Page 186 - ISES SWC50

James Caldwell, Jr
Country: United States
Year joined industry: 1983
Company first worked for: ARCO Solar
Technology area: Policy
Still active in the industry: Yes

Jim Caldwell,Jr graduated in chemical engineering from Stanford, and began working in the ARCO oil refinery
in Carson while he was still in college. He went on to a 20 year career at ARCO, and after beginning his
career in the refinery, rose to become refinery manager, before getting an MBA and becoming a corporate
Vice President. In 1983, Jim was asked by ARCO’s legendary CEO, Robert O. Anderson, to become president
of the newly acquired ARCO solar subsidiary, which had a photovoltaics plant in Camarillo, California. Jim
traveled the world, selling expensive solar panels in remote regions, where there was no electrical grid and
diesel generators were the only source of electricity. He went on to oversee the construction of the world’s
largest solar photovoltaics project, in cooperation with PG&E, in the Carizzo Plain, near San Luis Obispo.
After putting together a nearly successful deal to buy ARCO Solar, (he lost out to Siemens), Jim became a
private consultant working with renewable developers on utility scale solar and wind projects. He also began
his three decade association with the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies, where he
continues to serve as Technical Director. From 2006-2009, Jim served as Assistant General Manager of the
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, where he worked on plans to phase out LADWP’s reliance on
imported coal, and expand transmission to bring solar and other renewables to the LA Basin. Jim is currently
leading efforts to encourage reliance on hybrid solar and storage projects, both utility scale and behind the
meter, to help meet system reliability needs and phase out reliance on natural gas and fully decarbonize the
power sector.

Don Coan
Country: United States
Year joined industry: 1980
Company first worked for: Solar Cookers International
Technology area: Solar Thermal
Still active in the industry: No

Don was a lifelong advocate for Solar Cookers International. Don was introduced to solar cookers in 1980 and was
known for his many presentations on how to build and use solar box cookers. Don was a global citizen, working
with sister city organization between Sacramento and Nicaragua as well as attending numerous solar cooking and
sustainable energy conferences worldwide. In June 1992, Don presented at the United Nations World Environment
Conference in Rio de Janiero –which focused on water purity, genocide, and terrorism. In 1993 he attended the Kids
World Conference Energy Fair called “Plan it For the Planet” at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida, USA. He
was a troubleshooter for 6th grade students building their first solar cookers. He also spent time in Zimbabwe for
a month doing train the trainer to teach locals how to use cookers. In 1997 Don went to an all-women’s university
in southern India to present on solar cookers. Additionally, Don visited several Latin American countries including
Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Peru to present on solar box cookers. For Don, solar cooking was a tool for living in a
manner that reduced carbon emission and helped save the planet. Don was known in Sacramento for sponsoring
a solar cooking block party that grew to include several streets in Sacramento over its successful 10 years. He
volunteered regularly in the Solar Cookers International headquarters in Sacramento, California, USA, and dedicated
countless hours to its promotion.

168 | ISES SWC50 - The Century of Solar-Stories and Visions