The Road to a Career in Solar

Ahmed Habib has always been extremely interested in renewable energy, installation, and design. He decided to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at Northern Arizona University and eventually graduated in 2013. Ahmed recently designed a $53,000 interactive solar PV system for an elementary school and wanted to further expand on these projects. Wanting to also advance in the solar industry, Ahmed decided to volunteer for GRID in order to obtain more skills and experience. “I have always had an interest in solar and wanted to help people,” he states, “GRID was the perfect opportunity to get some training.”

Within a month of volunteering for GRID, Ahmed received his IBT certification. This certification trained Ahmed in job site safety, electrical safety, electrical wiring, monitoring and communication, and electrical layout and mounting. A couple of months later, Ahmed continued to work his way up and went from being an installation volunteer trainee to a certified team leader in electrical. Through GRID, Ahmed has been able to learn more in depth about how solar panel installations occur, the technology behind solar energy, and more. With team leader certification, individuals can further work their way up to an NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification. Although GRID does not provide coursework, the decision-making experience that is necessary for these installations can be achieved as a GRID Alternatives Certified Team Leader.

Overall, Ahmed has accumulated 312 hours of volunteer service for GRID Alternatives throughout the year. With the knowledge and skills Ahmed has obtained, he has now recently relocated to Phoenix, Arizona to work as a technical supervisor for a solar company. Here, he oversees two departments. Ahmed’s IBT certification was able to provide him with the necessary skills to supervise others in the future.

Ahmed’s story is one like many that we see here at GRID Alternatives. Volunteers come to help people and learn skills in construction, installation, and more. With these skills, volunteers work their way up and eventually obtain a job in construction, solar energy, and other related fields. Through GRID, Ahmed was able to gain installation knowledge, build confidence, and leadership experience. These lifelong skills will help Ahmed in his current job and any other career in solar he may seek in the future.  Despite relocation, Ahmed still remembers his roots back with GRID Alternatives. “I worked with pure people—really, really good people,” he states, “and the teamwork and the attitude of the team was something I hadn’t found in a really long time.”

Learn more about our training programs by visiting our website or email our workforce development team at volunteerie@gridalternatives.org.