Building off the momentum of the Green New Deal and the youth climate strike that saw millions of youth marching for climate solutions, clean energy organizations and advocates are sparking a national conversation about solar through the fifth annual “Solar Education Week.” Scheduled in the week leading up to Earth Day, from April 15 to 21, the week features a range of events across the country. Organized by RE-volv, the initiative is a collaboration of solar and equity advocates, including GRID Alternatives, Vote Solar, Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign, The ClimateMusic Project, Solar United Neighbors and The Redford Center.
Solar Education Week aims to deepen the public’s understanding about the potential and challenges around solar, with a focus on clean energy access for all and a just transition to a clean energy economy. It is designed to empower communities with tangible steps to shift to clean energy. Last year there were over 40 events in 10 states and this year that number is expected to double. Already, events are scheduled in 18 states currently. Find a list of events and more information on the website SolarEdWeek.org.
“Americans of all ages and from all walks of life are looking for opportunities to take action on climate change,” said Andreas Karelas, RE-volv’s founder and executive director. “Solar Education Week is an invitation to people everywhere to host and attend gatherings to learn that solar is accessible, beneficial and — in many cases — already happening in their communities.”
Earth Day, cited as the birth of the modern environmentalist movement is a celebration that often focuses on conservation and eco-friendly living. Solar Education Week is a complementary initiative that turns the spotlight to climate solutions and climate equity, movements that post-date the first Earth Day and require an additional conversation.
“We believe exposure and education on solar will help GRID Alternatives reach its vision of a transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone,” said Erika Symmonds, director of workforce development at GRID Alternatives. “We’re proud to partner with RE-volv on Solar Education Week to fill an information gap that will help include more people in the energy transition.”
GRID regional offices will be hosting a number of events next week from education workshops to solar installations.
Solar Education Week is just one of RE-volv’s efforts to empower communities all over America to tap into the benefits of solar. RE-volv also runs the Solar Ambassador Program, a yearlong fellowship that provides valuable career skills to college students by training them to bring solar to nonprofits in their communities through crowdfunding. Fellows gain practical career experience in clean energy and project management while channeling their creativity and passion into real climate solutions. Students from over 20 schools have participated in the program and the 11 schools currently in the program will be having Solar Ed Week events this week.
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