Jan Scott's journey into solar started with what she calls a "literal lightbulb moment" at age 14 when she flipped the switch in her grandparents' newly solar-powered home. Today, that moment has grown into a career that has taken her across the country installing solar systems and helping communities create clean energy solutions.
Jan Scott, Solar Construction Manager for Tribal Energy Alternatives, shares how she turned her passion for renewable energy into a career that combines STEM, skilled trades, travel, and problem-solving. Jan explains that solar panels can be installed almost anywhere—from rooftops and barns to RVs, boats, carports, and even picnic shelters. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at the industry, showing how solar professionals use math, electrical theory, power tools, and teamwork to design, install, troubleshoot, and repair systems. Jan says one of her favorite parts of the job is solving "puzzles" when a system isn't working and leaving at the end of the day knowing, "I did that."
Jan's career has taken her to projects across Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Washington, and Oklahoma, where she's worked with Native American communities and even had the unforgettable experience of hand-feeding buffalo on tribal lands. She shares how solar has allowed her to travel with her children, volunteer with organizations that train women in renewable energy, and earn new certifications along the way. Her message to young people is simple: "You can totally do it." Whether you enjoy math, science, technology, using tools, solving problems, or working outdoors, this presentation highlights an exciting career where you can use both your brain and your hands to make a difference.