projects Ovanova has led was the largest EG4 solar installation on farmland in the U.S. at Liberty Hill Farm, Tennessee, made possible by the USDA REAP grant program, Inflation Reduction Act bonus ITC incentives, the solid decision-making from Liberty Hill Farm’s owners, and the support from Chickasaw Electric and the TVA.
In just a few months, Liberty Hill Farms generated over 11.2 million watts of solar power and discharged over 4.3 million watts from batteries—a real-world demonstration of how solar energy, when optimized, can revolutionize rural communities.
AI and the Future of Microgrids
Lester has also spoken about the AI-driven microgrids, where thousands of independent microgrids intelligently communicate, optimizing energy distribution in real-time. Instead of simply generating power, AI can predict demand, reroute surplus energy, and prevent outages before they happen. This means:
- More stable electricity grids, even in rural or disaster-prone areas.
- Lower costs for consumers as AI reduces inefficiencies.
- Increased resilience, allowing communities to operate independently from the traditional power grid.
This vision, combined with Ovanova’s mission, means they are not just installing microgrids—they are creating a self-sustaining energy revolution.
Dollars and Energy: Making Solar More Accessible
Lester often highlights the connection between economics and energy—how lowering the cost of solar energy is key to widespread adoption. Ovanova’s model removes financial barriers by eliminating marketing expenses, unlocking thousands of dollars in savings for homeowners. Every watt of energy produced isn’t just about sustainability, it’s about economic empowerment.
Advice for New Entrepreneurs
For those entering entrepreneurship, Lester’s advice is simple: Keep adding value to as many lives as possible. Success isn’t just about technology, like perfect website, logo etc, it’s about trust, relationships, and genuinely solving problems for communities and adding value. The best entrepreneurs don’t just build businesses; they build movements.
The Future: Powering Lives, Not Just Homes
Ovanova is more than a business. It’s a movement. It’s about asking, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” It’s about making clean energy more accessible, more affordable, and more human.
So, whether you’re a homeowner looking to switch to solar or a community leader seeking a zero-cost fundraising opportunity, Ovanova is your invitation to be part of something bigger.
This isn’t just solar. This is energy freedom.
Interested in learning more? Explore Ovanova’s solutions at www.ovanova.co and see how you can be part of the clean energy revolution.