At Solar Energy International (SEI), we love to share exciting news about what our alumni are up to as they move forward in their careers out in the field. Alumni Josh Rogers, currently the Senior Director of Workforce Safety, Training, and Operations at the American Clean Power Association, is driving industry-wide initiatives to enhance safety, asset performance, and worker effectiveness/efficiency.
Josh’s career journey began a couple of months after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy. He started a position at Power-One, where he developed training for their solar inverter business. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled in SEI’s PV101: Solar Training – Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct). This course covered various components, system architectures, and applications for PV systems, including lessons on site analysis, system sizing, array configuration, electrical design, and module and inverter specifications. It also focused on mounting methods for different roof structures and ground mounts, as well as safely commissioning grid-direct PV systems.
“At first, I was skeptical about the course since the class had a unique mix of backgrounds and abilities,” Josh explained. “But once the class started, the instructors were incredibly experienced and knowledgeable. The coursework, materials, and class interactions really laid a solid foundation for me in the design and operation of solar PV.”
The knowledge and experience Josh gained at SEI played a significant role in launching his career. “SEI taught me the fundamentals, industry lingo, and NEC information,” he said. “With some residential installation experience and the support of several experienced colleagues, I was able to start teaching about inverter installations online and at conferences, trade shows, and distributor warehouses within months of entering the industry. The basics and fundamentals from SEI helped me apply solar knowledge to residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications.”
Josh later expanded his experience to include leading solar operations for Duke Energy, one of the largest utilities in the United States. He also spent time at Fluence, where he developed global training programs for battery energy storage systems. This opportunity allowed him to merge his expertise in renewable energy with cutting-edge storage technologies, furthering his career and supporting the transition to a sustainable energy future.
Today, as the Senior Director of Workforce Safety, Training, and Operations at the American Clean Power Association, Josh leads initiatives to improve safety, performance, and efficiency across the industry. “I’m passionate about ensuring teams can operate renewable energy assets safely and effectively as the industry continues to grow,” Josh shared. “Seeing solar and clean energy solutions make financial sense for individuals, corporations, and utilities encourages increased investment in the energy of the future.”
Josh is grateful for the opportunities and experiences he’s had in the fast-growing clean energy industry. “In my career, I’ve had the privilege of working across many facets of the renewable energy sector, and I’m fortunate for the relationships and insights I’ve gained along the way. I look forward to continuing to drive initiatives that will enhance the safety and success of the workforce in this exciting field.”
Learn more about how to launch your career in the solar industry with SEI’s PV101 course either in-person or online. Check out our full training schedule: https://www.solarenergy.org/training-schedule/
