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This is true, but software engineers often prefer to work in software-driven companies instead of companies where software is used to reduce costs. They feel v

This is true, but software engineers often prefer to work in software-driven companies instead of companies where software is used to reduce costs. They feel valued more in co's where software is the main source of profit - this is the same reason a lot of software engineers aren't excited to work for the big companies in the (massive) retail industry, or infrastructure more generally, which also are "scaling problems". Solar has some appeal in that it has large long-term impact, and nerdy problems - but I think it's still less appealing generally than space, or maybe medicine, let alone tech companies where the core product is software.

diafygi 10y ago
Hmmm, it really depends on the company. Many newer energy companies have recognized that software is a profit center. Something like half of solar leads are referrals from existing solar customers, so there's a ton of effort put into good customer experience (pre and post installation) to drive more referrals. Also, many firms are wanting to offer grid services (demand response, load smoothing, etc.) back to the grid, which also is potential profit driven by software. I think you'd be surprised at how much importance is placed at the larger firms on software. Also, for smaller shops that can't afford their own programmers, there's vendors who sell the software to do all the analysis, financing, engineering, etc. Those cleantech software vendors obviously see software as the profit center (my startup is one such example). And solar is like HVAC in that there's thousands and thousands of smaller local shops in addition to the half-dozen nation brands, so lots of customers for SaaS providers.