We’re proud of the intelligent, passionate, and hardworking people that make up the Bright Power team. Each month, you’ll get a chance to meet one of them, understand how they contribute to the organization, and what makes them excited to come to work every day.
Meet James Albert, Director of Engineering.
What are some of the things you like most about working at Bright Power?
I have to say that I truly enjoy the collaborative work environment. It’s not just with my team but across the company as a whole. Bright Power’s collaborative culture exists throughout the whole company, regardless of one’s role or seniority. People are always willing to help each other and this is critical given the complexity of our work. For example, an on-site generation project where we are designing solar for a new building involves the On-site Generation (OSG) team, but can also involve our New Construction team, and/or our Analysis team working together. It provides opportunities for everyone to learn about things outside of their typical knowledgebase.
What are some projects and accomplishments you’re most proud of?
One of my favorite projects is Logan Fountain. It’s one of the first projects I started working on when I joined Bright Power. The system is just over 200 KW making it one of the largest pergola solar photovoltaic (PV) systems we’ve consulted on. I’m looking forward to seeing it get installed, and one day driving by with my two daughters, and telling them: “your dad designed that.”
What’s something people might not know about you?
I think people may not be aware that I have been in the renewable industry for almost 18 years. Before moving into the solar industry, I did PLC programming and design for industrial control systems. On the surface, they may seem unrelated. But interestingly enough, we’re developing our own control system for a Resilient Power Hub project and we’re doing that using a PLC! It’s nice when things come full circle, and I’m glad I get to utilize that skillset (again) in my job today, to the benefit of Bright Power.
Who are some of the clients and partners you’ve worked with?
Being exposed to organizations like the Bridge and Selfhelp Community Services that really work hard to make peoples’ lives better is special and motivating. I didn’t experience that in my previous roles. I also find it inspiring to work with architects like Dattner Architects, Paul A. Castrucci Architects, and MHG Architects who are highly motivated to integrate various OSG technologies into their designs. It’s not a matter of if, but how—they always want to make it work.
What’s the one service offering we have that you think is the most beneficial to clients and why?
While I’m clearly biased and should say it’s our on-site generation design services, the fact is: Bright Power’s strength lies in our diversity and range of services. No one offering is “best.” We have experience with almost every facet of building systems and since our teams work so closely together, it allows us to leverage this comprehensive knowledge base to its maximum potential. Allowing our clients to have direct access to all that “synchronized” knowledge is a huge advantage for them. That’s what makes Bright Power so strong.