Hello there, solar enthusiasts! As I mentioned in my previous blog post, there’s a considerable wave of movement toward solar power and renewable energy in general. Today, I want to shed some light on a new initiative by the Department of Energy (DOE) poised to further galvanize this transition: The Energy Auditor Training Program.
To lay the groundwork, let’s face it, as homes and businesses increasingly turn toward solar arrays for homes and commercial energy provisioning, there will be an escalating need for energy auditors capable of ensuring the quality and efficiency of these implementations. It is factoring in these very considerations we now see the launching of grant opportunities under EAT, offering up to $40 million in total to qualifying applicants.
EAT complements the DOE’s larger effort of investing in a clean energy workforce, backing substantial initiatives like the Home Energy Rebate Programs. These programs aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money for residents, businesses, states, and local governments. Even solar companies are recognizing the potential growth that these initiatives offer. If you’ve been wondering about solar panels for your home, these rebate programs could significantly reduce your costs.
Specifically, we’re looking at two incentives that the Home Energy Rebates Programs encompass: Home Efficiency Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. The Home Efficiency Rebate will offer discounts for those implementing energy-saving retrofits in residential buildings. As for the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, they primarily cater to advancing home electrification.
The impact of these initiatives? Apart from facilitating the transition to renewables, these rebates could annually save about $1 billion on energy bills for residential buildings. Not to mention creating over 50,000 jobs! EAT supports the Justice40 Initiative, aiming to close job access gaps and increase a diverse talent pool – all of this while regularly updating the energy auditor certification course to cater to the broader audience.
The hurdle we face today in the renewable energy sector, specifically in the proliferation of solar company services, is the lack of a skilled workforce. To counter this challenge and propel the solar power transition, the DOE is focusing on Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs that provide on-the-job training in the solar and storage industries. With these initiatives, the DOE makes it clear: we’re all in this together to build a future harnessing renewable energy.
For those interested in the EAT funding opportunity, applicants should prepare a Community Benefits Plan citing support for local community and labor, investment in the workforce, advancement in diversity, equity inclusion, accessibility, and the pursuance of economic and environmental justice programs.
The deadlines to keep in mind are March 28, 2024, for submitting concept papers, and June 28, 2024, for applications.
For a deeper dig, you can visit the Energy Auditor Training Program page. Whether you are interested in solar panels for your home, work for a solar company, or are simply a clean energy enthusiast like me, stay tuned to the blog. I will continue to bring you the latest from this exciting, ever-growing solar industry!
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/05/department-of-energy-to-provide-40-million-to-train-energy-audit-workforce/
