At 16, Troy was incarcerated. Released at 28, he was determined to turn his life around. A chance connection through his family's church, Lord of Lords Ministries, led him to the solar industry.

What started as a 30-day trial with Homeland Solar turned into a career in clean energy. With a teachable spirit and a drive to grow, Troy is now part of a mission-driven team bringing solar power to communities across southeast Michigan. 

Troy on the job with Homeland Solar

“My purpose is to use my capabilities to bless others with what I've been blessed with” - Troy Oakes

Troy’s journey to Homeland Solar was anything but conventional. Incarcerated as a teen, he was finally free in 2024 after ten and a half years. Determined to rebuild after being released, he earned his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and set out in search of a trucking job. 

After a previous opportunity fell through due to mechanical issues, a new employment possibility arose. Troy’s father, Rev. Dr. Calvin Glass of Lord of Lords church in Detroit, was working with Michigan IPL to install a solar array at the church as part of our Positive Energy program. Pastor Glass introduced Troy to Dave Friedrichs, the owner of the installation company, Homeland Solar. Dave took an interest in Troy’s story and agreed to interview him for a job with the company. 

At first, Troy assumed the position involved driving semis, which aligned with his recent training and experience. When he learned it was actually a role in solar installation, his interest initially waned, with trucking as his goal. Still, the owner was persistent and offered a 30-day trial employment. That trial turned into six months. Six months became a year. And currently, he’s still proud to be part of a mission-driven team, helping to power a cleaner, more sustainable future. 

The learning curve for picking up the installation skills wasn’t as steep as Troy initially expected. He credits his teachable attitude and willingness to pay close attention to everything happening around him. With so many moving parts involved in solar installation, he found that asking questions and seizing every chance for hands-on experience were key to getting up to speed. According to Troy, it took about four to six weeks to really grasp the industry’s specific vocabulary—terms like kilowatts, ohms, and other technical language. But once that clicked, everything began to feel more natural, and the learning process flowed more smoothly from there. 

Troy installing solar panels with coworkers

Troy is grateful for the skills he's gained from installing solar panels, batteries, and inverters, including developing a strong attention to detail—ensuring precise measurements, proper alignment, and careful handling of wiring to ensure system functionality.

For someone curious about exploring employment as a solar installer, he explains that becoming one comes with both promising benefits and some uncertainties. On the plus side, the pay is generally good—offering a livable and sustainable wage that can support an individual or even a small family. However, the stability of the industry can be unpredictable. Many solar companies are startups, and some don’t last long, which means job security can vary.

Overall, solar installation can be a great entry point into the trades, with on-the-job training lasting under a year, but long-term stability is something to carefully consider.  For many, solar installer training provides a solid stepping stone into other skilled trades, such as becoming a licensed electrician. Becoming a master electrician involves a short schooling period, five years of on-the-job training, passing the journeyman’s exam, and working under a master electrician for several years. 

When it comes to getting into the solar industry, Troy says that formal green jobs training can be helpful—but it’s not the only way in. In fact, many companies are constantly hiring and provide on-the-job training for solar installer roles. He says, “go out there and fill out an application.” Even if a company isn’t actively hiring at that moment—they may expand soon and be looking for dependable workers. Whether you start with formal training or jump right into the workforce, the solar industry offers flexible pathways for growth.

“I believe in life, you’re always learning something new” - Troy Oakes

Working in solar has been an eye-opening experience for Troy. While he had always held a casual interest in solar energy, his time at Homeland Solar has deepened his understanding of its benefits for a community. At his core, Troy is driven by the desire to give back, especially to underserved and impoverished communities. He believes in using the blessings and capabilities he's been given—whether knowledge, spiritual guidance, physical effort, emotional support, financial help, or mental encouragement—to uplift others. Solar energy, he realized, aligns with that mission.

Rev. Dr. Calvin Glass pictured at Lord of Lords' Solar Celebration in 2024. Lord of Lords was proud to become the first Black church in Detroit to go solar, and today enjoys electricity bills that are just a couple of bucks a month! Read more about Lord of Lords' solar journey.

Lord of Lords Church, which boasts a 14kW ground-mounted solar array, is located in Outer Drive-Hayes, a neighborhood on Detroit's east side. Troy has found joy in seeing how positively his church, and the folks in the surrounding community, have responded to the solar installation. Many have never seen a solar array in person. “They’ve seen it on TV, but to see it in person is different,” he says. While conversations about sustainability aren’t always typical in places of worship, Lord of Lords is helping to change that narrative. Seeing a faith-based organization take the lead in such an important and often overlooked area has deeply inspired him and shown what's possible when purpose and innovation come together.

Troy would like to help bring energy efficiency and renewable power to other neighborhoods such as his, which often lack access to resources. Beyond the technical work, the happiness and hope it brings to others fuels his commitment even more. He believes it's important for people to understand just how meaningful it would be for everyone to have equal access to renewable energy.

 “To know [what’s] possible is a blessing, and it opens a lot of doors to give people hope.” - Troy Oakes