Sometimes GRID comes into people’s lives without knowing the added, long term impact we might have. Two years ago, Daniela Escobedo’s family received the gift of solar through GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles (GLA). Today Daniela works in a lab at UCLA doing research and development for a solar company.
Not too long after GLA installed a 3.1 kilowatt solar electric system for her family, Daniela started her studies at Cal State Channel Islands where she began exploring different career choices. She realized science and technology were her passions and so she began pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry.
Last year Daniela became a research intern at Colored Solar, a solar manufacturing company based out of Ventura. She has been doing research and development on solar cell manufacturing, both in the laboratory and online. Daniela’s dedication to her research hasn’t gone unnoticed: Colored Solar is now paying her to test solar wafers at UCLA’s lab and will soon have some exciting results.
During a conversation with her sister earlier this year, she realized that she first got her exposure to solar when GLA installed solar on her parents’ home in Bell Gardens a few years ago. It was then, that she signed up to volunteer and she’s been getting out on installs with GLA ever since. Daniela even recently participated in our canvassing event with Building Healthy Communities: Long Beach. According to Daniela, GLA provides a unique experience and perspective on solar, whether it is installing or speaking with community members.
Daniela is expected to graduate next year, but hopes to continue her research of solar cell manufacturing in the future. She encourages other people, especially women, to do so as well. “If you are interested in the field, just go for it, don’t be intimidated by the fact that it is a male dominated industry,” says Daniela. “Solar is something you can definitely do, whether it is research, installing, designing—It’s all possible.”
We would like to wish Daniela the best of luck in her future endeavors!
If you would like to get more training, join us on an install like Daniela and get connected to the industry! Tomorrow is your first chance as GRID is hosting a webinar on research and development. The webinar will begin at 11:00 am PST and it will feature leaders in the field. Click this link to register for tomorrow's webinar.