If you’re interested in applying to Round 2 of the Upskill Prize, now is the time to concentrate on completing your submission!  

Eligible submissions will include a comprehensive training plan to upskill existing solar manufacturers, or to attract and train new workers in collaboration with training organizations. Before submitting, please read through the official prize rules in their entirety to understand what’s expected in each submission.  

If you still have questions about the prize, reach out to prize administrators at upskill.prize@nrel.gov

 

 

Why Was the Upskill Prize Created?  

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The passage of this bill represents significant investments in clean energy and climate change mitigation, including more than $16 billion total investment across the solar PV supply chain in the U.S.  

The large influx of solar manufacturing in the U.S. has led to increased demand of workers with talent and knowledge in solar photovoltaic manufacturing. Because of this, the U.S. Department of Energy has now invested $7.75 million in the Upskill Prize.  

Competitors in this challenge–you are revitalizing the domestic solar manufacturing supply chain! We can’t wait to see your submission.