Project overview
SMUD is Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the electric power provider for Sacramento, CA. They’ve long been a leader in solar, having developed the world’s first commercial-scale solar photovoltaic power plant in 1984.
Now, SMUD is leading again by helping people to begin careers in the solar industry. They’ve led the creation of a workforce development program called Energy Careers Pathways, offering training in solar energy technology, installation skills, and career paths. As of this writing, seven people in the first class have been hired by solar companies; and the program is just getting started.
SMUD has brought together an impressive team of community leaders. The Sacramento Kings, Baker Energy Team, UC Davis, the Sacramento Black Chamber, the Sacramento Promise Zone and SHRA, the Greater Sacramento Urban League, National Energy Education Development (NEED) and Spotlight Solar have all contributed to this effort.
Spotlight Solar’s aesthetic solar structures are being placed in several under-resourced neighborhoods, as a beacon of the program, contributors of solar energy, and a taste of SMUD’s much larger 1.5 GW commitment to clean energy. And students from the program have had an opportunity to install these beautiful and memorable solar “trees,” calling attention to solar energy and environmental stewardship.
Click on pictures below to see larger ones
Specifications
Energy stewardship -- SMUD has 210 MW of solar, on the way to 1.5 gigawatts
Visible solar -- 4 Spotlight Solar Lift and Curve structures, so far…
Locations — Sacramento Urban League and Simmons Community Center
Education partner — NEED (National Energy Education Development)
Certified Integrators -- Baker Energy Team and Net Electric
Impact and media
After the first training course, seven students were hired by solar companies. More to come!
Article in Solar Industry Magazine
Energy Careers Pathways website
“The dual purpose of this program will provide training for jobs in a growing clean energy economy and increase our ability to harness the power of the sun for public benefit” - SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau
“Solar energy is the future. There are immense opportunities with solar and we want to provide the training and skills needed for lasting careers in this growing industry.”
- Dusty Baker, owner of Baker Energy Team and Manager of the Houston Astros
