Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce
The American-Made Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce (Upskill Prize) is a $5 million prize designed to accelerate the expansion of the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce and equip workers with the skills necessary to revitalize the domestic solar manufacturing supply chain. This prize targets various facets of the U.S. solar photovoltaics (PV) module supply chain, addressing critical workforce needs.
A Prize Competition Structured for Success
The Upskill Prize encourages the expansion of the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce by rewarding proposals that focus on high-quality employment prospects and skillsets that can be utilized for career growth. Competing teams propose comprehensive workforce training plans that are composed of either or both:
New Worker Training: Develop and propose plans to train new workers with the skills they need to be successful in the solar manufacturing industry, particularly at new or expanding manufacturing facilities.
Incumbent Worker Training: Develop and propose plans to train incumbent workers with new skills needed to support the growth of solar manufacturing.
The prize also requires partnerships between U.S. manufacturers and training organizations, aiming to attract new individuals to careers in solar manufacturing with job-ready training programs. It offers flexibility in the types of training that can be provided, based on the needs of the manufacturer.
The Upskill Prize offers a total prize pool of $5 million in cash prizes. Winning teams receive up to $500,000 each for their submitted comprehensive workforce training plans. Prize administrators anticipate running several rounds of the prize until the allocated funding is awarded.
Building Workforce Diversity
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) expects that the industry will need to grow to between 500,000 and 1,500,000 workers by 2035 to decarbonize the electricity grid. DOE is committed to making these jobs accessible to workers from all backgrounds and provide competitive wages and benefits.
The Upskill Prize asks teams to describe how diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives will be incorporated in the project. Teams are required to describe how their proposed training program will support lower-income and disadvantaged communities and individuals.
Who Can Compete?
Who Can Compete?
Are you a private entity, non-profit, non-federal government organization, or academic institution? You could be part of the Upskill Prize. Teams competing in this prize must be led by either a U.S.-based PV manufacturer or U.S.-based training organization.
For full eligibility requirements, please read the official rules.
Important Dates
To prepare for participation in the Upskill Prize, here are the key dates and deadlines you should keep in mind:
Please see the official timeline in HeroX for the most current dates and deadlines. All dates are subject to change, including contest openings, deadlines, and announcements.
Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.
If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, please subscribe by using the follow feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .
Looking for assistance? Contact the Power Connector, ADL Ventures, for the Upskill Prize:
The American-Made Upskill Prize is directed and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. Learn more.
If you’re applying to the Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce, make sure your application is submitted by May 21 at 5 p.m. ET! We highly encourage you to apply early to avoid technical difficulties. The submission portal closes at 5 p.m. ET sharp and we will not accept late submissions.
Remember to review the Official Rules to clarify what’s expected of each submission. Get ready to tell us about your comprehensive workforce training plan to train current workers and/or attract and train new workers in partnership with training organizations. We encourage you to consider how your training plan aims to attract new individuals, especially from lower-income and disadvantaged communities to careers in solar manufacturing.
Looking for support to get your submission over the finish line? Upskill Prize Power Connector ADL Ventures shared tips and tricks for success on a webinar you can learn from here. You can also stream the informational webinar to catch up on prize basics, post a question in the HeroX Forum, or email the prize team at .
And don’t forget – submissions will be accepted and awarded on a 4-6 month rolling basis. You are allowed to apply for multiple deadlines in order to win more than once.
We look forward to seeing your innovative training plans next week!
The submission deadline for the Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce is fast approaching. Make sure to hit submit on HeroX before the May 21 deadline at 5 p.m. ET to avoid any last-minute technical difficulties.
Don’t forget to review the Official Rules for full details on what to include in your submission. Competitors should develop a comprehensive workforce training plan aimed at either training current workers or attracting and training new workers in collaboration with training organizations. If you have questions about the submission process, we encourage you to connect with the American-Made Network by watching the ADL Ventures webinar focused on submission tips and tricks; utilizing the public ; or reaching out to the prize team via email at .
Don’t forget, ADL Ventures is available to provide free support on your submission! This is a team that is very familiar with prizes and can provide useful feedback to perfect your submission. If you want support for your team’s submission, please contact , , or on the ADL Ventures team.
Keep in mind that submissions will be accepted and awarded on a 4-6 month rolling basis. You apply for multiple deadlines to increase your chances of winning.
We're excited to see your innovative training plans!
Today:Webinar on Solar Workforce Development Tips and Tricks
Are logistical hurdles getting in the way of successful factory rollouts? Are you struggling to recruit new, incumbent, or diverse workers in your training for solar manufacturing? Today’s webinar at 12 p.m. ET will address these questions and provide tips for solar manufacturing workforce development. Register here.
Join ADL Ventures and the Upskill Prize team to gain valuable insights and strategies for workforce development within the solar manufacturing sector. Industry experts Heather Wallace from Momentum Innovation Group, and William Timothy, VP of Manufacturing at Lilac Solutions, will share their experiences, challenges, and critical successes in implementing workforce training programs and overcoming logistical hurdles during factory rollouts.
The team at ADL Ventures has expertise in bringing new products to market and scaling new businesses. They are available to all Upskill Prize competitors for application support, teaming/matchmaking, recruiting, and general questions at no additional cost. If you want support for your team’s submission, please contact , , or .
Register now and tune in today, May 3, at 12 p.m. ET to the Upskill Prize – Tips and Tools for Success Webinar.
Are you ready to take the U.S. solar manufacturing supply chain to the next level? Join the next Upskill Prize webinar, happening this Friday, May 3, to learn how you can successfully compete in the prize.
ADL Ventures, in partnership with the Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce, invites you to an insightful webinar designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to advance the solar manufacturing industry. Register now to attend the webinar, happening Friday, May 3, at 12 p.m. ET.
Join ADL Ventures as they dive into workforce development within the solar manufacturing sector. The panel of industry experts will include Heather Wallace from Momentum Innovation Group, and William Timothy, VP of Manufacturing at Lilac Solutions. They will share their invaluable experiences, address challenges, and highlight successes in advancing workforce training programs and navigating logistical obstacles during factory rollouts.
ADL Ventures is an Upskill Prize Power Connector and is here to ensure prize participant success. Please contact , , or for help on:
Application support
Teaming/matchmaking
Recruiting
General questions
Register now to secure your spot in the Upskill Prize Tips and Tools for Success Webinar on May 3 at 12 p.m. ET!
Looking for Upskill Prize matchmaking or submission support? ADL Ventures is here to provide support to teams—free of charge!
The $5 million Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce (Upskill Prize) is designed to accelerate the expansion of the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce and equip workers with the skills necessary to revitalize the domestic solar manufacturing supply chain.
ADL Ventures is serving as the Power Connector for the Upskill Prize. Power Connectors are organizations contracted yearly to perform a variety of tasks for specific prizes that advance program successes, providing assistance to teams, and extending the reach and improving the diversity and inclusivity of the American-Made Challenges overall. This means that their support in the prize is available as a free resource.
ADL Ventures will be available to any competitors in the Upskill Prize with a focus on matchmaking and supporting the development of diverse workforce and quality jobs plans. They provide support in areas such as:
Application Support
Teaming/Matchmaking
Recruiting
General Questions
For ADL Ventures’ support in the Upskill Prize, please contact , , or .
About ADL Ventures
The ADL team is equal parts entrepreneurs and executives who have worked in innovation, research and development, and corporate development for major institutions. They know how to be nimble when needed, and they understand the inherent pressures of bringing new products to market and scaling new businesses. They are accustomed to working across the entire lifecycle of a company, as well as with government institutions that act as pillars of each industry with incentives, regulations and key programming. Learn more.
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