Our mission is to promote and inspire the use of solar power and energy efficiency in order to bring the economic benefits of the green economy to our community. We do this by training and educating a new green-collar workforce and by opening doors to employment in secure solar jobs.

Our core program is a 5-week, hands-on solar installation training program completed in partnership with the City of Richmond’s 7-week pre-apprentice construction training program. In each class, we instruct 15 to 20 low-income residents in both solar photovoltaic and solar thermal system installation skills that prepare trainees to go straight into the solar industry upon graduation. As a part of the instruction, the trainees install two full solar-electric systems on low-income Richmond residences. These homeowners receive free labor and a low-interest, deferred loan through Richmond’s Redevelopment Agency.

After the training, we work to place our graduates with reputable Bay Area solar companies. We also conduct bid evaluations for homes, businesses, nonprofits and places of worship interested in going solar. We convert offers from different vendors to apples-to-apples format. When property owners choose the plan that fits their needs, our Solar Richmond program graduates are hired to work with the chosen vendor during the installation.