The development of "Big Solar" in California
Now that you have decided to pursue a career in some type of environmentally progressive industry, a good follow-up question is: Where is the future of this industry?
Ambitious college graduates—especially those armed with an MBA—should keep a close watch on California. The Golden State is developing ambitious plans to generate one-third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
Solar energy is a leading component in the plan.
For example, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that gives consumers added incentive to invest in a solar roof. The California Solar Initiative, a $2.9 billion incentive plan for home and building owners who install solar electric systems, will lead to 1 million solar roofs in the state by 2018.
A push for green jobs
Supporters say such an aggressive agenda to bolster California’s economy will translate into a strong market for green jobs. One initiative is the statewide Property Assessed Clean Energy Reserve Program, which is projected to lower financing costs for businesses and residences in the state when they retrofit their properties with energy improvements. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Santa Monica, said the effort will create more than 10,500 jobs, according to a release from the governor's office.
Solar is key
One of the fastest-growing sectors of green jobs is in the solar industry. A study by the Center on Globalization Governance and Competitiveness found that eight of the 13 largest planned designated sites for solar power are in California and Arizona because of their abundant sunshine. The projects promise jobs in a variety of fields, from manufacturing to administration and operations, the study said.
The group’s report on green jobs estimates that solar plants create 94 operations and management jobs per 100 megawatts. By comparison, conventional coal and natural gas plants of the same size generate between 10 and 60 permanent jobs.
Advanced degrees are crucial
Job candidates with advanced degrees would provide the leadership needed in the development and operation of such solar plants. Jobs in marketing, management, accounting and other areas are key to the success of the state’s push to transform itself into an environmentally friendly epicenter for industries of the future.
Despite the recession, demand for management talent in the energy sector has not slowed as it has in other industries. In fact, the cost of solar installations are huge—ranging from $50 million to more than $1 billion—and benefit from MBA-trained expertise to help guide them through financial options in a tight credit market as well as complex government regulations that come with the energy sector, reports BNET.com.
MBAs also will need to possess enough technical knowledge to gain the respect and credibility of engineers that play such a vital role in solar projects, according to the news site.
“California’s investor-owned utilities have all applied for significant investments in utility-owned solar projects, and 2010 is when these programs hit the street (or rooftop),” Adam Browning, executive director of the nonprofit group Vote Solar, wrote in a blog on cleantechies.com.
“All told, we are looking at tremendous amounts of new solar development in the state. Here’s to more solar gen(eration) in 2010,” he wrote.
