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Virginia Energy presents Solar for All workforce grant structure, seeks industry feedback
Summary
Virginia Energy described its Solar for All workforce strategy, including $4.5 million for workforce training, statewide and regional subaward tracks, prioritized occupations, and a request for stakeholder input amid changing federal policy.
Callie Hoagland, associate director for Solar for All at the Virginia Energy Department, said Solar for All is a $156,000,000 program and that workforce funding is one subprogram in a larger deployment strategy. “Solar for All is $156,000,000 program that we've been very excited to begin to roll out in Virginia,” Hoagland said.
Andrea Dixon Chesbener said the department has earmarked $4,500,000 within Solar for All to invest in training and upskilling the solar workforce. The department described two subaward pathways for workforce funding: a statewide “Solar workforce program grant” and a regional “Regional activation grant.”
Under the statewide option the department described a single award of $2,600,000 over three years to support statewide engagement, reimbursements for training and credentials, and incentives to support registered apprenticeships and career progression. Under the regional option the department said it would award up to five subawards of up to $265,000 each for two-year projects, with 38% of regional grant funds designated for direct worker-assistance payments.
Staff listed prioritized occupations for the workforce grants: solar installers, lead PV installers, electricians, PV system designers, and residential solar service technicians. Webinar participants suggested adding operations and maintenance and battery-service pathways. Joe asked whether residential battery design and installation are included; staff said the agency had not finalized whether battery training would be included and noted batteries require more advanced skills.
Industry commenters cautioned the agency to design flexible pathways and off-ramps so trainees can transition into durable occupations such as electrician and operations and maintenance. Corey (EarthRight) said the residential solar market is changing rapidly and noted a likely wave of workers from companies that do not diversify into HVAC or electrical. Lorraine urged the agency to value flexible career pathways and retention-focused approaches such as registered apprenticeships.
The department asked stakeholders for written feedback and invited organizations to sign up for its mailing list; staff said they will publish subaward guidelines on energy.virginia.gov and expected to release subaward guidance in mid–2025 and select awardees around September–October 2025. No final awards or formal policy changes were made during the webinar.
