Through capacity building initiatives, strategic partnerships, and targeted resources, the Solar Ready Vets Network promotes the representation of military talent across all levels and sectors of the solar workforce, paving pathways for all veterans to apply their diverse skillset to career opportunities within the industry. The program collaborates with various organizations to support all veterans and employers with resources to effectively leverage military talent, creating a more diverse and inclusive solar workforce.
The program has four key objectives:
- Support solar career navigation and connections for veterans
- Share tools and resources for employers to recruit and retain military talent
- Advance Registered Apprenticeship pathways to solar industry careers
- Expand and promote solar industry SkillBridge opportunities for transitioning service members
Veterans and service members, solar industry employers, veterans career services, and workforce development organizations are invited to join the Solar Ready Vets Network to receive program updates and stay current on opportunities and resources.
Learn more about our key initiatives.
The Solar Ready Vets Network is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2023, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and partners secured additional funding to build on the accomplishments and milestones reached under two previous iterations of the program. Information on the program history is available here.
Solar Ready Vets Fellowships
The Solar Ready Vets Fellowship connects transitioning service members with on-the-job training in leadership and management roles in the civilian solar workforce.
Offered to employers at no cost, the fellowships are implemented by the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program with support from IREC and the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Connect with Solar Ready Vets at RE+!
Connect with us on the show floor and find us at the following events during the annual RE+ in Anaheim, CA from September 9th – 12th.
Veterans & Military Family in Clean Energy Gathering
- Date: Wednesday, September 11th
- Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
- Location: ACC South, on level two (held in same area as education sessions)
Apprenticeship and Workforce Power Hour
Join IREC and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to connect with organizations and experts that can support your company in meeting the Inflation Reduction Act’s Registered Apprenticeship requirements. Network with representatives of organizations that can support your company in joining an apprenticeship program, launching an employer-sponsored apprenticeship program, or expanding the candidate pool for apprenticeship programs.
- Date: Tuesday, September 10th
- Time: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
- Location: To Be Determined
New Options for Veteran Recruitment: SkillBridge Training and Apprenticeships
Solar Ready Vets will discuss how employers can recruit and hire transitioning service members and veterans through SkillBridge training programs and Registered Apprenticeships.
- Date: Wednesday, September 11th
- Time: 12:30 pm – 12:55 pm
- Location: Industry Trends Booth
Clean Energy Job Fair hosted by GRID Alternatives and WRISE
GRID Alternatives and WRISE (Women in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Industries) will host the RE+ Clean Energy Job Fair at RE+ Anaheim. Meet companies seeking workers with diverse expertise and transferable skills to work in a rapidly growing clean energy industry. All are welcome to answer the call, as it’s critical that the solar industry is diversified and representative of the communities that could benefit the most from clean energy solutions.
- Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
- Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Location: Hilton Hotel, Anaheim, Ballroom C
Volunteer at RE+
Service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers can apply to volunteer at RE+ and receive a free pass! Learn more and apply here.
How We Work
The Solar Ready Vets Network is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office to strengthen solar career pathways for veterans and support the industry’s efforts to invest in military talent. It is led by IREC in partnership with leading industry, training, and veterans services organizations.
Key initiatives led by the Solar Ready Vets Network include:
Solar Ready Vets Fellowships. We place transitioning service members with solar employers for 12 weeks of on-the-job training in management & professional roles.
Career Navigation. We help military-connected job seekers pursue solar training, professional development, and employment through career navigation resources, mentorship opportunities, and industry connections.
Registered Apprenticeships. We convene industry and training partners to advance registered apprenticeship opportunities through U.S. Department of Labor-approved occupations aligned with solar industry career pathways.
SkillBridge for Solar. We connect employers to construction and electrical SkillBridge programs and launch a new standardized model to train service members for technical and skilled trades roles.
Veterans Pathways to Certification. We promote streamlining requirements for solar certifications based on relevant military experience.
Employer Resources. Engage solar industry employers with resources to attract, hire, develop and retain qualified military talent at all levels of the workforce and amplify successes across the industry.
Partners
IREC is proud to work alongside our partners the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Hiring our Heroes (HOH), Solar Energy International (SEI), and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.
Acknowledgment: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Agreement Number DE-EE0010493.
Disclaimer: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.