Thaddeus Stevens College’s program is seeing strong employer demand, with students landing jobs before graduation.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A new renewable energy construction program is offering promising career paths for those looking to break into the rapidly growing solar industry. Employers are so eager to hire that they’re making job offers before students even complete the course.
The program, offered through Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in partnership with TEC Centro Workforce Network, is in its first year and is already proving to be a game-changer for students like Sanjai Diaz.
Diaz’s career transformation illustrates the opportunity the program provides. After being turned down for a fast food job, he enrolled in the renewable energy course and saw immediate results.
“I put this program up in the front of my resume, that caught their eye and they brought me in for an interview the following day,” Diaz said. Within three to four weeks of starting the program, he had already secured a position in the solar field.
The program focuses primarily on solar panel installation, combining skills from multiple trades including electrical work, mechanics, and roofing. This multidisciplinary approach prepares students for the diverse challenges they’ll face in the field.
Instructor Nicholas Tucci emphasizes the job security the industry offers.
“If you work at a solar company for two years, every other solar company wants to get you,” Tucci said.
Tucci explains that solar energy will be essential in the coming decade as power grids face increasing stress from growing demand.
“It needs to be, with how many people, how stressed our grids are, distributing power generations, it’s a win, we need to do it for our society that we live in,” Tucci said.
Beyond immediate installation work, the instructor predicts sustained demand for skilled workers.
“There’s also going to be a time in 10-15 years from now all those systems will need maintenance, and we need skilled people in the trades to do that,” Tucci said.
There are current limitations in solar energy:
- High upfront costs: Installation remains expensive for homeowners
- Tax credit expiration: A 30% residential tax credit is set to expire at the end of the year
- Battery storage: While improvements are being developed, backup battery technology still has limitations
However, solar energy’s significantly lower carbon footprint compared to other energy sources remains a major advantage.
For students like Diaz, the program has provided more than just job skills—it’s given him a sense of purpose.
“You’re taking pride in this?” he was asked.
“Oh absolutely man, harnessing the power of the sun man can’t get better than that,” Diaz responded.
Thaddeus Stevens College is currently recruiting for the next program session, which begins in February 2026.
For more information about the program and application requirements, contact Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology or TEC Centro Workforce Network.