solar panels

Sbona Honors Program students collaborated with an industry group to survey homeowners on solar tech.

In a place where the sun shines all summer, what’s keeping homeowners from going solar? CNBC recently highlighted an SJSU student research project seeking answers to that question. Working with industry advocate SolarTech, a student team found the industry needs better PR. “Only 39 percent of those surveyed saw solar energy as ‘reliable,’ and only another 11 percent see it as affordable,” the CNBC story said. Given the data, SolarTech Director David McFeely suggested “the solar industry needs an ‘advertising and research council’ much like certain agricultural associations.” Who will help the industry take the next step? Perhaps SJSU graduates. The survey was conducted under the auspices of the Sbona Honors Program, and is related to the SJSU Solar Workforce Project, which prepares students for careers at renewable energy companies. View the CNBC story. Read the story behind the story on Professor Joel West’s blog.