The PV industry in Latin America is largely made up of professionals seeking training to transition from other careers to become solar energy professionals. Jorge Luis Fernández Gómez is part of a small segment that, since the beginning, has always aligned his career with renewable energy, laying a solid foundation by getting involved in the development and healthy growth of the solar industry in Mexico. With his interest in solar energy blossoming at a young age, Jorge launched his career in 2008 at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara as an Electrical Mechanical Engineer, with a focus on solar energy. His father, who is also an Electrical Mechanical Engineer, saw the prosperous future of solar in Mexico early on, before it became even more common.

Jorge tells us that his greatest motivation is the possibility of offering people energy independence, generating affordable, sustainable and available energy for all. “To a certain point, I think of myself as a revolutionary, but not in the traditional sense – I think of myself as a technological revolutionary, because we are experiencing an energy revolution. Since the sun exists, solar is a technology that is here to stay because there would be no life without the sun. Solar energy generates energy where it is. I have constructed small isolated solar installations with batteries in places where they didn’t have electricity at all, providing an opportunity for people to connect a light bulb or a small refrigerator – and that has given me the motivation to continue in all of this. I think I’m in the right industry – I see a lot of future in solar and that motivates me to stay in it.”

Jorge went on to tell us about his experience in the Mexican solar industry and the steps that led him to where he is today as the founder of PERA Energías Renovables in Jalisco, where the company leads the solar market with residential, business and small industry projects in six states of the Mexican Republic. After working for different companies installing systems from 1KW to half MW, from agribusiness to the management of a Canadian equipment distribution company, Jorge realized that to continue growing, he had to branch out on his own. So he began to get certified in various skillsets to form the company he has been operating successfully for 7 years.

“I am a lucky person and was often in the right place at the right time, doing what I had to do – and that’s what got me here. It is a path that began in 2008 with solar thermal energy and, by the time solar PV was approved in Mexico in 2013, I was completely immersed in the solar industry, co-working with different associations such as the Mexican PV Industry Association (AMIF) and the National Solar Energy Association (ANES). I have been part of the evolution from within,” stated Jorge. Confirming his central role in the industry, Jorge (with the assistance of two other people and Mapfre, a Spanish insurance company) helped to develop the first-ever insurance coverage for photovoltaic systems, that launched in the Mexican market earlier this year.

Jorge believes that there is always something new to learn, as evidenced by his career in engineering, numerous certifications, masters degree in Energy Efficiency Management, and his completion of SEI’s Solar Professional Certificate Program in Spanish. Speaking about SEI’s training, Jorge shared thoughts on his experience with us: “The high quality training was what impacted me the most. The truth is that, although I had taken other courses outside of SEI, nothing was comparable – the detail, the knowledge of the instructors, the best practices they shared, the networking possibilities, the professional relationships that I formed with my colleagues and instructors – all of this allowed me to learn how the market works in other countries and how to create new business therein. Add to that the world class lab-yard – I never imagined being in a laboratory that was so modern, so fully equipped.”

We also asked Jorge what initial steps a person wanting to start a business in solar energy should take. His response: “The first step is to approach solar associations. For example, a partnership with AMIF provides resources for manufacturers, installation companies, integrators, and those who are just starting out. The way to do it in Mexico is to go to these associations and meet competent suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, and even finance companies – people who are dedicated to this work. That’s where you’ll find the information you need, along with helpful contacts and training resources. If you want to start a solar business solely on your own, you are going to lose, because everyone thinks they already know how to do it – everyone thinks they can instinctively teach and sell panels.”

Jorge is passionate about solar technology and working in it makes him happy. His involvement in the industry allows him to stay very active, even amongst the delicate situation the Mexican energy industry is experiencing right now under the proposed electricity counter-reform by current President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador. “We are taking matters into our own hands so that the reform won’t pass and we need everyone’s support. The biggest challenge we have now is to become unionized. The three largest associations in Mexico, AMIF, ANES, and ASOLMEX have all been working together to join forces. We’re asking anyone who is involved not to be indifferent: support, join in and spread the word. There is also a petition on Change.org that we are inviting people to sign. We are holding meetings, approaching the chamber of commerce and business chambers, but there is still a lot of uncertainty and the situation is very complicated. I think this is going to be the most difficult step that we will have to overcome as Mexicans in the solar industry. But if we can overcome this situation, I am postive that everything will change, and nothing will stop the growth,” Jorge emphatically expressed.

We thank Jorge for his time, for sharing his extensive experience, and for his passion and vision of a more sustainable world with access to energy for all. People like Jorge are driving major solar industry development and it’s a joy for us to have him as part of our great solar family!