While most of us have become accustomed to higher energy prices, this latest spike has been pretty ugly. I haven’t seen any gas prices starting with a 5 yet, but I’ve seen a few come dangerously close. The situation for home energy doesn’t appear to be quite as dire right now, but it all adds up (and it’s May when most of us turn our heaters off and haven’t yet turned our air conditioners on). Energy costs keep increasing as a percentage of household budgets, and this has an especially negative effect on low-income families and individuals. GRID Alternatives is an Oakland, CA based non-profit organization that is trying to fix this problem. They “empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training.” Not only are they helping people manage and lower energy costs, but they’re also creating jobs and training people to fill these jobs.

Get on the GRID

GRID Alternatives was founded during the 2001 California energy crisis. I don’t know for sure, but that seems like it was about 6 or 7 energy crises ago. I find organizations like GRID Alternatives really exciting because they’re able to address a number of very different problems through a group of closely connected programs. GRID Alternatives’ core program is called the Solar Affordable Housing Program. It focuses on training and leading “teams of job trainees and other community members to install solar electric systems for low-income families throughout California.” They’re taking on pollution, poverty, and unemployment all at once. If you want to be a part of that mission, then you should check out jobs at GRID Alternatives. Right now they have a few positions that should interest new or recent grads including Outreach Coordinator (Chico, CA), Outreach Coordinator (Carson, CA), Americorps VISTA (IE): Outreach and Program Associate (Inland Empire, CA), Americorps VISTA (IE): Volunteer and Training Associate (Inland Empire, CA), Americorps VISTA (NV): Outreach and Program Associate (Chico, CA), Americorps VISTA (NV): Volunteer and Training Associate (Chico, CA), Americorps VISTA: Volunteer and Outreach Associate (San Luis Obispo, CA), LISC AmeriCorps Outreach and Program Associate at GRID Alternatives (Oakland, CA). Take a look and see what interests you.

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

• GRIDAlternatives.org
• Jobs at GRID Alternatives
• About GRID Alternatives
• GRID Alternatives’ Staff
• GRID Alternatives’ Programs
• GRID Alternatives in the News

What have you heard about GRID Alternatives?

Solar power is one of those things that continues to amaze you long after you’re first introduced to it. Even if it’s just a photovoltaic cell connected to a lightbulb, the harnessing of the sun’s power always seems to generate a feeling of child-like amazement. Lucky for our planet, that youthful exuberance has remained in many of today’s entrepreneurs, even after they have grown up. Because of them, it seems that we might soon see the day when solar power moves from something that hobbyists play around with to a real source of sustainable energy.

From what we can tell, the big difference maker in the solar power industry is cost per watt. Obviously, lower cost is better, and that’s what Nanosolar specializes in. They’ve developed a method of printing – yes, printing – photovoltaic cells that are far more affordable than most other solar energy options.

We’re not going to go into too much detail about exactly what Nanosolar does, but we’ve put together a collection of links that should lead you to the information you want. If you need a really quick overview of the company, check out the Wikipedia Entry on Nanosolar

There’s only one job at Nanosolar that is explicity geared towards entry-level candidates, and it’s a position as a Design Engineer. There are numerous other jobs that require an Associates Degree and three years experience. We wonder whether a Bachelor’s Degree with less experience could be considered equivalent? So take a look at Nanosolar’s other job listings, and if you don’t find what you like, try cold calling them – they seem to encourage it on their careers page. Speaking of which, Nanosolar’s careers page doesn’t offer too much information, but what it does offer is clear, concise, and straight to the point. They want the best talent, regardless of experience, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to attract, develop, and retain that talent.

Note: On April 24th we revisited entry-level jobs at Nanosolar.

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

• The Nanosolar Home Page
• Careers at Nanosolar
• About Nanosolar
• Nanosolar’s Job Listings
• The Nanosolar Blog
• Nanosolar in the Press
• Nanosolar’s Technology
• Corporate Culture at Nanosolar
• The History of Nanosolar
• Nanosolar’s Leadership
• Wikipedia Entry on Nanosolar

How long do you think it will be until we, as a society, start using solar power as a significant energy source?