In 2017, there were 20.4 million veterans, of which 370,000 were reported to be unemployed. While the percentages of unemployment are declining in recent years, it is still clear that many challenges remain for men and women returning from service. Coming “home” isn’t always as easy as we would like to believe for those who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving our country and the freedoms we all get to enjoy.
As a former Captain in the US Marine Corps, Kelly Shawhan, co-founder of Semper Solaris, knew this problem was too serious to overlook. Being in the business of solar power, Shawhan and co-founder John Almond already placed great stock in supporting the environment and providing affordable energy solutions to the local community. They saw their business as an opportunity to create another channel of support for the community by striving to hire as many veterans as possible.
Semper Solaris has seen significant growth over recent years, especially as renewable energy sources like solar begin to become more popular. For example, the U.S. installed an estimated 10.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV capacity in 2017 alone. The total is expected to double over the course of the next 5 years, with 2023 seeing estimates of more than 15 GW of PV capacity installed on an annual basis according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
So what does this have to do with veterans and their unemployment rates? Solar is a booming job market, one that Semper Solaris has not overlooked. We stand by our commitment to create more jobs for veterans, especially as the market for solar continues to grow.
We have every branch of service represented by our staff. Our vets truly set our company apart, not just because of their dedication to their craft and impeccable work ethic, but also in the way that they raise the bar for our entire team. While not all the members of our staff our veterans, Shawhan views them all as his marines. The mindset of every employee is influenced by our military roots. Shawhan has confidence in each and every one of his team members, proudly stating that he has “no problem being in a foxhole with any of them.”
Don’t misunderstand – hiring veterans isn’t an act of charity for Semper Solaris, it’s a wise business decision. Why? Because we know that veterans are hard workers who we can trust to get the job done right and never quit. We want to employ the best, which is why we look to service members to become a part of our staff. We love being able to employ some of the sharpest, most highly trained, caring, dedicated, and loyal individuals. The fact that they are veterans is what makes them the best of the best; something Semper Solaris knows that not nearly enough companies recognize.
As a veteran-owned solar company in San Diego, we take pride in having products that are designed in America and installed by highly trained professionals, many of whom are veterans. We know these individuals don’t just “deserve” a quality job, but have earned it. We are honored and proud to be able to provide a home for so many hard working and sacrificial veterans.
