Blue Oak Energy: Hometown Hero

In the Beginning, There Were Photovoltaics

Most political candidates craft a plank in their platform emphasizing the need to diversify the tax base by attracting more business.  Our right and relevant candidates for local office are no exception.  Indeed, most of them take it to the next level, stating that we need to attract innovative green technology businesses to our fair town.

Is this all talk?

Does our local government actively seek out new green businesses, court them, and then grant them work visas for our People’s Republic?

To answer that question and in order to highlight a local kid gone good, we sat down with Tobin Booth, Founder and President of Blue Oak Energy.

After the jump [Tobin – this is blog term “after the hyperlink, see the full article”], get the details on a local commercial photovoltaic installation company (think big projects, Google campus big) that deserves our accolades, encouragement and business.

Tobin Booth’s semi-private office is situated suspiciously close to the office espresso machine.  In a nod to Google corporate culture that they picked up while installing 1.9 megawatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at the Google Mountain View campus, the office kitchen is stocked with goodies for general consumption.  Tobin is quick to admit that near the top of his employees’ wish list is an in-house chef and a pool table.

Several other Google ideas have infiltrated this small business.  Each Blue Oak employee dedicates about 10% of their work time to research and development of an emerging product, project or long term field of study (employees can choose to reassign if the team dynamics or subject matter aren’t working well.)

Occasionally, they host interdisciplinary “tech-talks” by leaders to spread knowledge, create synergy, and spark innovation in the tried and true liberal arts style of education.  No word yet if Barack Obama will stop by anytime soon to share his thoughts on the future of solar power, but here’s hoping.

In 1997, Tobin Booth got his professional start in the solar industry with a six-month engineering contract with BP Solar.  That contract turned into 18 months and a host of other clients soon followed: Schultz Steel, the Staples Center, Whole Foods, REI, schools, wineries, and government agencies across the country.

Until about 4 years ago, Blue Oak Energy was run out of Tobin’s home with a couple of employees.  Now, he employees over 15 people full time out of a new building on 2nd Street near Mace Blvd.

So, has the City of Davis or Yolo County actively provided incentives for Blue Oak Energy to stay and expand in Davis?  Not really, but Tobin is quick to point out that the City of Davis has one of the most progressive PV permitting structures he’s ever encountered.  Also, Mitch Sears, City Sustainability Director, has sought the counsel of Blue Oak.

When asked what our local governments could do to attract green tech firms and new jobs to Davis, Mr. Booth was quick with an idea, ”

The Sacramento Area Commerce & Trade Organization (SACTO) works to attract green businesses.  I know that they actively recruit at European trade shows.  California accounts for 70% of the North American solar market.  European companies realize the long-term potential of this market.  Davis is ideally suited as a seat of operations for European companies that want to maintain a high quality of life for their employees in a compact town that is transit oriented, bike friendly and socially progressive.

Sign us up, we are ready and willing to serve our community on a junket to visit out European friends with business opportunities.  All expenses paid, right?

Next week, we’ll continue with some ideas from Blue Oak Energy on how Davis can keep its title as a leader of environmental progressivism.

—

Tracey from SACTO was kind enough to respond.”

Thanks so much for the opportunity to
comment on this important subject.

SACTO is a non-profit organization that is funded by both public and private members, of which the city of Davis is a public sector supporter.  We do actively recruit in Europe as well as Japan on an international level.  We also are very active in many trade shows  throughout the U.S. Clean technology companies are a proactive target for SACTO because we truly believe the Sacramento region has the attributes to make it the leader in this sector.

The City of Davis is an attractive place for these  green companies to locate because of its quality of life, its proximity to UC Davis and the capital of California. There are so many amazing things taking place at UC Davis in renewable/clean technology, such as the California Wind Energy Collaborative, headed by Dr. Case Van Dam, and the Institute for Transportation Studies, led by Dr. Dan Sperling.  Another example is the Lighting Technology  Center, led by Dr. Michael Siminovitch.  These are internationally recognized leaders in their respective fields and companies are very interested in locating near this brain trust.  It all makes for a great story for SACTO to share with prospective companies.

Hope that helps – please let me know  if we can help with anything else

Best regards,

Tracey
Schaal

Director , Strategic Marketing
Sacramento Area Commerce and
Trade Organization (SACTO)
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 2500
Sacramento, CA
95814
916/441-2144 office