Get Involved
Become A Volunteer
SunWork’s volunteer program is an essential component of our business model. By sharing their time, enthusiasm, and passion for the environment, volunteers play a major role in making renewable energy possible for nonprofit organizations and low-energy-use homeowners.
SunWork volunteers participate in an orientation session training them in the basics of solar, electricity, and construction safety. On site, volunteers work together with SunWork’s professional staff, attaching racking, running conduit, hanging inverters, and mounting the solar panels – everything that makes a system tick.
Most SunWork volunteers are local people who are passionate about the environment and who are excited about doing something constructive. Volunteers work along side other people who care about this shared aim, pooling their energy and helping each other to accomplish something worthwhile and visible. Many SunWork volunteers are also drawn to the practical experience they gain and the opportunity to apply it beyond these projects, sometimes taking a first step towards a career working in this exciting and vital field.
Volunteer FAQs
What are the trainings like?
Our volunteer training takes place in a classroom and generally lasts about 3 hours. We cover the basic principles of solar, electricity, roofing, and construction, with an emphasis on safety. The training classes are supplemented by a safety meeting at the beginning of every install, and in-process training in the use of the different tools of the trade.
How do I sign up?
To become a SunWork volunteer, you will first need to attend one of our volunteer training classes. Refer to the training calendar below.
Please note that you must be 18 years of age in order to become a volunteer. You can also volunteer if you are 16 or 17 years of age, but we will need a parent or guardian to sign paperwork providing their permission.
How much time does an installation take?
Most of our installs can be finished in two eight-hour days. They are typically being held over weekends, Saturday and Sunday. However, we sometimes do installations on weekdays as well. This is particularly the case when installing systems for nonprofit organizations.
How much experience do I need?
Who am I helping?
Occasionally we have installations for small nonprofit organizations such as churches or preschools. Here is a link to some of our nonprofit installation examples.
What should I wear?
SunWork provides gloves, protective eye-ware, hard hats and knee guards.
How often must I re-train?
Is there another way to satisfy the SunWork classroom training requirement?
If you are OSHA 10 certified or NABCEP Installer certified, you can opt out of the SunWork classroom training. Just email us a photo of your certification card.
I'm a homeowner who wants solar, can I volunteer on my own home?
Yes, homeowners can participate in the installation for their own home. Attending a SunWork training session is not required for homeowners volunteering on their own project. Homeowner participation is very helpful to SunWork and this may allow us to serve areas where we don’t have many volunteers.
What's it like to volunteer?
Listen to the Solar Power Editors podcast about the SunWork volunteer experience.
SunWork Volunteer Training Events
We offer volunteer training for people who want to help install solar panel systems as well as occassional workshops for those who are interested in solar for their own home. To register, please click an event listed below and you will be able to sign up on Eventbrite.
Get the latest news & updates on future SunWork training events.
If you are unable to attend one of the events listed above or if there aren’t currently any events listed, please add your name to our mailing list for new training event email announcements using the appropriate location button below.
Volunteer Spotlight
Chris Satterlee Leads SunWork Volunteer Training Activities
SunWork’s cadre of trained volunteers is the engine that allows us to make solar more affordable for nonprofits and low-energy-use homes. The great majority of volunteers are involved with installing panels, placing inverters, running wires, and the many other activities associated with a solar installation.
