Eye on the Environment: Recycler Turns Silicon Scraps into a Product Now in Demand
January 18, 2009 by editor
Filed under Eco News, Jobs, Technology
Despite a worldwide drop in commodity prices and the painful consequences for the recycling industry, some types of recycling continue to thrive. Similarly, despite ongoing struggles over the state budget, some state programs still provide great benefits to local economies.
On Thursday in Camarillo, public and private recyclers will celebrate a milestone in economic development and environmental progress. The California Integrated Waste Management Board recently loaned its 100 millionth dollar through the Recycling Market Development Zone program.
The board, which channels these low-interest (4 percent fixed-rate) loans locally through the Ventura County Recycling Market Development Zone, will commemorate the achievement by joining with ersol Silicon Inc. in hosting an event showcasing the results of one of these loans.
Using a $1.6 million loan, ersol Silicon developed from a local scrap recycling center into an internationally renowned provider of recycled silicon. This loan, given eight years ago, helped the company turn waste from the solar and computer manufacturing industries into material useful to solar panel manufacturers.
Want Green Jobs For The Nation? Look to California
Instead of waffling on green energy, the US must offer consistent support
The last time the federal government tried to play a large role in stimulating the development of renewable-energy projects, it failed miserably. Instead, states such as California were the ones that ended up jump-starting today’s wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass industries. As President-elect Barack Obama and Congress craft a federal stimulus program package designed to add 2.5 million jobs, many of them green, across the country, they should remember some important lessons from the past.
Federal investments in wind power after the energy crisis of 1973 failed to produce a single commercial wind turbine. It took the political leadership of people such as California Gov. Jerry Brown to put in place state incentives to grow the wind industry from the ground up, instead of from the top down.
Now that Mr. Obama has picked his new energy and environment cabinet appointments, there is hope among many that the US can move forward with a clean power agenda. Given the lack of leadership from the White House over the past eight years, it is refreshing for renewable- energy advocates to hear that Obama doesn’t buy the argument that what’s good for the environment is bad for the economy.
Hands-On Grid-Tied PV Design Workshop in California
December 31, 2008 by editor
Filed under Jobs, Solar Workshops
Grid-Tied PV Design
February 23 - 27, 2009 ~ Fontana, California
The U.S. grid-tied market is the fastest growing sector of the PV market, due in part to net metering laws and state and federal incentives. Many businesses focus solely on batteryless grid-tied installations. Companies are looking to hire people with the educational background for installation, sales, and design positions. This course uses curriculum from the PV Design and Installation workshop but offers a stronger focus on the batteryless grid-tied market and will not cover battery-based systems. If you know that you will be working in an urban area with a focus on batteryless grid-tied installations, the Grid-tied PV class is for you.
Then, if you are serious about getting into the solar industry, you should also plan to take Advanced PV: Design Criteria and NEC Compliance (face-to-face or online). The Advanced PVworkshop is intended to follow our first tier of workshops with the next level of design criteria, wire sizing calculations, maintenance issues, troubleshooting skill, and more information on batteries, charge controllers and hybrid system. (Please note that students from the Grid-Tied PV workshop will need to complete supplementary reading on stand-alone systems before continuing on to PV Lab Week or Advanced PV: Design Criteria and NEC Compliance.)
Green Jobs Guidebook ~ Resource for Job Seekers in California’s New Green Economy
December 11, 2008 by admin
Filed under Green Collar, Jobs
New environmental and energy laws and policies will create of tens of thousands of new jobs in California. The guide provides:
- Profiles of 200 green jobs currently in California
- Details on 45 job types for high school grads, many paying over $25 per hour
- Information on job training and placement programs
- Listings of valuable apprenticeship programs
Different Kind of Job Guide
Most green employment reports focus on high level statistics, overall trends and general job types.
The Green Jobs Guidebook is an inspiring, user-friendly handbook aimed at all job seekers regardless of their current skillset. Many green careers are available to applicants with less formal education and less traditional job experience. These careers present major opportunities for individuals who face traditional barriers to employment and are real pathways out of poverty.
Download the Guidebook
- Full guidebook [PDF] 3.8 Mb
- Guidebook w/o cover [PDF] 1.8 Mb
- Executive summary [PDF] 200 kb
Constantly Updated with New Jobs and Opportunities
Like the dynamic new green job economy in California, the guidebook will change and grow over time. Check back for new additions and updates.
Or sign up to be updated by email »
As the guide is updated, readers will be notified when new information is available.
The Green Jobs Guidebook is published by Environmental Defense Fund, in partnership with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.
