Helge Biernath, Solar, California
Helge Biernath, who has been in the industry for 22 years, is currently the CEO of Sunstall Inc. and lives in California.
Why is clean energy important to you? We need to take care of our planet so that future generations can enjoy it. This means reducing pollution, conserving resources, and protecting wildlife - along with this we will address poverty and migration - the challenges of this century!
What’s your proudest accomplishment in clean energy? To see how a solar energy job can change people's lives. Back in 2013, I was conducting hiring interviews for a tracker installation project in Tucson. After I finished one interview and told the person that he would be hired, the lady from the front desk came to me in tears. I asked her what was wrong, and she told me that the applicant had talked to her before his interview and told her that he had four kids and needed a job to feed them. She was so happy to see that we had hired him and that this would support his family. I was touched by the applicant's story and by the front desk lady's reaction. It's always gratifying to know that you've made a difference in someone's life, even in a small way. In this case, I was able to help a man provide for his family, which is something that I'll never forget. This experience also taught me the importance of empathy in the workplace. When you're interviewing candidates, it's important to remember that they are people with their own stories and challenges. Take the time to get to know them and understand their motivations. You might just be surprised at how much you have in common.
What did you do before entering clean energy? I kind of always worked in the energy efficiency business by producing styrofoam insulation for buildings. First, we need to reduce our energy consumption to be efficient, then we can utilize clean energy.
When were you first introduced to clean energy? The owner of the business I worked for at the time wanted to start a solar thermal business and so we did back in 2001.
What should more people know about your role? It is so gratifying to see a solar project being built from scratch because it is a tangible example of progress being made toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. It is also gratifying to see the many people who are involved in the project, from the engineers and construction workers to the community members who support it.
How does clean energy impact your community? Shifting to clean energy cleans up the air in the San Francisco bay area and provides distributed energy to support the local grid.
Why should Congress invest in clean energy jobs, not fossil fuel jobs? Congress should invest in clean energy jobs and not fossil fuel jobs because it is the right thing to do for the environment, the economy, and our national security. The environmental clean energy sources like solar and wind power do not produce greenhouse gasses, which contribute to climate change. Climate change is a serious threat to our planet, and it is important that we take steps to reduce our emissions. Investing in clean energy is one of the best ways to do this. The clean energy sector is growing rapidly, and it is creating millions of jobs around the world. In the United States, the clean energy sector employs more people than the coal industry. Investing in clean energy can help to create jobs, boost economic growth, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Our reliance on foreign oil makes us vulnerable to price shocks and supply disruptions. By investing in clean energy, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make our country more secure. We need to build the infrastructure for the future so that the coming generations have jobs and a livable environment. Furthermore, we need oil and gas for other uses such as pharmaceuticals and plastics, and should not just burn them. Investment in clean energy will strengthen the US economy and catapult us into the leading position globally.