The Solar Ready Vets Network operated from 2019 through October 2025 to promote the representation of military talent across all levels and sectors of the solar workforce, through capacity building initiatives, strategic partnerships, and targeted resources. Under IREC’s leadership, the Network sought to pave pathways for all veterans to apply their diverse skillset to career opportunities within the industry. We collaborated with a wide range of organizations to support veterans and employers with resources to effectively leverage military talent, creating a more diverse and inclusive solar workforce.
The program had 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
Learn more about the Network’s key initiatives.
The Solar Ready Vets Network was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DOE funding for the program expired in October 2025 and has not been renewed. You can explore the history of the Network here.
Solar Ready Vets Fellowships
The Solar Ready Vets Fellowship was a cornerstone of the program, connecting 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 were implemented by the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program with support from IREC and the Solar Energy Industries Association. While Fellowship positions are no longer open, you can read about the program below.
How We Work
The Solar Ready Vets Network was 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 was led by IREC in partnership with leading industry, training, and veterans services organizations.
Key initiatives of the Solar Ready Vets Network included:
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.