The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) recently published a report detailing strategies to support improved workforce participation in the U.S. solar industry. The report, Best Practices for Equitable Solar Workforce Development, provides an overview of the solar industry workforce and outlines strategies to meet the need for skilled labor in the solar industry.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technology Office’s Equitable Solar Communities of Practice initiative and facilitated through a partnership with ENERGYWERX, the MREA brought together a diverse core team of industry leaders to identify existing best practices and gaps in the solar workforce. The MREA then convened a national group of solar employers and training providers to review the report recommendations and provide case studies of successful program. The stakeholder process helped MREA identify pathways to scale the benefits of solar workforce development across the U.S.
“The U.S. is presented with a once in a century opportunity to rebuild our energy system and, if done correctly, this can be a big win for workers,” said Nick Hylla, executive director of the MREA.
The report contains recommendations for optimizing workforce development and solar training funding to support the equitable growth of the solar industry, ensuring that the transition to solar energy is inclusive and beneficial for all communities. The report identifies three pathways to scale equitable workforce development, including directing public and private investment so:
- Support workforce programs that offer apprenticeship or are “apprenticeship-ready.”
- Sustain solar project investments in specific geographic territories.
- Invest in worker advancement in occupations that support economy-wide electrification.
Intended for policymakers, educators, workforce development professionals, and industry stakeholders, this report serves as a valuable resource to support the growth of the solar industry. By addressing the workforce needs and training program capacities, MREA’s research supports the transition to a clean energy future that benefits everyone.
Anica Graney, Communications Manager
Midwest Renewable Energy Association