MCLUR 2002
5/5
This PV project at Jefferson St., Pomona, CA is my 5th install. SISs Alex and Sal were excellent teachers during this special install which involved solar system and battery charger. I was very fortunate to be with East LA Skills Center (ELASC) graduating students who were already very knowledgeable on the theories behind photovoltaic.
I was supposed to attend the install in Long Beach but because of unexpected heavy traffic on I-10, my bus arrival on Flower St. and Pico Blvd. was delayed. But due to Nila’s efficiency and quick thinking, the GLA volunteer coordinator was able to accommodate me in the Pomona install and had me carpool with Gabriel and Shae in Mike Flores’ hybrid car. Even before we arrived in Pomona I was already receiving valuable learning from Project Manager Flores who was explaining some changes on the plan of another project which he had to justify before the building dept. plan checker. In response to my question, Mike said that Grid doesn’t yet have a library of changes or lists of lessons learned. (This library or those reports regarding problems encountered in the field or design work can become part of Quality Management System. This info also provides indirect experience to students of solar and could accelerate their learning).
When Gabriel, Shae (both from ELASC) and I arrived, Sal started the Safety talk. Then, I volunteered to climb up the roof. Alex showed us how to mark the rails prior to installing the modules. He also showed us the correct installation of optimizers and clipping of the cables. Alex and Sal explained the materials installed and to be installed per the plan.
I met Selena with the outreach group. I informed her of my plan to do a Climate Change presentation at a PTA meeting in Pomona and invited her. Selena said she would like to come out there to talk about the solar opportunities with Grid Alternatives.
