Wells Fargo funds Clean Energy Workforce Program

The Wells Fargo Foundation has granted New Sun Rising (NSR) $22,000 for the Clean Energy Workforce Program. 

The Clean Energy Workforce Program was established in 2021-2022 in part through seed support from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The program created a solar educational energy discovery zone with AYA Instruments, a solar installer certification curriculum which has trained 14 community members in partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County, and community projects for field training and public awareness including solar sheds at the Beltzhoover Institute of Arts & Sciences and Millvale Playground. The current funding will expand and deepen the program for 2023-2024.

“Our communities want clean and affordable energy choices,” said Scott Wolovich, executive director for NSR. “Solar adoption is growing rapidly, thanks to once in a lifetime investments like the Inflation Reduction Act. The questions we need to ask now are: who will get the opportunity to build this future and how will they benefit financially?”

This funding will help New Sun Rising increase the capacity of the Clean Energy Workforce Program and related community education through the hiring of a full-time Community Engagement Catalyst (CEC) at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub. 

It will also strengthen NSR’s ability to successfully manage the installation and design of the expanded solar capacity at NSR-owned and co-developed commercial facilities in Allentown, Beltzhoover, and Millvale, supported by alumni of the workforce program. People interested in participating in an upcoming 40 hr installer certification class, which includes a financial stipend upon completion, can fill out this brief interest form.