Solar Richmond believes that prolonged transitional work opportunities are key to getting our graduates permanent work in solar. In the fall of 2009, Solar Richmond piloted a 10-week, paid solar internship program which will launch in full in 2010.

The pilot internship program employed six Solar Richmond program graduates to install a 417kW system with Real Goods Solar and Matheson Solar at a mixed-income housing facility right here in Richmond. Interns earned $15/hr and gained invaluable hands-on experience, in addition to weekly professional development courses

Solar Richmond provides opportunities to Bay Area residents to get hand-on experience in construction and solar installation. In the past, Solar Richmond, in partnership with RichmondBUILD, has offered 13 weeks of construction and solar installation training which prepares participants to enter the workforce upon graduation. Additionally, SR provides job opportunities through our staffing agency to local solar companies. Many graduates have gone on to full-time employment with local installers including SolarCity, Sungevity, Sun Light & Power, and Sun's Free Solar.
Solar Richmond recently joined forces with the East Bay Green Job Corps to support young adults ages 18-24 obtain new skills and exposure to green career paths. During the internship, youth gain experience conducting community outreach as well as solar marketing. Interns receive basic outreach training, teambuilding skills, eco-literacy and the soft skills needed to inform local residents about the benefits of solar. The program provides eight weeks of coursework, a four-week internship, and bridge support to help participants transition to a vocational training program, community college, or full-time work.