Soulardarity Solar Corps Training Scholarship Application

About the Solar Corps Training Program
Through our Solar Corps initiative, and as part of our Rise Up Midwest! public education campaign and call to action, MREA is partnering with four organizations dedicated to environmental and climate justice to bring industry leading solar technical training and workforce development opportunities to their members and communities. Our partners include: NAACP, Renewable Energy Partners, Soulardarity, and Walnut Way. These organizations serve low to moderate income communities in Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. This program is intended to support workforce development efforts and expand employment access in advanced energy.

The overall national unemployment rate is above 10% as of July 2020 with African American unemployment sitting just shy of 15%. African Americans pay $41 billion to the energy sector, but only hold 1.1% of the energy jobs. As such, the MREA is working with each partner to help bridge this gap by providing solar training for a Just Transition for all.

Clean energy is the economic future.
About the Scholarships
Solar Corps Training scholarships are intended to provide workforce development opportunities for individuals seeking to enter the growing solar industry. This training will provide each scholarship awardee free entry-level training with the ability to attain the NABCEP Associate credential. Criteria for awarding scholarships are based on leadership skills, applicant motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment. Recipients will also be encouraged to apply for a select number of paid solar internships following the Solar Corps Training. For each partnering organization, ten scholarships are available for candidates that fit one or more of the descriptions below:
- underemployed
- unemployed
- formerly incarcerated
- those aged 18-25
- BIPOC
About the Training
Training will take place online. Recipients will be selected by the MREA in coordination with Soulardarity. Scholarship recipients will receive online/in person training in:
- PV 101 Basic Photovoltaics (8 hours)
- PV 201 PV Site Assessment (8 hours)
- PV 202 PV System Design (16 hour)
- PV 304 PV Labs and Design Scenarios (8 hours)
- PV 220 PV Exam Prep (6 hours)
Scholarships will cover the costs associated with:
- Instruction
- A binder and thumb drive with course materials OR access to online resources
- NABCEP PV Associate Exam fee
- The opportunity to apply for a paid solar internship upon training completion
  
  If you have any questions about the Solar Corps Training scholarships, please contact our Greta Ladenthin at gretal@midwestrenew.org

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Application Questions
Where does your interest in renewable energy stem from? (1500 characters max)*
Why are you interested in taking MREA's Solar PV Training courses and what are your future goals related to working in the solar or clean energy industry? (1500 characters max)*
Please describe any prior work or other experience you've had in the clean energy industry or related industries in construction, electric, efficiency, HVAC, etc.*
Outside of this training opportunity, what other ways have you or do you plan to invest in your future? What do you hope to achieve from it? (1500 characters max)*
If you do not receive the scholarship, how will your plans for the future change? (500 characters max)*
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you or consider in our review process?*

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About the Solar Corps Training Program

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