John Daharsh: I lead software engineering for utility‑scale solar. I’ve been writing code since the ’70s. I’m happiest somewhere up north.
Director of Software Engineering at a utility-scale solar technology company, founder of Western Ascent, and based in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Professional since 2000
Senior developer at StudioNorth in Chicago, 2000–2004.
Utility-scale solar
Software architect in 2010; leading software engineering since 2011.
Field and network
Remote wireless comms worldwide and multiple global Starlink backhauls.
AI-forward
Building agentic systems for daily operations and my own tech stack.
01 · About
A builder who ended up leading builders.
I’m John Daharsh. I’ve been writing code since the ’70s, when I started programming in elementary school, and writing software for a living since 2000, when I started as a developer at StudioNorth in Chicago.
In 2010 I joined a utility-scale solar technology company here in Fort Collins as a software architect, and I’ve been its Director of Software Engineering since 2011. Along the way the job grew to include global IT and cybersecurity, hiring and training teams, and field crews bringing remote wireless and Starlink links online around the world.
On the side I run my own technology company, Western Ascent. These days most of my learning time goes to agentic AI. When I’m off the clock I’m usually outside, and the farther north the better.
- Based in
- Fort Collins, CO
- Writing code
- Since the ’70s
- Focus now
- Agentic AI
02 · Work
Software for a living since 2000. Solar since 2010.
15+ years leading software engineering in utility-scale solar, and the IT, security and field networks that grew up around it.
-
2011 — now
Director of Software Engineering
Ampt · Fort Collins
I lead the software engineering team. Under my leadership, more than 2 GW of PV power electronics has been commissioned onto our telemetry and control systems, central and remote. Over the years the role has also included global IT director and global cybersecurity director responsibilities, plus recruiting and training engineers.
-
In the field
Field operations and data
Same company · worldwide sites
I’ve overseen field operations configuring remote wireless communications at sites around the world, set up multiple global Starlink backhauls, and been responsible for more than 200 million data points collected every day for over a decade.
-
2010 — 2011
Software Architect
Ampt · Fort Collins
Where my time in utility-scale solar started.
-
2004 — now
Founder & CEO
Western Ascent Inc. · Colorado
My own technology company: founded 2004, incorporated in Colorado 2007. More at westernascent.com.
-
2000 — 2004
Senior Developer
StudioNorth · Chicago
Where I started writing software for a living: websites and web applications.
03 · Now · Oct 2026
AI-forward, on purpose.
Most of my energy outside the day job goes into agentic AI: systems that handle real daily operations, and rebuilding my own tech stack so people and AI assistants can both use it well. This site is part of that: static, fast, and written to be read by both.
- Agentic AI
- Software leadership
- Utility-scale solar
- SCADA
- Data acquisition
- Remote wireless
- Starlink
- Cybersecurity
- NERC CIP experience
- Web development
04 · My company
Western Ascent
I founded Western Ascent in 2004 and incorporated it in Colorado in 2007. It’s my own technology company, separate from my day job. For Western Ascent work, start at westernascent.com.
05 · Contact
Get in touch.
LinkedIn or email both reach me. For Western Ascent work, start at westernascent.com.