In May 2024, Solar Washington interviewed Nora Hawkins who is a member and a board member of Solar Washington.  

Solar Washington: How did you become interested in solar? 
Nora Hawkins: In the fall of 2017, I joined the Washington, DC Department of Energy & Environment to work on their Solar for All program which aims to reduce the electric bills of 100,000 income qualified district residents in half through the deployment of solar throughout the city. Prior to joining DC government, I worked on energy and environmental programs in the federal government. While that work was fascinating and had far reaching impacts, I found a new sense of fulfillment working on clean energy projects and energy burden reduction in my local community. It was rewarding to visit project sites but even more so to meet the residents who would benefiting from the solar that was being installed. I also had the privilege to work with brilliant and dedicated colleagues at DOEE and to learn from our grantees who were piloting innovative ways to get the benefits of solar to residents in various housing types throughout the city. Through my experience working for the city of DC, I recognized the ability of distributed solar to make the clean energy transition tangible at the local level.

In April 2024, Solar Washington interviewed Lindsey Virdeh, a long-time member who has attended several Solar Summit and is now volunteering on the 2024 Solar Summit Planning Committee.

Solar Washington: When and why did you become interested in solar? Any specific experience(s) with solar.

Lindsey Virdeh: My dad was a professor of architecture and taught passive solar design concepts, so I was introduced to solar and sustainability at a young age, which influenced my career path. I worked as a project designer in architecture and GreenPoint Rater in California, and projects I worked on incorporated solar into the design. Subsequently, my career path led to the education sector where I worked at Skyline College and now Shoreline Community College, both in programs with a solar design focus.

In March 2024, Solar Washington interviewed Shane Frye, a current Solar Washington member and board member. Shane tells us how his professional experience has shaped his understanding of solar.

Solar Washington: How or why did you become interested in solar? Tell us about any specific experience with solar.

Shane Frye: I have always had an interest in solar and fortunately was given the opportunity to learn more as when I began working in Customer Service at Snohomish County PUD. From there I became more involved through our Energy Services department and was given the opportunity to take over PUD's Solar program with my initial focus being to streamline our Interconnection Application and review process to make it easier for our customers to go solar. I have also done extensive work on building out our website to be more informative and educational so that customers can get the information they need before making their final decision.

In November 2023, Solar Washington interviewed Ryan Bradt, a longtime member, former board member and Solar Summit participant who shared his enthusiasm about solar.  

Solar Washington: Ryan, how did you become interested in solar? 

Ryan Bradt: Way back in 1998 I first became interested in solar energy as a commercial electrician apprentice at the Northwest Washington Electrical J.A.T.C. As a part of our apprenticeship, we had a short lesson on solar electricity and the then just blossoming industry. The class included the instructor cooking a hotdog with the leads of a PV module to demonstrate the potential power of the sun and associated hazard. In 2008 I found myself in that same classroom as an instructor and saw a need to expand our solar PV curriculum. I reached out to Solar Energy International, got included in a DOL training grant for instructors and as they say the rest is history.

In late June 2023, Solar Washington talked to Maina Mumbi who shared his amazing pursuit of solar knowledge.  Maina has been a member of Solar Washington for over two years and is serving on the Solar Washington Education Committee.

In late May 2023, Solar Washington talked to Jay Larson, a long time member based in Spokane who currently serves on the Board of Solar Washington. Jay talks about how his interest in solar developed at a very young age and led to a career in solar.

In April 2023, Solar Washington talked to Richard Hartung, a long time member who currently serves on the Board of Solar Washington.  Richard talks about how his participation in a community solar project led to his full immersion into solar.

In early March 2023, Solar Washington interviewed Jack Newman, a long time member and board member who is Solar Washington's Immediate Past President, about his connection to solar. Jack has been thoroughly immersed in solar for years and he offers valuable insight and recommendations.

In December 2022, Solar Washington interviewed Suzy Oversvee, former Solar Washington Board Member and Program Manager at Snohomish County PUD.  The Snohomish PUD microgrid project in Arlington was our July 2022 Focus on a Solar Project.

In November 2022, Solar Washington talked to Alex Nephew a member and board member who is also Solar Washington's Vice-President