Career Stories: Military Veterans in the Solar Industry
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Interviews with five military veterans working in various solar roles across the U.S.
Military veterans are often exceptional candidates for jobs in the solar industry. They bring skills like dynamic leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, technical specialization, and a mission-completion work ethic.
So it’s no surprise that veterans are very well represented in the U.S. solar industry. They make up 8.2% of the solar workforce, compared to 5.4% of the overall workforce. The solar industry offers a collaborative and purpose-driven environment that resonates with service members and veterans looking to rise to their next challenge.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) leads the Solar Ready Vets Network, which advances career pathways for service members and veterans in the solar energy workforce. The Solar Ready Vets Fellowship, led in partnership with Hiring Our Heroes and the Solar Energy Industries Association, connects transitioning service members with on-the-job training in leadership and management roles in the civilian solar workforce. Since 2020, over 150 service members have completed fellowships with solar employers ranging from small startups to global companies.
Below, you’ll find profiles of veterans who completed the fellowship and went on to rewarding careers in the solar industry. Explore their career paths to find out how veterans are excelling at solar companies across a variety of professions and fields. You can find more career profiles of veterans on the IREC website.
Hayden Haupt
After serving in the army, Hayden transitioned into a Project Manager position at Renewable Solar Inc. Hayden recommends the solar industry to other transitioning service members, particularly those interested in project management or operations roles. “The renewable sector is constantly evolving and veterans are used to adapting quickly, which is essential in this field. The structure and teamwork is all there and you’re doing work that matters for the future.”
Aspen Barney
Aspen graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a degree in environmental engineering, and went on to serve in a wide range of roles in the Army. Upon leaving the service, she obtained a position as an Assistant Design Manager at McCarthy Building companies. Although she didn’t initially seek out a solar-specific role, she was drawn to the dynamic, high-impact nature of the industry. “Now that I’m in it, I don’t think I could leave the solar industry. I love the fast-paced, always changing, keep-you-on-your-toes aspect of solar. I think it’s really cool.”
Cameron Niccum
Cameron’s engineering background, paired with an aptitude for leadership, problem solving, and operations management, made him uniquely suited for a job as Supply Chain Manager at FTC Solar. He set his sights on helping to scale solar technology and accelerate the transition to a renewable energy future. He explains that the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program “helped narrow down what I wanted to do and the impact that I wanted to create, to make an informed decision on how best to apply the skills and experience I had gained through military service.”
Desmine Greene
Desmine served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, which is famous for its ability to respond to any crisis in the world within 18 hours. He became an expert in logistics management while also serving as a parachutist in field operations. The Solar Ready Vets Fellowship program connected Desmine to Standard Energy Solutions, where he obtained a position as Branch Manager. “They were looking for somebody that had done the same thing I did in the military: running a warehouse, operating logistics, managing operations, and things of that nature.”
Kathrine Lukes
Kathrine served over seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where she coordinated management of supplies worth over $6 million. Upon leaving the Marines, she transitioned into a job as Operations Manager with Icarus RT. Kathrine’s knowledge of asset procurement and management, paired with critical thinking skills, allow her to identify innovative and cost effective solutions. The ability to work effectively among competing priorities made her well positioned to establish robust systems, processes, and other key business infrastructure.