Fellowship funds energy professionals to help regional organizations make community solar more accessible.
February 6, 2023
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the new Low-Income Community Solar and Energy Assistance Fellowship, which offers energy professionals the opportunity to work with state and regional organizations to make community solar subscriptions that include verified savings and consumer protections more accessible to low-income households.
Fellows will support the development and pilot testing of the Community Solar Subscription Tool at host organizations in one of the three pilot regions (District of Columbia, Illinois, and New Mexico). This tool, developed by DOE and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the pilot regions, aims to provide community solar subscriptions to households participating in government-run low-income support programs, beginning with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The fellowship will enable candidates to spend up to two years working at host organizations in participating pilot regions, beginning in early May 2023. Fellows will receive a stipend, health benefits, and an educational allowance.
Fellows will assist community solar and LIHEAP program offices in piloting the tool, which may include:
- Supporting the management and verification of community solar projects included through the tool
- Supporting LIHEAP administrator education and capacity needs
- Creating and providing education and outreach to support low-income household enrollment in community solar
- Developing a program guidebook and other materials for implementation of the tool beyond the pilot regions
The fellowship is open to professionals in fields relevant to community engagement, communications and education, energy affordability, and clean energy. Fellowship candidates must demonstrate interest and experience in renewable energy, community engagement, data analysis and coding, and state policies and programs. The opportunity is open to candidates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees, as well as established professionals with relevant post-degree experience.
Applications for the 2023 cohort are due on March 10 at 5:00 p.m. ET. You can submit questions to community.solar@ee.doe.gov.