Launch Your Clean Energy Career with SolarCorps

SolarCorps is GRID Alternatives’ 11-month, paid fellowship program where you can launch a career in clean energy while giving back to communities like your own. Gain hands-on experience, build industry skills, and help expand access to solar. No prior experience required.

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An installer in a hard hat and fall-arrest harness walks a metal roof between rows of newly mounted solar panels.
  • Wyatt Atkinson smiles while at an GRID install
  • Devonta works on site as a GRID SolarCorps Fellow
  • Reggie poses in a GRID staff shirt while on the job site.
  • SolarCorps San Diego Retreat March 2026

Earn Industry Credentials

Depending on your fellowship track, you may have opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications and credentials throughout your term, including:

  • OSHA-10 or OSHA-30
  • First Aid/CPR
  • NABCEP Associate
  • Tesla Powerwall
  • Enphase Energy System
  • Home Improvement Salesperson

Certifications vary by fellowship track and are not available for every role.

People standing and posing on roof

About the Program

A paid pathway into clean energy

SolarCorps creates pathways into the clean energy industry while advancing economic and environmental justice in the communities GRID serves. Fellows contribute to clean energy projects in communities historically excluded from investment while building the skills and experience to launch their own careers.

Over 11 months, fellows gain hands-on experience alongside training in equity-centered leadership, career exploration, work readiness, and personal development, all within a supportive, inclusive learning environment. Many fellows bring valuable lived experience and connections to the communities they serve.

More than 300 people have completed a SolarCorps fellowship to date.

Your Fellowship Journey

From Orientation to Career-Ready

Dates shift slightly year to year; the 2026–27 cohort runs 14 September 2026 to 13 August 2027.

  1. Panel discussion at Good Life Events outdoor venue with diverse audience seated at tables under shade structures

    Phase 1

    Pre-Service Orientation

    Begin with a virtual orientation that introduces you to GRID, your cohort, and your role.

  2. Two people at utility box working

    Phase 2

    Hands-On Service

    Complete 11 months of paid, hands-on training, applying your skills to real-world projects in the communities GRID serves, alongside an experienced mentor.

  3. People working on roof

    Phase 3

    Monthly Workshops

    Join monthly workshops with your cohort focused on networking, personal and professional development, community building, and career readiness.

  4. Good Life Events panel discussion with seated audience members at wooden tables under shade structures

    Phase 4

    Midyear Retreat

    Attend an in-person retreat to connect with other fellows, GRID staff, and partner organizations.

  5. Worker in safety gear standing on rooftop with solar panels and equipment

    Phase 5

    Career Launch

    Build your career throughout your term with $600 in professional development funds, at least 60 hours of paid professional development time, and opportunities to earn industry credentials. Complete your term and earn an End of Term Award: a $10,000 education award for AmeriCorps members or a $3,000 cash award for standard SolarCorps fellows.

  • Two people smiling on a roof
  • Person standing in work area
  • People smiling with hard hats

Fellowship Tracks

One fellowship, several tracks.

The 2026–2027 SolarCorps Fellowship offers positions across several areas, including:

  • Construction & Installation

    Work alongside GRID’s clean energy construction team on the planning, installation, and operation of solar, battery storage, and EV charging projects. Fellows help complete every stage of a real installation for the communities GRID serves. This track can lead to careers in solar installation, permitting, project management, and design.

  • Community Outreach

    Partner with GRID’s outreach team to help more income-qualified community members learn about the benefits of renewable energy. Outreach fellows build relationships with communities affected by environmental and economic injustice. This track can lead to careers in solar sales, community engagement, and related jobs in nonprofits.

  • Workforce Development

    Work alongside GRID’s regional workforce development staff to help teach solar training courses, build work-readiness skills, and support job placement for community members. This track can lead to careers in training, nonprofit program coordination or management, social work, and education.

  • Solar Design & O&M

    Design arrays and keep installed systems producing — layout, plan sets, commissioning checks and ongoing maintenance.

  • Project Management & Development

    Move commercial and multifamily projects from proposal to build, working across funding, permitting and delivery.

  • Clean Mobility Access

    Extend the work beyond rooftops into EV charging and clean transportation for the same communities.

Tracks vary by region and by year. Open roles are listed on GRID’s careers page under SOLARCORPS.

What You’ll Gain

Skills and experience you’ll build

  • Real-World Experience

    11 months of on-the-job training, applying your skills to real solar, storage, and clean mobility projects.

  • Mentorship

    A dedicated mentor and a supportive, inclusive team environment throughout your term.

  • Professional Development

    Monthly workshops, a midyear retreat, networking opportunities, and $600 to spend on your own professional growth.

  • Industry Credentials

    Opportunities to earn certifications such as First Aid, OSHA-10, OSHA-30, and NABCEP Associate, depending on your fellowship track.

  • Career Pathway Support

    Career exploration, work-readiness training, and connections to opportunities in clean energy, nonprofit programs, and related fields.

Two workers installing roofing materials on a residential roof with ladder visible

SolarCorps & AmeriCorps

Serve your community, and build your career

Many SolarCorps fellows serve as AmeriCorps members through GRID Alternatives’ AmeriCorps State and National program. AmeriCorps is a national service program that connects people with opportunities to serve communities while building skills and experience for what comes next.

SolarCorps AmeriCorps members serve with GRID for 11 months, contributing to clean energy and community-based projects while gaining hands-on experience, professional development, mentorship, and career support. Members who successfully complete their service term are eligible for a $10,000 education award.

SolarCorps also offers non-AmeriCorps fellowship positions, which follow GRID’s eligibility and benefit terms.

Masked image of person on roof with their arms in the air happy

Compensation & Benefits

A paid fellowship with benefits

All SolarCorps fellows are paid throughout their 11-month, full-time term. For the 2026–2027 cohort, AmeriCorps SolarCorps members receive a $40,800 living stipend, while standard SolarCorps fellows earn $21.40 per hour.

Benefits Include:

  • Full-time, paid, 11-month term (40 hours a week)
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and GRID’s 13 holidays
  • Retirement and additional health and wellness benefits
  • Wraparound supportive services through WorkLife Partnership
  • $600 in personal professional development funds, plus paid professional development time
  • An end-of-term award upon successful completion

GRID offers both standard SolarCorps fellowships and AmeriCorps SolarCorps fellowships, offered in partnership with AmeriCorps State and National. Both provide similar core benefits and professional development opportunities, with some differences in compensation and end-of-term awards.

AmeriCorps SolarCorps members receive a living stipend and can earn a $10,000 education award upon successful completion of their term. Standard SolarCorps fellows earn an hourly wage, are eligible for overtime, and can earn a $3,000 cash award upon successful completion.

What you need to apply:

  • No prior experience needed
  • At least 18 years old
  • Able to complete a required background check. Most criminal history does not automatically disqualify you from SolarCorps; AmeriCorps positions have additional eligibility requirements.
  • For California-based roles, able to pass a required drug screening (this does not include cannabis, which is legal in California)
  • Able to commit to the full 11-month term
  • A valid driver’s license for construction and installation roles
  • Reliable internet access for office-based or remote roles
  • For AmeriCorps positions specifically, U.S. citizenship, national status, or lawful permanent residency is required (DACA recipients are not eligible for AmeriCorps positions, but are eligible for other SolarCorps positions)

 

 

Three GRID Alternatives workers in safety gear pose on a residential roof with solar panels

Apply for SolarCorps

SolarCorps positions for the 2026–2027 cohort (September 14, 2026 to August 13, 2027) are posted on GRID’s Careers page under the title “SolarCorps.” Positions are available throughout California, in Colorado, and in the Washington, D.C. area, with some remote and location-flexible roles. Applications open on a rolling basis, typically in late spring, and close once all positions are filled.

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FAQ

Common questions

Yes. SolarCorps is a paid, full-time fellowship, not a volunteer role. Pay and benefits vary by position type; see Compensation & Benefits above.

No. SolarCorps is designed for people with no background in clean energy or construction. If you’re motivated to learn, you’re a good fit.

SolarCorps is an 11-month, full-time program that runs from September to August each year.

Both offer similar core benefits, but AmeriCorps positions have some additional eligibility requirements and offer an education award instead of a cash completion award. Positions are marked “AmeriCorps” in the title if they fall under that category.

You are encouraged to apply. Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from SolarCorps. Justice-involved individuals are an important part of the communities SolarCorps aims to reach, and we believe past involvement with the justice system should not prevent someone from accessing opportunities to learn, grow, and build a career. AmeriCorps SolarCorps positions have additional eligibility requirements related to certain convictions. Our team can help you understand which opportunities you may be eligible for.

Applications are posted on GRID’s Careers page under positions titled “SolarCorps.” You’ll need a resume and a cover letter for each position you apply to.