Within the solar field, there are many aspects that differentiate one company from another. From depth of experience to ethical business practices to product line affiliations, smart consumers consider their choice of solar design and contracting company from multiple angles. I want to talk about one differentiator that I think is often under-explored: veterans working in the solar space.

Why might it be important that your choice of solar partner involves veterans?

Benefits of Hiring Veterans

Regardless of which branch of the military a veteran has served in, they have a common set of experiences and training that make them a great asset to any project or organization. As SmallBizTrends explores, “from an employer’s perspective, the unique qualities veterans possess make for ideal job candidates.” Here are a few of the reasons why:

Goal-Orientation

“Military personnel are taught to exercise collaboration, cooperation and personal development in order to achieve their targets,” they write. Indeed, military service and training instill a focus on achieving results. Not only is the end goal prioritized and sought after, veterans have a commitment to working as a team to create the best possible outcome, even in difficult situations that require problem-solving and quick thinking.

Leadership Qualities

From a sense of responsibility to their colleagues to an emphasis on structure and organization, service veterans develop leadership skills throughout their time in the military. Respect for authority and an eagerness to move up the chain of command come naturally to veterans and make them ideal candidates for leadership positions as they master the skills and qualities of the leaders they have learned from.

Work Ethic

In my opinion, there’s nothing like military service to create a strong work ethic. There is a reason behind every task, no matter how small, and often the safety of others is at stake - so veterans quickly learn the value of consistent, hard work. When they leave the service, they bring this dedication to getting things done right the first time along with them, making veterans some of the hardest workers out there.

Health & Safety

SmallBizTrends notes that “Veterans are trained to take health and safety protocols extremely seriously, and have a proven track record performing in a drug-free workforce guided by personal health and fitness.” In environments such as manufacturing and contracting, this makes veterans ideal candidates for delicate work that must be done with safety and longevity in mind.

Veterans in the Solar Space

The solar industry is among those at the forefront of providing jobs to veterans. In fact, “The Solar Foundation’s 2018 National Solar Jobs Census found the solar industry employed 19,019 veterans throughout the United States,” the Solar Energy Industry Association reports. This represents a higher percentage of veteran employment than the national average in other fields.

Why might this be? The solar industry is a good fit for many veterans, who are often trained in cutting edge technologies, production and manufacturing techniques, and leadership and other qualities as mentioned above. There is a significant push underway for more veterans to be employed within the industry as well, and hopefully solar consumers will also take note and consider the unique advantages of hiring veterans and veteran-led companies when beginning a solar project.

Our Commitment

Solar Design Studio is no stranger to the benefits of hiring veterans. I myself am a veteran of the Air Force and employ a fantastic, talented Marine veteran as well. I am also a member of the NABCEP Solar Veterans Committee, an organization that works diligently “to expand and accelerate veterans’ access to solar training, certification, and career pathways across the industry.” My first-hand experience of the stellar qualities that veterans bring to their work contributes to my dedication to creating opportunities for more of them to find work in the field that I love.

If you’re considering a solar project of your own and looking for a dedicated, hard-working, trustworthy partner in every stage from development through installation, I hope you’ll give some thought to how hiring a veteran or veteran-owned company can add value to your experience. To learn more about how Solar Design Studio can make your solar installation a great investment, contact us today!