A Wisconsin nonprofit will train solar power instructors throughout the Midwest with a $3.3 million federal grant.

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association will work with universities, colleges and other groups in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Ohio to train 200 solar instructors in the next five years.

The training will help improve the quality of instruction about solar electric and solar heating and cooling technologies.

Executive director Tehri Parker says the improved instruction will help train a clean energy work force.

The association, based in Custer in central Wisconsin, is one of nine organizations to receive such funding from the Department of Energy for similar projects.

On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Doyle announced that Wisconsin is getting $4.3 form the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance the state's push for solar energy. Included in the funding is the city of Milwaukee, which will get $650,000 to build on its "Milwaukee Shines" program, and the city of Madison, which will get $370,000 for its "Madisun" project.