We Make a Difference
For our Fellows and the Communities they work in
Meet Cecilio, a Climate Corps Fellow with SunPower
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Cecilio Aponte made his first foray into the wonderful world of solar as a Climate Corps Fellow with SunPower, where he has been serving on the Product Management team since September 2016. Cecilio has a BS in Materials Science & Engineering from MIT, and he is proud to have been born and raised in New York City.
Cecilio describes how his experiences with SunPower shaped a college student’s “nerdy” fascination with solar into a successful and fulfilling career path. |
Lifting a panel up on the roof: "Watts-Up!"
A Passion for Solar: From Theory to Practice
I have a passion for making the world a better place with technology, and I gravitated to solar energy early on. In college, solar PV was purely theoretical: something to be studied in a materials science lab, or a market to be modelled for economics homework. As a materials science major, of course I “nerded out” about solar during my college years, but it wasn’t until coming to SunPower that I learned about how that theory enables real-world change through the power of a public company.
I’m grateful for the Climate Corps fellowship program, which provided me the opportunity to gain real-world experience in using solar technology to help mitigate climate change. SunPower is the perfect place to learn everything there is to know about solar because it’s vertically integrated: SunPower controls every step of the solar process, from solar cell and panel manufacturing, to system design and project development, to installation and maintenance of residential, commercial and power plant systems around the world.
Opportunities for Change: It Takes a Network
SunPower’s purpose is to “change the way our world is powered.” That is a big undertaking! I’ve realized that, although we provide the tools to enable global change, we can’t change the entire world all by ourselves; it takes many passionate people at a variety of organizations to achieve this goal. The networking and professional development opportunities I had as a Climate Corps Fellow exposed me to all sorts of amazing members of the solar community and lots of opportunities to make a real difference.
I have a passion for making the world a better place with technology, and I gravitated to solar energy early on. In college, solar PV was purely theoretical: something to be studied in a materials science lab, or a market to be modelled for economics homework. As a materials science major, of course I “nerded out” about solar during my college years, but it wasn’t until coming to SunPower that I learned about how that theory enables real-world change through the power of a public company.
I’m grateful for the Climate Corps fellowship program, which provided me the opportunity to gain real-world experience in using solar technology to help mitigate climate change. SunPower is the perfect place to learn everything there is to know about solar because it’s vertically integrated: SunPower controls every step of the solar process, from solar cell and panel manufacturing, to system design and project development, to installation and maintenance of residential, commercial and power plant systems around the world.
Opportunities for Change: It Takes a Network
SunPower’s purpose is to “change the way our world is powered.” That is a big undertaking! I’ve realized that, although we provide the tools to enable global change, we can’t change the entire world all by ourselves; it takes many passionate people at a variety of organizations to achieve this goal. The networking and professional development opportunities I had as a Climate Corps Fellow exposed me to all sorts of amazing members of the solar community and lots of opportunities to make a real difference.
Installing solar in West Oakland, CA with GRID Alternatives and SunPower
I had the opportunity to volunteer on a GRID Alternatives build project with a SunPower team, where we installed solar panels on a home in West Oakland, CA. I gained a greater appreciation for the labor force needed for this industry, and was excited to help fill a gap missed by the traditional solar market: homes owned by low-income families.
I also volunteered with RE-Volv, a non-profit dedicated to financing solar installations for community-based non-profits, another gap in the traditional solar market. With generous support from coworkers and community sponsors, my group achieved its goal of raising over $26,000 for a rooftop solar system for Harbor House, an Oakland-based nonprofit that supports under-resourced families with education, childcare and job training.
Channeling my inner nerd, I attended a solar-themed hackathon, SunCode. Organized by Powerhouse, the solar project incubator in Oakland, the hackathon combined the best of the solar PV industry with the entrepreneurial, innovative spirit that the Bay Area is known for. This was another great opportunity to connect with people who share a passion for solar, and spend a weekend imagining how we can make it work even better for everyone.
Together, through both the amazing work being done at SunPower and the work done by other organizations in our community, I have learned and done so much more than I would have been able to do on my own. For that, I am grateful to the SunPower community and the broader solar community that opened its arms to me ten months ago.
#ChangingTheWayOurWorldIsPowered
I also volunteered with RE-Volv, a non-profit dedicated to financing solar installations for community-based non-profits, another gap in the traditional solar market. With generous support from coworkers and community sponsors, my group achieved its goal of raising over $26,000 for a rooftop solar system for Harbor House, an Oakland-based nonprofit that supports under-resourced families with education, childcare and job training.
Channeling my inner nerd, I attended a solar-themed hackathon, SunCode. Organized by Powerhouse, the solar project incubator in Oakland, the hackathon combined the best of the solar PV industry with the entrepreneurial, innovative spirit that the Bay Area is known for. This was another great opportunity to connect with people who share a passion for solar, and spend a weekend imagining how we can make it work even better for everyone.
Together, through both the amazing work being done at SunPower and the work done by other organizations in our community, I have learned and done so much more than I would have been able to do on my own. For that, I am grateful to the SunPower community and the broader solar community that opened its arms to me ten months ago.
#ChangingTheWayOurWorldIsPowered
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Alameda County General Services Agency
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In 2014-15 Natalie Lessa served as the Green Preschools Coordinator for Alameda County. Natalie reduced the waste being generated in preschools by providing technical assistance and effective environmental education. Preschools, often left out of school planning, are a crucial time in a child’s development for learning how to throw stuff away properly.
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“She did an amazing presentation at my son’s preschool last week. Two of the teachers have stopped both my wife and I [to say] how much they appreciated it…and my son now has to stop at every house we pass to tell me what each of the bins out front is for."
- Parent of a Green Schools Student
- Parent of a Green Schools Student
- Natalie conducted over 25 waste audits, and diverted over 100 tons of waste from the Altamont Landfill
- In her waste diversion efforts, Lessa trained and educated over 200 teachers and 800 preschoolers on the "4Rs"
San Mateo County
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In 2012-13 Samir Dhebar was placed with San Mateo County Energy Watch where he worked with Pacific Gas and Electric and the San Mateo County Office of Education to energy benchmark 175 schools in 23 districts.
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"Samir was a great asset to our San Mateo County Energy Watch team. He figured out how to organize the school benchmarking project, staying in close touch with our new contact at the San Mateo County Office of Education. His technical expertise and good communication skills were invaluable."
- Susan Wright, Resource Conservation Specialist, County of San Mateo
- Susan Wright, Resource Conservation Specialist, County of San Mateo
- With Samir's support, 173 San Mateo County Schools were benchmarked, and every district was set up with Portfolio Manager.
- Samir was hired by Generation Investment Management as an Associate in New York City.
Marin Clean Energy
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In 2011-12 Rafael Silberblatt was placed with Marin Clean Energy where he conducted an extensive outreach campaign to sign up residents of Marin County in Marin Clean Energy's 100% renewable power program - Deep Green.
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"MCE was fortunate to have Rafael Silberblatt join our team. Since the day Rafael arrived at our offices he has been a team player, fostering a collaborative office culture. Rafael has contributed to, planned and implemented a wide range of projects from solar and energy efficiency programs to marketing and public affairs all with a focus on community outreach. Rafael eventually joined MCE as a permanent employee and has recently taken on a leadership and management role by bringing on a new Climate Corps Member."
- Jamie Tuckey, MCE Communications Manager
- Jamie Tuckey, MCE Communications Manager
- With Rafael's support, 17 Marin homeowners switched to 100% renewable power resulting in an annual savings of 28 metric tonnes CO2e.
- Rafael was hired by Marin Energy Authority as a Program Coordinator.
Sonoma County
In 2010-11, Kelly Rector was placed with Sonoma County by helping nonprofit organizations in the County access energy efficiency retrofit opportunities through a utility rebate program.
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"Being able to utilize a Climate Corps member who has training and the capacity to come in with good skills and good education and make an impact immediately on our initiatives has been very valuable."
-Sam Ruark, Energy and Sustainability Division Manager
-Sam Ruark, Energy and Sustainability Division Manager
- With Kelly's help, 9 nonprofit buildings are going to save 175,000 kWh annually, saving over 40 metric tonnes of CO2e.
- Kelly worked for the Energy and Sustainability Division of Sonoma County for 2 years after her term of service.
