It’s no secret that our natural resources are precious, or that our world’s energy production processes are in need of conservation and protection. Renewable energy could be the answer, but it’s going to require a truly global effort to make the switch from non-renewable resources to methods like hydroelectricity, solar power, wind, and other kinds of alternative fuels.
If this is work that sounds interesting, you will find no shortage of renewable energy volunteer abroad programs available to you, at every level of knowledge and skill.
Renewable energy volunteer opportunities allow you to give back to the greatest giver, our planet.
If you want to be a solar power volunteer, you can work with the life-giving energy of the sun. If you would rather work as a wind energy volunteer, you can catch breezes and convert them into sustainable movement and power.
Truthfully, you’re going to find opportunities to harvest sun and wind just about anywhere! And if working with water power is more your thing, you can find opportunities to work in that field in just about every part of the world as well. That’s the beauty of renewable energy volunteer work—it’s critically important, and it’s something you can pursue all over the globe.
Here’s a short list of some of the best renewable energy volunteer opportunities available right now (or view ALL your options!):
- Love Volunteers Programs
- Volunteer in Buenos Aires with Connect 1-2-3
- Maximo Nivel Programs
- Volunteer in Oaxaca Mexico with Adelante Abroad
- ELI Abroad Programs
- Carpe Diem Education Programs–India
- The Intern Group Programs
- Volunteer World Programs
- Panrimo–London
- Project Everest Ventures Program
- Orosi Valley Paradise Experience
- Reforestation and Community Development Cali
- Biointensive Organic Permaculture Farm Project
13 of the best renewable energy volunteer abroad projects
Editor’s note: This information on renewable energy volunteer opportunities was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.
1. Love Volunteers Programs—9.59 stars
This volunteer renewable energy program will put you right inside Costa Rica’s beautiful national parks, where you’ll work with others on conservation efforts dedicated to preserving environmental resources. Whether you’re assigned to the rainforests, the rivers and canals, or the white sand beaches, you’ll be combining maintenance and care work with efforts toward renewable energy programs, all focused on the care of this rich and biodiverse location.
- Where? Costa Rica
- When? Year-round
- Read Love Volunteers Programs reviews here
2. Volunteer in Buenos Aires with Connect 1-2-3—9 stars
This well-known program partners with schools, hospitals, clinics, and other non-profit organizations and NGOs. If you choose to pursue renewable energy volunteer opportunities in Buenos Aires, you will also be in a great position to improve your Spanish and build a solid network of like-minded people. When not working on your volunteer project, you will be able to enjoy time in a homestay, tour Argentinian wineries, or otherwise enjoy this beautiful landscape.
- Where? Buenos Aires
- When? Year-round
- Read Connect 1-2-3 program reviews here
3. Maximo Nivel Programs—9.09 stars
This volunteer renewable energy program partners volunteers with field managers and engagement hosts in order to make sure that the work-study and volunteer aspects are well-managed, but also to make sure that all participants have on-the-ground support during their stay. In addition to Spanish language coursework, participants can also add on special programs like surf school and scuba certification, or even work for college credit.
- Where? Manuel Antonio and San Jose, Antigua, and Cusco
- When? Year-round
- Read Maximo Nivel program reviews here
4. Volunteer in Oaxaca, Mexico with Adelante Abroad—8.86 stars
Working in Oaxaca means access to one of the most biodiverse places in Mexico! It also means custom choices about things like living arrangements, cultural excursions, and the level of program immersion you prefer. With a strong ecology focus, renewable energy volunteer opportunities in Oaxaca will keep you connected to your surroundings and expose you to some of the extraordinary archeological ruins in the region. And be sure to take advantage of Oaxacan food, including the chapulines (fried grasshoppers) that are sold in most of the markets there.
- Where? Oaxaca
- When? Year-round
- Read Adelante Abroad program reviews here
5. ELI Abroad Programs—10 stars
This low-cost, full-service program creates a highly specialized experience for its participants. If you’re interested in solar power volunteer work, or you want to be placed in a wind energy volunteer program, just let the staff member know and they will work with you to create a custom program with the options and experiences you’re looking for. With opportunities all over the world, you can pick the region and focus from a wide list of choices and be sure to have a small-group and hands-on experience.
- Where? Buenos Aires, Melbourne, Sydney, Santiago, Paris, Bali, Auckland, Cape Town Ho Chi Minh City, and many more
- When? Year-round
- Read ELI Abroad program reviews here
6. Carpe Diem Education Programs–India—10 stars
This service-focused experience puts volunteers in the foothills of the Himalayas, and focuses on incorporating renewable energy volunteer opportunities as part of a larger focus on environmental work, service to others, and community care. Volunteers in this program can work with refugees, minister to the sick, and work on renewable energy programs all while experiencing the benefit of a homestay, or while working on (and eating from) local, organic farms.
- Where? Calcutta, Darjeeling, Dharamsala, Jaipur, McLeod Ganj, New Delhi, and Rajasthan
- When? Year-round
- Read Carpe Diem Education program reviews here
7. The Intern Group Programs—9.43 stars
This specialized program in Columbia offers renewable energy volunteers the chance to work with private organizations, NGOs, and state ministries. The program also offers comprehensive pre-departure support, guidance on the ground, and a wide variety of social and cultural interactions. Additionally, participants can often get work as interns in support of a wide variety of affiliated and complementary programs, including reforestation, water projects, and marine conservation, adding even more value to their energy work.
- Where? Medellin, Columbia
- When? Year-round
- Read Intern Group program reviews here
8. Volunteer World Programs—8.89 stars
If you’re looking to build meaningful relationships while working on hands-on projects in an active environment, then you should explore the numerous renewable energy volunteer opportunities this program offers its participants. The application process is quick and easy, and the support and customization options are extensive. With a wide range of causes and fields of study, if you want to focus on renewable energy as it connects with other topic areas like tree planting, or even eco-tourism, you can do just that!
- Where? Argentina, Australia, Belize, Guatemala, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, and many more
- When? Year-round
- Read Volunteer World program reviews here
9. Panrimo–London—8 stars
Volunteer opportunities in renewable energy (including volunteer solar projects) are in the context of a robust and comprehensive STEM focus within this program. Participants can also include connected topics in their volunteer experience; for example, agriculture, water projects, sustainable development, environmental management, and a wide variety of engineering programs that are tailor-made for those who want to use time spent as a renewable energy volunteer abroad as part of their long-term professional or academic plans.
- Where? London, England
- When? January–May, June–August, September–December
- Read Panrimo program reviews here
10. Project Everest Ventures Program—9.33 stars
This particular program offers experience and training via a project incubator in exchange for work as a renewable energy volunteer. While working on social impact projects, ranging from solar power volunteer work, volunteers in this program can address the impact of grassroots organizations attempting to implement renewable energy development projects as part of their overall focus. In addition to the rigorous project-based experience, volunteers can also use their team connections to scale their projects and ideas for even greater impact.
- Where? Malawi, Fiji, India, Timor Leste
- When? Year-round
- Read Project Everest Ventures program reviews here
11. Orosi Valley Paradise Experience—10 stars
This work-based volunteer experience allows participants to include a focus on volunteer renewable energy projects while also working in the community to rebuild infrastructure. A typical volunteer experience might include volunteer solar projects that are focused on cooking implements or working as a wind energy volunteer. The program includes eco-resort style accommodations, including access to fresh foods, beaches, horseback riding, and all of the beautiful benefits of Costa Rican Pura Vida (the pure and simple life).
- Where? San Jose, Costa Rica
- When? Year-round
- Read Orosi Valley Paradiseprogram reviews here
12. Reforestation and Community Development Cali—8 stars
This program offers a completely self-sustainable immersion opportunity for those who want to pursue their volunteer renewable energy goals as part of a larger program focused on permaculture, organic farming, soil preservation, and other biodiversity programs. The farm relies on all participants to do daily work for operations and maintenance but other tasks could include medical care assistance, teaching English to local community members in Cali, and reforestation work.
- Where? Cali, Columbia
- When? Year-round
- Read Reforestation and Community Development Cali program reviews here
13. Biointensive Organic Permaculture Farm Project—10 stars
If you’re interested in renewable energy volunteer abroad opportunities and want to work in an environment that is focused on the ways in which permaculture and biointensive organic farming can benefit from renewable energy resources, this program could be perfect for you. In addition to the actual farmwork you will do every day, there is a strong emphasis on education, including regular literature discussions, films, and general education sessions. And, you can even ride horses on beaches and visit a nearby waterfall.
- Where? Costa Rica
- When? Year-round
- Read Biointensive Organic Permaculture Farm Project program reviews here
Make a difference as a renewable energy volunteer abroad!
You will be making an impact worldwide.
While non-renewable resources will likely remain in use for some time, advancements in alternative energy sources are dependent on the kinds of research and development that renewable energy volunteer programs make possible. If you are willing to join your efforts with those of other committed advocates for wind, water, solar, biomass, and biofuel alternatives, you’ll be among those working for a greener, safer, and more sustainable future!
Renewable energy resources are also hyper-efficient and cost-effective, which means that governments all over the world are investing in program development. This translates into growing opportunities everywhere for those who want to do this important work! The programs listed here represent a great cross-section of the kinds of renewable energy volunteer abroad programs out there but there are so many more to choose from. Check them out now!
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