As solar energy adoption accelerates, its impact extends beyond rooftops and utility grids, influencing economic opportunities across the nation. For many Americans, the clean energy transition represents not only environmental responsibility but also a pathway to economic inclusion. Workforce development programs within the solar sector are increasingly designed to provide access to stable, meaningful employment for individuals who have historically faced barriers in technical trades.
Freedom Forever Solar, a residential solar provider known for customized energy solutions, exemplifies this approach through its federally approved Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Launched in partnership with organizations like the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation America (IWSI America), the program combines in-house technical instruction with hands-on learning across branches. It emphasizes inclusive recruitment by building pathways for talented candidates from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), women’s trade schools, and other communities that have had limited access to traditional opportunities.
Opening the Clean Energy Workforce to All
While solar jobs are on the rise, the workforce demographics have not always reflected the diversity of the nation. Efforts are now underway to change that. Solar companies, training institutions and nonprofit organizations are working together to make clean energy jobs more accessible to veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and communities that have experienced economic marginalization.
These initiatives are rooted in more than policy. They recognize the practical reality that a strong workforce must be inclusive. Veterans, for example, bring leadership skills, a background in technical operations and a strong work ethic, all qualities that translate well into solar installation and maintenance roles. Likewise, individuals returning from incarceration often face steep challenges reentering the workforce despite being capable, motivated, and trainable. By designing programs that meet people where they are, financially, educationally and socially, the solar sector is creating pathways for more equitable participation in the energy economy.
Veterans Find a New Mission in Solar
For many veterans, the transition to civilian life comes with questions about career direction and long-term employment. Solar energy has become a natural fit for some, offering hands-on work, structured environments, and a sense of contributing to a larger cause.
Several solar companies now work directly with veteran organizations to recruit candidates for field and warehouse roles. Others collaborate with workforce boards to offer GI Bill-eligible training that includes industry certifications. Job placement support is often built into these programs, helping ensure that veterans are not only trained but also hired. These efforts go beyond outreach. They include mentorship from veterans already in the field and training models that reflect the military’s emphasis on safety, communication, and accountability.
Reentry Through Renewable Energy
Formerly incarcerated individuals often face systemic obstacles when applying for jobs, even after completing rehabilitation programs. In the solar industry, some employers are actively challenging that pattern by working with reentry organizations to offer second-chance hiring opportunities. Programs vary in structure, but most include wraparound services, such as life skills coaching, transportation support and legal aid, to increase participant success. The training itself focuses on solar basics, construction safety, and soft skills that support workplace retention.
Hiring people with prior convictions is not just an act of goodwill. It’s a recognition that reentry success reduces recidivism, strengthens families and contributes to local economies. As solar expands into underserved neighborhoods, these efforts also help ensure that the benefits of clean energy are distributed more fairly. Solar-plus-battery systems, including configurations, are creating new job categories that require diverse skill sets. These systems need technicians with wiring experience, safety awareness and logistical coordination, all areas where reentry trainees can thrive with the right preparation.
Partnerships That Deliver Impact
Equity-focused workforce programs often operate at the intersection of education, employment, and community development. Success depends on collaboration. Solar providers are working with technical colleges, nonprofits and city agencies to co-design programs that fit the needs of both participants and employers. These partnerships allow for more tailored training experiences. For example, some organizations offer pre-apprenticeship programs that introduce solar concepts before participants enter full training. Others embed solar certification within broader construction or electrical courses to improve job flexibility.
Job fairs and community hiring events are also being used to build trust and engagement. These gatherings promote job opportunities and introduce solar as a viable, respected trade within neighborhoods that have historically lacked access to high-wage technical roles. Many of these programs emphasize retention just as much as recruitment. Long-term support, such as mentorship, performance coaching and continuing education, ensures that participants not only get jobs but also build careers.
The Role of Education and Flexibility
Workforce inclusion doesn’t begin and end with recruitment. It requires training that is responsive to a wide range of learning styles, life circumstances, and career goals. To support this, some solar programs offer classes in multiple languages, online modules for remote learners, and evening courses for working adults.
Instructors are often drawn from the same communities they serve, bringing cultural competence and a shared understanding of the challenges participants face. This connection enhances classroom engagement and helps build confidence among learners who may be returning to education after long periods. Flexibility also means recognizing that people may enter the workforce at different levels. Some need entry-level roles with immediate income, while others may be ready for technical certifications that lead to supervisory positions. Solar workforce programs that account for these differences are better able to serve a diverse group of candidates.
Creating Shared Value
Investing in workforce inclusion benefits more than just the individuals hired. It strengthens companies, diversifies teams, and helps build lasting relationships with communities. For the solar industry, which depends on public trust and local engagement, these relationships are increasingly vital. A diverse workforce can also lead to better business outcomes. Teams that reflect the communities they serve are often better equipped to understand customer needs, navigate local permitting processes, and respond to regional hiring challenges. Equity becomes not only a social goal but a strategic asset.
As the energy landscape continues to change, companies that lead workforce development can be better positioned to meet future demands. That includes not just meeting hiring targets but helping build an economy where clean energy and opportunity go hand in hand. The transition to clean energy is an opportunity to correct old patterns of exclusion while preparing for the workforce’s challenges ahead. By opening doors for veterans, returning citizens and marginalized communities, the solar industry is creating new avenues for employment and long-term growth.
Freedom Forever reviews its workforce development efforts through the lens of inclusion, working to align training initiatives with broader community access goals. Through its Registered Apprenticeship Program, developed in partnership with IREC and IWSI America, the company supports entry pathways for individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the clean energy workforce. As clean energy jobs continue to rise, so does the responsibility to ensure they are accessible to everyone ready to contribute. Solar equity is not just about who gets panels on their roof, but it’s about who gets the opportunity to build the future.
