Volunteer Spotlight
Chris Satterlee Leads SunWork Volunteer Training Activities
SunWork’s cadre of trained volunteers is the engine that allows us to make solar more affordable for nonprofits and low-energy-use homes. The great majority of volunteers are involved with installing panels, placing inverters, running wires, and the many other activities associated with a solar installation.
Other SunWork volunteers work on our website, perform market research, assist at outreach events, etc. One volunteer, however, has been playing an especially important role for the last couple of years. Chris Satterlee has taken on the responsibility of leading SunWork’s volunteer training sessions on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.
This role is crucial because he teaches not only the basics of solar energy and solar installation, but also imparts safety best practices that are vital to ensuring the well-being of SunWork’s volunteers.
Chris has worked on more than 25 SunWork installations and also helped with outreach efforts at SunWork events.
Chris has also focused his talents for innovation on improving SunWork’s training sessions. One example is the development of an extensive animated slide presentation that’s now used whenever our volunteers are trained. This has improved the effectiveness of the sessions and enabled newly trained volunteers to hit the ground running on their first installation.
In addition to his role as trainer, Chris is an outstanding SunWork volunteer in other regards. He worked on more than 25 SunWork installations and also helped with outreach efforts at SunWork events.
Beyond SunWork, Chris has brought his Electrical Engineering background and experience in leading the development of computer and networking components to other volunteer activities. For example, he has recently helped his alma mater, Stanford University, by producing a tool (the “IV Swinger 2”) that’s used in Stanford lab courses to plot the current vs. voltage characteristics of a PV panel under varying conditions.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help with SunWork installations, outreach, website maintenance/enhancement, or other activities, please contact us at info@sunwork.org.
Recent Articles
Solar Tax Credit Extended 2 More Years
The federal solar tax credit is extended two more years. Take advantage of the higher solar tax credit this year than was anticipated.
Net Energy Metering is Changing
The net energy metering program in California will likely change to a new program at the end of 2021. People considering solar systems for their homes will likely benefit by installing solar in 2021 with the current version of net energy metering (NEM 2.0)
Battery Backup
In general, an existing solar system can be upgraded to add battery backup. However, it is expensive and SunWork does not install batteries at this time.
Installing batteries for backup purposes can cost $15,000 to $30,000
Net Metering – How Utilities Pay You For Your Solar Energy
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid” according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Net Metering is short for Net Energy Metering (NEM). NEM basics: During the day, your solar system generates energy. When you’re away, most of your solar energy
Community Choice Energy – Good for the Environment & for Solar Customers
Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs are rolling out throughout California, which in the Bay Area will replace PG&E as the supplier of electricity for most residence and business. PG&E is still responsible for transmission, distribution and billing,
