Steve DePalmer has been a GRID Alternatives volunteer since June 2015. He has served 74 hours on rooftop and multifamily installs, and is a true asset to the team. He served in the US Air Force almost 30 years, flying F-15 fighters in combat and retiring as a Brigadier General. During his career, he lived in Italy, England, Germany, Norway, Iceland, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Texas, California and Colorado. When Steve was in Germany in the early 2000s, he noticed the prevalent use of solar energy. “It always made me wonder, with the marginal weather in Germany, why can’t it work in the US? That’s how I got interested in it. “
When he retired he decided to volunteer with GRID, and entered the Team Leader program so he would be knowledgeable and able to speak credibly about solar. Steve said, “I appreciate working with younger folks – it’s physical, and I enjoy working outside with my hands. It keeps me young. The thing I miss most about the Air Force, besides flying fighters, is working with the people. Volunteering with GRID Alternatives allowed me to find a different community from what I worked with in the military. I’m proud to say that everyone is just as excited and committed as anyone you’d find in uniform.”
Steve has enjoyed meeting volunteers from different professions and backgrounds, and learning from young NABCEP certified instructors. He also finds it really rewarding to help people save money on their electric bills every month.
“This is an industry that’s still young and has a lot of energy and it’s an honor to be a part of it.” Steve’s ultimate goal is to be a mediator between government and the clean energy industry. Steve says, “I have three daughters. Helping to promote solar is a righteous mission – you’re helping everyone’s future.”