Dominion Energy presses forward on initiatives to train Virginia solar installers

Dominion Energy is undertaking a number of renewable energy initiatives this year, including support for solar worker training in Virginia, investments in the nation’s largest commercial offshore wind project, as well as academic and veteran support in the area.

One of the newest efforts is a program in Virginia, the Solar Hands-On Instructional Network of Excellence (SHINE), which supports renewable energy growth by training solar installers at Southside Virginia Community College. Dominion is one of 20 organizations supporting the program, which recently saw its first class graduate.

Another major area is in offshore wind expansion, a field the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission said could bring as much as 37,000 jobs to Virginia. The company recently committed to installing 3,000 megawatts of solar and wind energy in Virginia by 2022, including the largest commercial offshore wind project in the U.S. To support this, Dominion is training current employees to access and inspect offshore wind turbines.

“We have a strong history of creating job opportunities across Virginia. Many of those jobs now support the Commonwealth’s transition to a clean-energy future,” Matt Kellam, military and recruitment program coordinator at Dominion Energy, said. “As we continue to build wind and solar projects, we are also creating new opportunities for workers in Virginia.”

Other opportunities include a partnership with Tidewater Community College that has been ongoing since 2010. That partnership has built a curriculum for clean energy education. Dominion has also provided financial support for energy programs in West Virginia, launched a program to guarantee one of five new hired will be veterans, and created an internship program to support clean energy jobs.