November 25, 2025
Two solar organizations – one a nonprofit and the other a manufacturer – are teaming up to grow the industry’s workforce. International solar energy (SEI) has started a new partnership with Next power (formerly Nextracker) to expand SEI’s Empowerment Program grants. The partnership will broaden access to solar energy education and career paths for students of all backgrounds.
SEI’s mission is to educate the global solar workforce and empower communities through high-quality, accessible renewable energy education. Nextpower’s investment directly enhances this mission by helping the nonprofit remove financial, geographic and personal barriers that often prevent aspiring solar professionals from entering or advancing in the field.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with SEI because building the energy infrastructure of the future starts with investing in the people who power it,” said Kristan Kirsh, senior VP of global marketing at Nextpower. “With more than 30 years of experience and more than 100,000 people trained worldwide, SEI has a proven track record of delivering results. Their Empowerment Program isn’t just about education. It’s about creating real pathways to careers in clean energy. This partnership supports our belief that a technically skilled and mission-driven workforce is essential to meeting the world’s growing demand for reliable, renewable energy.”
Long-term employee support in the field of solar energy
SEI’s empowerment programs offer much more than just tuition support. They provide individualized student support, mentorship, targeted networking, and guided connections to job opportunities – so that anyone, regardless of background or circumstance, can build a well-paying, meaningful career in the solar and energy industries.
“Nextpower’s support expands our ability to reach students who may not otherwise have access to life-changing training,” said Kiera Coughlan, director of philanthropy at SEI. “By investing in the Empowerment Program, they are investing in people, in communities and in the long-term power of the renewable energy workforce.”
Through this partnership, additional scholarships will be available for SEI’s full catalog of online and hands-on courses, including introductory solar fundamentals, advanced system design, battery-based systems, grid-tied and off-grid technologies, and Spanish-language pathways. Nextpower’s support will enable SEI to continue to provide comprehensive staff development opportunities, meeting students wherever they are, regardless of their experience level, location or financial situation.
Outreach efforts
SEI’s Empowerment Program also includes robust outreach and partnership efforts designed to expand access to renewable energy training in the U.S. and internationally. These include:
- Skills bridge programs for veterans and military members in transition.
- Partnerships with tribal governments and utilities.
- Contract training for rural workforce development groups, municipalities, nonprofits, and community organizations.
- Full course tracks offered in both English and Spanish.
- Continued global reach to ensure equitable access to solar energy education and career opportunities.
“Creating a diverse, skilled renewable energy workforce is essential to achieving the world’s clean energy goals,” Coughlan added. “Support from partners like Nextpower makes that vision possible.”
SEI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communities and businesses around the world.
Tags: Nextracker., Solar Energy International, solar jobs, workforce
