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Andy Black
Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
Long Beach, 2007 2How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Introductions & Thanks
Solar Electric Power Association
Solar Energy Industries Association
You for coming!
Long Beach, 2007 3How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Agenda
Overview of Job Opportunities in Solar
Strategies for Getting In
Common Job Types
Panel
Representatives of Several Job Types & MarketSpaces
Q&A at End
Handouts in the back
Career Center, Room 203B sponsored by
Long Beach, 2007 4How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Audience Survey
Who’s Here? What’s your background?
Students?
Career changers?
Engineers?
Salespeople?
Marketers?
Finance?
Long Beach, 2007 5How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Audience Survey
Goals?
Become an employee?
Start a manufacturing business?
Start a dealership/installation firm?
Start consulting?
Long Beach, 2007 6How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Resources Handout
List of Resources, available online at:www.ongrid.net/dreamjobresources.html
Periodicals & OnLine resources
Books
Courses
Events
Organizations
Job Boards
Solar Today article
2
Long Beach, 2007 7How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Strategies for Getting In
Networking
Skill Building
Get both by:
Education
Volunteering
Long Beach, 2007 8How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Networking Opportunities
Membership
Volunteering
Events
Classes
Many overlap with Skill Building
Long Beach, 2007 9How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Join Organizations
American Solar Energy Society (ASES) &
your local chapter ($25-$50/yr)
SEIA national & and your state/regional
chapter ($300+/yr)
All are good ways to get connected and
involved
See Resources List for Contact Info
Long Beach, 2007 10How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Get Involved
Attending Board and other meetings
local networking
Participate on committees
Go to solar parties & meetings
Long Beach, 2007 11How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Volunteer Opportunities
ASES Chapter events
Tabling to answer questions from public
Solar Tours & other events
Conferences need helpers
Great ways to meet people & get known
Great way to learn more about theindustry
Long Beach, 2007 12How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Volunteering
Organize SolarHome Tours
Meet folks
Owners & Installers
Designers &Architects
Media
3
Long Beach, 2007 13How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Organize Events
Long Beach, 2007 14How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Attend Conferences
Summer Solar Fairs - Home Power magazinewebsite maintains lists of events
Solar Forums in California
Solar Power 2008 (SEPA), San Diego,October 2008
Solar 2008 (ASES), San Diego, May 2008
Various websites list more events
RenewableEnergyAccess.com,SolarBuzz.com
See Resources for Contact Info
Long Beach, 2007 15How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
It Isn’t All Work!
Long Beach, 2007 16How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Classes
Solar Energy Int’l (SEI)
Long Beach, 2007 17How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Short Courses at
Conferences
NEC - National Electric Code
Manufacturer Training Courses
Trajectory & State of the PV Industry
(Paul Maycock & Travis Bradford, the
Prometheus Institute)
Long Beach, 2007 18How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Other Course
OpportunitiesSLI - Solar Living Institute - Hands On
Pacific Energy Center (at PG&E) in CA
MREA - Midwest Renewable EnergyAssociation - Hands On
SOL - Solar On-Line
NCSC - North Carolina Solar Center
FSEC - Florida Solar Energy Center
See Resources for Contact Info
4
Long Beach, 2007 19How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Learn the Tools
Analysis & Database Tools
Marketing & Sales Tools
Long Beach, 2007 20How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Analysis & Database ToolsClean Power Estimator - general customer educ.www.consumerenergycenter.org/renewable/estimator
RETscreen - a standard modelwww.retscreen.net
PV Watts - the standard performance modelrredc.nrel.gov/solar/codes_algs/PVWATTS
PV Design Pro - hard core analysiswww.mauisolarsoftware.com
DSIRE - database of state & fed incentiveswww.dsireusa.org
OnGrid Solar Financial Analysis & Sales Toolwww.ongrid.net/payback
Long Beach, 2007 21How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Shading Analysis
Solmetric SunEye & Solar Pathfinder
Very accurate for true shading issues
Both are Amazing and Fun to Use
Long Beach, 2007 22How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Marketing & Sales Tools
QuickQuotes by Clean Power Research
Analysis, Quoting & Proposal Tool
OnGrid Solar Financial Analysis & Sales ToolAnalysis, Quoting & Proposal Tool
Long Beach, 2007 23How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Built a system
Won’t be perfect
Good learning
Hands On Experience
Long Beach, 2007 24How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Upgrade It!
5
Long Beach, 2007 25How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Other Hands-On
Experience Opportunities
Hands-on classes
GRID Alternatives
Non-profit solar for low income housing
Habitat for Humanity
Has solar on many of its projects
Build your own, even a solar fountain!
See Resources for Contact Info
Long Beach, 2007 26How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Get Certified
NABCEP - www.nabcep.org
North American Board of Certified
Energy Practitioners
Installer certifications
Introductory & Advanced levels
Knowledge & Experience based
Long Beach, 2007 27How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Read Everything!
Lots of books:
Davidson, Perlin, Komp, Strong
Solar Today - subscription
Home Power
PV News
Photon International
Renewable Energy World
Renewable Energy Focus (ISES)
Long Beach, 2007 28How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Read everything
NEC (National Electric Code) Article 690
Manufacturers Literature
CEC (California Energy Commission),
Sandia & NREL (National Renewable
Energy Laboratory) publications
Numerous manuals on how to do solar right
Long Beach, 2007 29How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Read Everything Online
RenewableEnergyAccess.com
SolarBuzz.com
NREL Hotline newsletter
See Resources for Contact Info
Long Beach, 2007 30How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Visit Everyone!
Manufacturers while on vacation!
6
Long Beach, 2007 31How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Informational Interviews
Get the real scoop
Long Beach, 2007 32How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Create Opportunities
NorCal Solar Energy Resource
Guide Ad Sales
Propose events or products of value
and execute on them
Research and write articles
Collaborate between organizations
Long Beach, 2007 33How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Advanced Networking
Opportunities
Run for the Board of Directors
All groups need committed, energetic
leaders
Present at conferences
Teach classes
Find a niche you like & develop it
Long Beach, 2007 34How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Anyone Can Do This!
Have fun with this
Takes Time and Effort
Persistence & Tenacity pay off
Get yourself visible enough and
they’ll call you
Solar Folks are very friendly
Long Beach, 2007 35How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Other Factors
Key to Success:
Showing Long-term interest
Figuring out whether you “Know”
you want it
Trial & error, Exploration
Confidence will grow over time
Long Beach, 2007 36How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Jobs, Pay &
Opportunity
7
Long Beach, 2007 37How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Jobs Available
Opportunity in the Solar Industry
Pay scales
Types of jobs
Entrepreneurship
Long Beach, 2007 38How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Solar:
A Growing Industry
Industry Growth is 35-45%
Historical averages over 5 years
At all levels: mfgr, installation, marketing
PV costs usually fall 7% per year
More Incentives worldwide
Electric Rates generally rise over time
Economics generally getting better all thetime
Long Beach, 2007 39How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Incentives:
More All The Time
CA, NJ, CO, HI are booming
AZ, NV, NY, PA, MD, DC, & CT will
soon follow
Many European & some Asian
countries are adding incentives
Long Beach, 2007 40How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Optimism & Balance
Growth opportunity is huge &
sustainable
Pay in the solar industry generally lower
Presenting a balanced view
Want you to understand what’s involved
I’m excited, you should be too
Long Beach, 2007 41How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Pay Scales
Pay in the solar industry is low
Lots of competition
Low margins & profits
Rewarding work
1/3 to 2/3 the pay of comparable jobs
Most people don’t do it for the money
Long Beach, 2007 42How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Career choices in Solar
Design/Engineering
Installation
Management
Sales
Utility
Marketing
Education
Lobbyist
Support functions
Regulatory
Entrepreneur
8
Long Beach, 2007 43How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Design/Engineering
Consulting – on your own
Field and in house design andengineering
Manufacturing (PV, Inverters, Mounting)
Problem solving & troubleshooting
Requires Electrical & Mechanical skills
Engineering Degree
Long Beach, 2007 44How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Design/Engineering
Pay estimate $40K-$70K depending
on location
Not many needed
Mostly Mechanical Engineering
Expensive for small companies
Most companies don’t have or need
Long Beach, 2007 45How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Installation
Field and factory installers
Lots needed – biggest work group
Skilled and experienced preferred
Hands-on school (SEI & SLI) graduatesare best
Pay $12/hr to start, $20-35/hr withexperience or as foreman
Long Beach, 2007 46How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Sales
Solar Experience or Tech understanding
Sales talent and cursory understanding
Compensation: $35K-$120K
Could be more if really good and
knowledgeable
Long Beach, 2007 47How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Sales Jobs
Employee vs. Contractor
Labor Laws
Freedom, Independence vs. Control
Ownership & Portability of Assets
Expenses
Long Beach, 2007 48How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Marketing
Understanding Marketing
Is Marketing a Central Function?
Solar’s weakest link
Many companies have small or no budget
Limited jobs
Larger or well financed
Growing companies
More as industry matures
9
Long Beach, 2007 49How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Management
Supervising any of these
Requires skill and experience
Long Beach, 2007 50How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Education
Education
Users (sales)
Installers
Financial (sales)
Government - Lobbying
Long Beach, 2007 51How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Support functions
Support Roles:
Finance
IT (Information Technology)
Logistics
Administrative assistants
A “foot in the door”
Long Beach, 2007 52How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Biggest Areas of Need
Marketing
Sometimes not valued
Little budget
Finance & Financial Analysis
Developing new models:
Sun Edison & MMA Renewable Ventures
Developing & Educating on Finance
Structures
Long Beach, 2007 53How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Job Boards
RenewableEnergyAccess.com/rea/jobs/home
www.greenjobs.com
www.homepower.com/resources/jobs.cfm
www.SBLNetwork.com/SBL/jobboard
www.sustainablebusiness.com/jobs
Long Beach, 2007 54How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Other Job Ideas
Contact the membership & installer
lists of ASES & SEIA & their chapters,
NABCEP
CEC installer list:
www.consumerenergycenter.org/
See Resource List for contact info & acronyms
10
Long Beach, 2007 55How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Cold Calling for Jobs
Be Prepared
For resistance
To prove you are serious
To demonstrate to them over time youwant to be in solar
Show up at various events to meet thebosses
Long Beach, 2007 56How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Jobs Summary
Lots of job types
Pick what suits you & you’ll enjoy
Find related skills or interests to getin the door
Then enjoy!
or
… Start your own business!
jump
Long Beach, 2007 57How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Entrepreneurship
Lots of new startups
~900+ over last 4 years
Lots of dropouts too
~400 seem inactive
This is better than normal for small
businesses
Long Beach, 2007 58How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Difficult Business
Working in solar is challenging
Lots of competition
Margins are slim
Lots of hidden costs
Long Beach, 2007 59How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Plan For Hidden Costs
Sales Costs - commissions, salesexpenses (mileage, phone, etc, & lotsof site visits per sale) + marketingcosts
Insurance
Workers Comp in high categories
Post-order module price increases
Long Beach, 2007 60How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Avoid Pitfalls
Warranty service costs
Harder than it looks to do a water
tight, high quality installation
Takes more time & labor
Good, trained, and/or experienced
employees hard to find
11
Long Beach, 2007 61How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Be Cautious
Don’t do it if you really want to
make a lot of money
Think of the consequences to starting
& quitting
Customer warrantees
Industry image to customers
Long Beach, 2007 62How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Rewarding Work
Different than other “contractor”businesses, but not completelydifferent
Don’t be scared off if you really wantto do it
Great bunch of employees, peers,competitors, employees & customersto work with
jump
Long Beach, 2007 63How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Obviously Think Hard
Big Decision
Investigate before you leap
Be confident you (and everyone elsearound you) will be happy here. It’snot for everyone
But it’s great for those for whom iffits
Long Beach, 2007 64How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Panel
Cecilia Aguillon - KyoceraManufacturer; Bus. Development & Gov’t Relations
Neil Collins - AkeenaInstaller/Integrator; Operations
Jyl Safier - ConergyDistributor; Marketing
Joelene Monestier - SPG SolarInstaller/Integrator; Gov’t Relations
Long Beach, 2007 65How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Jobs in the PV Industry
Cecilia Aguillon
Dir. GovernmentAffairs
Kyocera Solar, Inc.
September 25, 2007
Dream Job In
Solar
Neil Collins
Solar Power 2007
Long Beach, CA
12
Long Beach, 2007 67How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
My Approach
Plan To Succeed
Execute On Commitment
Positioning for Your Dream Job
Long Beach, 2007 68How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Planning To Succeed
Preparation
Network
Research Options
Trigger Tracker (www.sgip-ca.com)
Google the Company
Identify Opportunities
Long Beach, 2007 69How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Execution on
Commitment
Series of interviews
Don’t be afraid tofly
Set your terms
Follow up
Long Beach, 2007 70How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Positioning for a Dream
Job
Setting your ground rules
Acknowledgingexpectations
Understanding theimplications of growth
Sustaining your solarspirit
Long Beach, 2007 71How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Jyl Safier, Marketing
Joelene Monestier
Manager, Commercial Project Development
13
Long Beach, 2007 73How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Q&A For The Panel
Cecilia Aguillon - KyoceraManufacturer; Bus. Development & Gov’t Relations
Neil Collins - AkeenaInstaller/Integrator; Operations
Jyl Safier - ConergyDistributor; Marketing
Joelene Monestier - SPG SolarInstaller/Integrator; Gov’t Relations
Andy Black - OnGrid SolarFinancial Analysis & Sales Tools
Long Beach, 2007 74How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Conclusion
Goal was to enable you to find pathways
to build a solar career by Learning &
Networking!
Final Thought:
“Get Action”- Teddy Roosevelt
Long Beach, 2007 75How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Thanks!
Solar Electric Power Association
Solar Energy Industries Association
You for coming & showing interestGET ACTION!
Long Beach, 2007 76How to Find Your Dream Job in Solar!
© 2007 Andy Black. All rights reserved.
Andy BlackSolar Financial Analysis
& Sales Software
(408) [email protected]
www.ongrid.net - Tools, Articles & Papers available
HOME
OnGrid SOLAR SALES TOOL
SERVICES
CLASSES
DREAM JOB RESOURCES
PAPERS & PUBLICATIONS
CONTACT
Resource List for
“Find Your Dream Job in Solar”
Live Links Available at: www.ongrid.net/dreamjobresources.html
Books:
Solar Living Sourcebook – Schaeffer et al
Photovoltaics: Design & Installation Manual – Solar Energy International
New Solar Electric Home – Davidson
Solar Living Sourcebook – Schaeffer et al
Solar Electric Independent Home–Fowler
Practical Photovoltaics – Komp
From Space to Earth – Perlin
The Solar Electric House – Strong
Got Sun? Go Solar – Moran
Your Solar Home Guidebook – Rahus Institute: www.rahus.org
NorCal Solar Energy Resource Guide: www.norcalsolar.org
Periodicals, Magazines, Journals, Online Sources:
Solar Today – www.solartoday.org
Home Power - www.homepower.com
Photon – www.photon-magazine.com
Renewable World – www.jxj.com/rew
REFocus- www.ises.org
– RE newsRenewableEnergyAccess.com
– solar news www.SolarBuzz.com
- PV news www.nrel.gov/ncpv/hotline.html
Sandia - publicationswww.sandia.gov/pv/
www.californiasolarcenter.org/solareclips/solareclips.html
Courses & Training Programs:
*Solar Energy International (SEI) – , (970) 963-8855, Multi-week, hands onwww.solarenergy.org
*Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) - , (321) 638-1000www.fsec.ucf.edu/ed
*Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), , (715) 592 6595www.the-mrea.org
*Farmingdale State University of New York, , (631) 420 2000
Solar Living Institute -
http://info.lu.farmingdale.edu/depts/met/solar/fsec.html
, (707) 744 2017, Partial- & Full-week, hands onwww.solarliving.org
List of training programs (IREC):
Courses listings for all states by technology type (IREC):
DOE list of courses, jobs, etc.:
Sol “Solar-on-Line” -
http://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/1058458522_987094321.html
http://www.irecusa.org/courses.php
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/
www.solenergy.org
Pacific Energy Center – www.pge.com/pec
San Juan College, Farmington, NM (800) 241 6327
Appalachian State University Dept of Technology, Boone, NC, (828) 262-3110
North Carolina Solar Center -
www.sjc.cc.nm.us/academics/technology/RENG
www.tec.appstate.edu/at/app_tech.html
, (919) 515.5666
Sonoma State University –
www.ncsc.ncsu.edu
Diablo Valley College, San Ramon, CA,
www.sonoma.edu/ensp
, (925) 685-1230x522, Alt. Energy
Mercy Hot Springs, Firebaugh, CA,
www.dvc.edu
, (209) 826 3388
De Anza College Energy Management Technology,
www.merceyhotsprings.com
, Cupertino, CA
OnGrid Solar presentations on Financial Analysis & Payback:
environmentalstudies.deanza.edu/es/
www.ongrid.net/classes.html
Solar Decathlon (University teams) or http://www.eere.energy.gov/solar_decathlon/ http://www.solardecathlon.org/
*Indicates this school is accredited by the Institute for Sustainable Power, , (303) 683 4748 www.ispq.org/ispinstitutions.html
Organizations:
NorCal Solar Association (NCSEA) - , (510) 869 2759
California Solar Center,
www.norcalsolar.org
Solar Forum & PV Alliance -
California Solar Energy Industries Association (CalSEIA) -
www.californiasolarcenter.org
Solar Living Institute,
www.calseia.org
, (707) 744 2017
American Solar Energy Society (ASES) -
www.solarliving.org
NABCEP-North American Board Certified Energy Practitioners
www.ases.org
(730) 344 0341
Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) -
www.nabcep.org
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) -
www.solarelectricpower.org
International Solar Energy Society (ISES) -
www.seia.org
GreenPeace -
www.ises.org
www.cleanenergynow.org
Conferences & Events:
9/14/06 3:23 AMDream Job Resources
Page 1 of 2http://www.ongrid.net/dreamjobresources.html
Current Event Listings: RenewableEnergyAccess.com/rea/events/home
Solar Forums, California Solar Center & PV Alliance - www.californiasolarcenter.org
ASES “Solar 2006”, July 7-13, 2006, Denver, CO, ,
“SolFest”, late August 2006, Hopland, CA
www.ases.org www.ases.org/solar2006/
, (707) 744 2017
ASES National Solar Home Tour, nationwide, Early Oct,
www.solfest.org
, www.ases.org
“Solar Power 2006”, Oct 15-20, 2006, San Jose, CA,
www.norcalsolar.org
,
NREL/NCPV list of Solar/PV meetings:
www.SolarPowerConference.com solarelectricpower.org
Fairs & Events around the US:
www.nrel.gov/ncpv/ncpvmeetings.html
www.homepower.com/events/fairs.cfm
Job Boards & Ideas:
www.greenjobs.com
www.homepower.com/resources/jobs.cfm
RenewableEnergyAccess.com/rea/jobs/home
www.SBLNetwork.com/SBL/jobboard
www.sustainablebusiness.com/jobs
www.ecojobs.com
www.eco.org
EnvironmentalCareer.com http://www.environmentalcareer.com/
DOE list of jobs, courses, etc.: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/
ADPSR – & www.adpsr.org occasionally has job announcementswww.adpsr-norcal.org
Contact the membership & installer lists of , , , , , , CalSEIA SEIA NABCEP SEPA NorCal Solar FindSolar.com ASES
& CEC installer list: www.consumerenergycenter.org/cgi-bin/search.cgi
Career Counseling:
Marie Kerpan: http://www.geocities.com/greencareers/
Volunteer Experience: Grid Alternatives - & Habitat for Humanity Solar Projects
Tools: Solar PathFinder,
www.gridalternatives.org
, (317) 501 2529www.solarpathfinder.com
OnGrid PV Sizer & Solar Financial Analysis Calculator, , (408) 428 0808, [email protected]
Articles on Financial Payback for Solar:
www.ongrid.net/payback
www.ongrid.net/papers
Article on "Find Your Dream Job in Solar" (823KB PDF), published in " ", Sept/Oct 2005 issueSolar Today
www.ongrid.net/papers/SolarTodayDreamJob2005.pdf
Solar Financial Analysis & Purchasing Consultationwww.ongrid.net . OnGrid Solar . 4175 Renaissance Dr #4, San Jose, CA 95134 . (408) 428-0808 . [email protected]
©Copyright 2006 OnGrid Solar Energy Systems
9/14/06 3:23 AMDream Job Resources
Page 2 of 2http://www.ongrid.net/dreamjobresources.html
How to build the skills, experience and www.solartoday.org SOLAR TODAY 20
Finding Your
DreamJobIn Solar
By Andy Black
BP
SOLA
R
m
connections that will give you an edge.
September/October 2005 21
More and more people are looking for a job in the solarbusiness these days. With booming consumer interest, strongpublic support in terms of legislation and incentives, and grow-ing market demand worldwide, enormous opportunity exists forthose who want to jump into solar. Jobs are becoming availablefor installers, sales people, mechanical engineers, manufactur-ing personnel, R&D scientists and engineers, marketing andfinance, to name just a few positions.
Though it is impossible to accurately predict the number ofsolar jobs that will be created in coming years, what is clear is thatthe industry is growing rapidly. According to Photon Internation-al magazine, sales growth typically has been 30 to 40 percent peryear worldwide during the past five years. Last year was a break-out year at over 50 percent. This growth in sales is expected tocontinue at over 30 percent for the next five years as well, mak-ing solar the fastest-growing industry of significant size in theworld. The solar industry exceeded the 1-gigawatt mark in annu-al production in 2004, and represents a $6 billion to $7 billionindustry worldwide.
Do you have the skills, desire and attitude to get involved? Areyou willing to obtain the required expertise? This article will encour-age you to develop a useful skill and a network of colleagues.
Is a Solar Career for You?First, let’s determine if a solar career is a good fit for you. Do
you want a rewarding job where you feel great about your work,
and can be proud of what you do? Do you want people to respond“Cool!” when you tell them what you do? If so, solar may be agreat field for you.
Now for the harder questions: Are you willing to take a cut inpay? Most people and positions I know of pay about half what youmight earn in the rest of the “for-profit industrial world.” Forexample, while a salesperson working outside the industry mightearn $100,000 to $400,000 per year, a solar salesperson mightmake an annual salary of $40,000, up to $100,000 if they’re espe-cially good. An installer (rarely unionized in the solar field) gen-erally earns $8 to $16 per hour — again, about half what a simi-lar job might pay in another field. Are you willing to put jobsatisfaction ahead of pay?
What about work hours? Most people I know in this businesswork a lot more than 40 hours a week. They do so because theylove it. The successful people in the solar field generally are com-mitted to their jobs and expend a considerable amount of extraeffort. This extra effort benefits not only your employer and theindustry as a whole, but also yourself, through the extra experi-ence, skills and knowledge acquired.
If you’re serious about getting into solar, then the long hoursare an opportunity for you to spend more time doing somethingyou love. I encourage you to think hard about whether the extracommitment required in solar works for your life.
Informational interviews are a great way to gather more infor-mation about a particular job or the industry in general. They canhelp you determine if this line of work is right for you. To do asuccessful informational interview, seek out someone in theindustry at or above the level of the position you’re targeting.Explain that you’d like 30 minutes for an informational inter-view. Be concise with your questions, respect their time anddon’t look to this person to hire you.
Have fun with this evaluation process; enjoy it, and makesure you enjoy the industry and job you’re getting serious about.If you take no pleasure in it, you probably won’t be good at it, and eventually you may become frustrated and move on. Saveyourself and everyone around you that agony — give up the jobso that someone else can enjoy it and succeed. It will free you tofind what you really want to do.
Getting StartedTake a Hands-on Class: Solar Energy International: www.solarenergy.orgSolar Living Institute: www.solarliving.orgMidwest Renewable Energy Association: www.the-mrea.orgNorth Carolina Solar Center: www.ncsc.ncsu.edu
Read Solar News and Info:SOLAR TODAY magazine: www.solartoday.orgHome Power magazine: www.homepower.comRenewable Energy Access: RenewableEnergyAccess.comSolarBuzz: SolarBuzz.com
Get Involved:American Solar Energy Society and its nationwide chapters:www.ases.orgHome Power events listing:www.homepower.com/events/fairs.cfmGrid Alternatives: www.gridalternatives.org
For a more complete list, visit www.ongrid.net/dreamjobresources.html.
As the solar industry grows, skilled people are needed for jobs rang-ing from R&D and engineering to installation and marketing.
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Another source of substantial education can be found in industry-related books, periodicals and online sources. Two of themost important periodicals are SOLAR TODAY and Home Power. Bothprovide good links to educational and volunteer opportunities.
Volunteering is an excellent way to improve your skills andexpand your industry network. Among many such opportunities,San Francisco-based GRID Alternatives is a nonprofit organizationdedicated to bringing renewable energy to communities in need.Recent projects include installing solar electric systems at Habi-tat for Humanity homes in California.
Another way of getting to know industry players is by volun-teering at the ASES annual conference each summer. Volunteersget to attend for free, while getting to know the ASES staff, mem-bers and other industry leaders.
Similarly, ASES chapters (located in 35 states plus the Districtof Columbia) gather local solar professionals and advocates. Theysponsor various events such as the annual ASES National SolarTour, which takes place in locations nationwide each fall. Getting
to know your chapter leaders and tour organizers is a good wayto become involved in the local solar community. In fact, becom-ing involved with my local ASES chapter is how I got my first solarjob offer (unsolicited!). Not only have these volunteer opportu-nities helped me to meet potential employers, but I’ve also learneda great deal in attempting to answer questions from the general
Finding a “Green” Job OnlineIdealist.org: www.idealist.orgEnvironmental Career Opportunities: www.ecojobs.comEnvironmental Careers Organization: www.eco.orgGreen Dream Jobs: www.sustainablebusiness.com/jobsGreen Jobs: www.greenjobs.comFederal Government Jobs: www.usajobs.opm.govRenewable Energy Access Jobs: www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/jobs/home
Finding Your Dream Job in Solar
Solar industry growth is expected to continue at over 30 percent for the next five years
Learning the BusinessDon’t try to rush the process. And don’t be surprised if it
takes a while. The industry has been challenged in dealing withlots of people with good intentions who seek to get into solar, butwho often don’t last because they hadn’t considered the downsides. Employers have learned to evaluate acandidate’s long-term interest before investing asignificant amount of training time to teach thespecialized skills and knowledge for this line ofwork. You can demonstrate consistent long-terminterest by getting involved in the industry. Consid-er starting your involvement well before you quityour other line of work.
Two ways to get involved are through trainingand education and volunteer participation.
Training and education are straightforwardways to develop skills and explore a career withlow risk. They are also a great way to start buildingyour network of professional colleagues, beginningwith the class leader and the other students. Theseconnections can be lifelong relationships. Both thetraining itself and your connections to the others inthe class will lead to other opportunities if you keepyour eyes and ears open.
One of the best places I know for getting train-ing is Solar Energy International (see sidebar, “Get-ting Started”). SEI offers a number of intense, in-depth, sometimes multiweek hands-on andclassroom courses at several U.S. locations. Most oftheir instructors are industry leaders who offer a ter-rific, practical education.
Those seeking introductory-level courses canchoose from quite a few short courses offered atvarious locations nationwide and at most renew-able energy festivals and events. Some of the bigger venuesinclude the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) annual con-ference, Solar Living Institute, Midwest Renewable EnergyAssociation and its annual fair, and the North Carolina SolarCenter. There are many more; see the sidebar, “Getting Start-ed” for a sampling.
Training and volunteer work are good ways to develop skills and explore a career inthe solar field with low risk.
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public during outreach and similar events.Sometimes a volunteer role can have especially good results.
One year, our chapter decided to sell advertising in our guidebookfor our tour as part of the ASES National Solar Tour. I took respon-sibility for selling most of the advertisements. As a result, I hada great excuse to speak with key personnel at all of the local andsome of the national solar companies. In the process, we got toknow each other a little bit.
Another opportunity came along when our chapter decided topublish a solar resource guide. I volunteered to write the articleon solar finance and payback, which has led to many follow-onopportunities. In fact, any chance you get to write an article forpublication is an opportunity for you to put your name out there.The bottom line of getting hired: Hiring managers need to knowyou exist. Sharing any knowledge you can with others can helpthem, and they may remember you for it.
Making the LeapThis process of becoming known for your expertise involves
skills building and networking — two efforts that can be achievedthrough active participation in the industry. The more you canbuild your skills and network, the more experience you’ll acquire,both to offer a potential employer and to judge your potential forthis line of work.
In the daylong class I teach on finding your dream job in solar,I encourage participants to develop a skill that’s valuable to the
industry. It could be in marketing, sales, installation,legal, finance, or some other area of need. The solarindustry is a business like any other, with the usualbusiness needs for personnel. Chances are you canuse the skills you already have, and with some addi-tional training apply them in the solar industry.
Those just starting their careers might also con-sider electrician’s vocational training for installationbasics and wiring, or attending electronics techni-cal school to gain a broader sense for servicing andrepairing system electronics. For a career in areassuch as marketing, finance or sales, college-leveltraining would be helpful. College is also appropri-ate for work as an engineer.
I run into many engineers interested in switch-ing to solar work. You may have noticed in theintroduction that I mentioned an industry needfor mechanical engineers. Most solar installationsrequire relatively little engineering (most has beendone at the factory or in the National Electric Code).The engineering that remains usually is specifical-ly related to the mechanical attachment of the solarpanels to the building or ground. More jobs formechanical and electrical engineers are availablein R&D of new products such as solar modules,inverters and mounting hardware.
Along with building your skills and getting train-ing, I would encourage you to earn any certifications that mightapply to your field of interest. In particular, if you’re interested insolar electric installation, consider earning Photovoltaic InstallerCertification from the North American Board of Certified EnergyPractitioners (details at www.nabcep.org). Applicants must possess acertain level of experience or combination of experience and train-ing, but some of this experience may be earned through volunteerprojects. For those already having experience in the PV installation,certification may help you move to a job you like better.
Once you have acquired some experience and skills, it’s timeto put together a professional resume and have it critiqued bysomeone with business experience. If possible, choose someonein the area of the solar business in which you’d like to work.
Look for opportunities in the solar industry through online jobsites, solar training organizations and publications, and profession-al organizations like your local ASES chapter (see sidebar, “Findinga ‘Green’ Job Online”). Let those in your network know whatopportunity you’re seeking. Above all, be patient and persistent.It just might lead you to your dream job. ●
Andy Black is the owner of OnGrid Solar, specializing in solarfinancial analysis and purchasers’ consultations. He serves on theboards of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and NorCal Solar,an ASES chapter. Black also teaches “How to Find Your Dream Job InSolar” for the Solar Living Institute. Contact him at 408.428.0808 oraccess www.ongrid.net.
Like any other business, the solar industry needs personnel in marketing, finance, andso on. You may be able to apply skills you already have to work in solar.
making solar the fastest-growing industry of significant size in the world.
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! 2007 OnGrid Solar
The OnGrid Solar Financial Analysis & Sales Tool
A Time-Saving, Comprehensive
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Andy Black, CEO Solar Financial Consultant
(408) 428-0808
www.ongrid.net
Helps Create & Close More Sales Calculates TOU Value with Shading
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Identify and Screen Hot Leads,
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Andy Black, CEO Solar Financial Consultant
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Cash Flow: Annual Costs: Solar with Loan vs. No Solar
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Lifetime savings are typically 2-3.5 times system cost
Payb
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Resale: Resale Value Over Time
Resale Value increases due to increasing annual savings
Re
sa
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alu
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Cash Flow: Net Annual Savings When Financed
Net Annual Savings
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