Vermont renewable energy entrepreneur and President and CEO of AllEarth Renewables, David Blittersdorf, received an honorary degree from Boston’s Wentworth Institute of Technology and delivered the keynote address at their summer commencement Saturday.
Blittersdorf, who grew up in Pittsford, Vermont, received an associate’s degree in Mechanical Design Engineering Technology from Wentworth in 1977, and later earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Vermont in 1981. The following year, he founded NRG Systems (recently renamed Renewable NRG Systems)of Hinesburg, Vermont, and over the next 27 years developed it into a global leader in wind resource measurement technology.
In 2004, Blittersdorf established his second company, AllEarth Renewables of Williston, Vermont, which designs and manufactures theAllSun Tracker— the nation’s leading dual-axis solar tracker system used for residential and commercial installations.
Blittersdorf was honored with the degree of Doctor of Engineering Technology.
“Wentworth Institute of Technology honors you for your leadership in the renewable energy industry, your commitment to education, and your success as an entrepreneur and innovator,” said the College.“Your vision and your dedication to creating sustainable energy solutions have led you to create two companies that have blazed new trails in your field.Your commitment to volunteerism and education is helping prepare a new generation for a post-peak-oil world.”
The College added, “Your career is proof that you can succeed in business while also making a positive impact on the planet."
In addition to running AllEarth, Blittersdorf volunteers his time to organizations connected with renewable energy, education, and preparing for a post-oil-dependent world. He served as treasurer of the American Wind Energy Association for 16 years until the spring of 2010, and subsequently was a founding member and treasurer of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. He currently serves as a board member for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the Energy Co-op of Vermont, and the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas—USA. He is a current board member, founding member and past chair of Renewable Energy Vermont. Blittersdorf is also on the board of advisors for the University of Vermont's Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, the SUNY-Canton Engineering School, the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
A video of the commencement ceremony can be foundhere.
About AllEarth Renewables
AllEarth Renewables has been recognized byInc. magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing companies nationwide and has installed more than 2,300 grid-connected solar tracker systems to date.Among its top-product awards, the dual axis tracker was named a “Top-10 Green Product” byBuildingGreenmagazine and a top product of the year in 2013 bySolar Power World. The company’s ground-mounted, pre-engineered solar trackers are designed for residential and commercial-scale installations.
PHOTO:AllEarth Renewables President and CEO, David Blittersdorf, withWentworth Institute of Technology President Zorica Pantić.(Photo credit: Joshua Touster - courtesy of Wentworth Institute of Technology.)