We are excited to announce the re-launch of our Women in Solar Program! Started in 2014, our National Women in Solar Initiative had a goal of increasing gender diversity within the industry, and supporting women in their professional growth. In the years since, other women in solar networks --like SEIA’s Women’s Empowerment and the recent expansion and rebrand of Women of Wind Energy to include solar women under the name WRISE-- have flourished, and the call for gender diversity in the industry has been taken up by companies across the spectrum. But there's still work to be done, and after considering both our mission and what we do best here at GRID, we’ve decided to shift our focus.
GRID's new Women in Solar Program will continue working to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive solar industry by providing pathways to technical careers for women*, highlighting the voices of women of color in the industry, and providing national leadership on solar workforce diversity.
We're insprired by women like Chrissy Gonzales, a single mother from San Diego who never envisioned herself working in solar energy. After learning about solar in a college class, she decided to begin training with GRID while working towards her NABCEP certification. Following a two week internship, she found full-time employment with Tekamuk Energy, a tribal-owned solar installation company.
Here’s how you can get involved in our Women in Solar program:
- Spread the word to your networks of women about GRID’s free training programs
- Join or organize a We Build--a women-only installation event--and invite your friends (contact your local GRID office for more information)
- Sign up for our Women in Solar webcasts
*People who identify as non-binary genders and feel they belong in our community of women are invited to participate in our Women in Solar Program