Kristina Zunino has joined Zapotec Energy’s team of engineers as a MassCEC Intern, completing her second of three co-op assignments from Wentworth Institute of Technology. Kristina is a rising senior at Wentworth, studying electromechanical engineering in a five year program. Upon graduation in 2020, Kristina will receive a dual-degree in both electrical and mechanical engineering. Her concentration has been on electromechanical systems, with a minor in manufacturing. Prior to joining Zapotec’s team, Kristina completed a co-op at Raytheon, where she worked in the Circuit Card Assembly. Kristina’s experience at Raytheon was invaluable, teaching her about…
Read more

On June 6, 2018, Bentley University celebrated the fact that its newly constructed Multipurpose Arena received LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) last month. Since the beginning of the project, sustainability, energy efficiency and renewable energy were listed by university officials as top priorities for the development. Bentley’s Multipurpose Arena is the first ice hockey arena to earn LEED Platinum from the USGBC, making it the “most environmentally sustainable” in the country (PR Newswire). To help the Arena reach USGBC’s highest rating, the University partnered with Rivermoor Energy to develop a 504…
Read more

Jessica Gimbel joins Zapotec Energy this spring through the MassCEC Internship Program, kicking off her work as an engineer in the solar industry. Jessica is in the midst of a major career change. For the last five years, Jessica has worked as a trauma ICU nurse; currently, Jessica is on track to become a mechanical engineer. In 2016, Jessica decided to pursue a MS in Mechanical Engineering at Boston University through the Late-Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP). The LEAP program is an opportunity for professionals with non-engineering backgrounds to earn a Master’s degree in engineering based on their unique interests. …
Read more

Just before the year ended, Zapotec’s Aaron King was able to check a major accomplishment off his list: NABCEP Certification. The Cambridge native design engineer is now one of 95 professionals in Massachusetts to become a certified solar photovoltaic (PV) installer through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). After leading three major solar projects at Zapotec Energy, completing a 40 hour solar PV technical course, finishing 18 hours of ANSI accredited training, and spending numerous hours studying to pass the final written exam, Aaron became a certified solar PV installation professional. The NABCEP certification is the most recognized…
Read more

Ishant Desai joins us this fall as Zapotec Energy’s latest MassCEC Clean Energy Intern. Originally from India, Ishant moved to the United States in 2011 to launch his academic career in clean energy. In 2015, Ishant earned his B.S. in Renewable Energy Engineering from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Now, he is working towards his M.S. in Energy Systems at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Ishant comes to us with previous experience working in the solar industry. After finishing his undergraduate degree, Ishant completed two internships as a Solar Quality Engineer and an EPC Engineer at…
Read more

Zapotec welcomes Sandy Guenther as our newest MassCEC Clean Energy Intern this summer. Sandy recently completed her undergraduate degree at University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2017, earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Before joining the Zapotec team, Sandy gained experience in the solar industry through an internship with Invaleon Technologies, a solar energy company based in Haverhill, MA.  At Invaleon Technologies, Sandy was able to build her engineering skills by working on designs for residential rooftop solar PV systems. It was a great opportunity for Sandy to see the various project stages of a residential solar PV system. …
Read more

Sanae Matsuki has joined Zapotec Energy’s team of design engineers this summer after receiving her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Mechatronics from Northeastern University in May 2017. She comes to us with a strong background in electromechanical systems. During her time as an undergraduate student, Sanae interned as a design engineer for a variety of companies, including General Electric Aviation in Rutland, VT and Coravin in Burlington, MA. Sanae also worked with Caltech in 2013, conducting MEMS research, and with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, helping to create an autonomous research vehicle. While at Northeastern University, Sanae…
Read more

Last month, Zapotec Energy finished the fourth solar photovoltaic (PV) system in the recent series of projects contracted by Equity Residential, a real estate and building management company based in Chicago, IL. The 66 kW solar PV system was installed on the roof of Cronin’s Landing, an apartment building located at 25 Crescent Street in Waltham, MA. The system is expected to produce 79,500 kWh of electricity during its first year of operation. Similarly to the PV system at Longview Place Apartments, the system at Cronin’s Landing is made up of 203 (325W) Hanwha Q-Cell PV modules, three SolarEdge inverters…
Read more

Zapotec welcomes the spring season by completing two more rooftop solar energy systems at Longview Place Apartments in Waltham, MA. Through another contract with Equity Residential, a real estate and building management company headquartered in Chicago, IL, Zapotec’s team of engineers finished a 73.5 kW system at 60 Hope Avenue and an 80.6 kW system at 70-80 Hope Avenue. Although each rooftop hosts its own array of solar panels, the PV systems at 70-80 Hope Avenue are electrically combined before feeding into the buildings’ switchgear. Altogether, the PV systems at Longview Place are expected to produce 197,400 kWh of electricity each…
Read more

Last month, Zapotec Energy invited Monthyna Genece to join the team as the company's first MassCEC Successful Women in Clean Energy (SWICE) Fellow. In 2008, Monthyna completed an interdisciplinary B.A. degree at Fitchburg State University, with concentrations in sociology and social science. SWICE is a workforce development program, sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, for women who want to transition into the clean energy industries in Massachusetts. Prior to entering the clean energy industry, Monthyna had a variety of professional experiences in the field of human services. After many years working in the human services field, however, Monthyna…
Read more