On January 20, 2017, Skyline College welcomed our students, graduates, high-school students, community, and industry to the Clean Energy Showcase held in our beautiful theater. This event provided an opportunity to inform people about the Clean Energy sector and the innovative programs here at Skyline College that support this high-growth industry. The Clean Energy Showcase was developed through a collaboration between the Center for Sustainable Construction and Workforce Development departments at Skyline College.
The Clean Energy Showcase was a great success and well received by over 90 attendees! Associate Professor/Department Coordinator Bruce Greenstein welcomed the audience and provided a brief overview of the program and courses in Energy Systems Technology Management (ESTM), as well as the high-school Green Construction Program that Skyline College has established at Capuchino High School.
A timely and relevant keynote address by Dr. Jamie Orr, Bay Area Region Deputy Sector Navigator for Energy, Construction, and Utilities, provided an insightful overview of the Clean Energy sector including where the jobs are, how students obtain these jobs, some of the emerging technologies, and public policies on the horizon.
The keynote address was followed by a presentation by Hilary Ego, Utility and Sustainability Specialist for San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD). Ms. Ego discussed the realities of climate change and the solutions that exist in education to expand the Clean Energy sector workforce.
The morning presentations concluded with new inverter technology presented by Alex Dinh from SolarEdge. Kevin West and Matt Lugar from BeamReach Solar provided an impressive live demonstration on the Theater Stage introducing new solar-panel technology that significantly reduces the time, ease, and safety when installing solar panels on commercial rooftops.
Afternoon presentations by San Mateo County Office of Sustainability, Peninsula Clean Energy, and CLEAResult provided the audience with information about clean energy initiatives, energy service alternatives, and educated the public about the importance of energy efficiency.
The event also featured a Clean Energy Showcase exhibition hall during the lunch hour for attendees to mix and mingle with solar and energy service providers so they may learn about their products, services, education, and career opportunities. Exhibitors included Aurora Solar, Bay Area Regional Energy Network, BeamReach Solar, CLEAResult, Climate Corps Bay Area, Energize Colleges, Home Energy Upgrade, Grid Alternatives, NorCal Solar, PG&E Pacific Energy Center, Office of Sustainability-San Mateo County, Peninsula Clean Energy, Strategic Energy Innovations, SolarCity, SolarEdge, Sunrun, SunWork, and of course, Skyline College’s Center for Sustainable Construction.
Special thanks to Program Director Rita Gulli, Program Services Coordinator Jose Iniguez, Theater Events Manager Joshua Harris, Associate Professor Bruce Greenstein, Assistant Professor Joan Connolly, Dean Ray Hernandez, Career and Workforce Programs, Career Services Center, Environmental Club, Public Information Office, and Sustainable Ambassadors Network.
This informative and educational event was funded by Proposition 39 Program Improvement Funds and California Community College’s “Doing What Matters”TM for Jobs and the Economy Initiative. With continued support, Skyline College plans to establish the Center for Sustainable Construction as a premier education, training, and recruitment destination for the Clean Energy Sector.
Article by Jose Iniguez, Rita Gulli, Bruce Greenstein | Photo by William Nacouzi
