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Health & Fitness

Working in Solar Energy: Stellar Designer John Stemmerman

Interview with Stellar Solar PV Designer John Stemmerman about what it's like working in solar and his tips for jobseekers looking to get involved in the renewable energy industry.

We’ve decided to interview one of the key members of our design team; PV Systems Engineer/CAD Specialist John Stemmerman. It was great learning about why he got involved in the renewable energy industry, what's it like working in the field, as well as gaining a few of his insider tips for people looking to find green jobs.

Why are you involved in solar energy?
I started out working on the solar panel installation team six years ago and the more I learned about it the more passionate I became about renewable energy. The San Diego solar market is booming and  I saw first-hand what a difference solar energy can make in people's lives by making the electricity they need more affordable; not to mention that it is much better for the environment than processes involved in producing energy from natural gas, coal, and oil.

What's it like designing solar- can you describe the process?
A lot goes into designing a solar system. It all starts with a site evaluation  to take  measurements, pictures, and perform a shade analysis. We then head back to the office to draw up a proposed solar layout using Auto CAD software. After receiving approval from the customer we proceed with getting the job permitted at the city building department.  A required  plan set  is needed that shows detailed drawings and electrical calculations. The permitting process takes approximately  1-4 weeks depending on which city building dept. you are working with. Once we receive a permit our installers can then proceed with the installation of the panels. Ideally a system should be tilted south, east or west will work but a south facing system yields the highest energy production.

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What are some key skills you need to design solar?
A general knowledge of residential solar and commercial solar is a must, along with computer aided drafting skills, a familiarity with the NEC, and math.

Any recommendations for someone looking for renewable energy jobs?
Having some hands on experience in the solar industry will definitely help you get your foot in the door of a company.  You can do this by volunteering or taking a class. Once you get your foot in the door of a company you like, show your employer you can work hard, stay motivated and  to continue to learn new skills. When you do that you should have no problem getting your desired position. Also do your research on the field you want to go into; and most of all find something you are passionate about.

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What's your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is that it is not simply a desk job where I am stuck in an office all day. I get to travel to all different areas to work with solar in San Diego for site evaluations and meet all sorts of different people who appreciate my efforts. In my eyes it is the perfect balance of desk work and field study.

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