The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Fiscal Year 2022 Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships has created a $13.5 million funding program for the development of collaborative workforce programs. The program facilitates the rapid deployment of solar energy technologies while supporting an inclusive workforce. This work, partly funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will enable more members of disadvantaged communities and energy justice populations to pursue careers in the solar energy industry. The Department of Energy announced the selection of 12 projects on June 13, 2023. The projects in this funding program are demand-driven, worker-centric, leverage existing infrastructure and resources, are sustainable and replicable, and prioritize energy justice issues.
Solar Energy International (SEI) will play a fundamental role in one of the selected projects presented by Amicus O&M Cooperative. The project will expand training and certification tracks for solar operations and maintenance (O&M) professionals in partnership with North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain (IECRM), Entity Academy, and Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS). Working with a breadth of industry stakeholders, the project will standardize O&M technician competency frameworks, establish training program standards, build an expanded O&M training program, and create a pipeline of workers from disadvantaged communities. The end result will be to place newly trained workers in jobs and increase equity, safety, and professional quality in the solar O&M workforce.
According to the 2022 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, the solar industry employs over 330,000 people and added 17,200 new jobs in 2021. The report also found that while the solar industry is more diverse than some other energy industries, the overall energy workforce lags in Hispanic (17%), Black (8%), and Indigenous worker (1%) representation. With solar power potentially contributing up to one third of the U.S. electricity supply, there is a need for more equity and inclusivity in the industry. DOE is working to ensure that the solar workforce of the future is equitable, inclusive, and benefits all Americans, particularly disadvantaged communities.
SEI will be managing a grant funded scholarship program in support of this initiative to get more people trained in the O&M sector in the solar industry.
SEI’s Business Development Director for the Hispanic and Latin American Program, MarÃa PÃa Day, was interviewed by The Weather Channel to talk about this project and the need to generate equitable access to education for a more diverse population in the solar industry, specifically Spanish speakers in the US. Watch the interview below (make sure to turn on english subtitles):
About the Solar Energy Technologies Office
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office accelerates the advancement and deployment of solar technology in support of an equitable transition to a decarbonized economy. Learn more at energy.gov/eere/solar.
About Amicus O&M Cooperative
Amicus O&M Cooperative is a community of solar operations and maintenance (O&M) providers across North America. Through a set of tools/templates/software, extensive knowledge sharing, and a training program for O&M professionals, the cooperative supports its member companies in offering safe, efficient, standardized services. More information:Â https://www.amicusom.com/
About Solar Energy International (SEI)
SEI empowers students, alumni, and partners to expand a diverse, inclusive, well-trained and educated solar workforce. Our aim is to mitigate climate change, promote sustainable economic growth, and support energy independence. Visit www.solarenergy.org for more information
