Bridging the workforce gap in commercial solar through integrated training models
The solar industry continues to face a persistent workforce challenge. The U.S. solar industry employed more than 280,000 workers in 2024, with
Solar Power World5 min read16 views
The solar sector continues to grapple with an ongoing shortage of qualified workers. In 2024, the U.S. solar industry supported a workforce of more than 280,000 people, while employment across solar-plus-storage exceeded 460,000, highlighting the industry's continued expansion. Even with that growth, the supply of skilled technical professionals has failed to keep up with the rising sophistication of commercial solar installations.
The issue extends beyond simply having enough workers available. A growing concern is the lack of personnel equipped with expertise in advanced electrical systems, troubleshooting and long-term operational support. During 2024, nearly 90% of solar companies reported challenges in filling vacant positions, with 53% identifying insufficient experience, technical training or specialized skills as the biggest obstacle. As commercial solar projects increasingly incorporate energy storage, utility grid integration and advanced monitoring technologies, the need for highly trained technicians continues to increase.
Meanwhile, schools, colleges and other public institutions are contending with escalating energy expenses, forcing some campuses to devote a substantial share of their operating budgets to utility costs instead of educational programs and resources. The combination of workforce shortages and financial pressures has renewed interest in training approaches that better connect education with industry needs.
Collaborative workforce development initiatives have long been part of the solar industry. Training programs designed around employer demand have existed for years, frequently backed by educational partnerships or government policy incentives. What has changed is the extent to which these programs are now being tailored to meet the immediate and evolving requirements of contractors and owners of solar assets.
A recent workforce training effort at Mountain Empire Community College in Virginia demonstrates how cooperation between a college, a solar developer and an electrical contractor can bring classroom education into closer alignment with active commercial construction. The initiative, developed by Secure Solar Futures and built with assistance from Got Electric, features more than 1,600 solar panels and was designed to offset roughly one-third of the campus's overall electricity use while generating more than 1 million kWh of electricity each year. Developed under a power purchase agreement, the installation required no upfront capital investment and is expected to produce approximately $2.4 million in lifetime savings on energy costs.
Students involved in the program combined formal classroom instruction with practical installation experience while earning wages throughout the training period. Programs structured in this manner have produced strong results, including complete job placement for participating groups and seamless transitions into full-time employment immediately after completion.
This type of coordinated approach narrows the divide between education and employment. Rather than finishing a training course and then beginning the search for work, participants enter the labor market with meaningful hands-on field experience already acquired.
Many workforce training initiatives continue to function separately from the day-to-day realities encountered on commercial project sites. Although graduates may understand the fundamentals of solar installation, they often have limited experience with live construction environments, electrical fault diagnosis or broader system-level problem solving.
Within the commercial solar industry, this disconnect becomes increasingly significant as systems age. Solar installations require far more than initial construction; they also demand ongoing maintenance, diagnostic work and coordination with utility infrastructure. Without technicians trained beyond basic installation responsibilities, the long-term performance of these assets may decline.
The shortage is especially noticeable within operations and maintenance (O&M). Workforce data from IREC indicates that O&M was the only area of the solar industry where hiring challenges became more severe during 2024, reflecting the increasing demand for technicians capable of maintaining long-term system performance as additional solar assets are deployed.
In real-world operations, these workforce shortages contribute to extended commissioning schedules, a higher number of service visits and greater dependence on a relatively small group of seasoned technicians. Feedback from across the industry continues to point to inconsistent documentation, communication shortcomings and repeated site visits as persistent operational issues.
Training models that incorporate real-world project work produce different results. Students who participate in active installation projects gain firsthand experience with actual jobsite conditions, project schedules and practical problem-solving. They also become familiar with industry tools, workplace safety practices and team collaboration in ways that traditional classroom instruction alone cannot provide.
Some of these programs also offer hourly pay during training, along with stipends, tools and academic credit. These benefits help reduce barriers that might otherwise prevent individuals from entering the profession while creating a more straightforward route into skilled technical careers.
The success of this strategy is supported by broader workforce statistics. Registered Apprenticeship programs report a 93% employment retention rate after completion, with average starting salaries of about $86,000, illustrating the value of earn-while-you-learn models in creating long-lasting career opportunities.
The model has been particularly successful in areas shifting away from traditional energy industries, where workforce development plays an important role in supporting long-term economic resilience.
As commercial solar deployment continues to accelerate, developing a skilled workforce will become increasingly important for ensuring reliable system performance over the long term. Federal forecasts reinforce this need, projecting that employment for solar installers will increase by 42% between 2024 and 2034, with roughly 4,100 job openings expected each year.
The industry is evolving beyond an approach focused primarily on building new installations toward one that must also sustain decades of reliable operation. That transition demands technicians who possess not only installation expertise but also the skills required to maintain, troubleshoot and optimize systems throughout their operating life.
At the same time, financing structures such as power purchase agreements allow institutions to install solar systems without making an upfront capital investment. In the Mountain Empire Community College project, the installation is expected to provide long-term energy savings over multiple decades while simultaneously serving as an on-site workforce training platform.
Training models built around partnerships that connect education, employment opportunities and field experience offer a practical means of strengthening both workforce development and overall system performance.
The workforce issue facing the solar industry is not solely about expanding the number of workers. It is equally about ensuring that technician training matches the skills and capabilities the industry actually requires.
As solar systems continue to become more technologically advanced and performance expectations continue to rise, the strongest workforce strategies will be those that combine classroom education with hands-on field experience from the very beginning.
For asset owners, developers and contractors, supporting these integrated training models represents more than a solution to labor shortages. It is also a long-term investment in dependable system operation and sustained performance.
Andy Hershberger serves as director of Virginia operations for Got Electric LLC, a Maryland-based electrical contractor specializing in commercial solar projects and operations and maintenance services. Bringing extensive experience in design-build solar developments and large-scale commercial construction, he has overseen projects valued at more than $45 million while managing multiple active developments. He remains a committed advocate for technician-led solar maintenance and actively supports workforce development through hands-on apprenticeship programs.
Originally reported by Solar Power World on Jul 17, 2026.
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