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.

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

LV: I am an instructor in the Clean Energy Technology and Entrepreneurship Program at Shoreline Community College and joined Solar Washington to network and learn about the latest technologies and opportunities in solar in our region. I expect to keep learning by attending the annual Solar Summit and building relationships through the organization.

SW: What is next for you regarding solar?

LV: Our Clean Energy Technology and Automotive Departments are jointly applying for a National Science Foundation-Advanced Technological Education grant this October, which will focus on building a solar canopy plus EV charging station plus battery storage demo lab, in a parking lot on campus. The grant will also allow our programs to build relationships with the energy storage industry and add energy and battery storage curriculum to our classes.

Additionally, our department is looking for a new solar instructor to teach our two solar classes that lead to a NABCEP PV Associate certification, as we just received approval to be a training provider. We are currently updating our classes to fit the Job Task Analysis for this certificate to be in better alignment by using relevant SEI curriculum. Finally, we are curious about working with Scanifly to bring drone technology to campus as it relates to solar education.

SW: Do you have any advice for anyone considering solar right now as a career or as a source of energy in Washington?

LV: Solar is thriving in Washington State and our region, and solar is worth investing in due to the amount of summer sunlight we receive. With the continuous development of and innovation in battery storage technology and electric vehicles, we are witnessing how these systems can work in concert with solar PV systems to move toward our state's clean energy future. Potential customers of rooftop solar need to be aware of financing mechanisms and consumer protection issues as they plan their projects.