Solar Power Jobs: How Much Do They Pay?

We have written a number of posts regarding solar power jobs.  In today’s tough economy, many people have been turning to green jobs for a unique, relatively high-paying career.

Considering a solar power job? Learn what they pay!

Did you know that you do not even need a college degree for some jobs in the solar industry?  That’s the first part of the good news.  Experts predict that the number of solar jobs will continue to rise as both public and private property owners realize the value of saving money and the environment by making a switch to solar energy.  Installation of solar panels will continue to boom in 2012 as prices have dropped making solar power cost competitive with coal and other traditional energy resources.

But what does a solar job pay?  How much can you make with a solar power career?

We found the following charts at this post on Solar Energy World, published on December 26, 2011:

Solar energy jobs that only require a High School diploma or G.E.D. :

Solar careers for people with a Bachelors degree, Trade School Training, or Apprenticeship:

If you are considering a solar power job, now might be just the time to get your application materials and resume together.  The solar industry is continuing to expand and – unlike coal and gas – it is not a finite resource.  As the world more seriously considers the toll of global climate change, the U.S. will be a leader in solar power growth.

That means they need people like you to add to the solar power job workforce!

Tags: careers solar power, green jobs, jobs in the solar industry, solar jobs, solar power careers, solar power jobs, what do solar power jobs pay

Solar Panels installed on a Bainbridge Island, WA Habitat for Humanity house

One of the things on my bucket list is to help build Habitat for Humanity homes.  Now, these community-built, free structures can be even cheaper to live in when they include solar panels.

In Dallas, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona (among other cities), solar panels on Habitat for Humanity homes are available via donation and installation of solar arrays from a number of companies.

Solar panel companies often donate arrays for installation on Habitat for Humanity homes.  Not only will the solar panels help save cash-strapped homeowners money, but they also reduce the carbon footprint of the home’s occupants as a result of using clean, free solar power, rather than coal or natural gas for electricity.

Over a 12-month period, the owner of a Habitat for Humanity house with solar panels can save nearly $1000 and watch their power bills drop to only $30 per month!

Tags: habitat for humanity, habitat for humanity solar, solar electricity, solar habitat for humanity, solar panels, solar power

Solar power benefits Third World Countries

For developing regions in Third World countries, many of life’s basic necessities are difficult to achieve due to poverty and/or living far from the electrical grid.  Keeping medical supplies at cool temperatures via refrigeration, making emergency telephone calls, lighting living spaces in a safe manner, and even purifying water and cooking food can be challenging, if not impossible.

Using solar power benefits Third World countries because the resource is ample and inexpensive.  Consider this startling fact: Africa has 9 times the solar energy potential of Europe—an annual equivalent of 100 million tons of oil.  If even a fraction of this solar power was tapped into, impoverished countries could even boost their economies by selling excess solar electricity to European countries.

In recognition of the value of solar power to developing countries, Sunbelt International recently announced an initiative to aggressively develop and deploy solar energy technologies and systems in third world countries. According to Sunbelt International President Fang Soo Lui:

“It is the strategic objective of Sunbelt International to approach emerging markets with sustainable energy alternatives.”

Sunbelt will work with a number of developing nations to install the solar power units.

In addition to Sunbelt’s new initiative, the World Bank announced last year that a $5.5 billion package would be invested in utility scale solar power plants in Africa.  One of its goals was to encourage additional private investments and entrepreneurs.

With solar power projects in Africa, CO2 emissions can be reduced by 740 million tons annually.  And that is a benefit that can be enjoyed by the entire world!

Tags: solar developing regions, solar electricity, solar energy, solar power, solar power third world countries, solar third world countries, sunbelt international

Illustration of net metering

While it is possible to go entirely off-grid with solar panels, most people considering residential solar want grid-tied solar power systems.

Summarized briefly, net metering benefits both the property owner and the utility company.  If you have solar panels installed and generate more electricity than you require, the excess is fed back into the grid for use by other consumers.  The utility will give you a credit against any power you need to draw from the grid at other times, at a specific, agreed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh).  Some people even get a refund if they end up producing more power with their solar panels than they use any given month.

Net metering for grid-tied solar power systems also benefits the power company because they are provided with additional electricity that they can sell, often at peak demand periods.  Perhaps not surprisingly, a net metering arrangement usually involves the utility paying you slightly less for the power than the rate at which they will charge other consumers.

Net metering is regulated on a state-by-state and/or local basis – there are not any national standards yet.

Its easy to use net metering with home solar power systems, but be sure to check with your utility provider regarding rates and details of the arrangement.  All you need is a net metering monitor to be installed with a grid-tied solar power system.  The device will track your use of grid-tied power, which is compared to the amount of energy produced by your residential solar array.  You can also review data regarding the dates and times of peak or low power usage.

The US Energy Policy Act of 2006 requires utilities to provide each residential and commercial energy user with net metering. With a solar power system, you can save substantial amounts of money by generating power during the day (peak demand times) and only drawing on the grid overnight when energy demands are lower.  Overall, you can end up with inexpensive, affordable power with tiny, if not nonexistent, electricity bills!

Tags: grid-tied solar power systems, home solar, net metering, net metering solar power, residential solar, solar power, solar power systems

SolarCity providing green jobs

The SJF Institute handed out its 2011 Green Jobs Awards recently, honoring the San Mateo, California company SolarCity.

Green jobs have experienced a tremendous growth during the recession, with solar power one of the leading industries providing such employment opportunities.  SolarCity currently employs 1,350 people full time and provides a full health package and retirement plan.  Not only that, but entry level photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installers have the opportunity to move quickly up the ranks into supervisory and management positions within 1-2 years of hire.

Linda Keala, SolarCity’s VP of human resources commented on its receipt of the 2011 Green Jobs Award:

“Our more than 1,300 employees make it possible for many homeowners and businesses to switch to clean, solar power for less than they pay for utility power.  Every SolarCity employee supports and plays a key role in increasing the use of clean power or using power more efficiently to make our country less dependent on energy sources that pollute our environment.”

Despite recent economic conditions, SolarCity has more than 20,000 clean power projects completed or underway in 11 states.

Regarding the 2011 Green Jobs Award, Bonny Moellenbrock, SJF Institute Executive Director, stated:

“By acknowledging the tremendous work these companies are doing, we hope to both support their efforts and inspire other businesses to follow their lead.”

What do you think about solar power and green jobs?

Tags: green jobs, green jobs award, solar city, solar energy, solar industry jobs, solar power, solarcity

Portable solar panels are the answer to two of the more pressing issues these days: (1) keeping electronic gadgets charged up, and (2) saving money and greenhouse gas emissions for the energy required.

Electronic devices like cell phones, cameras, mP3 players and computers require a lot of power to recharge.  Using solar panels is becoming a more mainstream way to keep charged up without the need for an electrical outlet.

Portable Solar Power to Recharge Devices

Today, you can find portable solar panel devices to recharge electrical gadgets using ultraviolet light.  And the newest version of portable solar panels is flexible solar power using thin film solar technology.

Here are two new products for portable solar panels that use flexible solar power:

1.  SolarRoll is comprised of PV (photovoltaic) cells and can be rolled and carried in a small backpack. It produces up to 14W of electricity for recharging small devices like cell phones and digital cameras.  SolarRoll is useful for people who spend a lot of time outside, including fishers, hunters, hikers and more. The device is also weather proof, and UV transparent. It costs in a range of $199-$479.

2.  Suntrica is another flexible device that uses solar energy for recharging gadgets.   It is so convenient, you can fit it into your pocket.  The thin film solar technology absorbs UV light and converts it into solar energy to recharge portable devices.

Do you use portable solar panels and/or flexible solar power to recharge mobile devices?  Let us know in the comments below!

Tags: flexible solar power, portable solar panels, solarroll, suntrica, thin film solar, thin film solar technology

Solar panels on apartment buildings

Solar panels on low-income housing provide a win-win for residents and other people in the local economy.

Here in the Central Oregon region in which I live, $900,000 in federal stimulus funds is helping fund solar power systems for several low-income housing apartment complexes.  The Energy Trust of Oregon is also committing funds toward the projects.

The Oregon Housing and Community Services Department is the agency through which federal funding is passed to local agencies to fund experimental solar panels, energy monitoring systems and high efficiency HVAC systems.

Not only will the solar panels help people save on their monthly electricity bill, but the project will provide much needed jobs for installers.  In Madras, Oregon – a community near the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, solar panels will be installed at Madras Townhomes.  In addition, residents at Healy Heights apartments in Bend, Oregon will soon enjoy free solar electricity generated by nine solar arrays installed on the complex’s rooftop.  The solar panels will generate approximately 170,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, saving each resident about $250 per year.

It goes without saying that the residents of low-income housing would not otherwise be able to afford residential solar panels for themselves. By funding solar panels for low-income housing residents, the money saved on energy bills can be put toward food or warm clothing, instead.

The solar panels in low-income housing in Central Oregon are being installed by E2 Solar.

Tags: home solar panels, residential solar panels, solar low-income housing, solar panels, solar panels apartment buildings, solar panels low-income housing, solar power

Many people are looking to travel with a lighter carbon footprint.  Green travel tips, eco-friendly hotels and more are springing up faster than daffodils in Spring.  Its time to add solar powered travel to the list!

Solar powered travel in an RV

Next to staying at home, traveling in an RV (recreational vehicle) or boat is one of the greenest options around.

You might be surprised, but the minimal amount of power required, the often small/compact spaces, and the fact that you probably are not washing and drying linens every day greatly reduces energy use when you are on the road.  Adding solar panels to your RV or boat can help you avoid running a gas generator or drawing on other fossil-fuel based power.

Portable solar panels are relatively inexpensive and easy to install when they come as part of a solar power kit:

You can be on the road (so to speak) toward solar powered travel after just a weekend of set-up.  Solar panels can be installed on the roof of an RV or boat in order to absorb sunlight, generating clean, free electricity to recharge batteries and run appliances.  If you are away from shore for days, marine solar panels are especially useful to keep batteries charged so you can relax and enjoy your excursion.

Prices for solar power kits range from $299-3999, depending on your power needs and the size of array required.

Tags: solar panels travel, solar power travel, solar powered travel, solar travel, travel solar panels

Smartbox Solar from Clarian is a plug in solar panel

Let’s face it – two considerations usually stop people from seriously considering a switch to home solar: (1) the price; and (2) the hassle of installation.

That’s why plug in solar power from Clarian, known as Smartbox Solar is an excellent alternative.  Within minutes, you can start generating solar power with plug in solar.  No need for wiring or expensive installations.  Simply plug in the 200W solar module into an existing outlet, just as you would any other home appliance.

The only question you’ll have to ask concerns placement of the Smart box Solar  – whether on a shed, window overhang or porch cover.  Placement near an existing outlet is required, as well.

One of the other benefits of plug in solar power is that you don’t need to purchase a solar inverter.  If you wish to generate more solar energy, you can purchase additional modules.

While Clarian has not yet released Smartbox Solar for retail sales, the website states that the cost will be about the same as a refrigerator or other appliance.  Savings can add up to repay the cost within 5 to 8 years, including renewable energy rebates or tax credits.  A single 200W plug in solar power module can generate enough energy to offset costs of lighting your home each year.

Tags: clarian, home solar, home solar panels, home solar power, plug in solar panels, plug in solar power, smart box solar, smartbox solar, solar panels

Solar panels provide clean solar electricity for Purdy Farms Christmas tree lots

So, after considering whether to go with a real or fake Christmas tree, its time to head to the tree lot.  Did you know that in San Diego, the lights and chainsaws used at the Purdy Farms Christmas Tree lots are solar powered?  Stellar Solar has provided a mobile solar station that includes giant photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate clean, green solar electricity to light up the Christmas tree lots and keep things going throughout the holiday season.

Last year was the first season that Stellar Solar helped create the solar powered Christmas tree lots.  The hope is that more tree farms and retailers will consider solar power for their holiday lighting needs this year and in the future.

Kent Harle, founder and President of Stellar Solar, commented:

“We are always looking for innovative ways to utilize our Mobile Solar Station. Powering the Purdy Christmas tree lots is a great way to do that in a unique location and expose a whole new audience to the practical use of solar power. It makes sense given that they used solar power to grow these trees in the first place.”

Portable solar power such as Stellar Solar’s mobile solar station is increasingly used for operations such as home construction and military operations.  How perfect that it is also well suited for short term commercial requirements like Christmas tree lots?

If you have visited a solar powered Christmas tree lot, or have a great idea for a location of another lot, please share in the comments below!

Tags: mobile solar station, purdy christmas trees, solar power, solar powered christmas tree, solar powered christmas tree lots, stellar solar