By Liz Merry
SOLAR TODAY "Ask Ms. Liz" columnist
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.
One factor making solar careers so popular is that the product (energy from the sun) is a "cause." Profits are paramount to industry sustainability, but the majority of people working in solar are highly motivated by saving the planet as well as making a living.
I point out this "culture of caring" because it provides a fairly unique opportunity for career seekers. You don't have to wait to get a job in solar to make a difference, have an effect, be the change. And, it turns out, affecting change is immensely educational and often accelerates your path to a paying job.
How can you become a solar advocate? Start by learning about your local and state policy and regulatory issues. Visit the websites and attend the meetings of your local American Solar Energy Society (ASES), Solar Energy Industries Association and Sierra Club chapters. And now is a great time to contact your federal lawmakers about the need to create a national renewable energy standard mandating all utilities to move to cleaner energy sources.
Other potential advocacy actions include buying a system yourself (a long lasting demonstration of support!), educating your community, talking to your city council, volunteering for the ASES National Solar Tour (coming up in October), writing letters to your local newspapers, recruiting people to attend events. The possibilities are endless, and the need is great.
Potential solar employers are apt to appreciate the cover letter that includes "...and then I generated hundreds of letters to my congressman to support a national renewable energy standard," or some such activity. While there is a wide variation of technical, physical and educational backgrounds in any solar firm, it's very likely that your future employer and fellow workers are motivated by environmental values, believe in human-caused global warming and have great hope that we can affect the future. This is true, as well, of most solar customers.
Being an advocate takes time, but it's an investment that pays off in more ways than one.
What are some of the ways you have already helped to accelerate our country's adoption of solar technology? Share them below in the "comments" section.
Comments (2)
Need employment solar is the way to go1
I have always thought solar is the way to go. I now need employment because the
printing business has went Kaput. I have always had interest in solar and that will be what is used in the future, of course government may try to fight it since they wont make any money since everyone will have their own power. I dont know of any place in georgia that would offer on the job training but that would be an excellent opportunity, do you have any insight for me? Thank you for your time.
Scotty in acworth Ga.
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Georgia solar training options
the good news is solar is definitely a growing opportunity and important industry to our future. Working to accelerate the use of solar tech is personally rewarding. The harder news is that the immediate job opportunities are available to those with experience in solar already. This is the IREC map of renewable energy training and it looks like Savannah Technical College has courses http://www.irecusa.org/trainin...erMap.php. You can also take online courses but be clear first where you will apply that knowledge. Also, take the Solar Tour in Georgia to begin networking nationalsolartour.org.
Go for it, but be patient.
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Seth Masia
Liz Merry
