CARBONDALE / PAONIA, Colorado — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $87 million in funding to support solar energy technologies and training across the country. Among the groups eligible to receive funding to further develop the nation’s solar workforce is the Rocky Mountain Solar Training Consortium (RMSTC).

Solar Energy International (SEI), Salt Lake Community College and Utah Solar Energy Association comprise the RMSTC, which was selected for negotiations leading to a potential $3.1 million grant. The consortium is dedicated to fostering the development of renewable energy through education and technical assistance in the Rocky Mountain region. Twelve states are currently covered in the Rocky Mountain region, the largest geographic region in the United States.

The Rocky Mountain Solar Training Consortium will train trainers and offer professional development activities at community and technical colleges that are developing and improving existing solar photovoltaics (PV) and solar heating and cooling installation courses. RMSTC’s training will implement train-the-trainer courses in-person and via the Internet, based on SEI's nationally recognized PV and solar heating and cooling curriculum.

“Clearly, a national-level commitment to prioritize renewable energies has arrived,” said Johnny Weiss, SEI co-founder and executive director. “It is very gratifying for SEI to receive support at the national level. With our Utah partners, this grant award will provide solar training and curriculum expertise to the Western United States.”

The DOE grant is funded, in part, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Forty-seven education providers, electric power utilities, DOE’s National Laboratories, and local governments have been selected to support use of solar technologies in U.S. cities, help address technical challenges, ensure reliable connectivity with the electrical grid, and train a new generation of solar workers to install and maintain solar energy systems. This federal funding will help speed adoption of solar energy nationwide and support the rapid development of a skilled green workforce.

Programs selected under this opportunity include: http://www2.eere.energy.gov/solar/instructor_training_network.html

About Solar Energy International (SEI)

SEI was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit educational organization to train people on renewable energy and sustainable building technologies. More than 16,000 people from all 50 states and 66 countries have attended SEI’s hands-on workshops and online courses. Over 3,200 participants attended renewable energy training in 2009, including participants from 61 countries. SEI works with grassroots and development organizations worldwide. Visit http://www.solarenergy.org for information about SEI, including workshops, alumni, and outreach programs.