Niranjana Jagadeesan and Maria French have joined the Zapotec team this summer through the MassCEC’s Clean Energy Internship Program. Both students are currently pursuing a graduate degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), where they will concentrate their studies on solar energy. Niranjana Jagadeesan Niranjana earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town in South Africa in 2016. Niranjana was first exposed to the renewable energy industry while working towards her master’s degree. She grew passionate about solar energy and its potential to help mitigate the negative…
Read more

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

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 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

Duncan Howes joins the Zapotec team this season as our newest MassCEC Clean Energy Intern. In 2015, Duncan received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and is now working towards his M.S. in Energy Systems Engineering at Northeastern University. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Duncan spent a summer interning at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station near Phoenix, Arizona. He was able to work closely with his mentor in the thermal performance group, as well as the other mechanical and electrical engineering interns. Interning at a nuclear plant helped Duncan realize how safe and efficient…
Read more

On Friday, September 30, Northeastern University’s Energy Systems Society (ESS), a student-led organization focusing on energy, sustainability and the environment, hosted its second annual Energy Conference. The conference gathered industry leaders, government representatives, faculty and students to discuss the “things that actually matter,” including topics such as integrating renewables into the grid, improving energy efficiency in transportation, what it means to be a successful energy entrepreneur, and many more. For the second year in a row, Paul Lyons, President of Zapotec Energy, was invited by the ESS to speak during a panel session on behalf of the…
Read more