Former Solar Installer - Transition to Historic Preservation Trades

Solar gave you skills. We'll give you a career.

The solar industry has left a lot of talented, skilled workers in a difficult position. At Renaissance Historic Exteriors, we see something others miss: solar installers are uniquely prepared for historic restoration trades work. You're height-comfortable. You're safety-minded. You understand roof systems, tools, and the discipline of precise, consequence-heavy installation work.

We'll take those skills and build on them. You'll train alongside master craftsmen in slate, tile, copper, and historic preservation techniques — earning while you learn, in a trade with genuine long-term career depth. Historic restoration specialists are rare and in demand nationally. This is not a lateral move — it's an upgrade.

WHY YOUR SOLAR BACKGROUND IS AN ASSET:

• Comfort and competence at heights, on pitched surfaces, with fall-protection systems.
• Experience with roof structure, weather sealing, and precision layout.
• Safety culture and situational awareness that general laborers often lack.
• Mechanical aptitude and a trained eye for system-level thinking.
• Work ethic developed in a results-oriented, high-accountability environment.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN & DO:

• Historic roofing restoration with natural slate, clay tile, and architectural copper.
• Flashing, waterproofing, and steep-slope techniques specific to landmark structures.
• Hands-on work on State Capitols, churches, universities, and National Register properties.
• Progression through our apprenticeship structure into a fully specialized historic tradesperson role.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• $25–$40/hr — starting rate reflects your transferable skills, not a fresh-start penalty.
• Group Health, Dental & Vision Insurance after 90 days.
• Formal apprenticeship track with advancement milestones and pay increases.
• Year-round work with a company that has grown continuously since 1992.
• Travel per diem for Midwest project assignments.

Renaissance is a nationally recognized commercial and residential historical restoration company, specializing in traditional exterior historical building systems. Our craftsman work on roofing systems, structural and finish carpentry, masonry, architectural sheet metal and other historical systems not commonly found in current construction methods. Our clients include State Capitols, Churches, Universities, Libraries, Private Estates and properties of all types on the National Register of Historical Places. We have been awarded numerous local and national awards for our efforts. We have an industry leading safety program to protect our team members.