SOL POWER Throws Up a $462K Equitable Energy Future Grant Application Buzzer Beater
SOL POWER Throws Up a $462K Buzzer Beater at 11:45 PM: Round 2 Equitable Energy Future Grant Program Secured, Eyes $1M for Cor Mariae Redevelopment in the City of Rockford.
As the clock ticked down on New Year’s Eve 2024, most people were pouring champagne. At SOL POWER MIDWEST, we were pouring over final grant documents. At exactly 11:45 PM on December 31, 2024, we hit “submit”—successfully securing a $462,000 Round 2 award from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through its Equitable Energy Future Grant (EEFG) Program.
We’re calling it our buzzer-beater of the year—and we’re not done yet.
What’s Next? A $1M Round 3 Play for Cor Mariae
Fresh off our Round 2 win, SOL POWER is back in action, submitting a $1 million application under Round 3 of the EEFGP to support the redevelopment of the former Cor Mariae Center in Rockford’s 4th Ward. Our vision: a community-centered transformation driven by on-site solar generation, renewable HVAC systems, and equitable access to clean energy.
But the Cor Mariae project isn’t just about revitalizing infrastructure—it’s a launchpad for careers.
Introducing Project Long Shot™: From High School to High-Demand
As part of this redevelopment, SOL POWER and International Word Outreach Ministries are rolling out Project Long Shot™, an NCCER-certified Assessment and Training Program designed to connect high school students, Veterans, and equity-eligible residents to on-the-job training and journey-level career pathways in clean energy construction.
Whether you’re a young adult seeking your first union card or a displaced worker ready for a second chance, Project Long Shot™ opens the door to:
- Paid hands-on learning on real worksites
- Certifications in solar, HVAC, and electrical trades
- Pathways to union apprenticeships and job placement
- Ongoing support from mentors, contractors, and faith-based partners
This is more than a training course—it’s a full-circle workforce pipeline helping Rockford residents move from classrooms and community centers directly into the high-demand jobs of Illinois’ clean energy economy.
And it all starts right here—at the future Cor Mariae campus.
About the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program
Launched by DCEO on November 16, 2023, the EEFGP is a landmark initiative supporting Equity Eligible Contractors (EECs) in developing clean energy and workforce projects across Illinois. Key features of the program include:
- Awards from $250,000 to $1,000,000
- Eligible for predevelopment, workforce training, and infrastructure work
- Prioritizes minority-owned businesses and underserved communities
- Final Round 3 Deadline: June 30, 2024
Illinois is empowering diverse, community-rooted developers to drive the clean energy transition—and build the talent pipeline that powers it.
Calling Rockford’s Next Energy Champions
SOL POWER is a certified Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) and an Illinois Commerce Commission-approved installer for Energy Efficiency and Distributed Generation programs. As an approved vendor for both ILSFA and Illinois Shines incentives, we desire to mentor and support Rockford-based nonprofits, contractors, and minority-owned businesses in securing up to $2 million in EEFG funding.
Got a clean energy or workforce development vision for your community? Let’s make it real.
Why SOL POWER? Why Now?
Led by Patrick A. Weller—a LEED Accredited Professional, former U.S. Department of Energy-Qualified ESCO, and certified Real Property Administrator with over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate, sustainability, and construction—SOL POWER is laser-focused on delivering equitable energy solutions, creating quality jobs, and building resilient neighborhoods.
Our certifications and credentials include:
- ICC Distributed Generation & Energy Efficiency Installer
- NCCER Accredited Training & Assessment Center (Rockford, IL)
- Tesla Certified Installer
- City of Rockford Certified SBE
- Developer of Illinois’ first Mechatron Certified Community Solar Installers
We know what it takes to build—and we’re ready to train the next generation to do it even better.
Let’s Build the Future Together
📩 Contact: solmidwest@gmail.com
📅 Round 3 Application Deadline: June 30, 2024
Project Long Shot™ is now pre-enrolling. Let’s turn equitable energy into lasting opportunity—for Rockford, and beyond.
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