Author US DOE Staff Published: 7/16/2024 SETO
Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO)
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced Round One winners and opened Round Two in a competition aimed at strengthening the solar manufacturing workforce.
The American-Made Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce (Upskill Prize), is designed to realize the full potential of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), bolster U.S. competitiveness in the solar supply chain, and create high-quality jobs for U.S. workers.
The prize incentivizes partnerships between U.S. manufacturers and training organizations, aiming to attract new workers to careers in solar manufacturing with job-ready training programs. Eligible manufacturers include those in polysilicon, ingot, wafer, cell, module, and module components like glass.
Competing teams propose comprehensive workforce training plans that are composed of either or both:
- New Worker Training: Develop and propose plans to train new workers with the skills they need to be successful in the solar manufacturing industry, particularly at new or expanding manufacturing facilities.
- Incumbent Worker Training: Develop and propose plans to train incumbent workers with new skills needed to support the growth of solar manufacturing.
Winning teams receive up to $500,000 each for their submitted comprehensive workforce training plans.
Learn more about other open funding opportunities within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
What Types of EERE Funding Exist?
How Do I Apply for EERE Funding?