What encouraged you to become a RE-volv Solar Ambassador Fellow?

I got super interested in renewable energy and specifically solar energy in my last couple of years as an undergraduate at Indiana University and I started researching solar nonprofits specifically. I found some local organizations that I got involved with as well as RE-volv. After connecting with RE-volv I became a Solar Ambassador Team Leader and started growing the team.

Can you say a bit about the types of nonprofits you were working with?

After we formed a student alliance with RE-volv and the university, we started reaching out to local nonprofits that could be potential project sites. Our strongest lead was the Boys and Girls Club in Bloomington. After talking to them, we facilitated contact between them and RE-volv. We did a site evaluation and had a few conversations to convince them to go solar and save money on their electric bills. Unfortunately at the time it didn’t pan out, but we were able to get some good experience connecting with organizations and building up the team. 

What skills did you gain or things did you learn as a Solar Ambassador?

I learned a bunch of great skills! Team building - trying to recruit my peers to form the student alliance. Communication - working on communication between RE-volv and the Boys and Girls Club. I also learned about solar project development - we were given the materials to help conduct a site analysis, including taking photos and relaying our findings back to RE-volv.

Where are you working now and what’s your role?

Now I’m working at the Association for Energy Affordability or AEA. I’m the Solar Project Associate, so I’m focused on providing technical assistance on our solar projects and I mainly work on California’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program. I’m on the technical assistance team, helping applicants, contractors, or developers go through the SOMAH program by providing technical assistance throughout the project timeline - pre and post project. I also work on developing our in-house solar capacity at AEA, so I have a hand in some other solar projects besides SOMAH, but my main focus is SOMAH. Having a hand in such a major program that really has an impact here in California is really exciting.

Have you held other solar jobs prior to your role at AEA?

Yes, I have. I’m originally from the midwest, St. Louis, MO. I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area about a year ago. Before that I was working in residential and commercial solar doing installs and field work. 

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in renewable energy?

My advice is to find out what you’re interested in, what you’re passionate about, and follow that. Reach out to companies and individuals. The renewable energy industry is both big and small - people are happy to engage and connect. Also volunteer! I did a bunch of volunteering. In addition to my time as a Solar Ambassador, I volunteered for GRID Alternatives for an international trip to Nepal. A lot of my passion lies in international and rural solar development, so being able to do it was pretty awesome. I also have past experience with Solar Energy International (SEI) and worked with them as a work trader - meaning I was working with them on philanthropic projects and in return I got credit to take SEI courses. I have continued my philanthropic efforts since ending my work-trade experience. Right now we have a Go Fund Me to bring solar suitcases to Tanzania and provide funding for solar training there. While the solar suitcases bring lighting to rural primary classrooms to increase the quality of education, the funding also provides an interactive lesson on the solar suitcase and trains teachers and staff on the solar system. That’s where a lot of my passion lies and I’ve been able to have a lot of experience in solar international development through these volunteer opportunities. 

Where do you ultimately see your career goals?

The solar energy industry is such a roller coaster and right now I’m really lucky with SOMAH to have an impact on the industry in California. I do feel very strongly about bringing solar to those who need it most, which is definitely part of SOMAH’s mission and I’m currently accomplishing that, but we’re focused on 100-200kW systems whereas in Tanzania there’s so much impact from just one panel, so ultimately I want to have a big foot in solar international development.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the Ambassador Program or your career in solar?

I’ve been lucky to have had a lot of different experiences and I’m lucky to be in such an awesome place right now. It was great that RE-volv provided so many resources to get me started when I was a Solar Ambassador - I still have them in my google docs. I’m excited to see the future of RE-volv and how I can even work with you all now in my role at AEA.