Intern

About US Solar

US Solar is a developer, owner, operator, and financier of solar and solar + storage projects, with a focus on emerging state markets, community solar programs, distributed generation and small-scale utility projects nationwide.

US Solar is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe diverse teams and diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes and breakthrough thinking, which are differentiators in any business and fundamental to our long-term success.

About the Role

US Solar is seeking a Market Intelligence & Policy Intern to support our work at the intersection of renewable energy policy, market analysis, and business strategy.

This role is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students interested in how public policy, economics, and real-world investment decisions come together in practice. The intern will work closely with the Senior Market Intelligence Associate, supporting both internal market intelligence efforts and the needs of the subscriber origination and commercial teams.

You will gain exposure to how policy, utility rates, and program structures influence customer offerings, revenue potential, and market selection in the rapidly growing community solar industry.

What You’ll Do

Policy & Market Research

• Assist with research on emerging state renewable energy programs, incentives, and regulatory developments
• Support review of utility tariffs, bill credit structures, and program materials
• Help prepare clear summaries, memos, and internal reference materials

Program Monitoring & Market Tracking

• Assist in monitoring updates from utilities, program administrators, and trade associations
• Help track regulatory proceedings and public docket activity
• Support drafting internal summaries of meetings and policy updates
• Assist with preparing background materials for advocacy and stakeholder engagement

Compliance & Reporting Support

• Assist with project-level compliance tracking and documentation
• Help maintain timelines for recurring program requirements and deadlines
• Support coordination across teams to ensure timely and accurate submissions

Data & Revenue Support

• Assist in tracking utility rate changes (e.g., ComEd, Ameren, Xcel)
• Help gather and organize data used in revenue assumptions and market comparisons
• Support review of historical energy and rate trends

Cross-Team Collaboration (Commercial Focus)

• Help prepare materials used by subscriber origination, sales, and customer teams
• Assist in developing internal guides explaining program rules and market structures
• Support responses to internal questions related to policy and programs

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience at the intersection of public policy, economics, and clean energy markets
• Exposure to how policy decisions translate into real business and financial outcomes
• Experience supporting market entry strategy and regulatory analysis
• Opportunity to work across teams including market intelligence, commercial, development, and operations
• Development of highly transferable skills in:
• Policy research and synthesis
• Data organization and analysis
• Professional writing and communication
• Working with complex regulatory frameworks
• Mentorship from a Senior Market Intelligence Associate
• Opportunities to contribute to internal discussions and see how analysis supports decision-making

Who This Role Is For

This role is ideal for students who want to go beyond academic theory and understand how policy, economics, and business decisions intersect in practice.

If you are interested in questions like:

• How do policy decisions impact real-world investments?
• What makes one market more attractive than another?
• How do companies operate within complex regulatory environments?

This internship will provide direct exposure to those answers.

Candidate Qualifications

Preferred Backgrounds

• Undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate student pursuing a degree in:
• Political Science
• Public Policy or Public Affairs
• Economics or Econometrics
• Environmental Studies or Energy Systems
• Business, Finance, or related fields

What Makes You a Strong Candidate

• Interest in public policy, regulated markets, or clean energy
• Ability to read complex information and summarize it clearly
• Strong attention to detail and organization
• Clear written communication skills
• Comfort working with data in Excel (basic to intermediate)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Willingness to learn and ask questions

Nice to Have (Not Required)

• Coursework or experience in:
• Energy or environmental policy
• Microeconomics, econometrics, or data analysis
• Regulatory or government processes
• Experience with Excel, research projects, or data analysis
• Interest in careers in energy, consulting, policy, or infrastructure

A Day in the Life

As a Market Intelligence & Policy Intern, your day will involve a mix of research, coordination, and collaboration across teams.

You might begin by reviewing notes from a utility or trade association meeting and helping draft a short summary of key updates. These updates may highlight changes that could affect program participation, customer offerings, or revenue assumptions.

Later, you may assist with organizing compliance materials, tracking deadlines, or gathering information needed for program reporting. You’ll work with internal teams to ensure information is complete and aligned with program requirements.

You may also support research efforts by reviewing program materials, tracking rate changes, or compiling data that contributes to broader market insights.

In the afternoon, you may collaborate with commercial or operations teams by helping prepare summaries, guidance materials, or internal resources that make complex program rules easier to understand.

Throughout the internship, you will work closely with the Senior Market Intelligence Associate, gaining insight into how policy, rates, and market dynamics influence business decisions.

Example Weekly Time Allocation (Flexible)

Task Category

Estimated Hours

Program Compliance & Reporting

4–6 hrs

Policy & Market Monitoring

6–8 hrs

Research & Data Support

6–8 hrs

Internal & Commercial Support

4–6 hrs

Administrative Support

1–2 hrs

Mentorship & Development

2–4 hrs

Additional Notes

• Workload will scale from part-time in late spring to full-time in summer
• Responsibilities will vary based on program deadlines and market activity
• The role emphasizes learning and support, with opportunities to take on more responsibility over time