TITLE: An Interview with Laura Uhler, business owner of Solar Ki, Corvallis, OR
SUMMARY: Laura Uhler is the business owner of Solar Ki, a solar installation and solar technology company in Corvallis, OR. She speaks about the logicality behind installing solar panels and solar technology into residential and business properties. She also believes it “makes sense to have a national policy on energy.”
TOPIC: How Solar Key is a sustainable business that meets the energy needs of people with minimal impact on the environment
CATEGORY: Citizen (Interview)
WHAT IS IT? A telephone interview with Laura Uhler of Solar Ki
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: Chocolatedragon.wordpress.com, March 13, 2009
AUTHOR: Ericka Staples, Laura Uhler
LOCATION: http://chocolatedragon.wordpress.com/
ACCESSED: March 8, 2009
SUPPORT:
* Solar Energy International, non-profit educational organization focusing on instructing on renewable energy technology
* Lane Community College, local community college based in Eugene, OR
* Oregon State University, public research university based in Corvallis, OR
* Pacific Power PGE, Portland, OR organization focused on promoting renewable energy credits
AUDIENCE & AGENDA: Solar Ki is one of at least three “green” businesses in the Willamette Valley. “Solar Ki designs and installs high-quality systems for homes and businesses,” says business owner Laura Uhler. Since Solar Ki’s establishment in July 2006, the company has installed energy-efficient solar technology in many homes and businesses in the Corvallis area. Although Solar Ki has thus far been a profitable adventure, the company is passionate its work. “The environment has always been a strong value to me,” says Uhler. Before the establishment of Solar Ki, Uhler did a market study and realized “the time would come” when there would be a great demand for greener, more sustainable energy resources. The business openly welcomes and encourages anyone who is interested in purchasing or learning more about solar technology to contact Solar Ki. In addition to educating potential customers, Solar Ki also comes to the site to do a thorough, physical analysis of the property. The company can then counsel clients on the best options for getting the maximum use out of a newly-installed system. Solar Ki’s targeted audience/clientele is citizens residing in the Willamette Valley. According to Uhler and the company’s official website, the Willamette Valley is ideal for solar technology for many reasons. For one, it receives as much sun as the national average. The Valley also has short winter days, and longer summer days. There are also legal benefits. The state of Oregon has laws that make it easy for residents to take advantage of solar power. One of these advantages is being able to get credit from utility companies and the state for having a solar technology system installed.
USEFULNESS: This is a unique source to my project. It is the only in-person (okay, in-telephone) source I have from a business perspective. Laura Uhler was a magnificent source. She has more than twenty years of experience in the field of energy. Her colorful resume includes electrical manager, electrical engineer, and project manager. Prior to Solar Ki, Uhler claims that the most difficult and painful things she had to do in her career was transfer jobs overseas or lay-off industry workers. Experiences such as these are the foundation for Uhler’s passion for what she does. I was enlightened after interviewing Uhler, because her ideas and her views on clean energy supported my position (green jobs good!) She also has simple yet logical reasons for why it makes sense to have a national standard on energy. Among these are the environment, job creation, and sustainability; all of which can be promoted without the negative effects of oil. “The $700 billion bailout last October gave a 30 percent tax credit to anyone who puts solar electric power in their home,” Uhler explains, which was new information to me. She also says the 2009 Stimulus promotes the creation of local jobs that will not be forced to go overseas, since there are many physical things that need to be done here at home in order to convert to an energy-efficient economy. According to Uhler, the Stimulus also helps green businesses like Solar Ki by creating renewable energy grants, decreasing penalties for certain subsidies, and making loans more available. In addition to the energy savings that comes along with solar technology installation, “the money generated goes towards the local economy,” says Uhler. “The current way [we have been doing things] is not sustainable for the future.” I learned so many things from Laura Uhler from a green business perspective, which is amazing for the affirmation of my should question (“The United States Federal Government should focus on green job development.”) This interview fills an empty space in my research. Now I have evidence from business, economical, and environmental perspectives, all of which point towards green job development as a critical and urgent component in preserving America’s well-being.
WORKS CITED:
* Energy Trust of Oregon
http://www.energytrust.org/
Accessed March 13, 2009
