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As the solar industry rapidly grows, it has an increasing need for skilled, technically-savvy workers. At the same time, the U.S. military is downsizing, with nearly 200,000 veterans exiting annually. In order to attract our nation’s skilled veterans to the solar energy industry, the Solar Energy Technologies Office created the Solar Ready Vets^® program in partnership with the Department of Defense Skillbridge initiative. Solar Ready Vets provides our veterans with solar industry training and the opportunity to interview with some of the nation’s leading solar companies.
Hiring veterans into solar industry jobs is dually beneficial, helping veterans find employment in jobs that will support the U.S. economy, and helping rapidly expanding solar companies fill their new roles with competent, motivated workers.
Members of the military learn how to install solar panels at a Solar Ready Vets training program at Ft. Carson in Colorado.
The solar industry is an important source of employment for returning veterans, who comprise 8% of the solar workforce, exceeding the 6% of veterans in the broader U.S. workforce. Veterans have the skills required to be successful in the solar industry:
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs created the Veterans Employment Center to help connect employers and veterans who are seeking employment.
Jobs exist in the solar industry for veterans from all backgrounds. Here are some of the most popular solar professions:
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s solar career map explores an expanding universe of solar-energy occupations. Learn more about the diverse jobs across the industry, the possible progression between them, and the high-quality training necessary to do them well.
As the solar industry continues to expand, job opportunities exist all across the country. Some states, however, are ahead of the curve. According to the State Solar Jobs Census, the top 10 states for solar employment in 2019 were California, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Ohio, and North Carolina. States that have the highest percentage of veterans working in the solar sector include Georgia, Iowa, and Texas.
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