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One of the most interesting and enjoyable aspects of being able to travel once again to industry events is the serendipity of meeting new people. I could not have imagined in January of this year, while randomly greeting passersby on the “rainbow walkway” outside Long Beach Convention Center, that I would have the wonderful opportunity to meet a rising star in the solar industry. I suppose it shouldn’t be a surprise; I was at Intersolar afterall, and it was the first in-person conference many of the attendees (including myself) had attended since the pandemic. Yet, there I was, greeting folks as they walked by, and I had the good fortune to extend a hand to Isha Rege. You now get the benefit of learning from her, as I have, by hearing how Isha’s intense curiosity and determination have yielded her an accelerated growth path in the solar industry.
Have you been wondering how to get into the booming solar industry? Curious about the path that someone might take who’s currently doing the job you’d like to have? Where if that job is in solar project development or management then take notes today! My guest, Isha Rege, has risen through the ranks at one of the leading solar development companies in the US, New Energy Equity. Isha Rege joined New Energy Equity in 2019 straight out of University. After starting her career as a Project Engineer, she was promoted to Development Team Lead and then more recently, to Project Manager. As a Project Manager with New Energy Equity, Isha leads the successful execution of contracted engineering, procurement, and construction scope in the areas of performance, financial metrics, planning, schedule, quality, contractual compliance, safety, and client satisfaction. She is responsible for multiple solar construction projects across many different markets at any given time.
A native of Pune, India, Isha brings unique international expertise and perspective to the renewables industry. Isha is active in many clean industry organizations such as the Climatebase Fellowship, Women+ in Climate Tech, and Climate Changemakers, and serves as an Ambassador for Battery Associates. Isha got her degree in Biological Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech, but she actually didn’t intend to get a job in solar.
In today’s career profile breakdown, we get details from Isha all about how she made the transition from erstwhile student to happily employed in the solar industry. Along the way, Isha shares some of the tips she has for others looking to get their feet wet in the solar industry, and she even provides some guidance for those who are still in Academia that might help students get a leg up on the competition. Listen in as Nico and Isha discuss her journey over the last 3 yrs, which coincidentally included her company being acquired around the time that we did the interview!
Congratulations to the New Energy Equity team. Success leaves clues (and attracts great talent, like Isha!)
If you’d like to explore what the solar industry has to offer, and you feel you might need a personal sherpa along your journey, please reach out to see if you’d be a good fit for 1:1 coaching with Nico or perhaps joining our next cohort for the Mission-minded program “12 weeks to the clean energy career you deserve”.
Timestamps
(2:47) A chance meeting
(4:48) What Isha wanted to be when she grew up
(6:22) The career path Isha did not take
(7:08) Why Virginia Tech
(8:22) Landing a job at New Energy Equity
(11:28) Finding a job out of college
(14:45) What is PVSyst
(15:48) Free software to learn for the solar industry
(17:24) Isha's roles at New Energy Equity
(20:55) Skill sets Isha had to develop
(22:22) Isha's mentor
(24:26) Isha's core skills
(26:38) Specific area where improvement was needed
(29:53) Choosing an area of focus
(31:21) The importance of networking and community
(33:36) Advice for people looking for a career in solar
(34:42) Solar resources to sharpen the saw
(36:24) Wrap up
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES:
“I started reaching out to professor’s and being like, how do I get this dream job”
“You need to get actual work experience and work with a solar company to figure out if this is what you want to do. You can’t change the world tomorrow.”
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SUNGROW focuses on integrated energy storage system solutions, including PCS, lithium-ion batteries and energy management system. Pleae visit https://www.mysuncast.com/sungrow
ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:
Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.
Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 15-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.
You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.
If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.