Switching to solar power

Before switching paths and joining Borrego Solar Systems in Lowell, Cara Morano worked as a financial adviser. (Matthew J. Lee/ Globe Staff)

Cara Morano has had a lifelong interest in renewable energy.

When she was just 6 years old, she remembers sitting on her father's lap and saying to him, "All the signs on the street should be able to take sunlight during the day and use it to light up at night."

As an adult, she lives in an Energy Star home in Western Massachusetts, drives a hybrid Honda Civic, buys in bulk, and still feels strongly about conservation and consumption. So, when a position as a solar energy consultant opened up last year at Borrego Solar Systems Inc., she was "absolutely thrilled."

"It's my dream job, since I'm committed to the adoption of renewable energy," says Morano, who adds that, thanks to Governor Deval Patrick's push for green energy and his solar energy incentives, there has been a strong local market for solar energy companies and the opening of doors for workers like herself.

Add President Obama's vow to create millions of green jobs, and to ensure that 10 percent of energy used in the United States comes from renewable sources by 2012, and "the renewable energy sector is poised to take off," Morano says.

Morano was previously a financial adviser and retrained to work at the Lowell branch of Borrego, a California-based company that specializes in the design and installation of commercial, residential, and public sector solar power systems. The New England office has grown from two employees to 30 in a few short months, and Morano says the solar energy field offers positions as varied as engineering, administration, computer-assisted design work, procurement, management, as well as construction jobs, including electricians, roofers, and prefabrication installers.

Morano had to learn the difference between volts, watts, and amps, and says organizations such as Solar Energy International offer hands-on workshops and online courses; the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners provides certification programs. "You don't need to go in as an expert," says Morano, who adds that a solar energy consultant can earn from $40,000 to more than $100,000 a year, especially when consulting for commercial projects.

Solar energy in New England - is there enough sunlight here?

That's a common misconception, thinking that we don't get enough sunlight, when in fact, there is enough sun here to support solar energy. In fact, the cooler temperatures in the Northeast are better for the solar modules, to ensure that they don't overheat.

What are the different components of solar energy?

I'll keep it simple. First, there's the solar module, which takes sunlight and converts it into energy. Then the inverter takes the sign waves that come from the solar module and converts it from DC to AC power. The third component, especially for large installations, is a dataacquisition system, which can show how much energy is being produced and monitor the performance. And finally, there's the racking, which keeps the modules or panels, on the building.

What are the benefits of solar energy?

There is a tremendous environmental benefit, offsetting carbon and nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases. There is also a cost benefit. These systems last for 30 years, and you pay for the first five to seven years upfront, then it is all free. On the commercial side, these systems help corporations adhere to legislation to reduce their carbon footprint. There is also a real sense of pride with employees when a company is using solar energy, and this helps with employee attraction and retention.

What is the estimated cost of solar energy?

For a commercial system, the cost can be $6 to $7.50 a watt; for residential, anywhere from $7 to $8 a watt. So for an average size home, a 3- to 4-kilowatt system would cost about $24,000 out of pocket, but once you get back all the rebates and investment tax credits, it's $8,000 to $12,000 out of pocket.

What do you do as a solar energy consultant?

When a customer is interested in considering solar, I go in and assess whether solar is the right fit for them, from both a feasibility and financial standpoint. I go in and look at the building itself, including the condition of the rooftop and any obstacles that might exist, such as trees or buildings; the ability of the roof to hold solar arrays, and the placement of the arrays. I also look at the current electrical system and what sort of components there are to accept power off the solar arrays. Then I work with the designer and project manager to put together a feasibility study that I go back and present to the customer.

What sort of projects are you working on now?

The Town of Hopkinton is planning on offsetting 11 percent of their electrical load by using clean energy for municipal and well pumps, the town hall, police and fire station, and school. They're putting solar energy panels on buildings such as the fire station, where they want to make a visible statement by designing a solar awning that everyone can see as they enter the building.

Does solar energy attract a certain type of personality, whether it's your fellow employees or customers?

That was true 20 years ago. Solar energy advocates were hippies and tree huggers. That has changed now because solar energy is economically viable and mainstream. It's en vogue to conserve and be green, so where before it was the jeans and plaid shirt crowd, now our residential customers range from very wealthy clientele to teachers, nurses, and truck drivers. Corporations look for image and environmental gains; municipalities look at solar energy because they need to save money.

Do you have solar in your own home?

We just bought an additional 6 acres of land next to our house and are clearing the lot in preparation to put up solar arrays on our home. So, yes, I'm walking the talk.