Not many people can appreciate the abstract concept of freedom as well as the men and women who serve our country. They sacrifice so much of their lives so others can enjoy the freedoms we’re so grateful to have in America.

We’re so proud to announce our partnership with Balfour Beatty Communities. Balfour Beatty manages residences for single and multifamily homes on several U.S. Armed Forces bases, and we’re joining forces to provide rooftime solar panels and offer solar home batteries to more than 300 homes at the Mayport Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida.

Enhancing energy security and quality of life for service members

The benefits of owning and controlling their energy source will be passed along to the hundreds of service members on military bases, allowing for various living improvements to these facilities throughout the 25-year partnership.

Sunrun will design, install, monitor and maintain the systems over the contract period to ensure optimal performance and reliability. We hope to find new ways to help our service men and women, including expanding to more bases to expand and promote solar energy solutions.

We aim to share tools and resources that empower military families to fully utilize their solar energy systems and save money on energy bills.

​Lynn Jurich, CEO and co-founder of Sunrun, said, “Sunrun is thankful for the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving our country, and proud to be part of this initiative to increase energy security and build healthier communities while reducing energy costs for military families.”

This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting retired and active-duty military personnel and their families, ensuring they benefit from sustainable and reliable energy sources.

The military chooses local solar and batteries

This partnership is an excellent example of how entire communities benefit by incorporating renewable energy. 

In the military, you act as a cohesive team, operating as a single yet diverse unit working together towards a common goal. At the same time, each individual has the training to be highly self-reliant if needed. 

Providing everybody in a community with solar works in a similar fashion. It allows everybody to power their individual needs, with reserves in case they’re needed, while letting them provide neighbors with the excess power from their homes. Each house will generate its energy through a photovoltaic system, giving it collective freedom and becoming less of a strain on the old, traditional electrical grid.

On a macro level, this can be an excellent case study of how various renewable sources and companies can work together to meet our country's energy needs. Sure, a single home with rooftop solar may seem like a drop in the bucket. Still, when most homes in an area use it, the reality of reliance on renewables and freedom from foreign sources of oil or gas becomes much clearer. 

Support and guidance from the solar energy technologies office can be crucial in advancing these initiatives, ensuring the integration of cutting-edge technology and best practices in solar energy deployment.

Supporting veterans in the solar industry

Sunrun is one of many solar employers dedicated to hiring veterans and recognizing their unique skills and experiences. We also collaborate with programs that advance registered apprenticeship pathways, providing structured training and career development.

Additionally, we actively promote solar industry SkillBridge opportunities to help transitioning service members gain valuable experience in the solar field. To further assist, we offer resources to support solar career navigation, ensuring veterans can easily find and pursue opportunities within the solar sector. We provide multiple solar career pathways for veterans, from entry-level positions to advanced technical roles, to ensure a smooth transition into the industry.

These efforts include career training and professional development programs that ensure veterans are well-prepared for their roles in the solar sector, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

We encourage other solar industry employers to join us in this effort, creating a robust support network for those who have served and providing diverse solar career pathways. Partnering with workforce development organizations, we aim to enhance our efforts to create sustainable career opportunities for veterans.

We also collaborate with veterans career services to provide tailored support and guidance for veterans entering the solar industry.

These efforts show that a better path to a cleaner future doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated. It applies the lessons we can learn from the proud men and women—working hard, innovatively, and together—to our communities. 

By creating these opportunities, we recruit and retain military talent, ensuring their valuable skills and experiences continue to benefit our industry and society. By working together, we can effectively engage solar industry employers and significantly impact the lives of veterans and their families while advancing the growth and success of the solar industry.

Our continued efforts to support those who support us

Sunrun is proud of the men and women who serve our nation, and our support of Mayport Naval Air Station is just one way we’re showing that appreciation. We believe one of the best ways to thank our service members is by providing them with opportunities when they leave the service. 

Sunrun proudly seeks out former and transitioning military service members, reserve and guard members, and their spouses for employment opportunities through Solar Ready Vets Network. We are committed to offering veterans comprehensive professional development and employment opportunities, ensuring they have the tools and resources to succeed in their new careers.

If you are or know of a former service member seeking a new opportunity, we encourage you to visit our military match tool. There, you can find solar industry careers correlating with the skills learned while serving our country. Solar Ready Vets Network helps connect veterans with these opportunities.

We are also proud to participate in the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership, working to ensure that entire military families can achieve their goals.

We’re pleased to take these lessons to heart and hope you’ll join us as we power through together toward a brighter tomorrow.