“Increasing Access and Skills in Renewable Energy” (Originally published by The Denver Foundation)
Today we would like to introduce you to Scott Horton, Residential Solar Installer at GRID Colorado. Last fall Scott was interviewed and his story was featured in a series by The Denver Foundation.
When Scott first learned about our Installation Basics Training, including the industry-recognized job skills and certifications he would gain and the potential employment opportunities in the growing renewable energy sector, he enrolled in the program, offered at GRID Colorado five times a year.
Scott began the training with little knowledge of solar energy, but his passion for the work grew quickly. After completing the Installation Basics Training, Scott moved on to our 90-day fellowship program. “It just it just took my heart, you know, and I liked it. I stuck with it,” he recalls.
“I love training the guys on the roof and showing somebody something new, especially if they’re into it. It just means a lot to me. It means I did something good,” Scott says with pride.
Scott’s commitment and talent yielded results not just for him, but also for the solar panel customers and the community. One of his most memorable projects was installing solar panels in Montbello, the same neighborhood where he grew up and faced many struggles. Scott hadn’t been back in nearly 20 years. As he worked on installing solar panels on one of the homes, he noticed one of the homeowner’s family members who looked surprisingly familiar.
After finishing the installation, Scott began chatting with this family member. Scott told him how much he looked like his cousin Gail, and the man replied, “That is me.” The moment was a full circle of sorts, highlighting how far Scott had come and the impact he was now making on the lives of his family and community in a way he never could have imagined 20 years ago.
Photo courtesy: Armando Geneyro