Cassie Perando spent six years on the USS Nimitz as a Nuclear Electrician, watching over the electrical grid. “I was the one who made the lights stay on,” she jokes, looking back. Now, Cassie is making the transition to civilian life, and to solar. She’s one of three veterans we've hosted as interns through partner nonprofit The Mission Continues, and part of a growing number of Vets around the country who are finding a place for themselves in the solar industry. According to research by the Solar Foundation, veterans make up 9.2% of all solar workers, over 13,000 in all.
Cassie always wanted to help people. She grew up dreaming of being a doctor, but took a detour to her local US Navy recruiter’s office and landed on the USS Nimitz studying engineering. “The Navy was excited about my scores, but I had no interest in engineering,” she said. “That changed rapidly when I realized, ‘Hey, I’m kinda good at this!’
“It’s fun to beat out the boys with your brains,” she said, laughing. “I wanted to serve my country, I just needed an opportunity and this was it.”
With solar, Cassie is finding a new way to serve her country, and she’s excited about where her internship could take her. “Solar is beautiful, clean and gets better every year with research,” Cassie said. “For individuals, it makes a difference in their life. I want to have a well-rounded idea from start to finish about solar, from installing to social outreach.”
GRID Alternatives’ offices around the country are expanding their work with veterans, providing on-base trainings for active duty vets getting ready to transition, accelerated Team Leader trainings, and all-vet installation opportunities, as well as partnering with local veterans organizations. We aren’t the only ones. The Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative just completed its first month-long pilot program to help transition Marines to solar. As the solar job market continues to grow, we’re excited to help veterans take advantage of the opportunity to put their skills and expertise to good use making the air cleaner for everyone.