It’s been about 2 years now since Dave and I embarked on this journey to teach ourselves all about solar energy while keeping you in tow. While I finished up my graduate program in industrial psychology at Portland State, Dave got a job with a bay area solar installer. He quickly became the top salesperson in the region and recently took the opportunity to develop a fledgling startup called One Block Off the Grid. Lots of success over there on that front for Dave, he’s now nearly impossible for even me to get in touch with as he’s pounding the country hard to get groups of homeowners to commit to solar so they can secure more wholesale pricing.
On my end, I finally finished school and have partnered with REC Solar here in Portland to develop interest in commercial solar energy systems. This by no means is an ideal time to be a new graduate of anything as you can imagine, though this flatly is my window where I can afford to take bigger risks.
That’s where this blog comes in. We’ve done extremely well over the past two years in terms of getting good information out there to you – home and businessowners. We recently even got notice our most popular post spurred on debate regarding the cost of the war in Iraq on capitol hill!
We’re nearing half a million unique visitors to our site. Out of those half million, thousands have been interested enough to be connected with a solar expert in their area to learn more about the specific benefits of going solar. Hundreds of them now have solar panels on their roofs. Our installer network is stronger than ever and we’ve made so many wonderful partnerships. We know this is working and it gives both of us a great deal of satisfaction.
If you were to have told either of us when we started this site in late 2007 that by now we’d be averaging over a thousand people coming to visit every day and spend over 3 minutes reading what we have written, we probably would have smirked and maybe I would have attempted to give Dave a high five but instead he would have given me an awkward look and slapped me in the face (playfully of course).
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you and to explain what we have next in store for SPR. We are going to get a whole lot better, more interesting, a hell of a lot more responsive, and be the #1 place to get the information you need to make solar energy a reality for you. We’ll challenge your perceptions, answer your questions, and might even make you laugh along the way. More regular state updates, fast answers to all of your questions, accessible literary style, engaging content, accurate residential examples, narrative stories from real families brought to life, and extremely friendly voices on the other end of the phone when you think the time is right.
But Dan, how can you possibly promise all of this when you both are busier than ever?
Solar ninjas.
What?
Yeah. Ninjas.
I’m going to be putting that MS in I/O psychology to use to build the most effective network of ninjas you haven’t met yet. Our goal is to have ninja teams in crucial solar states by June. If you’re interested in working with us, check out our first craigslist job posting. This isn’t your typical position, it’s part-time, and yes it is an internship. Stick with us, as this is about to get very interesting. We’re excited.
Cheers,
- Dan
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I think this is a great idea, and I want to be a ninja! I’ve sent you my application. I’ll be in Portland for only a few days next week. I know you’re crazy busy, but help a fellow graduate out!
I’m a SanFrancisco Native doing time in NorthEast Pa., and have recently fully subscribed to helping this world go solar; 1 customer at a time. Should anyone need the help of an electrician-solar consultant in the notheast U.S., please call or email me: bolo1uno@gmail.com or call (570)212-1041(eve’s or weekends are best or leave a voice message) I’m not all about profit, but am all about lessening the effect my human bretheren have had on mother earth….GO SOLAR NOW! Daniel-Sun
Dan,
I submitted my resume and a writing sample via e-mail, I’m local here in Portland and Im hoping to get in touch with you at your earliest convenience. I think what you guys do is quite awesome. And I have a ninja mask. You may borrow it if you ask nicely.
Hi Dan! I sent you my resume via the craigslist posting email. I think the ninja idea is awesome. And I look good in black.
I too have submitted my resume via craigslist, and eagerly await your reply!(My ninja mask is more of a Batman-slash-Green Hornet affair, but still workable with a decent balaclava.)
the résumé’s in the outbox
Dude, that is one of the greatest histories abput someone being introduces to solar power.
Its just matter of make that desicion.
Congratulations
Hey Dan, sent an application and resume in!
Hey Dan,
Just wondering if the position is closed. Tried to apply on Craigslist, but it was a no-go.
Hey Dan,
I’m wondering the same thing. My craigslist email was returned. Thanks!
All,
Thanks so much for the interest. Honestly, the response has been slightly overwhelming so apologies for not getting back to all of you so fast. I’m actually still in the process of reading responses. Please continue to email me if you’re interested.
A couple notices ahead of time though, this is again an internship, we have very limited funding, but you’ll surely learn a whole lot.
Good luck,
- Dan
Hi Dan,
I sent an app in and i’m still very interested!
Dan,
Like all the above, I’m interested. I’ve just started a similar blog and we have similar voice and mission. Please check out http://www.solarfred.com. As you’ll see, I’m truly dedicated to communicating how affordable solar is today and the various ways to finance it. I’m also dedicated to giving honest, accurate info, not hype.
If I don’t hear from you guys, no worries, but you guys are doing a great job.
Tor aka “Solar Fred”
[...] a transcript of our conversation (audio links coming soon). These wonderful photos were taken by solar energy ninja Peter Chee, who is also a professional photographer. He’s one hell of an artist, check more [...]
