Solar Communications & Technical Assistance Intern at Solar One (Wilson Ctr. Funded)

Organization Name: Solar One 

Internship Role/Title: Solar Communications & Technical Assistance Intern

Organization Website:  https://solar1.org 

Address: 9-03 44th Road, 201, Long Island City, NY 11101

Duration of Internship: 280 hour commitment (Full-time, 35 hrs/week for 8 weeks)

Eligibility: This Wilson Center funded opportunity is open to all registered Pace students (undergraduate, graduate and international students) that are graduating in Dec. 2026 OR later.

Modality: Hybrid

About the Organization: (Please limit your response to 200 words or less) 

Solar One is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing an equitable and sustainable energy future through education, technical assistance, and community-based clean energy solutions. Based in New York City, the organization operates at the intersection of climate action, education, and workforce development, helping diverse urban communities transition to renewable energy.
 
A key initiative is Here Comes Solar (HCS), a citywide program that provides technical assistance and education to help affordable housing providers, community organizations, and institutions understand, design, and acquire solar energy systems. HCS focuses on communities disproportionately affected by social and environmental injustices, offering trusted, unbiased advice throughout the solar adoption journey, from initial education and site assessments to cost estimates, installer selection, and community solar enrollment.
 
As the clean energy sector evolves and public funding declines, Solar One is expanding its fee-for-service offerings to reach a broader range of clients while maintaining its mission-driven focus. This internship will directly support this expansion and provide the student with valuable experience in clean energy, nonprofit management, and applied sustainability initiatives.

Position Overview: (Provide an overview of the role and its purpose in 4–6 sentences) 

The Communications & Technical Assistance Intern will support Solar One’s Here Comes Solar team by strengthening outreach, media, and content development efforts to advance the program’s fee-for-service solar technical assistance. The intern will help translate technical solar concepts into clear, engaging materials for a range of audiences, including real estate stakeholders, community partners, and the public. In addition to communications work, the intern will gain hands-on experience with clean energy activities, including assisting with solar savings estimates, supporting site assessments, and contributing to presentations and public events. This role is designed to be both educational and applied, with close mentorship from program staff. The intern will leave with practical experience at the intersection of sustainability, communications, and real-world clean energy implementation.

Key Responsibilities: (Use bullet points to clearly outline the major tasks and responsibilities 5–7 items preferred). 

* Support outreach and communications efforts related to Solar One’s fee-for-service solar technical assistance program
* Assist with content development, including presentations, one-pagers, social media content, and outreach materials
* Help translate technical solar information into an accessible language for non-technical audiences
* Support basic solar technical assistance tasks, such as assisting with preliminary solar savings estimates, utility bill reviews, and remote site assessments (training provided)
* Assist with planning and supporting community events, workshops, or presentations, including occasional evening events
* Conduct light research on peer organizations, market trends, or outreach strategies to support program growth
* Participate in team meetings and cross-program collaboration to gain exposure to nonprofit operations and clean energy programming

Preferred Skills: (please list general hard/soft/technical skills here, a bullet list will suffice)

* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Interest in sustainability, clean energy, climate justice, or urban policy
* Experience with or interest in content creation (presentations, social media, writing, and design tools such as Canva or PowerPoint)
* Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise messaging
* Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
* Comfort working independently and collaboratively in a hybrid environment
* Familiarity with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)

The Ideal Candidate is:

Seeking a motivated undergraduate or graduate student passionate about sustainability, clean energy, communications, or nonprofit initiatives. The ideal applicant is curious, proactive, and eager to learn about both the technical and human aspects of clean energy adoption. They should feel comfortable asking questions, be receptive to feedback, and be ready to make meaningful contributions to a mission-driven organization. While prior experience in solar or technical fields isn't required, training and mentorship will be provided. A genuine interest in climate solutions and community impact is important.