Solar Ready Vets Network Prepares Veterans for Solar Industry Careers | Article

Driven by falling costs and technological innovations, the solar industry is rapidly expanding, improving, and transforming the U.S. energy sector. Over the last decade, energy production from solar installations has increased thirty-fold, growing from 0.1 percent to three percent. More than 85 gigawatts of solar capacity are now installed nationwide, generating enough electricity to power 16 million homes. This growth is mirrored in the labor force, with solar installation jobs ranking among the fastest-growing occupations in the country. The future of solar is promising. To match its growth, the industry needs skilled workers.

The Solar Ready Vets Network endeavors to provide just that. The program pairs skilled, mid-to-senior level veterans with jobs, training, and career development opportunities in the solar field. Because military service teaches individuals valuable leadership and teamwork skills and reinforces goal completion and task-oriented mindsets, veterans make excellent candidates to work within the solar industry.

The Solar Ready Vets program, launched in 2014, was originally piloted by the U. S. Department of Energy. It sought to alleviate unemployment and invest in a resilient energy future by connecting transitioning military personnel (those leaving active service for the civilian workforce) to solar jobs. Three years later, the program was taken over by the Solar Foundation, in partnership with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Hire Our Heroes” program, and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Today’s Solar Ready Vets Network strives to build a robust solar workforce through its two major initiatives: the Solar Ready Vets Fellowship and the Solar Opportunities And Readiness (SOAR) initiative.

Veterans participating in the Solar Ready Vets Fellowship spend 12 weeks gaining on-the-job experience with solar employers. The majority of positions are mid-to-senior level management and professional roles. However, openings can be in various departments, including sales, project development, construction, and operations. Throughout their fellowships, participants receive educational training, professional development, and career guidance. Ideally, the fellowship is designed with permanent placement in mind, allowing a smooth transition from service into the solar industry.

Map of military bases participating in Solar Ready Vets training.

Photo credit: United States DOE

At SEIA’s Recruiting and Retaining Military Talent in the Solar Workforce: Solar Ready Vets webinar, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Katherine Lukes detailed her experience as a Solar Ready Vets Fellow with Icarus RT. Icarus RT is a small start-up working to improve solar efficiency through its hybrid solar-thermal photovoltaic systems. Their technology captures waste heat, cooling down panels and allowing for energy generation after sunset. As a Marine Corps company commander and supply officer, Katherine developed essential and transferable leadership skills. She began her fellowship as the operations manager, acting as an intermediary between senior-level leadership and entry-level engineers. Although she came into the position with no experience in solar, Katherine was quickly able to learn about the industry through plentiful trainings.

When asked what appealed to her about the fellowship, Katherine said, “Solar has a future. I know that there is a future for solar and that I could stay in the industry for the rest of my career.” Since her fellowship ended, she has been asked to stay on as a permanent employee in the same role.

As for the Solar Ready Vets Network’s second major project, the SOAR initiative promotes career development through training opportunities and standardized, nationally-recognized credentialing options. Courses are designed in partnership with companies to ensure alignment between the needs of the industry and the education curriculum. Additionally, NABCEP offers certifications in a variety of areas, from PV installation to PV commissioning and maintenance. All costs are covered though G.I. Bill benefits. These programs allow veterans to become more competitive applicants and skilled solar workers.

Author: Emma Walker