Published

12 months ago

December 24, 2024

Alice Rush

For Olivia Amyette, solar power should be for everyone – plain and simple. But, for the young business owner, this doesn’t just mean access to owning and using solar panels. It also means making the solar workforce accessible to anyone interested, regardless of where they live, what they look like, or how much money they make.

Olivia started Infinite Energy Advisors, her “one-stop solar shop” that provides design, installation, and related services to solar customers, in 2020 in the small mountain town of Cleveland, Georgia. In a state with largely untapped potential for rooftop solar, Olivia hopes Infinite Energy Advisors is the first of many centers to help facilitate solar installation in Georgia – and to help build up a qualified workforce to power the movement.

As of last year, her facility now hosts the first on-site comprehensive solar training center in Georgia, called the Solar Knowledge Institute (SKI). With SKI, Olivia aims to expand solar workforce options for the next generation, focusing on bringing more women and minority communities onto the solar scene and providing paid on-the-job training opportunities.

After our first Q&A blog with Olivia about her inspirations to launch Infinite Energy Advisors, we caught up with her again for an update on how her goals are progressing. Read on to learn more about Olivia’s entirely self-funded business, her focus on the need for more equity and inclusion in the solar workforce, and some exciting milestones for the Solar Knowledge Institute as it welcomes its first public cohort.

Where did the idea for your solar training program, the Solar Knowledge Institute, come from?

When I first started my solar company Infinite Energy Advisors, we were helping out other solar companies on jobs, but the way many of them were being run felt like something I wouldn’t want to put my name on. Solar has neighboring career paths like electrical, construction, and roofing that all come together into one profession – and I saw that nobody really knew how to do all of it. People were not equipped, and their customers were disgruntled. I thought, “We’ve got to make sure that people in our workforce are proud of their work.”

There was not a good spot for solar workers to figure out how to do all these things, and there was nothing in-person, with mentorship and soft skill development.

That’s why I wanted to start the Solar Knowledge Institute (SKI), because my training that I created for Infinite Energy Advisors was working. When Infinite Energy Advisors was started five years ago, I did a lot of surveying of other companies, trying to find out, “Who taught you, and how do you know what you know?” 99% of the time, people were taught by someone who said he knew how to do solar, and that was really it. There’s more to it than that.

So, I took what I learned about the industry, threw some stuff on the wall and saw what stuck, then made it more official. I thought, let me package this curriculum up and ensure that all companies have access to training like this, whether it be in the form of them sending their workers to us to train, or hiring from our pool of graduates from the SKI. I wanted to make a larger impact in the industry, one that extends outside of our reach.

Nowadays, SKI has great partnerships and professors on staff – people from the manufacturing level who represent some of the most popular manufacturers in the industry, people who teach certain solar items, people who can serve as lead engineers on our larger projects.

It’s a continuing education program, a living program, meaning that what we teach today might not be the same as what we teach next year. Some of it is fundamentally going to be the same all the time, but as new products come into the industry, we lean a lot on our manufacturing partnerships to ensure that we get the right people in front of our students so they can keep up with all of the industry trends.

Students of the Solar Knowledge Institute learn how to install rooftop solar panels.

What inspired you to establish your own solar company?

I started Infinite Energy Advisors to get into the solar industry, but also to support myself and to take care of my Grandpa. I was raised hearing stories of how when he came to the States, like many other immigrants he had nothing but a determination to make anything work. He would study English by himself by candlelight because he couldn’t afford his electricity.

Having such a fairly recent connection to something like that – a living, breathing human to tell these stories, the emotions on his face – I had to make sure that this renewable energy source that can save you money and help keep your power on gets into folks’ hands who really need it.

Why did you start your solar business and training program in a small town like Cleveland, Georgia?

Smaller communities are often overlooked and can be the ones that need workforce training the most, so the local workforce was a huge thing for me. There was a newspaper article going around when I first got into the industry that said nearly all solar work being done in Georgia was done by companies or laborers from out of state. I felt like that was a big problem – I felt like, not under my watch.

Up in North Georgia where we’re at the beginning of the mountains, a lot of folks’ power goes out often. There’s not a lot of resilience. Traditionally, many folks’ only option was to have a generator for when the power went out, which uses dirty energy and can be expensive – paying so much to fill the propane tank over and over, and having to find a way to get more when you run out. When you’re in the mountains, you’re often the last to get your power turned back on, even though these communities still have people who need access to the internet, people in school, people with medical needs that need electricity.

We saw that people up here had a need for solar batteries – a one-time investment, good for as long as the battery lasts them. Solar batteries make sense here holistically. I felt like we could not only make a difference here in terms of building up a solar workforce, but also be able to keep the workforce busy because of the demand for reliable power.

Our training actually also covers the entire state, and that means we physically get to travel to other areas and train. We don’t require people to come to us, since Cleveland is so rural.

Olivia poses with SKI staff and one of the business’ manufacturing partners.

Solar Knowledge Institute has been around for nearly a year – where does it stand now?

Of our pilot program of 14 or 15 students this past year, 100% of them have obtained full-time employment in clean energy careers. I hope I can always say that, just with bigger numbers. This year, we hope to welcome between 10 and 40 students to our first public cohort, plus the DIY-ers who come through for a class or two.

We have successfully been able to create Georgia’s first and only currently registered apprenticeship program that’s officially accredited and recognized by the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) with a focus on solar. This means we are currently the only folks here who can offer other companies apprentice labor for solar projects, which is amazing.

Companies sometimes need apprentice labor to get certain financial incentives or to even take on a project – maybe their client requires a certain amount of apprentice labor. SKI can now help fulfill that, which not only opens up more locally-based jobs in clean energy, but also more eligible solar projects so more people can get solar. We’re making the workforce stronger.

SKI students are required to have real, on-the-job learning experience. With our DOL partnership, we can pay them for the training hours they spend contributing to local solar projects. By the time they graduate SKI, they have certifications, a portfolio of projects, and a decorated resume. Plus, we teach them soft skills, such as interviewing skills, so they know how to market themselves.

By having paid training opportunities, we’re also able to help underserved communities and those often overlooked by these programs – many of whom without getting paid can’t commit to a program like this. This is one reason this DOL partnership was so important to me. Already, about 75% of SKI students have been minorities, just through organic interest. And that’s what I wanted to see. Many people just kind of went for it.

Where do SKI’s graduates go?

When I first started SKI, I knew that if I’m going to have these students go through this program, I ought to be able to offer them a job at Infinite Energy Advisors! So, SKI started in a way where we could offer employment to all folks when they graduate – however, our goal is to not hoard everybody. We want to be able to strengthen the entire workforce.

We have many industry partnerships who are very interested in hiring our apprentices and giving them full-time positions, part-time positions – being very intentional about what exactly folks are looking for upon graduation. We have a very, very high probability that everybody will be able to have a job when they complete the program as long as they want it.

Olivia and students of the Solar Knowledge Institute pose after installing rooftop solar panels.

What keeps you motivated, especially in a time where clean energy can feel unprioritized and overlooked?

Solar is for everybody. We get a lot of folks asking us about the partisan nature of solar, but solar is not just for one specific political party. It makes sense for whoever it makes sense for regardless of political views, and we bring that into our space. One of the greatest parts about my business is that we get to take a break from all the noise that we hear politically every single day and just enjoy the work that we’re doing. Plain and simple, we get to benefit people.

We want people from both ends of the aisle supporting solar. I think that’s something that a lot of people are craving at this time – just a way to be united.

Get Involved with the Clean Energy Generation

As the Clean Energy Generation, we’re united in our support for clean energy, our work to bring it to those who need it most, and our desire to learn more every day. Whether it’s joining a monthly member call to meet others from across the Southeast, rallying against fossil fuel expansion in your community, or reading up on electric vehicle facts to combat misinformation – that’s all clean energy action, and there’s a place for all of us in the movement.

We all deserve a healthier, safer future powered by clean energy, and we each have the power to inspire others by spreading the news.

Join the Clean Energy Generation

Take Action with Us

Read about what inspired Olivia to launch Infinite Energy Advisors

Check out Energy for All Y’all for more clean energy success stories in the Southeast!

The post Olivia Amyette is Bringing Solar Power—and Paid Job Training—to Georgians Who Need It appeared first on SACE | Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Olivia Amyette is Bringing Solar Power—and Paid Job Training—to Georgians Who Need It

Renewable Energy

Raw Stupidity: Yet One More Reason that Trump Must Go

Published

17 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Alice Rush

From the Huffington Post:

A senior FBI officer struggled to answer basic questions about antifa, despite characterizing the organization as “the most immediate violent threat” the US faces.

At a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on Thursday, Michael Glasheen, operations director of the national security branch of the FBI, said he agreed with President Donald Trump that antifa is one of the greatest national security threats to the country.

The answer, of course, is that “Antifa” is a concept, not an organization. It refers to anyone who is against fascism. It has no headquarters, no leaders, and no members.

Now, it is true that people with these views can be violent. When my father led a crew of his fellow anti-fascists, flying a B-17 bomber in World War 2, they completed 29 successful missions, destroying Nazi oil refineries. Were Nazi soldiers killed in the process? I never asked him that, and he probably didn’t know, as they were flying at 29,000 feet, but it seems extremely unlikely that no one died.

In peacetime, we antifa people are non-violent. We may be marching for BLM, or encouraging the use of science in policymaking, or expressing our view that the United States should not have a king.

The FBI must understand this; they must be saying this purely to placate Trump. No one can be that stupid.

Raw Stupidity: Yet One More Reason that Trump Must Go

Renewable Energy

Hydrokinetics Gone Awry

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Alice Rush

When I came across the meme at left, I was instantly reminded of a guy who called me from Baltimore, MD about 15 years ago, anxious for me to hunt up investors in an invention he had created. I was having a hard time understanding the concept he was describing, and so he told me, “Think of it as a river in a box.”

“Ah! Now I get it. You have a box full of standing water. You add energy to it to get it moving, and then our extract energy from the moving water. And you think that you can extract more energy than you put into it.”

“Yes!” he said excitedly.

I calmly told him that this violates the laws of physics, specifically the first and second laws of thermodynamics, but he wasn’t “having it.” I wished him a pleasant good night and asked him to let me know when he had built a working prototype.

I’m still hoping to hear from him again.

Hydrokinetics Gone Awry

Renewable Energy

Benefits of Solar Power Solution in Manufacturing Facilities

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Alice Rush

In today’s dynamic manufacturing world, energy is more than just a utility; it’s the spark that keeps production running. Industrial facilities, powered by massive engines and heavy machinery, often operate 24/7, driving output but also consuming enormous amounts of electricity.

The issues? Soaring energy costs and a growing environmental footprint.

Sometimes it’s like a cycle that often feels impossible to break, but what if your facility could draw energy from a cleaner, more reliable, and cost-effective energy source?

Yes, you heard it right, and that’s where solar power comes in!

As electricity prices continue to rise and corporate sustainability goals become more pressing, manufacturers are rethinking how they power their commercial operations.

Therefore, solar energy is emerging as a game-changing solution, offering reliability, long-term savings, and a sustainable path forward for the Australian manufacturing industry.

In this blog, we’ll explore how manufacturers are successfully implementing solar power, featuring real-world case studies from Cyanergy that highlight both the business advantages and environmental impact.

So, let’s explore how solar energy can help your manufacturing facility reduce costs and enhance efficiency, achieving long-term sustainability.

In this blog post:

Why Solar Energy Is Essential for Modern Manufacturing Facilities?

In Australia, manufacturing facilities typically have large roof or yard footprints, significant and relatively
stable electrical loads, including lighting, motors, HVAC, and other machinery. So, the energy used every day is
enormous.

By harnessing the sun’s energy, factories can significantly cut operating
costs, reduce carbon emissions, and gain greater control over long-term energy stability.

Beyond the environmental benefits, solar power also strengthens a company’s competitive edge and brand reputation in
an increasingly eco-conscious market.

Here we’ve penned down the importance of solar power in the manufacturing industry:

Energy cost mitigation

So, how solar energy reduces manufacturing costs in Australia?

With electricity prices rising and energy market volatility increasing, incorporating solar energy offers a
way to
reduce grid dependency and lower utility costs in the long term.

Ensure Operational Continuity & Resilience

Solar panel systems, when paired
with
battery storage, can help smooth peak energy demand, reduce grid dependence, and improve functioning
time.

Promote Sustainability and Brand Value

In larger industries, many manufacturers are under pressure from customers, regulators, investors, and
internal
stakeholders to reduce
their carbon footprint.

Solar helps them to achieve energy freedom, powering businesses with a sustainable energy source.

Increase Asset value & ROI

Solar systems, when sized appropriately and properly optimised, can deliver payback in a few years and
continue to
provide savings thereafter.

According to Cyanergy’s capability statement, we delivered a 490
kW system that generated 752 MWh for a manufacturing client, with a 37-month payback period.

This shows that industrial-scale solar can deliver real, practical results for manufacturers.

Now, let’s examine solar power solutions for manufacturing facilities, case studies, and best practices to ensure a
clear understanding.

Case Studies from Cyanergy: Real-World Manufacturing Success in Australia!

In this part of the blog, we have selected three examples from Cyanergy to illustrate how manufacturing facilities are utilising solar energy.

These are not generic installations; these are production-oriented businesses taking real steps across different states of Australia.

1. Uniplas Mouldings International – Wetherill Park, NSW

Project Overview

System size: 490 kW solar system installed in staged phases
Investment: AUD $591,823.71.
Annual generation: 752 MWh
Yearly energy costs before solar: approximately $647,000.
After solar: $456K, which is approximately 55% of the previous
Payback period: 37 months

Why it matters

For Uniplas, a large industrial manufacturer, the solar system not only significantly reduces their operating energy
costs, but the payback of just over 3 years means that the return on investment is also attractive for the
business.

The staged approach also allowed them to access multiple subsidies and implement the project rapidly; for example,
the first stage of 200 kW was completed in four weeks.

This clearly shows how manufacturing operations can incorporate
solar without any significant disruption.

2. AC Laser – Thomastown, VIC

Project Overview

System size: 99.45 kW
Annual generation: 141.75 MWh
Annual electricity cost before solar: $79,000.
After solar: $38,160, a reduction of more than 50%
Payback period: 26 months

Why it matters

This is a smaller-scale manufacturing facility compared to Uniplas, yet the results are impressive: a more than 50%
cost reduction and a shorter payback period.

This shows that not only large-scale commercial properties but also mid-sized manufacturing operations can benefit
from solar, not just large ones.

Insights Gained from the Case

Don’t wait until your business is huge, as size is scalable.
The solar system’s size aligned well with the manufacturing load, saving thousands of dollars.
Rapid ROI shows manufacturing facilities can justify solar as a capital investment for their business.

3. Specialised (Cycling-Industry manufacturer) – Port Melbourne, VIC

Project Overview

System size: 39.6 kW
Annual generation: 47.32 MWh
Electricity cost before solar: $26,720; after solar: $17,770
Payback period: 45 months

Why it matters

Although smaller, this project depicts that solar energy is a viable option for manufacturing across various sizes
and sectors, even in facilities with a relatively small carbon footprint.

The case emphasises sustainability as a business value and how solar can support brand positioning as well as cost
savings.

Major Takeaways

Solar supports both cost and branding sustainability
goals.
Even medium-sized systems can provide meaningful savings.
The ROI
generated must be viewed in terms of both financial and reputational benefits for any
business, whether it’s large or small.

Is Now the Right Time for Manufacturers to Transition to Solar Energy?

After knowing the numerous benefits of solar solutions, you may be tempted to go solar. However, transitioning from
traditional energy sources to solar energy comes with a cost.

From government
incentives to long-term cost savings, the financial case for solar energy is compelling.

Still wondering, is it time for businesses to go solar? Here’s why you should act now:

Electricity prices continue to rise in many markets, strengthening the return on investment for solar
energy.
Many governments and utilities offer incentives, favourable tariffs, or rebates
for industrial solar projects.
Day by day, the pressure for sustainability reporting and corporate social responsibility (CSR) is
intensifying. Manufacturing facilities with high energy loads are often subject to inspection.
Technology costs have fallen recently, making solar panels and inverters
more affordable than ever and reducing payback time.
With the right sizing and execution, the solar system becomes a long-term asset that pays for itself,
releasing capital for other manufacturing investments.

Best Practices for Manufacturing Facilities Considering Solar

Solar can be a powerful game-changer for manufacturing companies and large commercial buildings when implemented correctly.

But that doesn’t mean it’s as easy as flipping the switch.

Therefore, before investing in Solar power, ensure you understand every step that leads to real savings and sustainable success for your business.

1. Conduct a detailed energy assessment & align solar to load

Before installation, it is essential to understand your manufacturing facility’s energy usage patterns, including the peak usage limit, daily load curves, and seasonal variations.

The better the match between system size, orientation, and actual usage, the higher the yield and the quicker the payback.

At Cyanergy, we provide a customised design based on site analysis.

2. Use staging or modular deployment

If you have a large manufacturing site, you may benefit from staging the solar solution in phases.

For example, in Uniplas’s case, the installation was divided into three stages. This enables access to multiple subsidies, enhances cash flow, and mitigates the risk of disruption.

3. Optimise your system size & measure consumption rate

Over-sizing or under-sizing can both cause significant loss in a business. Therefore, the design should minimise waste and maximise the use of solar energy on-site.

As in AC Laser’s mid-sized facility, a 99 kW system fits their load and delivers huge savings.

4. Check your rooftop or plant infrastructure

Is your rooftop compatible with solar panel installation?

For manufacturing facilities, factors such as roof strength, shading, orientation, structural constraints, and maintenance access are crucial.

Ensure the facility can support panels, inverters, wiring, and monitoring systems without compromising building aesthetics.

5. Perform regular monitoring & performance tracking

Everything requires a certain amount of care and maintenance to function properly over time. The story is the same for a solar panel system.

Real-time monitoring allows you to spot performance issues, shading effects, degradation, and inverter downtime.

Cyanergy emphasises continuous monitoring post-installation.

6. Research on financial modelling & payback analysis

When going for solar, always calculate realistic payback periods, ensure system cost fits within capital budgets,

You should also check the available incentives, tax benefits, payback time, and how to stack several rebates for maximum savings.

For example, many Cyanergy projects offer a 2–4 year payback, with several solar rebates that can be combined with the VEU Rebate.

7. Align with sustainability and your brand strategy

In manufacturing factories, incorporating solar energy can be a substantial component of a broader sustainability strategy. Why?

Solar reduces your dependency on harmful fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

It positions your brand and promotes your business, demonstrating corporate responsibility and improving stakeholder perception.

8. Maintenance & lifecycle planning

Solar systems require periodic maintenance, inverter replacements, cleaning, and monitoring.

So, manufacturing facilities should incorporate service arrangements into their design. Plan for system longevity, degradation, and eventual replacement or upgrade to ensure optimal performance.

9. Consider adding Battery storage

Even though optional, integrating battery storage or demand management can enhance value by enabling peak shaving, reducing demand charges, and storing excess energy for nighttime use or during grid outages.

10. Engage stakeholders and minimise disruption

In manufacturing, you can’t easily stop production. Plan your solar installation during low-production periods, coordinate with your team, and prioritise safety to minimise downtime.

Final Notes: Ready To Take The Next Step?

For manufacturing facilities, solar power isn’t just about being eco-friendly; it’s a smart business move for Australians. Cyanergy’s case studies showed that even large manufacturers can achieve paybacks of 2–4 years, reduce costs, lower emissions, and enhance brand value.

With proper planning, energy assessment, correct system sizing, phased installation, and active monitoring, solar can deliver lasting benefits.

So, if rising energy bills or sustainability goals are on your radar, it’s time to view solar energy as an innovative manufacturing solution, apart from just a renewable energy source.

Reach out to Cyanergy, conduct an energy audit, and engage a solar specialist with manufacturing experience today. Cyanergy is here to help!