Many veterans — ranging from privates to general officers — are returning from war with a commitment to securing our nation’s energy future and combating the impacts of climate change. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) has recognized the tremendous value and skills that veterans bring to the solar industry. As such, SEIA and member companies like Canadian Solar (my employer), Recurrent Energy, and Clean Power Finance have made a commitment to employing 50,000 veterans in the solar industry by 2020.

 

According to a 2014 report from the Solar Foundation and Operation Free, as of 2013, the U.S. solar industry employed 13,192 veterans of the armed forces. This number represents 9.2 percent of all solar workers in the nation, greater than the percentage of veteran employment in the economy overall. These workers bring to the table sharp leadership skills and rigorous technical training that helps them to thrive in an industry where business management and technical innovation is highly valued.

 

I am proud to participate in today’s NASDAQ Opening Bell Ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans and the solar industry’s commitment to hiring them. Moreover, I am proud to support our military’s mission to Lift The Burden of its fossil fuel dependency and the Solar Ready Vets transition-training program established by the Department of Energy, writes Kevin Johnson, managing director of federal business development for Canadian Solar (USA), Inc.