blueEnergy Super Alum Fernando de Samaniego Steta Raises over $2000 on behalf of blueEnergy!

By Emily Castello -- Last month, blueEnergy super alum Fernando De Samaniego Steta ran a marathon and raised over $2,000 on behalf of blueEnergy! Fernando volunteered with blueEnergy for four months in 2009, working primarily on blueEnergy’s renewable energy initiatives on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. Fernando fondly remembers this time, referring to it as an “amazing experience that I greatly enjoyed thanks to the blueEnergy team on the ground and the wonderful Nicaraguans from the Atlantic coast.”

Fernando’s passion for renewable energy continued long after his volunteer stint with blueEnergy. Currently, he works as an analyst at Suntech Power, the largest global manufacturer of PV modules, in primarily business development and project finance. He also assists the Southern European markets develop solutions unique for each market. When asked how he likes working in the solar industry, Fernando states: “It is a very interesting time to be working in the solar industry, since this year prices of PV modules have dropped dramatically and solar is becoming affordable for everyone. At the same time, it is a consolidation stage for the PV industry, where a weak demand and an over capacity scenario have pushed some companies into bankruptcy.”

Fernando working hard with blueEnergy in Set Net Point

Fernando decided to run the Berlin marathon and fundraise on behalf of blueEnergy because of his passion and belief in the mission and work of blueEnergy. After four months of intense training, Fernando completed the marathon in 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 37 seconds! This was Fernando’s personal best time, which he credits to the weather (“sunny but not too hot”) and rousing support of the other 35,000 participants for helping him achieve his best. In addition to reaching his personal record, Fernando raised $2,241 for blueEnergy through an online fundraising campaign. This was the second time Fernando ran a marathon and fundraised on behalf of blueEnergy. In total, Fernando has raised close to $5,000 cumulatively for blueEnergy through his fundraising efforts. Fernando plans to run another marathon in 2012, with the hopes of pushing his running and fundraising limits further.

Fernando during the marathon

blueEnergy would like to thank Fernando for his continuous support! If you would like to learn more about how to set up your own fundraising initiative like Fernando, please contact Emily at Emily.Castello@blueenergygroup.org.