We interviewed new Solar Washington board member Dave Warren about his vast experience with solar energy in Washington State. 

Solar Washington: When, how, and/or why did you become interested in solar? 

Dave Warren: Many years ago, wearing another hat in New Mexico, looking at an application for a natural gas peaking unit. I realized that solar could play some role in offsetting some summer afternoon peak. Developed a process (which, unfortunately, was not used at the time - see below about setbacks) where for a small rate collected (25 cents per meter per month), then paid directly for a modular construction process on a utility scale plant. Avoiding debt service cost on a high capital cost project brought the cost down at the time to around 10 cents/kWh (at a time when modules were quite expensive compared to today), while adding modules on a utility scale plant on a consistent basis provided steady work for installers and steady orders of the assembly line for manufacturers. project buildout was slower, of course, but avoiding debt to finance a project.

SW: Why did you join Solar Washington, and what do you expect from Solar Washington?  

DW: I've been to multiple Solar Washington solar summits through the years, occasionally as a speaker or facilitator. I really enjoy the exchange of information and meeting new people across the range of the solar world. I hope to continue that exchange, both offering knowledge, but more importantly learning from the very engaged people that Solar Washington brings to the table.  

SW: What’s next for you regarding solar?  

DW: Learning to operate my new off grid roof top solar system - and trying to think through value propositions to grow solar in the increasingly complex electrical ecosystem - for customers, solar developers, utilities, and grid reliability as we necessarily transition to a clean energy world.

SW: Can you share any lessons you’ve learned during your solar experience?  

DW: Don't give up, don't give up with setbacks, and don't let yourself get siloed into a singular perspective. Work with all parties, learn from the variety of perspectives that you will encounter in advocating for solar policies and projects. There are a lot of smart people involved in this industry. Learn from them, learn from Tom Sawyer! Figure out a way to make as many people as possible in any particular situation want to get in on whitewashing that fence

SW: Any advice for anyone considering solar as a career or as a source of energy in Washington?  

DW: Look to the sky. The sky is not the limit for solar, rather it knows no limits for solar!