WORKING THE SUN

Both Barack Obama and John McCain talked about young people finding a sense of purpose in public service. President Bush talks about such purpose in military service. Spencer Bockus has another idea.

Spencer Bockus (22), solar system installer, Akeena Solar: “Sometimes I’m 50 feet up on a steep roof and it’s so hot the tar is melting onto the bottoms of my sneakers…but I’m excited because I’m helping the environment.”

Bockus is not the only one.

Monique Hanis, spokeswoman, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): “We estimate that will grow to more than 110,000 direct solar jobs by 2016…”

Despite the current hard times, Akeena Solar, the company Bockus works for, expects to grow 40% this year.

The first thing every consumer asks:

Bob Cowen, a New Jersey homeowner, put in 49 solar panels, paid $64,700, got rebates of $42,500 and so had a $22,200 out-of-pocket cost. Cowen's electrical bill determines how long his pay-off period will be. The panels' productive life is 25 years, give or take. By installing his solar system, Cowen is putting that $22,200 on 2 pretty safe bets and 1 sure thing.

The safe bets: (1) The cost of electricity will go up, and (2) at some point in that 25 years of panel life, Cowen will start getting free electricity every month.

The sure thing: From day 1, Cowen's solar system will be generating emissions-free power from a virtually endless source.

Bob Cowen, homeowner, Morris County, N.J.: “The rebates I received from the state of New Jersey made the switch to solar economically feasible…”

Solar system installers' requirements: (1) Capability of doing heavy lifting, (2) tolerance for working at heights (because they are on roofs all day), (3) a high school or trade school education.

Barry A. Cinnamon, chief executive, Akeena Sola: “We’re designing easier-to-install panels so there’s less complicated wiring requirements…but electrical experience is a plus…”

Solar Center, a New Jersey company, is adding about 1 new installer every month, many moving to solar from the homebuilding trades. Solar Center looks for 3 abilities: (1) construction skills, (2) electrical skills and (3) the ability to communicate.

Gerry Heimbuch, vice president for operations, Solar Center: “Our installers need to explain to customers how the new system will work, how to maintain it and how to recognize if there are any issues…”

Applicants with college engineering or business degrees can start as installers and move up to product designer, sales manager or supervisory positions.

Akeena pays workers $15-to-$30/hour plus health benefits and has a stock ownership plan. Solar Center starts its people with a 3-month training program, pays $16-to-$28/hour plus health benefits and gives them more responsibility as they become more experienced.

There’s one other benefit.

Heimbuch, Solar Center: “They feel like doing this job is doing the right thing for the planet…”

How much is that worth?

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Up on the Roof, New Jobs in Solar Power
Julie Bick, December 13, 2008 (NY Times)

WHO
Spencer Bockus (22), solar system installer, Akeena Solar; Barry A. Cinnamon, chief executive, Akeena Solar; Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) (Monique Hanis, spokeswoman); Solar Center (Gerry Heimbuch, vice president for operations)

WHAT
A solar installer: The facts.

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WHEN
- Spencer Bockus created solar-powered fans for science fairs as a fifth grader.
- Bockus is working a lot of overtime hours these days.
- 2007: 45% increase in solar energy system installations over 2006.

WHERE
- Akeena Solar is based in Los Gatos, Calif., and has offices in 7 states (California, Colorado and the Northeast).
- Solar Center is based in Rockaway, N.J.
- SEIA is based in Washington, D.C.

WHY
- Solar energy industry: 3,400+ companies, 25,000-to-35,000 workers (including installers, manufacturers, distributors and project developers and materials suppliers).
- Installations are of 2 kinds: (1) Thermal collectors for solar hot water systems, and (2) photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate electricity.
- PV installations include an inverter to translate between AC and DC power and can include batteries to allow storage of excess electricity.
- Reasons to install solar systems: (1) It is emissions-free electricity (true); (2) It reduces dependence on foreign oil (true only if the home uses oil or natural gas for heating and shifts to electric heating); (3) It lends “ecological status.” (It does?)
- Federal, state and local tax breaks and other subsidies make solar more affordable than ever.
- Cinnamon started his company by putting his own system on his garage.
- Akeena has ~ $40 million in annual sales and employs 220 workers.

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QUOTES
- Opening line of the article: “MOVE over, Joe the Plumber. Spencer the Solar Panel Installer is here.”
- Barry A. Cinnamon, chief executive, Akeena Solar: “Some people say their company started in a garage…Mine started on top of one.”