The Military-Connected Community and the Solar Industry

Military-Connected Talent in the Workforce

According to the 2022 National Solar Jobs Census, the solar industry employs over 20,000 military veterans throughout the United States, or 8% of all solar workers. This is higher than the 5% veteran employment percentage of overall workers in the economy; however, there are still plenty of opportunities to make the solar industry more inclusive for the military-connected community.  Many of these jobs are in the areas of installation, production, project and asset management, manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and human resources.

Those belonging to the military-connected community make excellent civilian workforce employees at all levels, from entry-level to senior leadership roles. The military-connected community is inclusive of transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, caregivers, and members of the National Guard and Military Reserves. They often have a strong commitment to the organization’s mission, are highly organized, and can build effective teams. Most veterans also have cross-cultural experience, take initiative, and have a strong sense of accountability.  It is important to understand the business and diversity, equity, and inclusion cases for recruiting, hiring, and retaining military-connected talent and the transferable skills this community continues to bring to the solar industry.

SEIA’s Commitment

Since 2015, SEIA has been working to address the challenge that too many within the military-connected community faces: finding employment. This encouraged the industry to do more by promoting employment opportunities for the military-connected community within the solar industry. SEIA has been taking active steps towards promoting jobs and solar job training for the military-connected community, which includes their participation as a partner in the Solar Ready Vets Network.

The Solar Ready Vets (SRV) Network is a collection of initiatives funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to strengthen solar career pathways for transitioning service members and veterans and support the industry’s efforts to invest in military talent. Led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), this work is carried out nationwide in partnership with leading industry, training, and veterans service organizations including the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Hiring Our Heroes (HOH), Solar Energy International (SEI), and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA).

The Solar Ready Vets Network connects military veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with solar career pathways through a variety of programs and partnerships. Key initiatives include:

Corporate and Skills-Based Fellowships Career Navigation Resources and Mentorship National Guideline Standards and Apprenticeship SkillBridge Pathways to Solar Careers Employer Resources and Recruitment Partnerships

SEIA, through the Solar Ready Vets Network, is highlighting the success stories of solar employers across the country that are avidly working to recruit and retain the military-connected community. Check out these stories here.

Skillbridge Programs

The DOD SkillBridge program is an opportunity for service members to gain valuable knowledge and experience to help them prepare for and obtain a civilian job through specific industry training, fellowships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. SkillBridge provides an extremely useful opportunity for service members to explore and prepare for civilian life, while continuing to receive military compensation and benefits. For employers, the program offers a pathway to develop a skilled and motivated workforce through training and work experience, and an opportunity to attract military talent as they are exiting the military and beginning their civilian careers. Below are three SkillBridge training programs that connect transitioning service members to solar employers for corporate, skilled trades, and field-based roles.

• Hiring Our Heroes connects the military community—service members, military spouses, and veterans—with U.S. businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce. Through the Solar Ready Vets Network, three SkillBridge Fellowship models connect transitioning service members and military spouses with solar employers for 12 weeks at no cost to the employer for on-the-job experience.
• Airstreams Renewables prepares transitioning service members and veterans for entry-level careers in the renewable energy, telecommunications, and industrial sectors. They offer a 6 week intensive training program focused primarily on wind tower technician and cell tower technician skill sets, the training is also relevant to solar roles such as solar installer and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) technician.
• Home Builders Institute (HBI) is the nation’s leading nonprofit provider of trade skills training and education for the building industry. They offer a 12-week pre-apprenticeship program offered at 10 military bases across the country prepares transitioning service members for careers in construction. The program primarily offers hands-on instruction focused on basic construction, carpentry, and electrical skills.