Why Solar?
Nationwide, the growing solar industry is creating pathways out of poverty for tens of thousands of workers. Solar today employs over 250,000 people - twice as many people as coal. According to a 2017 Department of Energy report, clean energy jobs accounted for nearly five times more jobs than fossil fuels. The barriers to entry are low. Only seven percent of solar installation jobs required a bachelor’s degree in 2017. Most employers are simply looking for training or on-the-job experience. Solar jobs are good jobs. Compared to similar industries, solar wages are competitive and often above the national average (Solar Job Census, 2018).
What You'll Learn
Hands-on solar installation experience is at the heart of GRID’s training philosophy.
Installation skills learned on our sites include:
- Job site safety
- Fall protection
- Array layout
- Racking installation
- Module level power electronics (MLPE) installation
- Module installation
- Electrical safety
- Electrical layout and mounting
- Conduit bending and installation
- Electrical wiring
Some locations also offer training in other aspects of the solar industry, including sales, warehouse, and design training.
Where to Train
GRID has offices throughout California, in Colorado and Washington, DC. Training options and availability vary by location. Contact your local GRID office to find out what’s available in your area.
Get Started
Join us to build your solar knowledge and launch a career! Sign up to attend an orientation and learn more about training opportunities in your region.
FAQ: Unlocking Opportunities in Clean Energy: Navigating the Shift to NEM 3.0
NEM 3.0 is here, bringing changes to the clean energy landscape
WHAT IS NEM 3.0?
Net Energy Metering (NEM) Tariff establishes how much the utility will pay a solar PV owner for excess electricity produced by their solar energy system. NEM 3.0 replaced the previous net metering tariff in California, giving clients significantly less money for excess electricity sold to the utility which will increase the demand for battery storage. This shift impacts everyone, including solar installers.
What is GRID's approach to workforce development?
GRID is dedicated to building an equitable, inclusive, and diverse solar workforce that sustains families and helps bring wealth to their communities. GRID is well-connected with industry partners and is continuously incorporating feedback from employers, educational institutions, and job training organizations to improve our IBT program and ensure we are setting up our trainees for a successful transition into a clean energy career. Currently, GRID is working to develop additional training curricula to stay up to date with industry shifts and trends, such as IBT Battery Storage.
What are some emerging markets within the clean energy sector for trainees?
Trainees can explore potential growth areas in emerging clean energy sectors such as battery storage systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and more around energy management solutions and skill sets.
What types of utilities are affected by NEM 3.0, and how does this affect job opportunities for trainees?
NEM 3.0 only applies to customers living in PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E territories. It does not apply to Public-Owned Utilities (POU) such as LADWP or SMUD. As a result, we may temporarily see greater employment opportunities in POU territories in California.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US:
workforcedevelopment@gridalternatives.org or (510) 739-7137
