Renova Energy, a solar energy company based in Palm Desert, recently highlighted the work of their director of engineering, Cesar Lopez. In their spotlight, they dove into Lopez’s work, how he came to Renova, and what he thinks the future will hold.
According to the employee spotlight, Lopez stated that he got into the field of engineering because of his love of math and problem solving, and as director of engineering, Lopez guides and supports a team of specialized individuals such as engineers, designers, technicians, permit coordinators, and HOA specialists. Engineering responsibilities for Renova Energy cover everything from measuring roofs and designing layouts to preparing site-specific drawings and obtaining permits.
The field of solar allowed Lopez to apply his engineering knowledge in a way that can help people “achieve the independence that comes with renewable energy.” Every solar installation is unique for each house it’s being put on, since every house and electrical system is different, but that does allow for a solid problem-solving process.
According to the spotlight, one aspect of solar Lopez wishes customers could understand better is how important energy usage is in regards to saving money with solar energy. Renova’s solar systems are designed to offset energy usage from the previous year, so solar savings will be lessened if customers end up using more energy.
Finally, Lopez touched on what he thinks of the future of solar energy. He believes that the future is bright, as solar cell efficiency has improved from 14% to 22% over the past 10 years. In fact, Lopez believes that solar cell efficiency will improve to 30% by 2035. Lopez also believes that as solar energy batteries become better, more and more people will integrate solar energy into their homes. Solar batteries allow for even more energy independence, as they allow people with solar to store excess energy and use it during outages.