Success Stories: The Companies Behind the Solar Ready Vets Network

The Solar Ready Vets Network^TM is a collection of initiatives designed to strengthen solar career pathways for veterans and support the industry’s efforts to invest in military talent. Funded by the U.S Department of Energy, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is working alongside the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), industry, and other partners to develop resources that help the solar and storage industry recruit and retain veterans and the broader military-connected community.

Solar and storage companies are eager to hire veterans because they have highly transferable skills that are in demand across the solar workforce. To do this, they’re following a variety of recommendations from Strategies for Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining Military Talent: A Guide for Solar Industry Employers. The resource contains a multitude of new strategies, including suggestions to create competency-based job descriptions, implement new workplace policies that accommodate veterans, provide mental health services and resources, and establish veteran focused employee resource groups (ERGs).

In addition, companies are a key part of the Solar Ready Vets Fellowship Program, which is a work-based learning program where service members receive on-the-job training from solar employers. This program directly connects solar companies and military-connected talent, helping veterans prepare for a career in the solar industry and a full-time role within the company.

Solar companies are also participating in Skillbridge, a Department of Defense (DOD) program that helps service members gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. The Solar Ready Vets Network partners with Skillbridge training programs to help create a clear recruiting pipeline of skilled, military-connected talent.

Below are success stories about the companies that are making this work possible.

SkillBridge: Sunrun’s Commitment to Recruiting Military Connected Talent

Since 2020, Sunrun has been engaging with SEIA and SkillBridge training programs to support military service members and enhance the company’s workforce diversity and strength. For Sunrun, this initiative was not just about filling positions, it was about enriching their company culture with the dedication and exceptional talents of the military-connected community. 

As the years progressed, Sunrun welcomed 22 participants from its SkillBridge internship program and three of them are now thriving as full-time employees. With support from the Solar Ready Vets Network, the company also forged partnerships with notable organizations to broaden its recruitment efforts, including Airstreams Renewables, Inc., Home Builders Institute, and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership. By connecting military candidates with internal recruiters, Sunrun ensured a seamless and positive experience for these potential hires. 

As a result of integrating SkillBridge into their recruitment strategies, Sunrun’s talent pool expanded significantly, bringing in disciplined individuals with diverse backgrounds. These efforts helped to foster a more inclusive company culture and contributed to Sunrun’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice goals, making Sunrun a more attractive place to work.     

Over the years, the Sunrun team has helped several veterans find careers in the industry and quickly advance to leadership roles.  

Brandon Howard started as an installer and quickly became a team leader within three months. This work led to a position within the inspections department, where he now serves as a department manager for Florida. Similarly, Blake Litogot was hired as an installer in San Diego and transitioned to a role as an inspection coordinator in Connecticut.  

Looking ahead, Sunrun plans to attend military hiring events and continue strengthening partnerships with organizations that support military families. By sharing information about their comprehensive benefits and education programs, Sunrun aims to attract and retain top-tier military-connected talent, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the military-connected community.