Tim Hetterman, '15

What is your role, and how does sustainability intersect with your work responsibilities?

Palmetto Solar LLC offers financing solutions that enable homeowners to access distributed and renewable energy resources at lower cost and with greater direct access. Our goal is to build a new utility revolution focused on a fairer, cheaper, and cleaner way to power modern life.

In my role, I build and manage Channel Partnerships with local contractors in the Southeast to drive mutual business growth and increase adoption of our financial products, specifically our residential solar Lease/PPA offerings.

Sustainability is at the core of our entire business model. Our cumulative impact over a decade of operations in the residential renewable energy space tells the story as we approach one terawatt-hour (TWh) of solar energy generation. That is enough clean electricity to power 97,000 American homes for a full year.

Did you always plan to work in sustainability? If not, how did you make the jump?

It was never an explicit goal of mine to work in this space, and it happened fairly organically through other career opportunities.

My time in both the Jepson School and the Robins School steered me towards an opportunity to stay in Richmond post graduation and work for a local start-up nonprofit that became Virginia's first micro-credit lending organization, UnBoundRVA. That work only further fueled my desire to pursue opportunities with tangible, immediate social impact. Eventually, that morphed into a very clear, focused effort on sustainability, renewables, and work directly tied to our climate crisis.

What are a job incumbent's "must-haves" in a sustainability-focused role or task?

I think the only non-negotiable component for anyone pursuing opportunities in Sustainability is true net-positive impact on global carbon emissions. On one side of the spectrum, you might find alignment with environmental mission-driven organizations like Greenpeace, The Nature Conservancy, or World Wildlife Fund. On the opposite end, you might be inclined to pursue opportunities with a petrochemical giant working on their burgeoning renewable portfolio of assets. Achieving global net-zero carbon emissions will require alignment and buy-in at a scale never seen before in human history. In my opinion, there is no wasted effort towards that goal.

What are your thoughts on the future of sustainability work?

Limitless innovation. We're standing at the precipice of a global energy revolution that will dramatically reshape industry, geopolitical alignment, and most importantly, quality of life for humans across the world. "Sustainability work," in my opinion, is underscored by unbridled opportunity for advancement, impact, and success.

What advice would you give to current Robins School students interested in pursuing careers in sustainability?

I don't think this would differ from the advice I would share with RSB students pursuing any field or career. At a very high level: find a niche inside the very general and broad industry of "sustainability" that aligns with your passions and skillsets, become a subject matter expert, work harder than your peers, and network even harder than that.

This might all sound obvious, but I think there is truth in the simplicity. Regarding how you might find that niche industry that fills your cup, I would encourage everyone to explore different companies and roles in their 20s. More often than not, it will reveal exactly what you are not looking for in your career, and that's good! Aim to expand your horizons, learn about new technologies and processes, and most importantly, find mentors/managers who have come before you that can steer you towards a more permanent career as you get older.

Are there any books, courses, podcasts, or other resources you recommend to understand the various themes and career options in sustainability? 

Books:
- On innovative climate technologies: Project Drawdown
- On electrification: Electrify by Saul Griffith
- On global planning: Sustainable Energy - without the hot air by David J.C. MacKay
- On animals and biodiversity: Biophilia by Edward O. Wilson
- On local climate impacts: The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue by Mike Tidwell
- For nature lovers: Horizon by Barry Lopez

Podcasts:
- Catalyst with Shayle Kann
- Inevitable (MCJ)
- The Green Blueprint (Latitude Media)
- The Capitalist Hippie
- Undecided with Matt Ferrell
- Watt it Takes with Emily Kirsch