GREENER PASTURES

Posted on September 23, 2009 by quest

Just 100 Days left in 2009! The promise of a new era of opportunity is now within view… just over the ridge. If greener pastures are to be, it most likely will not just happen on it’s own. It is we who must nurture it.

The impact of “eco green consciousness” is having a positive effect through out our society. A friend keeps reminding me this is a “movement” not a trend.

From energy efficient buildings – LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environment Design, to electric cars change is in the air. Imagine the broad benefits of just plugging your car into your homes’ solar powered electrical system and “charging” it up for the day?

Whether it’s getting that green job, running the Dipsey or finishing that novel you said you’d write. We can all use a boost sometimes. If you need a boost, take advantage of the 100 Day Challenge below.

Enroll now in the 100 Day Challenge, the pastures can be greener!

Take THE 100 DAY CHALLENGE !

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QUEST on KQED Public Media.

Contact us here!

Que Sera Sera

Posted on September 9, 2009 by quest

Que Sera Sera – by Richard Andrews

Not long ago I wrote TRANSFORMERS, “Transforming ourselves, transforming our Energy! Ironically there I was in the process of posting a podcast interview of Van Jones with Majora Carter, Host of The Promised Land and co-founder of Green jobs for All, and a green giant in her own right recorded not long ago. When I read that Jones had just resigned his position as Special Advisor for green jobs at the White House Council for Environmental Quality. Van Jones is a globally recognized, award-winning pioneer in human rights and the clean energy economy. A 1993 graduate of the Yale Law School and an attorney.Van wrote the New York Times best selling book on “green jobs”: The Green Collar Economy. How could this be?

He’s a bay area hero and green jobs evangelist! The commentators started weighing in – Adriana Huffington of the Huffington Post wrote, “Thank you Glen Beck”(She thinks he can do more good outside Washington), Bryan Walsh Time Magazine, says “Van Jones’ Ideas on Green Jobs Should Stay.” New York Times writer Eric Ethridge, “Us and Mr. Jones: What’s Going On?” A sort of blog of how a smear becomes a smear. Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer for San Francisco Chronicle gives us the home court view “The administration is losing not only one of the nation’s leading environmentalists, progressives say, but one of the few liberal voices with President Obama’s ear.”

To listen the Jones/Carter interview podcast,click here. Somehow even with all our plans and counter plans there are events and circumstances that seem to defy the laws of gravity. Author Charles Dickens from, A Tale of Two Cities” It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of enlightenment, it was the age of foolishness.” So please forgive me in advance, I couldn’t help but think of Doris Day, here singing. Que Sera Sera.

trans Que Sera Sera

INCREASE your GREEN KNOWLEDGE visit > THE SOLAR WALL

Solar power in effect

Posted on September 5, 2009 by quest

Vice President Joe Biden joined via satellite – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Chris Gronet, Solyndra’s CEO along with other dignitaries to break ground in Fremont CA on a $700 million plus solar panel manufacturing plant. This was great news given that NUMMI (Toyota), had just announced it was closing it’s automobile plant there last week. It will mean thousands of jobs for the region and further establish the Bay Area as mecca for the clean tech industry.

The US solar industry has had an oversupply of low cost photovoltiac panels. Increased global factory output of silicon; a key ingredient in making solar panels and a sharp drop in demand for panels in Europe had the effect of flooding the market. This is good for consumers who can buy now in spite of an otherwise stagnant U.S. economy. Solyndra services large commercial rooftop customers.

Still solar career seekers and employers are thirsty for technical and non technical training, education and innovation! One of the big issues facing the industry according to Solar Tech, an industry Consortium, is the matter of workforce training.They have indicated that within the next decade 10,000 new employees will be needed in the solar industry in Silicon Valley.

Meeting this demand, City College of San Francisco announced it’s Green Technology program in February of this year. It will provide hands-on training that will lead to employment opportunities in solar, wind, energy efficiency and geothermal fields. Then there’s the Presidio Graduate School which offers an MBA in Sustainable Management. It has seen enrollment rise for next fall. There are some forward thinking individuals who are investing in their own solar education; and educational skills trainers are springing up having recognized the need for massive solar education. Further there is $500 million in Stimulus job training dollars that’s beginning to hit the market, a large portion that’s targeted to deal with solar training.

These are some early inroads to the big issues of technical training, education, and development surrounding the solar field.

INCREASE your GREEN KNOWLEDGE visit > THE SOLAR WALL

Respect due to you!

Posted on August 27, 2009 by quest

by Richard Andrews

It’s good to recognize people who were fighting for a good cause long before it becomes embraced by society in large numbers. On a national level one such person is of course Senator Edward Kennedy and his life long fight to bring affordable healthcare to the American people. His passing can serve as a reminder of what true public service is all about. Of course everything is connected and while QuestPoint Solar Solutions is about, all things solar. A solar powered world has the impact of reducing global warming and improving the health of all living things on earth…including humans.

Two people in the bay area who have been on the front lines of the environmental battle are earth warriors Sigbritt & Doug Ivey of Meet the Planet. Both individually and now as a married couple and new proud parents of son Max, they have been walking and talking the powerful benefits of a sustainable culture long before going green was so cool. In future posts you’ll come to know of some of there work, but for now I was just reflecting on the first time I met the then single “Siggy” Cox who was out and about Marin County and San Francisco promoting Earth Day events! Over the years she often had events at her family home embracing social change leaders such as Julia Butterfly Hill. You’ll get a chance to know them better in future posts, but for now good on you Siggy, Doug and Max!

And talk about recognizing those doing the good work, check out Green Jobs for All’s latest video…Pretty much speaks for itself!

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Test your solar knowledge with some fun solar quizzes!

Solar Knowledge games.

Call me let’s see how we can partner!

Richard Andrews

QuestPoint Solar Solutions

415-568-2202

Transformers

Posted on August 2, 2009 by quest

Transforming ourselves, transforming our Energy!

by Richard Andrews

Such irony, hope and obstacles there are in our digital savvy, online 24/7, eco friendly, clean tech, wannabe post racial Obama, go green society! Wow got that all out!

If only “Optimus Prime the Autobot” leader from the recent blockbuster action movie Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen and savior of us confused human beings could guide us through the maze of change and challenge that surely lies before us as the renewable energy world faces off against, big oil, coal, the status quo.

Never mind the fact that the movie Transfomers, Revenge of the Fallen was given thumbs down by just about every critic out there (it’s kind of silly). The film still had a remarkable box office performance with the highest Wednesday opening gross in history, bringing in $62 million in North America alone! In the battle of technology “Optimus Primus” fights for us humans against the “Decepticons” who seek our destruction by mining all the remaining energy on earth! So who I ask are the good guys? Who are the bad guys?

We Americans have a love hate relationship with our technology… today solar and renewable energy sources are the light. Does it represent Jesus, Budda, Moses, Shakti or Allah leading us out of a weary land of pollution and dark times? So too is Optimus Primus. But what about big oil…coal, the dark side….or are they? In many Science Fiction flicks, The Terminator, iRobot, 2001 A Space Odyssey, the Matrix: The computers, the technology is the villain and we are its adversary.

For recent pioneers of the solar and renewable world of energy it must seem a bit amusing…like the gold rush days in California’s history. It’s not so far back. It may feel like the heady hey days of consumer technology or the boom days of the internet. It’s the wild, wild west all over again – but different! For the John Schaeffers’ of the world (Solar Living Founder) there must be some inner reward for realizing just how ahead of the curve he was by harnessing the power of the sun for electricity long before it gained more popularity. Now as more people are “Going Green” there may be some elitist thinking going on, “you’re just in this for the money not the cause.”

Continue reading →

InterSolar North America San Francisco

Posted on July 24, 2009 by quest

As one of the world’s top travel destinations it seems appropriate that San Francisco played host to InterSolar North Americas’ second annual U. S. convention at Moscone Center July 14 -16, 2009. InterSolar is a platform for visitors to get the latest information about photovoltaic and solar thermal products, equipment, materials and services from 500 exhibitors representing more than 20 countries.

The people of San Francisco and the Bay Area in general have again found themselves leading the way, this time in solar technology development a renewable source for energy. As the founder of the QuestPoint Group it’s been many years now that I have been active in the executive search, recruiting and consulting field; and It strikes me that I am not just a witness to, but a participant in an industry that will change the world.

Strong ideas! But just recognize, there was San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom opening the session highlighting the fact that San Francisco has produced more energy per capita through solar generation than any other California city, and that’s happened in just one year! Consider the words of Professor Eicker Weber of the Fraunhofer – Institute for Solar Energy (the largest solar energy research institute in Europe) who points out that we have the opportunity in the US through incentives; that anyone producing renewable energy should have the opportunity to sell it at a price that makes it profitable. And then there were the manufacturers from far and wide bringing innovation to a market that’s set for massive growth.

So what’s all this mean for you and me? It means new opportunities for careers, entrepreneurs, investors and more. Somewhere on the trade show floor, in between a panel discussion, or written on a napkin at a bar after one too many a new idea may have been hatched and who knows where it will lead. Yes we will have to educate and re-educate ourselves to the technology and it to us – to meet our needs. At this point we know the benefits of solar and renewable energy – less dependence on oil and coal…clean air! For all the tech talk, carbon reduction, the insider language, the profits yet to be made – are we trying to make this world a better place? The solar industry is poised to help do that because it harnesses the source humankind has turned to for strength repeatedly throughout all recorded history – the Sun!

Please check out some of the highlights from the InterSolar North America conference by clicking on Intersolar TV . Contact me to see how we can partner for success.

Richard Andrews

Founder

QuestPointGroup