Will Eley, Green Jobs Program Manager at PEA, interviewed Isaiah Turner, who just started his clean energy career as a solar technician at Renu Energy Solutions. Isaiah is also a recent graduate of Solarize The Triad’s workforce training program, which was led by Goler Community Development Corporation and Renu Energy Solutions, with financial support from Twin City Development Foundation. For additional information about the growing solar industry and the certifications earned by Isaiah, please follow the embedded links in the conversation just below.
WE: Isaiah Turner! Congratulations to you, for your recent graduation and your new green career. It looks like 2025 is going to be a very big year for both you and our community when it comes to solar energy.
Could you tell us about what sparked your interest in the clean energy sector?
IT: Well, I had just got out of a 10 year career with American Airlines. And I happened upon the class dealing with solar technology. I had taken electronics courses before, so this was an interesting subject for me. This is where I learned about Solarize the Triad, and I wanted to get my foot in the door for it. It'll be a good thing for the environment as well as energy costs for my children in the future.
WE: I can empathize firsthand with your perspective as a parent. Knowing that my daughter will inherit a warmer, more volatile environment keeps me focused on some of the toughest days at work. It sounds a bit strange to think this out loud, but being a parent is a transferable skill that folks looking to transition into a green career often overlook.
Tell us a bit more about Solarize The Triad workforce training course. It was a first of its kind opportunity in our region, and you clearly excelled in the program and are now making the most of the expertise you gained.
Do you have recommendations for folks interested in the solar industry? Say, some skills and insights that they can be cultivating now before entering such a training program or before applying for a solar technician job opening?
IT: The training course was steadily paced and easy to understand for me. It's certainly not a bad place to start as it will give the certifications needed to give students a head start. I had backgrounds installing cable as well as electrical classes. So I had already started with a working knowledge of Ohm's Law and how installation works. I would certainly recommend anyone who is interested to look into Ohm's Law in order to get a basic understanding of how current and voltage works. Also looking into running wires on and in a house isn't a bad idea either. And definitely researching OSHA practices to remain safe on the job would be a must!
WE: Brilliance in the basics, especially safety! As we both know, our Solarize The Triad has been an inflection moment for our region of North Carolina, a truly historic campaign–millions of dollars of new clean energy and back-up battery investment that is keeping energy savings in our community, while also making our friends, families, and neighbors more resilient in the face of climate change. And we expect these positive effects to continue to grow over the next few years, thanks in large part to the leadership of Renu Energy Solutions and major federal programs, like the EPA’s Solar for All.
I know you just started your new green career this month. But I’d love to hear more about what you hope to learn and accomplish this year. Where do you see yourself in January of 2026?
IT: This year I'll be working to get the experience needed to achieve my next certification, which is the PV Specialist. I'll have that by January 2026 and by that point I'll be looking to advance my career at Renu.
WE: Thanks again for sharing your time, knowledge and expertise with us, Isaiah. PEA and our Solarize The Triad partners wish you the best in your new green career. And we look forward to connecting with folks who are inspired by your story via our Triad Green Jobs Center