The latest #SolaChat focused on everyone’s solar“story…” those who work in solar, who’ve gone solar, and who are consideringsolar. We were joined by guest panelists Tom Kimbis,VP president of strategy & external affairs and general counsel for SEIA, and Kendra Hubbard, solar marketing andsocial media specialist. The result — lots of inspiration, passion, and a rededication to making a “sunny” difference. Here are some highlights…

Q1 How has solarimpacted your life?

#SolarChat A1: #solar has connected me with great people and companies and brought me to one of the finest cities – San Diego!Anywhere Solar

A1: I’ve finally met like-minded professionals and enthusiasts that are passionate abt creating a better, cleaner, smarter future #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A1 #solarchat #solar got me to move out of the city and into the suburbs so I could be part of a solar ops teamChris Stabile

A1 – Working for a cause that you believe in makes all the difference. #solarchatTom Kimbis

A1 Solar provides me with a deep satisfaction that my time & energy is spent meaningfully & has potentially game changing impact #SolarChatRaina Brett Russo

A1 I love saving money, being #green and showing my passion for #Solar buy educating others how it’s possible #SolarChatStreamline Solar

A1 @ecooutfitters I came out of retirement to help spread the word about #solar! That’s how much I love it! #SOLARCHATSolar Coach

A1: In a great way! I’ve started learning a lot and spreading a lot about solar. #SolarchatGrace Ocean

A1 It’s a solution for a more sustainable future. I want to provide that solution for everyone today for a better tomorrow. #solarchatSarah Dara

Q2 What was the firstthing that inspired you to go the solar direction (either in your home or biz)?

A2 My roommate teased me to hustle to get my solar job after grad, as there was probably only 1 solar job in the US. Now 100,000 #solarchatTom Kimbis

A2 I saw my first solar "battery" in 4th grade science class. It was from Exxon Solar. Year censored. #SolarChatEd Gunther

A2 My inspiration 4 solar began after reading "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" by @NYTimesFriedman. A true champion 4 renewable energies! #solarchatJosh Basara

A2: Our founders wanted to make a meaningful, positive impact with solar, and have been attracting like-minded folks ever since. #solarchatSunrun

@EcoOutfitters A2: Just coming from sunny CA and then moving to Boston made me miss the sun and realize how great it is #SolarChatSolSolution

A2 My daughter. I want a more sustainable future for her. A natural, sustainable, clean future. #solarchatSarah Dara

A2 Growing up in Israel where conservation is a way of life made solar a very natural choice for me personally. #SolarChatRaina Brett Russo

A2 I’ve always been actively engaged in environmental protection, so that’s the 1st thing. The 2nd was the incredible investment! #solarchatSolar Coach

A2: Visiting our national parks really connected me with our environment and drove me to help preserve it! #SolarChatScott Skender

A2 – I love the environment it’s honestly that simple, we should protect it in anyway we can! #SolarChatStreamline Solar

A2 shifting to the #solar biz came from when I was a little kid. My mom was the crazy person who believed in recycling! #solarchatChris Stabile

A2: reoccuring theme: we pick this stuff up when we are kids #solarchatKendra Hubbard

Q3 What was thedeciding factor that convinced you to take the solar leap?

A3 Latched back on solar PV after the dotcom bust. Wanted to do something that mattered instead of push marketing. #SolarChatEd Gunther

A3: We will always be building things, why not be proactive now and integrate renewables into everything we can? #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A3 We were building "green" homes and that industry declined as the solar industry was growing. Smooth sustainable transition! #solarchatAztec Solar Power

A3: I worked in oil-based building materials and developed reflective shingles… got the bug for solar! #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A3: The fact that it’s good for everyone. Saving money with solar is helping adoption rates explode! #solarchatSunrun

A3 SolSolution’s founder @sorenharrison didn’t want to wait 40 years down the line after he worked in for-profit to make a diff #SolarChatSolSolution

A3 Understanding the incentives that so many were unaware of, drove me to jump on the solar opportunity & teach others #SolarChatRaina Brett Russo

A3 In terms of my own home, I needed a pricepoint my husband would buy into. W/ 3.5 yr ROI & 60% bill cut the decision was easy. #SolarChatRaina Brett Russo

A3 REALIZING THAT IT’S THE FUTURE! Why not have it now if I’m going to have it later? Especially in Arizona! #Solar is the future #solarchatSolar Coach

A3 – my love for solar and the environment is huge. My boss’s passion for selling it the right way is why I jumped on #SolarChatStreamline Solar

Q4 What continues toinspire you on a daily basis to remain loyal to solar? What really “brightens”you up about it?

@EcoOutfitters A4 Seeing the positive reactions & surprise from our customers after that 1st electric bill! #solarchat #positivechangeSolar Energy World

A4: When people online and in person refer me as a ‘solar advocate’… makes me very proud #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A4: And from a business perspective… solar has unlimited growth potential, we just have to go out and take it #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A4 The excitement of working in a growing industry. Lots of room for personal career growth. Always learning something new! #solarchatSolarDock

A4 I felt challenged going solar a few yrs ago & as a civil eng that seemed crazy. It made me realize importance of simplifying #SolarChatRaina Brett Russo

A4 Watching the "ah-ha" moment on someone’s face when they fully understand the economic & eco-friendly benefits of going #solar. #solarchatJosh Basara

A4 Making every #solar customer a happy solar customer keeps me going. I’ve yet to find someone who’s not happy with their system #solarchatSolar Coach

A4: Seeing the real-time generation stats on our schools, and seeing the difference it makes in the classroom #SolarChatSolSolution

A4 Like-minded individuals inspire me. We are one solar fish but together, we become a united school to make a difference. #solarchatSarah Dara

A4: The joke around here is "tricking people into saving the world," so convincing unlikely people to go solar inspires me #SolarChatScott Skender

Q5 To what extentwill/do you pass on the solar love? What are some of the challenges you faceand are willing to overcome?

A5 Don’t underestimate the importance of telling your neighbor, local paper, the person next to you on the bus, about solar. #solarchatTom Kimbis

A5 One of the greatest challenges for us is patience. Solar is a superior energy source, but the world won’t adopt it overnight. #solarchatTom Kimbis

@ecooutfitters A5 There really is no challenge that can’t be overcome with #solar. That’s why I love my job. #solarchatSolar Coach

A5 Challenge: Those who are afraid of change. I tell them that it’s okay…follow the sunlight. It’s warmer here anyways. #solarchatJosh Basara

A5: Solar is still new, so finding opinion leaders who care about spreading truth/facts so people can make good decisions #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A5 Solar is just right on so many different levels and constant education is key. Spread the love! #SolarChatStreamline Solar

A5 Never stop leading by example and educating at every chance I get. #solarchatSarah Dara

A5 The is inherently lovable – makes me smile just by showing up! Won’t stop until everyone is looking at their roof with a smile #solarchatSunrun

A5: I could make more money working in another industry (i.e. oil and gas), but making a difference is more important #SolarChatScott Skender

A5 challenges: status quo, federal roadblocks, politics, financial instrument immaturity, consumer knowledge #solarchatNico

A5: I want to help solar companies see how important social media and connecting/engaging with people is, connect online #solarchatKendra Hubbard

Q6 How is your solarcareer blossoming? Are you finding yourself solar-motivated? Would youencourage others to pursue the same?

A6 My solar expertise allowed me to become independent, #solar projects in such places as #Spain, #India, #Australia… #SolarChatArik Ring

A6: i started as an installer in 06 and now i am working in process/operation improvement for @sungevity. exciting adventure! #solarchatPamela Cargill

A6 Solar is not just making panels. It’s sales, marketing, design, art, plumbing, law, surveying, accounting, teaching, inventing.#solarchatTom Kimbis

A6 – The opportunities for growth in the solar industry are tremendous and that’s what keeps me motivated #SolarChatStreamline Solar

A6: There is so much opportunity for solar that I know it’s the right place for me to be #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A6: We have a local renewable energy college. I’m always helping to guide their students and encourage them. #SolarChatScott Skender

A6 I’m constantly encouraging others to do the same! That’s how @AZSmartPower has created an army of Solar Ambassador volunteers! #solarchatSolar Coach

A6: we have lots of solar careers blossoming, and are always looking for more to join the #solartribe #solarchatTrina Solar USA

A6 and as for me, I can’t tear myself away either. Even if I change jobs, I want to be working in this sunny, passionate industry #SolarChatSolSolution

A6 Mine has just started. Every day I’m learning a lot about the industry, technology, & customers. Motivation=growth potential! #solarchatJosh Basara

@ecooutfitters A6 There’s no turning back. I’d be hard pressed to find a field that I care about as much & that’s growing as fast #solarchatChandler Clay

A6: #SolarChat I am constantly learning new things – #Innovation happens everyday in the solar industryAnywhere Solar

A6 solar is similar to many other industries, and managing a career requires long-term focus – and BE A CONNECTOR!!! #solarchatNico

A6: Proud to work for the 2nd largest solar installer in the U.S. #SolarChatScott Skender

A6 Solar opportunities are everywhere you turn, I would say the only limitation is not being able to chase down every one. #SolarChatRaina Brett Russo

Q7 What advice wouldyou offer to those teetering on the edge of a solar decision?

A7 Think long term. Solar is not an iPhone. Prices may be lower next year, efficiency a bit better, subsidies will also decline. #SolarChatEd Gunther

A7 Those writing headlines on death of solar wrote the same about the internet when Netscape died, and about PCs when Wang folded #solarchatTom Kimbis

A7 – let them talk to some of your happy customers, word of mouth is the best #SolarChatStreamline Solar

A7 I think the proposition needs to be reframed in solar vs. dirty or expensive utility power, tailored to buyer profile. #solarchatPamela Cargill

A7: Talk to people that have already done it. They are your best resource #SolarChatScott Skender

A7: It’s not just fun, Solar makes good ROI sense!! #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A7: Choose wisely, but CHOOSE. Go w/your gut, ultimately the decision 2 go #solar IS an emotional 1 – backed by SOLID economics! #solarchatTrina Solar USA

A7 while it’s not a now or never decision (sun still shines, prices still fall), there is an opportunity cost to waiting. #solarchatNico

A7 Tell them they really have nothing to lose. Only the potential to gain a lot #SolarChatSolSolution

A7: Price of energy always increases. #solar doesn’t @ecooutfitters #SolarChatLouis van Belle, PE

A7 Educate yourself because there is no turning back after you realize how amazing going solar can be. #solarchatSarah Dara

A7: It’s like a stream, and you are waving to your friends who are happily floating down… just jump in, the water is great! #solarchatKendra Hubbard

A7: Do what you believe in. It makes getting up for work each morning much easier. #solarchatTom Kimbis

A7 As Nike says: “JUST DO IT!” The stars are all aligned; price is right, technology is ready & global/local necessity is now #SolarChatRaina Brett Russo

                     Our next #SolarChat will be on4/25/12. Topic TBA; RSVP here.

 Join our LinkedIn #SolarChat group to continue the discussion or to suggest future topics. 

 

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