Jessica Lawrence-Vaca | How to Grow the Solar Industry in a Turbulent Year

In this episode of Good Energy, Jessica Lawrence-Vaca, Chief Commercial Officer at Array Technologies, discusses the company’s expansion, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), political challenges, and her perspective on leadership and diversity in the solar industry. 

Array Technologies is an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based company with over 30 years’ experience in the solar energy industry. The company has seen tremendous growth and broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in 2024, adding 300 jobs. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Array plans to be 100% domestic content-capable by mid-2026.  

With the political uncertainties for the solar industry in 2025 and beyond, Lawrence-Vega discusses Array and the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) efforts to educate lawmakers on how the IRA has helped solar companies invest in local communities. On the topic of trade, Lawrence-Vaca emphasized Array’s onshoring efforts and alignment with the Trump Administration’s positions on jobs and U.S. manufacturing.  

A member of SEIA’s Board of Directors, Lawrence-Vaca discusses her own growth within the industry and how the solar industry has seen increased diversity. She talks about the importance of having “mentor-friends” as well as the importance of making personal connections to find common ground.  

From in-depth interviews with industry leaders to insightful discussions on the rapid growth of solar and storage in the United States, Good Energy connects you with the heartbeat of the solar industry. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just curious about the future of energy, tune in to stay informed and inspired about the bright future of solar. Listen to full episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.