How Military Veterans Can Excel in the Solar Industry

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Military veterans are often ideal candidates for jobs in the solar industry. Read on to find out the many benefits that candidates with military experience can bring to employers.

Transferable Skills and Technical Expertise

The solar industry has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, creating a critical demand for a highly skilled workforce. Solar employers are seeking talent that can meet the pace of expansion while bringing intangible soft skills like teamwork and capabilities to lead in the field. Military veterans are uniquely positioned to fill this need.

Experience in the military provides job seekers with a wide range of transferable skills, such as technical expertise, strategic problem-solving, and the ability to thrive in high-pressure environments.. The solar industry’s collaborative, purpose-driven nature also resonates with many service members who are ready to take on a new mission in civilian life.

Beyond technical qualifications, veterans bring a wealth of aptitudes that contribute to long-term success in the solar workforce. Traits like leadership, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance are developed and tested through military service and translate into strong performance in civilian roles. Many veterans have experience working within complex systems, adapting quickly to new environments, and leading multifaceted teams toward shared goals.

Employers who recognize and align roles with these aptitudes, rather than focusing solely on past job titles, are more likely to place veterans in positions where they excel, leading to increased engagement, productivity, and retention. By leveraging the full spectrum of what military-connected talent offers, the solar industry can build a workforce that is qualified, deeply resilient, and mission-driven.

What Veterans Bring to the Table

Self-directed work ethic and discipline:

Military-connected talent are often entrepreneurial, driven by achievement, and can adapt well to a fast-paced environment.

Trust-related skills, professionalism, and hierarchical leadership:

Military-connected talent often assume high levels of trust and display strong organizational commitment.

Transferable skills, adaptability, and problem-solving:

Military-connected talent are often able to apply skills gained through service across a variety of contexts and environments.

Teamwork skills:

Military-connected talent have exceptional team-building skills and experience in varied work settings. They also tend to work well within a collaborative team structure and can navigate different perspectives.

Experience with complex systems:

Military-connected talent often have and can leverage advanced technical training.

Perseverance and fortitude:

Military-connected talent are often resilient and can bounce back from setbacks.

Veterans in the Solar Workforce

According to the 2023 National Solar Jobs Census, 8.2% of solar workers are veterans, compared to 5.4% of the overall workforce. The solar industry has long recognized military veterans as promising job candidates for both entry-level and leadership positions, and employers are eager to tap into this talent pool.

For several years, IREC has led the Solar Ready Vets Network, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, to connect military veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with solar career pathways through a variety of programs and partnerships.

A flagship program of Solar Ready Vets has been the Corporate Fellowship Program implemented through Hiring Our Heroes, which connects solar employers with qualified mid-senior level service members for twelve weeks of on-the-job experience leading to employment.

Over 150 service members have been placed in solar careers through the fellowship program. One of them is Desmine Greene (pictured left), who became an expert in logistics management and field operations while serving in the US Army 82nd Airborne Division. As a Solar Ready Vets Fellow in 2021, he helped to launch and lead a new Richmond, Virginia branch of Standard Energy Solutions. Greene’s experience coordinating and ensuring personnel and operational readiness has proved highly transferable to managing inventory, tracking project completion, and leading a cohesive and highly effective team.

Aspen Barney (pictured right), also came to the solar industry through the Corporate Fellowship and launched her solar career as an Assistant Design Manager at McCarthy Building Companies. A West Point graduate with a degree in environmental engineering, she held several leadership roles in the Army, managing logistics and operations. In her current role, she coordinates across engineering teams to keep projects on track and supports McCarthy’s military recruiting efforts.

You can read about other Solar Ready Vets fellows here. Solar companies can apply to host a fellow at no cost through Hiring Our Heroes.

More Resources

Other resources are available to help solar employers recruit service members and veterans for field, craft, and skilled trades roles. SRV is affiliated with two programs, Airstreams Renewables and the Home Builders Institute Military Program, that offer hands-on training and professional certifications in basic construction, electrical skills, and safety skills at or near military bases across the country.

In partnership with the Solar Energy Industries Association, IREC published a guide for solar employers exploring strategies and best practices to recruit, hire, develop and retain military talent across all sectors and levels of the solar workforce.

Want to learn how veterans can get training and certification for solar industry jobs on an accelerated schedule? Check out our resource to find out more.