Solar Projects Provide Students with Valuable Career Insight

PPO's Utility Management Team is working with contractors to build and operate solar power projects at 51 district sites, including Kearny High School where carports with solar panels on top are currently under construction.

The carports provided the perfect backdrop for 60 students at the Construction Tech Academy (CTA) to hear first-hand about future careers relating to the solar industry.  On Oct. 5, students heard first-hand about various solar industry careers from Wade Webb, vice president of Martifer Solar, the district’s solar installation sub-contractor. Webb also told the students that they are on the cutting edge of staying current with today’s technologies.

Students were able to tour the construction site and learn how solar energy and green jobs are the wave of the future. Webb shared that the expected job growth for the nations’ solar industry is at 350% and that many of today’s youth pursuing careers in the construction industry will be the next generation of the solar and renewable energy workforce. For information about the district’s solar construction projects, visit www.sandi.net/energy or contact Stephen Gay, energy/utility program coordinator at (858) 637-6297 or sgay@sandi.net.