US DOE RFI For Solar Manufacturing Workforce

• DOE's SETO launches RFI to seek inputs for jobs required in the US solar manufacturing industry
• Focus will be on creation of equitable clean energy workforce, especially for underserved and underrepresented communities
• It will enable the government to understand challenges and opportunities related with the expansion of local workforce

The US Department of Energy (DOE) through its Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is seeking stakeholder inputs to better understand the requirements of jobs in the domestic solar manufacturing space to create employment with a focus on underserved and underrepresented communities.

According to the government since the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed, there have been 25 solar manufacturing facilities announced across the supply chain, representing more than 105 GW manufacturing capacity. As any solar manufacturing plant comes online with a typical 2 to 3 years timeframe, DOE plans to build technical expertise of its local workforce.

Expecting this request for information (RFI) to help in future strategic programing while aiming for equitable clean energy workforce, SETO seeks information pertaining to job roles associated with the following:

• production of crystalline silicon and thin-film solar PV modules;
• semiconductor materials and components as Si metal, polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells, and the like;
• materials used to construct PV modules as solar glass, frames, encapsulants, backsheets; and
• other equipment associated with PV systems.

Feedback is sought from manufacturers, suppliers, education and training providers, community-based organizations, and workers' rights organizations, including labor unions as well as government agencies. It aims to understand the challenges and opportunities associated with a 'historic expansion of the US solar manufacturing workforce'.

SETO says this feedback will enable the development of an 'employee-centered, diverse, and inclusive solar manufacturing workforce with access to quality jobs, defined career pathways, and a free and fair chance to join a union'.

Launched on April 6, 2023, the RFI needs to be submitted latest by June 2, 2023, as per the call.  

 "With the passage of the IRA, solar energy is poised for significant growth in domestic manufacturing," said Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Alejandro Moreno. "DOE wants to ensure the workforce that will support this growth is an equitable one, with long-term career paths that will revitalize communities across the United States, including underrepresented and historically underserved communities—in line with President Biden's Justice40 goals."