Prize Will Help Train Manufacturing Workers for a Surge of New Facilities
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the winners in the first round of the American-Made Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce (Upskill Prize). The two selected teams will receive up to $500,000 each to implement comprehensive workforce training plans, aiming to support high-quality employment prospects and skill sets that can be utilized for career growth and various opportunities within the solar manufacturing industry. DOE also opened a second round of the prize for new applicants.
"The solar industry is thriving, spurring job growth and increasing the demand for skilled workers,” said Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.“We’re excited to support these prize winners with funding for workforce training partnerships that foster inclusion and create new pathways to good paying jobs and careers in clean energy."
The solar manufacturing sector is expected to add more than 35,000 new jobs following nearly $17 billion in planned investments as a result of the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategy to strengthen America’s manufacturing and industrial competitiveness.The DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) launched the Upskill Prize in March of 2024 to address challenges in scaling the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce. The prize encourages partnerships to train workers in highly-skilled jobs that manufacturers have struggled to fill, including semiconductor processors, manufacturing equipment technicians, and operators.
The Round 1 winners are:
- Louisiana First Solar Force: This project is a collaboration between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) and First Solar to establish a semiconductor technical training center focused on thin-film solar processes to support the workforce at First Solar’s new Louisiana facility. The training center will be located at ULL Research Park and provide training for operators, technicians, engineers, data scientists, and managers.
- Training in Solar Manufacturing: Crossroads Solar Enterprises and the Purdue University Manufacturing Extension Partnership are partnering to offer solar manufacturing training to returning citizens. The training will support both new and incumbent workers at Crossroads Solar on topics including equipment maintenance and quality management. Employees will also receive a certificate from Purdue after completing training.
Round 2 contestants should submit applications by November 20. Winning teams will receive up to $500,000 each for their submissions. View the official rules and sign up to compete.
The Upskill Prize complements ongoing SETO investments in an inclusive solar workforce, including a $13.5 million funding program comprised of 12 projects focused on launching training partnerships to expand the solar energy workforce.
Read more about SETO’s solar workforce development and PV manufacturing efforts.
Prizes and Competitions News
VIEW ALL
DOE Launches $3.3 Million Prize to Support Place-Based Partnerships Focused on Creating and Expanding Access to Good Jobs in Clean Energy
The Good Jobs in Clean Energy Prize will bring together local coalitions to promote "High Road" economic and workforce development strategies and ensure that clean energy programs and investments result in accessible, good jobs.
Learn More
DOE Selects Two Winners in Prize To Train Workers for Skilled Jobs in Solar Manufacturing Workforce
DOE announced the first winners in the first round of the American-Made Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce.
Learn More
Three Student-Led Teams Win Final Phase of DOE's Community Energy Innovation Prize for Advancing Energy Equity in Underserved Communities
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the final winning teams in the Collegiate Track of the American-Made Community Energy Innovation Prize.
Learn More
New Framing the Future Contest Seeks Photos of America’s Industrial Transformation
The Framing the Future: Industrial Technologies Photo Contest will award $27,000 for the best photos of the innovative technologies, processes, and people that will help the United States achieve a decarbonized industrial sector.
Learn More
DOE Announces Phase 1 Winners of Re-X Before Recycling Prize To Extend Product and Part Lifetimes and Promote Circularity
After Phase 1, 20 teams across 13 states have been awarded $50,000 in cash prizes plus national lab support as Phase 2 opens in the Re-X Before Recycling Prize.
Learn More
Water Power Technologies Office Selects Teams for 2025 Hydropower and Marine Energy Collegiate Competitions
Thirty-six student-led teams will participate in these competitions, which engage and educate students about real-world challenges facing the hydropower and marine energy sectors and career opportunities in water power.
Learn More
U.S. Department of Energy Announces Winners of 2024 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition
The University of New Hampshire won the 5th annual Marine Energy Collegiate Competition.
Learn More
Biden-Harris Administration Celebrates Progress in Domestic Floating Offshore Wind
The Departments of Energy, Interior, Commerce, and Transportation today released a report summarizing their progress toward the goals of the Floating Offshore Wind Shot™, an initiative to drive U.S. leadership in design, deployment, and manufacturing.
Learn More
DOE Announces Winners of 11th Annual Collegiate Wind Competition
California State University Maritime Academy claimed first place out of 12 student teams in the 11th annual Collegiate Wind Competition final event in Minneapolis in May 2024.
Learn More
U.S. Department of Energy Announces Winners of Second Annual Hydropower Collegiate Competition
Northern Arizona University was the overall winner of the 2024 Hydropower Collegiate Competition.
Learn More
