Veterans returning to the United States may find their next career path in “green” energy. The White House announced on Sept.18 that it plans to use military bases to train 50,000 people over the next six years, including veterans, on installing solar panels. The program is part of an initiative to cut greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, by millions of tons in the next fifteen years.

The unemployment rate for veterans in 2013 was 9 percent, higher than the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for solar installers is $18 per hour, or $37,000 per year. The Department of Labor estimated that the number of solar installer positions available will grow by 24 percent in the next decade.

Around 360,000 U.S. households have installed solar systems — less than 1 percent of all households. Some states have enacted laws that charge extra fees for installations, while others do the opposite and provide tax incentives that encourage individuals to switch to solar.