Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003074
The "Scaling the U.S. Solar Manufacturing Workforce RFI" (Funding Opportunity Number DE FOA 0003074) is a U.S. Department of Energy request for information issued through the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and administered by the Golden Field Office. Rather than being a traditional grant solicitation for project funding, it is an RFI, meaning DOE is primarily seeking input from stakeholders to shape its understanding and future actions. The focus is specifically on the workforce needed to operate U.S.-based manufacturing facilities that produce photovoltaic (PV) modules and the related components and materials that feed into module production. In practical terms, DOE is looking for real-world perspectives on what it will take to staff, train, and retain enough qualified workers to expand domestic solar manufacturing at scale.
The opportunity sits in the energy funding activity category under CFDA number 81.087, and it is listed as discretionary with a funding instrument type of "Other," which aligns with the fact that an RFI is about gathering information and market intelligence rather than making awards. The listing shows an award ceiling of 2 and expected awards as blank, which further reinforces that this is not structured like a standard competitive grant program where multiple funded projects are anticipated. The key deliverable here is not a proposed workplan or budget, but substantive feedback that can help DOE identify gaps, bottlenecks, and promising solutions related to the solar manufacturing labor force.
Eligibility is marked as "Unrestricted," which signals DOE is open to hearing from a wide range of respondents. That typically includes manufacturers, suppliers, trade associations, labor organizations, workforce development boards, community colleges and universities, training providers, state and local agencies, and other entities with relevant experience. Because the topic is workforce scaling, useful respondents are those who can speak to hiring demand, skills requirements, training capacity, certification needs, recruitment and retention challenges, and the realities of operating modern PV manufacturing lines in the United States.
Timing-wise, the RFI was created on April 7, 2023, with an original closing date of June 2, 2023. That window reflects the standard intent of RFIs: to collect time-bound input that can be synthesized and used to inform DOE planning, potential future funding opportunities, technical assistance efforts, partnerships, or program design decisions. The overall goal is to help SETO understand both the obstacles and the opportunities involved in building a robust domestic solar manufacturing workforce, especially for hands-on manufacturing roles tied to PV modules and the upstream and adjacent parts of the supply chain.
In short, this opportunity is a federal information-gathering effort aimed at strengthening U.S. solar manufacturing by identifying what stands in the way of workforce growth and what approaches are most likely to work. It is best viewed as a chance to influence DOE strategy and future program directions by providing concrete, experience-based input on workforce needs for PV manufacturing operations in the United States.Apply for DE FOA 0003074
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Scaling the U.S. Solar Manufacturing Workforce RFI" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-04-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-02. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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