Building the Renewable Energy Workforce of the Future
The Solar Warrior Workforce Academy is an immersive, Indigenous-led solar workforce training program created for tribes, tribal organizations, utilities, workforce agencies, schools, employers, and other organizations that want to develop a skilled local solar workforce. Organizations sponsor a group of 10 to 16 participants at a cost of $2,500 per person. Individual applications are not accepted.
Participants complete approximately 80 hours of online coursework before traveling to the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota for two weeks of residential, hands-on training. Through industry-recognized coursework, technical labs, and real-world solar installation experience, participants gain the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to help install solar in their own communities.
Who Can Participate?
Sponsoring organizations can build a cohort around their own workforce and community needs. Participants may include:
Tribal energy department and utility staff
Tribal housing authority crews
Facilities and building maintenance employees
Public works employees
Electricians and electrical apprentices
Construction workers and tradespeople
New or developing tribal solar crews
Tribal workforce development participants
WIOA and Tribal TANF participants
College, trade school, and technical education students
Career and technical education instructors
Recent graduates and people beginning a new career
Veterans and tribal veteran program participants
Reentry program participants
Community members selected for local solar workforce development
How the Training Works
The Solar Warrior Workforce Academy combines approximately 80 hours of online coursework with two weeks of immersive, hands-on training in South Dakota.
Before traveling to campus, participants complete:
RE100: Introduction to Renewable Energy
RE101: Introduction to Electricity
PVOL101: Solar Electric Design and Installation
OSHA 10 safety training
CPR and First Aid certification
All required online coursework must be successfully completed before participants can attend the in-person portion of the Academy.
Two Weeks of Hands-On Solar Training
After completing the online coursework, participants travel to the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center for two weeks of intensive, hands-on instruction. Working directly with experienced trainers, solar equipment, practice systems, and live installation projects, participants learn how solar systems are assembled and installed in real-world conditions.
Hands-on training includes:
Roof-mounted solar systems
Ground-mounted solar systems
String inverter systems
Solar components and system layouts
Basic solar wiring
Installation tools and techniques
Electrical and jobsite safety
System testing and commissioning basics
Team-based installation workflows
Participants leave with practical installation experience and a stronger understanding of how to safely contribute to solar projects in their own communities.
Lodging and Meals Are Included
During the two-week in-person training, participants stay onsite at the Sacred Earth Lodge at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Lodging and meals on scheduled training days are included in the $2,500 tuition.
Participants live, study, and train alongside their cohort, creating a focused and supportive environment for learning, teamwork, and skill development.
Credentials and Experience Participants Receive
Upon successful completion of the Academy, participants receive:
A Solar Energy International certificate of completion for PVOL101, representing 60 hours of solar education
NABCEP-approved education hours from PVOL101
An OSHA 10 card
CPR and First Aid certification
A Solar Warrior Workforce Academy certificate documenting approximately 160 hours of online and hands-on training
Hands-on experience with roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar systems
Experience using solar installation tools and equipment
Training in solar wiring, system components, jobsite safety, and installation workflows
Experience working as part of a solar installation crew
What the $2,500 Tuition Includes:
Approximately 80 hours of required online coursework
Two weeks of in-person instruction and hands-on solar training
Online course registration and certification fees
Classroom materials
Use of solar tools, equipment, and training systems
Lodging at the Sacred Earth Lodge
Meals on scheduled training days
Ground transportation between the designated airport and the Red Cloud Renewable campus
Not included: Airfare or other transportation to South Dakota, weekend meals, and participants’ personal expenses.
Pricing and Cohort Size
The Solar Warrior Workforce Academy is offered to tribes and organizations sponsoring a group of participants.
Tuition: $2,500 per participant
Minimum cohort size: 10 participants
Maximum cohort size: 16 participants
Full-cohort offer: Sponsor 15 participants and receive a 16th training seat at no additional tuition
A standard cohort includes approximately 80 hours of online coursework followed by two weeks of residential, hands-on training at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center.
Final pricing may vary if the sponsoring organization requests additional training, services, or accommodations beyond the standard Academy program.
Ready to Build Your Workforce?
Whether you're a tribal government, workforce agency, educational institution, utility, employer, or community organization, we're ready to help you develop the next generation of renewable energy professionals.
Contact us today to discuss cohort availability, scheduling, and partnership opportunities.