Jobs In Solar: Manufacturing Technician (Golden, CO)

Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-09-29, 1:55PM MDT

PrimeStar Solar was formed to develop and manufacture thin film solar modules in high volume. Our goal is to be part of the solution to energy supply and environmental issues, including energy self-reliance and climate change.

We are seeking Manufacturing Technicians to join our team!

Responsibilities
Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
• Operation of prototype and production PVD tools manufacturing thin film solar devices.
• Chemical processing of material including use of acids and solvents.
• Operation of laser processing systems.
• Material inspection including the operation of microscopes and electrical test equipment to ensure specification compliance.
• Troubleshooting vacuum equipment and communicating issues with maintenance staff.
• Accurate recording of process data into a database system.
• Assist in general clean room housekeeping of the production areas including tool wipe downs.
• Assist in tool teardown, cleanup and rebuild during maintenance cycles.

Qualifications
• 2 to 5 years manufacturing experience in a technical manufacturing or production facility
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work well in the fast paced environment of a company with aggressive goals.
• Ability to take direction from Process Engineering staff and follow written process flow changes.
• Ability to multitask with a high degree of flexibility and tolerance to ambiguity.
• Ability to repeatedly lift 15 lbs.
• Basic computer skills including database entry, and MS Office Suite use.

Education/Certifications
High school diploma. Minimum two years technical/vocational schooling, a plus.

Characteristics
• Can-do attitude. Do whatever it takes to get the job done right.
• Does it right the first time.
• Good analytical thinking and attention to detail.
• Able to work with minimal supervision.
• Willing to work varying schedules.

PrimeStar Solar is fast-paced and results-oriented. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-based work environment.

Summary of Benefits
Competitive salary and stock option plan
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
401k Plan
Paid holidays and vacation

Compensation
Starting/minimum wage: $13.00 per hour (commensurate with experience)

Candidates for this position must be U.S. citizens or must be legally employable in the U.S. PrimeStar Solar is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply for this position email a resume of your background and qualifications to:

employment@primestarsolar.com

PrimeStar Solar, Inc.

Location: Golden, CO

• Compensation: Starting wage: 13.00 per hour (salary commensurate with experience)
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Jobs In Solar: Installer - Temporary (Panorama City) Los Angeles Area

Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-09-26, 10:09AM PDT

REC Solar is a solar electric system integrator specializing in the design and installation of residential and commercial solar systems. Our vision is to make solar electricity a part of the mainstream energy supply. While still being a medium-sized employer, REC Solar is a market leader in the solar electric industry, experiencing growth rates in excess of 75%/year.

REC Solar's vision is to make solar electricity part of the mainstream energy supply. By commercializing energy sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, we can contribute to a more secure and sustainable world.
We are in the process of building a crew for a series of large commercial projects on Panorama City Solar Installers will be responsible for the following:

• Assembling the racking and solar array;
• Assembly of equipment along with properly sealing all roof penetrations;
• Trenching, concrete work and equipment assembly.

Basic Qualifications:

• Have full range of mobility in upper and lower body;
• Be able to work in various positions, including, but not limited to, stooping, standing, bending over, sitting, kneeling and squatting for extended periods of time;
• Be able to lift, pull and push materials and equipment to complete assigned job tasks;
• Be able to lift 50 pounds of weight frequently throughout assigned workday;
• Attention to detail;
• A good driving record;
• Documentation skills;
• Professional appearance and client interaction;
• Construction related experience.


REC Solar will conduct pre-employment Drug Test, Background Check and Physicals on final candidates.

At REC Solar we consider the environmental impact of our business decisions whenever possible. To minimize paper waste, we request that all candidates send resumes via our website. Apply online at http://tbe.taleo.net/NA5/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=RECSOLAR&cws=1&rid=191
Location: Panorama City

• Compensation: BOE
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Woody Harrelson Using Solar

Here's an article about Woody Harrelson is living in Hawaii and using solar to power his home.

Actor Woody Harrelson Living Off The Grid Article

West Coast Green Conference On Now

West Coast Green is the largest convention/venue for "green innovation, building, business and design." The conference is taking place right now in Silicon Valley at the San Jose Convention Center til September 27th. A lot of the "Green" subjects will be discussed with a special emphasis on green buildings and green design. It's a big tradeshow for the "green building movement."

Speakers include green/environmental oriented architects and designers. There's a photo of "ED" on the site so there's a pretty good chance Ed Begley will be there greening around!

Saturday is "Homeowner's Day" when the public will be given access to professionals, products and information on how to modify their homes.

There is a company called "SG Blocks" that will demonstrate how to build a snap-together home out of old shipping containers. The new home built with these "blocks" can be built in half the time it usually takes to build a average home. This photo is shows the home starting to be assembled from the containers.

Solar Panels Being Stolen-It's The Crime of The Future!

In California in the last 6 months, police have noticed a rash of rooftop solar panel thefts. Thieves steal the panels in the middle of the night and resell them on places like Craigslist and eBay.

One woman who had her panels stolen, 16 to be exact in 3 separate burglaries. She claims she now keeps a shotgun and a 22 under her pillow.

These clowns who steal them sell them on Craigslist for $100 each. Police can pretend to be a buyer whether the sale takes place on Craigslist or eBay and do catch the idiotic thieves that way.

A Warning to those who think its cool to buy stolen panels on these sites-In California if you are found in possession of stolen merchandise you are subject to arrest and prosecution. Even if you didn't know you bought stolen goods it doesn't matter-you have to turn it in and take the loss unless you want to gamble your freedom or start up a criminal record for yourself.

Europeans have had more experience with living with solar panels than anyone else and are used to dealing with panel theft. They install alarms and make sure the panels are "hard to unscrew."

"Not far from Hoffman, in the town of Palm Desert, Jim and Shayna Powell were devastated after thieves took 19 of their solar panels in June, just when they needed air-conditioning the most, causing their electricity bill to shoot from $3 to $300.

"Of all the times of year to steal the panels," Jim Powell said in frustration."

California has the most thefts of panels because it has 33 thousand installations.

One business owner who actually owns a solar installation company got ripped off himself with thieves stealing more than $30K worth of panels. He said the panels were "expertly" dismantled leading him to believe that the culprit was an insider in the solar industry, perhaps an installer. He's suggesting that everyone who has solar panels install a video surveillance camera and security alarm. Said the business owner "it's the crime of the future."

This particular crime in California is doing pretty good in the present too!

Jobs In Solar: International Project Finance Manager (Maryland)

Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-09-23, 1:46PM EDT

International Project Finance Manager

SunEdison is North America’s largest Solar Energy Service Provider, and operates across the global marketplace delivering turnkey, predictably priced renewable electricity services for commercial, government and utility customers without the capital outlays traditionally associated with solar solutions. Using proven technology, SunEdison delivers a complete service; we finance, install, own, operate and maintain photo voltaic power plants at the customer’s facility.

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS
The International Project Finance Manager will oversee company activities relating to project finance and corporate development. The Manager will provide “deal support” to the structuring, negotiation and execution of project finance, M&A, corporate finance, joint venture, partnership, and other relevant transactions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific duties include:
•Primary focus on the origination, negotiation, and execution of project finance transactions
•Evaluation and analysis of M&A, joint ventures, and partnerships
•Deal support on corporate finance transactions
•Management of both internal and external resources (lawyers, advisors, consultants)
•Develop deal summaries for review by SunEdison senior leadership
•Coordinating all deal documentation
•Supporting accounting and finance line functions
•Developing and maintaining relationships with financial and strategic partners

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reporting dependent if based in HQ or in- region. Initially, reporting will be to GM, Emerging Markets in close collaboration with VP, Project Finance

QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree, MBA a plus
•7+ years business experience, including experience in “deal” environments and a track record of structuring and executing complex transactions
•Background in investment banking, structured or leveraged finance, and/or private equity is ideal
•Project management experience a plus; the Manager will be managing many counterparties and their lawyers and advisors
•Strong organization and documentation skills
•Strong financial modeling and analytical skills a must
•Excellent people skills – capable of working at C level and to challenging deadlines
•Experience with M&A transactions a plus
A competitive salary will be offered with stock appreciation points, company and individual bonus. EOE

Please apply at www.Sunedison.com Location: Maryland

• Compensation: A competitive salary will be offered with stock appreciation points, company and individual bonus. EOE
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

iPhone Solar Charger Case

For all you iphone junkies out there here's the perfect result of teaming up solar power and iphone, the Solar Power Leather Case for iPhone! Has a charger placed in it for powering up the first and second generation iPhones. You get 3 hours on the charge and approx. cost is $48.

Solar Powered iPhone Leather Case Featured at Mobile.Brando

Info Correction

Ot oh, a reader informed me that the email below about the Bakken Oil reserve is in the "hoax" arena and only partially correct. That's why I put in the original post "if all the info is accurate." Turns out the message in the email was only partly accurate.

Here's the Snopes page:

Snopes page on Bakken Oil deal

New Solar Powered Emergency or Decorative Lamp Debuts

Recently a company called "SolLight" introduced a new solar powered "lamp" to the consumer market. It's call "Light Cap 200" and it fits on all standard 2.25" water bottles. It has no batteries or cords, just uses a sensor that turns on the LED lights when it senses it dark enough. It's weatherproof and can be used as a solar flashlight too. Color fluid can be put into the water to produce a more decorative glow.

At $25 most people would use for a small patio/deck light or as an emergency light.

New Solar Powered Lamp called "Light Cap" is now available.

3 To 4 Billion Barrels of Technically Recoverable Oil in North Dakota

I received an email today pointing to this site: U.S. Geological Survey Newsroom . The email (if all the info is accurate) presented the question "why are we importing oil?" This "Bakken Formation" is apparently loaded with "recoverable" oil.

Here is the gist of the email I received:

"The U.S. Geological Service issued a report in April ('08) that only scientists and oilmen knew was coming, but man was it big. It was a revised report (hadn't been updated since '95) on how much oil was in this area of the western 2/3 of North Dakota; western South Dakota; and extreme eastern Montana ..

The Bakken is the largest domestic oil discovery since Alaska's Prudhoe Bay, and has the potential to eliminate all American dependence on foreign oil. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates it at 503 billion barrels. Even if just 10% of the oil is recoverable... at $107 a barrel, we're looking at a resource base worth more than $5.3 trillion.

'When I first briefed legislators on this, you could practically see their jaws hit the floor. They had no idea.' says Terry Johnson, the Montana Legislature's financial analyst.

'This sizable find is now the highest-producing onshore oil field found in the past 56 years,' reports The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. It's a formation known as the Williston Basin, but is more commonly referred to as the 'Bakken.' And it stretches from Northern Montana, through North Dakota and into Canada. For years, U.S.oil exploration has been considered a dead end. Even the 'Big Oil' companies gave up searching for major oil wells decades ago. However, a recent technological breakthrough ha s opened up the Bakken's massive reserves... and we now have access of up to 500 billion barrels. And because this is light, sweet oil, those billions of barrels will cost Americans just $16 PER BARREL!

That's enough crude to fully fuel the American economy for 41 years straight.

U.S.Oil Discovery- Largest Reserve in the World!
Stansberry Report Online - 4/20/2006 Hidden 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the Rocky Mountains lies the largest untapped oil reserve in the world is more than 2 TRILLION barrels. On August 8, 2005 President Bush
mandated its extraction.

They reported this stunning news: We have more oil inside our borders, than all the other proven reserves on earth. Here are the official estimates:

-8-times as much oil as Saudi Arabia
-18-times as much oil a s Iraq
-21-times as much oil as Kuwait
-22-times as much oil as Iran
-500-times as much oil as Yemen- and it's all right here in the Western United States.
HOW can this BE? HOW can we NOT BE extracting this!? Because the democrats, environmentalists and left wing republicans have blocked all efforts to help America become independent of foreign oil.

James Bartis, lead researcher with the study says we've got more oil in this very compact area than the entire Middle East -more than 2 TRILLION barrels. Untapped. That's more than all the proven oil reserves of crude oil in the world today, reports The Denver Post.

Don't think 'OPEC' will drop its price - even with this find? Think again! It's all about the competitive marketplace, - it has to.

----
[Got your attention/ire up yet? Hope so! Now, while you're thinking about it ... and hopefully P.O'd, do this:

3. Take 10 minutes and compose an e-mail; fax or good old-fashioned letter to all your friends and associates. Alert them to the fact that democrats and "liberal" republicans have been and will continue to obstruct all plans to make America independent of foreign oil. The only solution is to vote all democrats and Marxist oriented republicans out of office.

If you don't take a little time to do this, then you should stifle yourself the next time you want to complain about gas prices .. because by doing NOTHING, you've forfeited your right to complain."
---------------------
Interesting info I think you would agree? Why haven't the talking heads on TV and radio discovered this and bringing this up? If this is true, we have all the oil we would ever need. Of course technology comes into play here. The oil has to be discovered and processed.

I'm all for being as "green" as is practical but we also as Americans want to be as independent as possible. Green technology is just starting out really, it's going to take time to bring the prices down for the average consumer. It would be great if we all suddenly had the option to buy affordable vehicles powered by alternative energy that doesn't pollute our environment-but it takes time for this to happen.

While we're developing this technology we don't want to be held ransom to $5 to $10 a gallon in the future, which could happen if markets collapse.

What do you think about this info folks?

Job Opportunities in Solar Are Evolving

As the solar industry is growing and evolving so are the jobs that are vital to the industry. Both residential and commercial buyers of solar panels and services are demanding standards for experience and competency.As you can see in this blurb below from "Interstate Renewable Energy Council" that over 80K solar installations were done in 2007.

That brings up the question of who is doing design, installation and service and just how are they qualified to do these jobs. What sort of formal training and education do people working in the renewable energy industry need to have? Sounds like specific formal education programs will be developed to have a way to standardize the qualifications for these solar and wind related positions. Similar to various contractors who must be state licensed to do certain types of work in residential and commercial venues.

Ultimately it comes down to accountability and standards as it always does. Do you want someone who was just hired last week to be installing panels and doing wiring in your home or business? Potential customers want to see qualifications and a successful track record from solar businesses.
----------------------

Since 2004, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has been compiling information on occupational descriptions and titles for the solar industry focusing primarily on photovoltaics (PV) or solar electricity. As the solar industry continues to set record growth, we are also seeing corresponding changes in the occupational profiles associated with a maturing industry.

Not that long ago, a solar installer handled many facets of the job – it was not unusual that “one guy did it all.” But today, there is differentiation in job categories as markets grow; systems are moving from small residential ones to larger, commercial projects requiring a variety of contractors and crews; work is governed by state licensing laws; and consumers are looking for quality assurance through third-party credentialing programs.

According to a July 2008 IREC Report, over 80,000 solar installations were completed in 2007. The average size of a grid-connected PV residential installation has grown steadily from 2.2 kW to over 4.7 kW from 1998 to 2008. The size of a non-residential system has also been growing in recent years with an average of 67 kWDC in 2007.

* Report prepared by Jane Weissman, Executive Director, IREC, with thanks to Jerry Ventre, Jim Dunlop and Katie Bolcar for their review and comments.

Flickr Promoting Yahoo Using Solar Powered Phone and Bike

Yahoo, appartently hurting from recent company news and the feds looking into their deal with Google advertising have come up with a way to get attention. They are putting GPS units and solar powered cameraphones on bikes in an effort to take photos every 60 secs of a particular metro. The bikes are being ridden around by Flickr "special units" who drive and snap their way through cities and tout the new "start wearing purple" and "purple pedals" campaign. The photos are uploaded to a "special" Flickr account. The cameraphone is powered by small solar panels on the bike's back rack.

This campaign is for photo junkies obviously-but notice how solar power is starting to be integrated into these little marketing campaigns. The idea of powering with solar is starting to become matter-of-fact.

Get the rest of the story by "Gina" at Lifehacker.

Permasteelisa and Nextgeneration Solar Cells

Permasteelisa is a designer, producer and installer of "architectural envelopes" it states on it's site. The type of company that surrounds buildings and installs office walls, furnishings, etc.. They are getting into nextgeneration solar panels through their participation in new technology that will allow producing solar panels without silicone.

The next 4 years will see the development of "organic" photovoltaic cells. They will also start-up an industrial production line of DSSC panels (Dye Sensitized Solar Cells). This innovative technology utilizes light-sensitive organic pigments and nanotechnology to generate electricity. These new organic cells will be more versatile and enable builders to integrate them vertically into the sides of tall skyscrapers. In addition to being less sensitive to the angle of solar radiation they are also transparent and may use different colors. All this makes for more pleasant visual solar cell integraton on the exterior of buildings.

The Universities of Rome Tor Vergata, Ferrara and Turin will be research partners in the project. The Australia company Dyesol will also be involved, through its subsidiary Dyesol Italia, leader in the sector for the supply of materials and technologies.

Making the visual aspect of solar cells/panels much more pleasing to the eye will do it's part in overcoming the arguments of the anti-solar naysayers.

First Solar Powered Movie Theater

Cinema West has installed solar panels in the Fairfax 5 movie theater in Fairfax Calif. making it the first movie complex to go solar in the USA. The 1952 movie house will by their calculations, be saving $627K over the 30 year life of the panels.

Cinema West founder Dave Corkill said, "Solar energy will not only help us offset our electricity costs, but will also reduce greenhouse emissions and propagate the environmental ideals of this progressive community. The Fairfax Theatre's marquis is one of the first things you see when entering Fairfax. Now we are proud that it also represents clean energy."

More details at Emerging Energy News.

Check Out Companies Before Applying For a Job

I received an anonymous email from someone who said one of the companies I posted a job link to didn't have any money to pay their employees. This may or may not be true. The point is when you go for a job-check them out also. They're busy checking you out in terms of criminal, credit, work history so it may be a good idea to check out their history and current financial state before applying.

Just a little heads-up! You can check out some companies at Ripoff Report.

Solar Powered LED Lamp Tracks Home Energy Use

Designer Beverly Ng has developed a solar powered lamp that tracks energy use in one's home. The Swedish government has plans to place "smart meters" in homes to track energy consumption. These meters would be put into new homes being built not existing ones. The homeowner would know how much energy their using by watching the lights on the solar powered LED lamp which has been named "Spark Lamp." The government would then track homeowner energy use on the internet because the lamp is equipped with WiFi.

Some people don't like this and label it the "energy police" tracking homeowners. The Swedes do lean toward socialism and there are other ways to track home energy use out there.

Read the details at PHYSORG.com.

Solar 2030 Concept Car-Start Stocking Up on Windex!

Here's a designer's idea of what solar powered vehicles will look like in 2030. A designer from Moldova is calling his creation "2030." Resembles a green glass bubble and somehow reminds me of the old AMC Pacer which was sort of a little glass bubble on wheels. Start buying stock in companies that produce glass cleaner.

Read more details at DVICE.

Phoenix Suns Start Making Use of The Sun

The Phoenix Suns have just announced their U.S. Airways Center is going Solar Power. They plan on installing over 1,100 pv panels The installation will cost $1.5 million and they'll receive yearly rebates of $60 to $85K from Arizona Public Service Co. via the utility's renewable-energy incentive program.

The Suns estimate their new solar power system will eliminate approx. 440,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

Other sports venues that have gone solar include Fenway Park, AT &T Park and Coors Field.

Solar Energy Stocks Rising in Past Month

Investors have been hot and cold on energy stocks for the past few months. Earlier in the year solar energy stocks reached their highs and a sell off occurred. But, they're baaaaacccckkkk.

Business Week is reporting that some of the solar energy issues have risen at least 58% in the past month. No doubt motivated by a lot of positive quarterly earnings reports. Investors are catching on again-the public wants solar energy technology to be developed to bring down the price for consumers.

But, the feds have to have their brains cells functioning in order to keep investment tax credit incentives for individual users. Homeowners who are thinking of installing rooftop panels want the larger incentives let alone not renewing the current ones. The current congress has not passed legislation that would extend investment tax credit incentives as of yet.

One broker at Raymond James who monitors the solar energy sector said regarding the feds not reupping on the incentives "We have excellent solar resources in the U.S. We have increasing power prices, plenty of renewable energy incentives even without the [investment tax credit]."

The cost of producing solar energy is coming down. Alternatively, the cost of producing fossil fuel based energy is going up. What's not to understand Feds?