Renewable energy industry: A place veterans can call home

As a veteran, I am proud that Iowa's industries support our veterans and their employment needs. One industry in particular I would like to thank is renewable energy.

After serving as a U.S. Navy SEAL, I made Iowa my home and joined the 5,500-strong renewable energy workforce. With the leadership skills learned in the special forces, I started Ideal Energy — a veteran-owned and operated solar energy and storage company in the heart of Southeast Iowa.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of installing solar panels across the state, contributing to Iowa's national leadership in the clean power industry. Recently, Ideal Energy partnered with Iowa State University and Alliant Energy to design and develop the Midwest's first-ever agrivoltaics solar farm. This research farm merges solar power generation with agriculture, where scientists can study how to optimize land use while providing the best community benefits.

The wind and solar industry employ veterans at rates 80% and 60% higher, respectively, than the average workforce. With over 20,000 veterans like me employed nationally in the solar industry alone, clean energy jobs make it easy for veterans to apply their technical skills from the service to clean energy projects. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy created a Solar Ready Vets Network, where veterans can receive training that enables them to transition seamlessly into the clean energy workforce after their service.

I am grateful for the renewable energy industry in Iowa and how it supports veterans everywhere in the workforce. Happy Veterans Day to all my fellow veterans and thank you all for your service.

Troy Van Beek lives in Fairfield.