Community solar owner-operator Summit Ridge Energy (SRE) announced it is partnering with 548 Enterprise, an end-to-end sustainable development company and Ecademy, a clean energy career school and Power52 company, to develop a “Sustainability Hub” in West Side Chicago to train 10,000+ local residents over the next 10 years. The clean energy training targets veterans, returning citizens and high school-educated residents from underserved communities. Upon completion of the 13-week (450-hour) program, participants will have the opportunity to complete their on-the-job training at one of SRE’s community solar projects in Cook County, Illinois, as well as other clean energy projects throughout the state.

“Our $600,000 commitment recognizes the need to invest in workers on the front lines of the renewable energy transition and demonstrates our company’s mission to expand access to clean technologies. By empowering hundreds of workers with the tools needed for a successful and fulfilling career in clean energy, we’re also providing a sustainable stimulus to Illinois’ economy,” said Steve Raeder, CEO of SRE.

During an event held earlier this month in Chicago, 548 and Ecademy announced their campaign to raise $20 million to support curriculum development, program resources, and credentialing services for prospective clean energy professionals. SRE has committed $600,000 in seed capital over the next two years to launch the effort.

“We are thrilled to expand our international footprint by bringing clean energy training to historically underserved communities right here in Chicago,” said Rob Wallace, President & CEO of Ecademy, and Co-Founder of Power52. “We look forward to partnering with SRE and 548, to provide clean energy training to prepare our graduates for a green career. Not only will the trainees come from these underserved communities, the graduates will be designing, constructing and maintaining the solar solutions that will provide clean, renewable, and stable power to their communities. For the community by the community!”

The first cohort of program participants will begin training in January 2023. To participate in a training program or to support the new facility, visit 548Foundation.org.

News item from Summit Ridge Energy