Ask Ms. Liz: Career Q&As
Interested in getting into the solar business but don’t know where to start? Every Tuesday, solar industry insider and public speaker Liz Merry answers questions and addresses topics including how to find a job, understanding the solar industry, networking and how to do business in solar.
Columns
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Intersolar North America provides one of the largest expo opportunities. With three huge floors and 570 booths of solar technology and services to browse, how is a solar professional to use his or her time effectively? Read more>Published July 13, 2010
People learn differently. You may be a great book learner, while I have to touch and move something around to get the book information to make sense to me. Read more>Published June 17, 2010
Q. Hi Liz, I am about to start selling solar hot water collectors for a local company. Read more>Published June 4, 2010
I have a confession: I am a solar pragmatist. There, I said it. Read more>Published May 17, 2010
If you have a highly technical engineering or IT background, you may have the opportunity to make the leap into the new clean energy/clean-tech sector. Read more>Published April 16, 2010
One of the limitations of a national blog on solar is that we don't really have a national solar industry. Read more>Published April 1, 2010
One of my favorite visuals in my slide deck is a picture of a roller coaster. It's a real twisty coaster with lots of loops. The slide title? "Solar Policy." Read more>Published Feb. 26, 2010
If you're looking for a job in solar, I hope you've followed my previous advice and completed at least some training on the equipment. And I hope you've done enough research that you can say at least three things about... Read more>
Published Feb. 11, 2010
For two years, I have been tracking job boards using the keyword "solar" and no other search terms. While far from a statistical analysis, the data from this hobby is illuminating, and the latest numbers are somewhat encouraging. Read more>
Published Jan. 22, 2010
Q. I am a graduate student at Arizona State University, majoring in alternative energy systems and technology. I have my bachelor's in electrical engineering from ASU as well. Read more>
Published Jan. 8, 2010
Happy holidays to all of you dedicated Ask Ms. Liz readers! This is the 30th blog on solar careers and strategies, and I hope it finds you still inspired about getting a job or starting a business in the solar industry. Read more>Published Dec. 18, 2009
I was thrilled to learn that the California Solar Energy Industries Association recently gave a half-day seminar on ethics for solar sales. CalSEIA is to be applauded for their long-term habit of being the group that stands up and outlines acceptable business standards for the industry. Read more>Published Dec. 4, 2009
With all the federal funding for solar training and workforce development finally being distributed, there are more choices than ever for classroom, field or online solar training. Read more>Published Nov. 13, 2009.
Q: Within the last few years, I have become interested in renewable energy and energy-efficienct building practices. Read more>
Published Oct. 22, 2009
Because the solar industry is still relatively young, it isn't yet producing thousands of job opening every month and can sometimes be a tough field to break into. But wait! What if you are the employer you're looking for? Read more>Published Oct. 8, 2009
What would you do with a map that accurately identifies the "breakout" solar cities and counties in the U.S.? Read more>Published Sept. 24, 2009
Big picture perspective is valuable in any industry because it helps set strategies and priorities. As we end our summer installation season, both newcomers and seasoned solar industry leaders can benefit from a bird's eye analysis. Read more>
Published Sept. 10, 2009
What makes solar so especially special? We can't seem to fill up the "Find Your Dream Job in Coal" workshops, so there must be something that's unique about this field. Read more>
Published Aug.27, 2009
In my solar industry courses, I emphasize the need for solar professionals to understand the utility industry, and that can come as a surprise to some people. Read more>
Published Aug.13, 2009
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioner’s (NABCEP) Entry-Level Photovoltaic (PV) program has proven to be very popular since its inception in 2005. Read more>
Published July 30, 2009
The Department of Labor has started accepting applications for energy training partnership grants. With approximately $100 million-worth of two-year grants up for grabs, hundreds of schools and for-profit providers are currently designing new solar installer training programs. Read more>
Published July 16, 2009
"Get to know the technology," is one of the core pieces of advice I offer everyone wanting to gain an edge in the solar business. But how much training do you need for the job you're after? Read more>
Published: July 8, 2009
Q: I, like most, am infatuated [with] the idea of reducing our carbon footprint, eliminating our dependence on foreign oil and building a sustainable future. Read more>
Published: July 1, 2009
Being part of the solar industry means helping to fight its policy battles. This has been one of those topsy-turvy policy weeks for the solar industry that makes us newscomers really appreciate the "steady as you go" nature displayed by industry long timers. Read more >
Published: June 24, 2009
Q: I have a question for you. What is the number one reason people go solar? [And] what is the target audience for a contractor? Read more >
Published: June 16, 2009
Focus Strategy for Better ResultsMy name is Scott Hinrichs. I am currently going through a career change, switching from from high tech to renewable energy. I have been in high tech as a product marketing manager for the past 14 years, but I have always had a passion for renewable energy. I am working with a career coach on my transition, but I am finding it very difficult to "get my foot in the door" and land a renewable energy job. Read more >Published: June 9, 2009Why Solar?
Why are people drawn to solar technology? And what is so unique about a career in the solar industry? Here are four intrinsic facets of solar that I believe hold true no matter what the policy and economic situation. These features make solar solutions unique and attractive . . . Read more >Published: June 2, 2009
Passion for ArchitectureQ: Hello, my name is Nicholas Mshar, and I live in North Carolina. I am 27 years old and was recently laid off from my job as an intern architect at DudaPaine Architects due to the current state of the economy. I have a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and have also recently recieved my NABCEP [North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners] Certificate of Knowledge . . . Read more >Published: May 26, 2009Trading Autos for Solar
Q: I am a laid-off autoworker from the Detroit area. I am heading back to school for more training and am looking at renewable energy classes. Since my wife and I are not considering relocation, can you give me any insight regarding solar industry, or any other renewable energy industry, employment in this area? I have always had an interest in this field, and now seems like it might be the right time to make the move to that industry. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated. Read more >
Published: May 19, 2009
Getting Back Into Solar
This week, I heard from two readers, Bruce and Rich, who both worked in the solar industry in the late '70s and '80s, and are now wanting to get back into the field. Read more >Published: May 5, 2009
Using Law, Finance Skills in SolarQ: I am an attorney in the financial industry, located outside Philadelphia. I am currently active in promoting sustainable living at the grassroots level. I am interested in starting a part-time business from home in the area of green technology or services. However, I am not sure where to start. Read more >
Published: April 28, 2009
This week’s column is for readers who have asked about doing business with the manufacturing side of the solar industry. My hope is that the research principles described here are applicable to any solar industry research question. Read more >Published: April 21, 2009
Rob, a reader in West Hartford, Conn., asks what a solar salesperson should expect to make in salary and commission. Read more >Published: April 14, 2009
This is the second part of my two-part column for new solar installers, looking at the capabilities needed and the mistakes to avoid when running a solar installation business. Read more > Published: April 7, 2009
This column, the first in a two-part series, is dedicated to the hundreds of new solar installation businesses joining the industry this spring. First off, welcome! We need you to get trained and get busy. Read more >Published: March 31, 2009
Choosing the Right Solar Sector
Q: I am a 57-year-old woman who has worked in telecommunications for the past 25 years. I want to switch into solar and leverage my experience in project management, contract negotiations and software/database requirements. The challenge is where to start. Read more >
Published: March 24, 2009
A Framework for Action for Mid-Career ProfessionalsThis week we had a confluence of queries from mid-career professionals with experience in various sectors (e.g. sales, engineering and law), each looking to apply their expertise in the renewable energy field. These professionals had all worked for themselves and have an entrepreneurial streak. Luckily for them . . . Read more >
Published: March 17, 2009
Q: I want to become a photovoltaic (PV) designer/installer. I have already completed a basic grid-tie PV course and an advanced PV with National Electric Code compliance course, and I’ve passed the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners’ certificate of knowledge test. But . . . Read more >
I recently received the following question from Brian, who lives in California: “I am looking at beginning an energy auditing business and would like to target the commercial sector. Are there are any governing bodies for this certification? And where can I acquire training and/or auditing templates in the shortest time period?” Read more >Published: March 3, 2009
One of my former seminar students asked me about jumping into solar sales. He knows this is his goal, he's ready to commit full time, and he has already started to build a network of builders and architects who will send him their customers with solar questions. Read more >
Published: Feb. 24, 2009
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About Liz Merry
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Liz Merry has been teaching solar career and business courses for two years. She was introduced to the teaching field by Andy Black of Ongrid Solar, who has developed and mastered his own solar business curriculum for financial analysis and economics, finding your dream job in solar, and sales and marketing for solar professionals. Merry is the sole proprietor of Verve Solar Consulting ( vervesolar.com), based in Davis, Calif., and was honored to serve as the first executive director for NorCal Solar, the ASES Chapter based in Berkeley, Calif.
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