## [Women In Solar](/women-solar) ![2025 Ladies of SLP Group Shot ](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_of_the_containing_region_could_upscale_small_images_/public/2025-05/slp_ladies_group_shot_2025.jpg?itok=rn26ssrR) At the heart of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is the belief that everyone deserves a place in shaping the clean energy future. Our Women in the Field initiative celebrates the skilled, passionate, and resilient women leading the way on rooftops, job sites, and in technical roles across the solar industry. By breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, these trailblazers are building not just solar systems, but a more inclusive and equitable workforce. We’re proud to support and uplift women in every role, creating pathways for growth, representation, and lasting impact. This commitment extends beyond our job sites through our partnership with [Women in Cleantech & Sustainability](https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/) (WCS). As members of this 16,000-strong professional network, we provide our team with direct access to mentorship, professional development, and a vibrant community of peers. By investing in WCS, we aren't just supporting individual careers, we are actively helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for the entire green economy. ## Veda Taylor ### Senior Project Manager ![Veda Taylor Women in Solar](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Veda%20Taylor.jpg)### ### Hi Veda! What inspired you to enter the solar industry? My path into solar was rooted in a search for an industry that had staying power. When the pandemic hit, the world shut down and so many people were laid off so I had to be intentional about finding a stable company with growth opportunities. Sun Light and Power checked those boxes. I didn’t come from a solar background - I came from HVAC but I had my certification as an Energy Specialist that I received from PG&E. That foundation gave me a strong grasp of building systems and energy efficiency, so I felt like solar could be a challenge but also a natural fit for my abilities that I could use as a next chapter in my career ### As a woman in this industry, what were some of the early challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them? My early but biggest challenge wasn’t external, it was internal. I was stepping into a new industry and surrounded by fellow team members who already had solar experience so that gap fed the self doubt that I had. I told myself often in those early days that in order for me to fit in, I needed to learn the details of every task and assignment I touched, not just execute them. I had the desire to know the “why” of everything I was doing so I had to acquire patience as I was learning. As an Assistant Project Manager (PM), during the early years of Covid, SLP had significant turnover during the pandemic with team members and upper management, which was a challenge as the “playbook” or process kept changing because of the internal shifts. Instead of relying on a playbook that changed, I created my own process that worked for myself in getting things done instead of waiting for somebody to give me a process to follow. Being proactive kept my assignments moving forward with consistency no matter what changes happened around me. Having a Senior PM in Steve Meyers that checked in consistently and asked if I had any questions and needed help was invaluable. I also had Sara Kinsey who was a new PM as well so when we weren’t given proper direction we figured out things together on the fly to get things done. ### How do you see the role of the project management function evolving as the solar sector grows and becomes more competitive and diverse? Project Management is evolving because it’s becoming more cross-functional. In my opinion a successful Project Manager needs to understand the nuances of different roles like permitting, interconnection, field operations and customer expectations all at once so they know how to navigate the timing of the project from start to finish. I think having that diversity of knowledge will help reshape how team members approach internal communication and problem-solving. I was fortunate enough to start as an APM so I did what would be considered menial but important task at SLP like coordination with the permit coordinator, learning interconnection, generating O&Ms and handling the Closeout process for the entire PM team so it gave me a solid foundation and confidence as I continued to establish myself within SLP. ### What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders looking to grow their careers within the renewable energy space? My advice is not to wait until you feel fully ready because that may never come. I applied for a Project Manager role without solar experience. During my interview the hiring manager saw something in me and offered me the APM position and I viewed the opportunity as a launching pad to grind it out instead of viewing it as a limitation. Bet on yourself and be confident in your tangible and intangible skills that can transfer into any role and have a willingness to learn. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable for the betterment of your growth. Ask the basic questions you think make you look inexperienced. Be okay to fail forward. Volunteer for tasks you’ve never done before. Stay curious. Refuse to be invisible. Control your path by building your own support system and network. Find mentors and peers that will help. ### What personal habits or practices have helped you succeed in your role? My work day starts before I open a single email. I’ve learned that how I begin my mornings helps set the tone for everything that follows. Before I get out of bed, I run through a mental checklist and start prioritizing my time. My morning routine stays consistent: Warm water with lemon to help hydrate, 15 minute morning walk in the sun to help set my circadian rhythm, and a protein shake to help me focus. I add lavender or coffee oil to my diffuser so by the time I sit down at my desk - I’m calm and not scrambling to catch up. The preparation creates the mental space I need to work through customer communication, coordination with team members and various challenges that come up through the day. I’m rigid when it comes to my routine but it keeps me disciplined on the hard days when I don’t feel like working. ### How do you think the solar industry can encourage more women to pursue a career in this field? Visibility! People want to see their reflection in the things they’re pursuing. When women can see that other women have taken the steps to accomplish their goals,l it gives internal confidence that they can do it, too. Beyond having representation, companies have to be intentional with creating a path that values transferable skills. Not every woman may see themselves in solar because they think it’s a male dominated space. If Solar companies can create a pathway like SLP did with me, it will open the door for talent that normally is overlooked. For a year I was able to have a mentor within the company I could go to for questions and best practices. Also, SLP paid for my Construction Management Course. Creating a culture for women to be invited to the table to share ideas and give constructive feedback, I think will help sustain the long term health of any company. ### Why should Sun Light & Power be an Employer of Choice for anyone looking for a career in solar? SLP gave me a chance when I had no solar experience on my resume. They were able to recognize my relevant skills, drive and willingness to grow. In 5½ years I’ve grown from an assistant to a Senior PM. I’ve touched every part of the project lifecycle. SLP invests in people who invest in the work. A company that has been around for 50 years didn’t get there by accident. It’s the result of strong leadership by its founder, Gary Gerber, and people he put in place to do quality work and create a culture that people want to work for. ### Any other comments? Having stable leadership like Devin Weaver, Josh Roberts, Josh Flasher and William Harrod created an anchor for a company that was in upheaval during the pandemic. Having long time employees in various departments like Martin Morehouse, Jesse Quay, Tim McKeever in Project Development, Anukene Warda and Alex Israel being leaders in Field Operations and Thaddues Nadelson and Marc Kollar in Engineering helped with decision making to enhance efficiency across departments. ## Jessie Gruenhagen ### CFO & Director of Finance ![Jessie Gruenhagen Women in Solar ](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jessie%20Gruenhagen%20sq.png)### ### Hi Jessie! What inspired you to enter the solar industry? There are several distinct paths within accounting, each requiring different skill sets. I was drawn to the solar industry because it gave me a chance to step into construction accounting, an area I hadn’t yet explored in my career. With a background in manufacturing, retail and financial accounting, I saw this as an opportunity to expand my skill set and grow professionally. What made it even more meaningful was the chance to work in an industry that aligns with my values. Being part of a company that contributes to environmental sustainability is something I take pride in. I was also particularly drawn to Sun Light & Power for its employee-owned structure and B-Corp certification. ### As a woman leader in a technical industry, what were some of the early challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them? One of the early challenges I faced was stepping into a completely new industry and having to quickly get up to speed on construction accounting. The complexity of project-based accounting and compliance requirements was a steep learning curve. I overcame that by asking questions, doing a lot of research and leaning on the expertise of others around me. ### How do you see the role of the accounts/ finance function evolving as the solar sector grows and becomes more competitive? The solar industry is constantly evolving, and the finance function must evolve with it. It’s no longer just about historical reporting—finance needs to play a key role in delivering timely, data-driven insights that support decision-making. This is essential for evaluating market shifts, governmental changes and ensuring the business remains competitive and successful. ### What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders looking to grow their careers within the renewable energy space? Don’t be afraid to ask questions, curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for growth. Also finding a community of peers, mentors, or industry professionals you can rely on for advice and guidance makes a big difference. Most importantly, don’t hesitate to ask for what you need to be successful, whether it’s resources, opportunities, or clarity. Your voice matters, and advocating for yourself is part of leadership. ### What personal habits or practices have helped you succeed in a demanding leadership role as a woman? Good communication has been key. This includes setting clear expectations, actively listening, or being transparent with my team and peers. Being honest about my limitations has been important too; I don’t pretend to have all the answers, and I believe in leaning on the support of others when needed. I also prioritize follow-through and meeting deadlines, which helps build trust and shows that I can be relied on. Reliability, openness, and clear communication have all helped me lead effectively. ### How do you think the solar industry can encourage more women to pursue a career in this field? I believe it starts with visibility and opportunity. Showcasing the women who are already making an impact in the industry is a powerful way to inspire others, and I appreciate that SLP is actively doing this. Beyond visibility, offering mentorship opportunities within the organization can make a big difference. When women see others thriving and have access to guidance and support, it helps build confidence and opens the door for more to enter and succeed in the field. ## Andrea Lara ### Commercial Superintendent ![Andrea Lara Portrait Women in Field](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Andrea%20Portrait.jpg)### ### Hi Andrea! Can you share a bit about your journey in the solar industry and what inspired you to pursue a career in this field? It all started when I graduated college in 2005. I had a pre-med degree in neuroscience and had the intention of going to med school, though not right away as I wanted a little “real world” experience before committing to another 4 more years of school. I realized that I did not have any “skills” and thought that a trade was a good field to explore in order to gain more marketable real world skills. The two trades that were most appealing to me were electrical and plumbing and with an interest in world health, getting clean water in and dirty water out was most inline with my values. I began a plumbing apprenticeship in 2006. It only took about 2 years of working in the plumbing trade that I was uncomfortable with the differences in culture in my trade (this was when I was one of very few women actually working in the trades). I met another woman working in the trades at a solar company and wanted to seek out employment that was more inline with my values and had other women working and so I started at Sun Light & Power in 2008. ### ![Andrea Lara in the Field](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Andrea%20Lara%201.jpg)What challenges did you face when starting your career in the solar sector, and how did you overcome them? As I mentioned earlier, when I started my journey in the trades I was one of very few other women and had to develop a tough skin and had to “code switch” in order to work alongside so many men. I also had to look the other way when I received unwanted attention from my presence on the jobsite. When I started there weren’t any special considerations for women on the jobsite, so I also had to get used to not having facilities that were meant for me. I was also fighting against a cultural belief in the inherent differences between women and men, and it felt like a lot of people believed I did not belong on the basis of my sex. I had to work twice as hard in order to prove myself (and my gender/sex as a whole) in order to change the minds and beliefs of others that women are just as capable as men and could be just as good doing the work that typically only men had done. In terms of facing these challenges, I think I am just headstrong and believed that I was capable and belonged in the field just as much as men. I believed the struggles were worth it because I find the work so rewarding and I want more women to be a part of it. ### As a woman working in an industry, particularly in field and on-site roles where women are often underrepresented, how have you navigated your journey and set an example for others? In the very beginning I had to develop a thick skin and not be bothered by inappropriate remarks, attention and being viewed as different and not belonging. Once I felt more comfortable, I felt like an ambassador for women in the trades. I have gone on numerous panels, spoken to young kids and have had many one on one conversations with other women who were also curious about joining the trades. I also feel like I have been a teacher to other women and have shared my experience in order to make it easier and to encourage other women to start a career in the trades in the field. ### ![Andrea Lara in the Field Measuring](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Andrea%20Lara%202.JPG)Could you tell us about a specific project or initiative at Sun Light & Power that you led or contributed to that you’re particularly proud of? This may not be the answer you are looking for, but I am proud of all of the work I have done at Sun Light & Power. Over the years I have had many roles and it has been such a positive experience to grow my skills with this company. I started out with only the knowledge of plumbing and working on residential solar thermal systems. As the company and I grew, I have shifted roles, becoming a foreperson for commercial solar thermal work. I have stuck with it enough to have the expertise to become a solar thermal service technician, troubleshooting all sorts of types of systems throughout the bay area. As I transitioned a little more out of the field I realized I could extend my knowledge to PV and have helped grow the residential PV department as one of the first project managers and now am acting as a split solar thermal and PV superintendent in our commercial operations department. It has been a long journey and I have been proud every step of the way and so grateful to Sun Light and Power to provide the path of growth and evolution that has been my career so far. ### How do you think the solar industry can encourage more women to pursue a career in this field? I think Sun Light & Power has been at the forefront of encouraging women to pursue careers in the field. It was because un Light & Power already had women in the field when I joined in 2008 that made it so compelling to work here. Since then, Sun Light & Power has given me time to speak to STEM classes and High School summer programs in order to encourage more women to have careers in the field. Visibility is really important, and even this newsletter highlighting a woman’s experience will hopefully encourage more to join. I think the industry can be strategic in their hiring practices and hire all the women they can. ### How do you envision the role of women evolving in the solar sector in the coming years? I just hope that more and more join the team and get out into the field to keep demonstrating the equality between men and women working physically demanding jobs. There has always been an ebb and flow in the presence of women in the field at Sun Light & Power and I envision a future with women having more opportunities and roles in leadership in the coming years. ### What advice would you give to young or aspiring women professionals looking to enter the solar industry? Please join! The ride is a bit of a “solar coaster” but work that makes a difference in decreasing our carbon footprint and bolstering renewable and sustainable energy is very rewarding. It feels very good to be a part of building a brighter future for ourselves and the entire planet. # ![Team Installing Panels](/sites/default/files/inline-images/S%20Cherokee%20Ln%201150.jpeg) # # Interested in working with us? Join our growing solar community and be part of a team that's driving real change. Whether you're passionate about clean energy, innovation, or making a positive impact, there's a place for you here. Explore our **[career opportunities](https://sunlightandpower.bamboohr.com/careers)** and help us build a brighter, more sustainable future. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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