{"id":6741,"date":"2019-02-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-26T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gridalt.wpenginepowered.com\/the-current\/solar-workers-are-people-not-numbers\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T16:57:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T20:57:38","slug":"solar-workers-are-people-not-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/es\/the-current\/solar-workers-are-people-not-numbers\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar Workers Are People, Not Numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"

On February 12, the Solar Foundation released the 2018 National Solar Jobs Census<\/a>, providing an in-depth look at the state of the U.S. solar industry. The report found that 242,000 people are employed in solar, a 3.2 percent decline from 2017 that is largely attributed to tariffs imposed by the current administration and a lack of supportive policy. Still, the U.S. has added 150,000 solar jobs since 2010 and can work to reverse the current downturn by promoting strong clean energy policy and workforce development programs at the state and city level. <\/p>\n

When discussing these numbers, it\u2019s easy to get lost in the data and forget that they represent real people. Steven Donerson and Vernon Davis, both graduates of our Solar Works DC program, are two such individuals who work in the solar industry.<\/p>\n

Vernon was a maintenance worker who also worked as a caregiver for seniors before he decided to apply to Solar Works DC. The program caught his eye, he said, because \u201cI\u2019m about change, I like making changes and I\u2019ve always loved working with my hands and thought this was something I can get into.\u201d <\/p>\n

After completing the training program, Vernon was offered a job from two local solar companies but he decided instead to take a position at GRID Mid-Atlantic as an installer for our multi-family team. He enjoys the larger projects that he gets to work on now and wants to continue gaining more experience before pursuing different roles, such as project management. In the meantime, he appreciates the impact he has on people in his community by helping them save money on their electric bills. \u201cIt\u2019s all about making a positive difference,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Steven also decided to join GRID Mid-Atlantic\u2019s multi-family team after graduating from Solar Works DC. Like many other people, Steven\u2019s life was deeply affected by the 2008 economic recession. <\/p>\n

\u201cI pretty much lost my whole way of life and the end result was that I was divorced and I was homeless,\u201d he says, adding, \u201cBefore I found solar, I was still reeling from the recession.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see GRID has the same mindset in being community-oriented. I just want to make a brighter future for the residents of this District,\u201d he said when asked about why he wanted to join the GRID Mid-Atlantic team.With a steady income, Steven is finally able to rebuild his life. He\u2019s not only focused on his own development, but he\u2019s also invested in the people around him. <\/p>\n

In 2019, the solar industry is expected to grow. New policies, like D.C.\u2019s new 100% Renewable Portfolio Standard and Maryland\u2019s pending Clean Energy Jobs Act, have the potential to bring thousands of good-paying solar jobs to the area. GRID\u2019s hands-on training programs, like Solar Works DC, support solar industry growth and ensure these jobs are reaching people with fewer financial resources and more barriers to employment. <\/p>\n

As we transition to a clean energy future, it\u2019s important that no one gets left behind.There are many more people like Vernon and Steven out there living in underserved communities who are un- or underemployed and are seeking to better their lives, who want to improve their communities but have difficulty accessing opportunities to do so. This is why workforce development programs are so important. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On February 12, the Solar Foundation released the 2018 National Solar Jobs Census, providing an in-depth look at the state of the U.S. solar industry. When discussing the report’s findings, it\u2019s easy to get lost in the data and forget that they represent real people.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":5627,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"audience":[],"content-type":[12],"focus-area":[20,22],"region":[65],"series":[],"content-author":[],"class_list":["post-6741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","content-type-news","focus-area-job-training","focus-area-policy","region-mid-atlantic"],"acf":{"hero_media_type":"image","hero_media_image":null,"hero_media_url":"","hero_media_poster":null,"hero_video_play":"inline","related_stories":null,"pattern_override":null,"story_callouts":null,"media":null,"featured_blog_post":null,"featured_event":null,"pdf_download":null,"blockquote":null,"author":null,"notice":null,"social_embed":null,"contact_card":null,"meta_details":null,"faq":null,"table":null},"yoast_head":"\nSolar Workers Are People, Not Numbers - GRID Alternatives<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"On February 12, the Solar Foundation released the 2018 National Solar Jobs Census, providing an in-depth look at the state of the U.S. solar industry. 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