On Veteran’s Day weekend, GRID Alternatives North Valley facilitated our quarterly Troops to Solar service-learning workday. An overcast sky held back the rain for four veteran volunteers to install a 16-panel (2,745 KwH) solar array on the Francis home in Southern Sacramento. GRID Alternatives’ Troops to Solar initiative highlights and celebrates the contributions of our armed forces within and beyond the borders of our communities. At GRID, we are proud to offer a platform for these distinctive individuals to serve and involve themselves in our collective transition toward a renewable energy economy.
Our veteran volunteers represent GRID’s mission as best as anyone, with their generosity, commitment and diversity. Sam Studer, Taylor Goss, Pete Marsh and Tien Le all participated with enthusiasm and focus. The homeowner, Henry Francis, is an Air Force veteran of nine years. During his service, Mr. Francis studied and operated flight-line ground power computer systems in Turkey, Okinawa and Mississippi. He left the service in 1973, to settle down with his wife and daughter. The Francis family will receive a 33% offset on their electric utility bills as a result of this solar installation.
“I loved that you all could come out and do this. Solar seems to be the way of the future”
We thought it appropriate to highlight two of our veteran interns that work alongside the NV construction team. Below is a transposition of a few interview answers they submitted. Introducing, Sam Studer & Taylor Goss!
Taylor Goss
● Briefly describe your military background?
Taylor will have completed 6 years of full-service come this January. Taylor is with the Air Force because he wanted different options/experiences after starting a family with his partner. Taylor has been stationed at Beale Air Force base his whole career as an Imagery Analyst.
● How did you gain interest in renewable energy / the solar industry?
Taylor wants to pursue architecture after his internship. He dreams of designing sustainable architecture that optimizes passive energy efficiency. Taylor will attend the University of San Francisco to pursue this interest.
● What are your goals with participating in the TROOPS to Solar internship?
Taylor wants to grow his foundational understanding of residential home design, roof composition, electrical systems and general aesthetics, as it applies to sustainable architecture.
● What technical and/or professional skills have you learned so far?
Technical skills include laying arrays, racking, conduit bending, electrical wiring. Feels confident with his profession skillset, as is looking forward to applying skills moving forward.
● How does the principle of equity play into your work with GRID?
Taylor is all for equity! Helping out the world is what Taylor is aiming to do. He understands and is committed to the “great purpose” GRID possesses. Taylor learned that during his service to our country; paying it forward for people who need additional support.
Sam Studer
● Briefly describe your military background?
I joined the army in 1983 and served 4 years until 1987. I was a paratrooper, Specialist 4th class, and an infantryman anti-tank specialist. I was stationed in Fort Bragg and VIcenza, Italy. I wasalways had an interest in sustainability and alternative energy. For a few years, I exported feed, fertilizer and steel to Mexico through a family business venture. The opportunity was profitable, but ultimately unsatisfying. It WAS a lot easier than teaching Elementary School (*laughs*), which was my former means of employment. In 2011, I felt that solar was starting to pick up steam. I felt like it was something he could make a living at, help the planet, and involve his son in. I volunteered with Grid on the Central Coast and quickly became a team leader.
● What are your goals with participating in the TROOPS to Solar internship?
My goals with participating in the TROOPS to Solar internship were to rebuild my confidence. I perceived some things that had happened in my life as setbacks. My strengths/weaknesses are that I think/ruminate and I'm a dreamer. I tend to get depressed and imagine myself as a failure. I knew It was time to change careers. Taking the first steps were daunting. After laying in 16 modules I was sore, tired and proud. The work breaks the inertia and the doubts fade away.
● What technical and/or professional skills have you learned so far?
I'm not the average veteran that this program was designed for. I have life and professional experiences as well as over 500 hours volunteering with Grid. The IBT tracking sheet is a much more helpful breakdown of learned skills, than the old team leader skills sheet. I have had a chance to work The new Enphase IQ as well as the Snap n’ Rack system. I am more comfortable taking figurative risks such as telling people what I want to do career wise and getting feedback. I have already have job offers and have received helpful suggestions on the types of career paths I can explore.
● How does the principle of equity play into your work with GRID?
In my work with GRD, I feel treated as an equal. Before, on many of the construction sites that I have worked on, I’ve endured unprofessional and immature conduct as well as exploitation. With GRID, I have had the pleasure to teach a lot of young people the skills on the IBT. Giving back and helping people advance their careers, is a great way to create equality.