Communities
Building Solar Capacity

CBSC is a free, 10-week virtual training program that builds the skills, capacity, and confidence of community leaders to grow their impact in renewable energy.

Applications are accepted year round and reviewed twice annually.

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Summary

Through live, practitioner-led workshops, cohort members will learn to create project designs, financial models, and more that center community benefits and equity at every step of development.

In addition to training sessions, CBSC offers multiple avenues for support and deeper learning.

  • Case studies of real-world projects
  • Peer-to-peer learning opportunities
  • 1-on-1 capacity-building support from PSEF staff
  • Mini-grant pool to support early-stage project activities

Cohort Terms

Our cohorts are structured as learning circles, where collaboration and peer-to-peer learning are encouraged.

Summer Cohort

Term: July – September
Deadline: May 15th

Winter Cohort

Term: January – March
Deadline: November 15th

Each organization accepted into a CBSC cohort can send up to 4 people to engage in program trainings and activities, so feel free to bring your coworkers along!

Eligibility

Here’s what you’ll need to join a learning circle.

  • A cooperative, non-profit, or municipal structure, or be a tribal entity or native community-based organization

  • A governance structure that is responsible to and represented by under-resourced communities, or shows demonstrable commitment and a history of working directly with under-resourced communities

  • An interest in exploring and building skills related to community-led and community-owned renewable energy project development

  • 1 to 4 individuals to represent your organization in the cohort