A new solar training center has been established in California after a partnership between Victor Valley College and solar installers SolFocus.
After joining forces to build the largest solar energy plant in North America using concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems which will supply roughly 30% of the College's electricity demand, the College has also set up a solar training program to help its students train up for the rapidly emerging solar industry.
I caught up with Bill Greulich, the Public Information Officer for Victor Valley College for an exclusive interview. Here's what Bill had to say;
1. There seems to be a trend lately of US colleges installing solar arrays on campus? What made you install solar energy in the first place?
Actually we considered wind turbines first. We were prepared to install a single unit but decided along the way to abandon the project because the technology was not applicable to our location. We then moved forward with the concept of solar energy as a less intrusive source of renewable energy.
2. Did you approach SolFocus or did they approach you?
When the college decided to investigate the concept of solar we put out a Request for Proposal and received several. After closer examination we chose SolFocus because their project was technologically advanced and could produce a more focused program for the college.
3. You now have solar pv energy on campus which will provide you with 30% of your electricity. Do you have plans for other types of renewable energy to be installed at the college?
We are planning two new college centers, the first is a Public Safety Training Center and we will use solar to provide a portion of the energy use. The second center will be a Work Force Training Center and the plan is to include solar at this location as well. The college owns an additional piece of land of approximately 160 acres and it’s not improbable that we may use this land for solar or wind generation.
4. Through this solar energy project with SolFocus you are also creating a training center for renewable energies which will provide opportunities for well paying jobs in the rapidly emerging green economy. When will this be ready?
In fact we have had a solar training program in place for some time. It has been some what limited in scope in that it teaches the basics as they were known at the time. SolFocus will be supplying us with one of their arrays, a packaged curriculum and professional advisors to assist our students with this newer technology. In other areas we have been teaching land restoration with the use of GIS, we do hybrid car repair and teach for smog certificates, we design sustainable construction techniques and other programs.
5. What sort of solar training will be on offer to the students?
Refer to question 4
6. After one of your solar training courses, would the student be fully qualified to install the systems themselves?
Students will need to learn hydraulics, electrical systems, computer data collection and how it figures in to the design and development of these types of systems. Yes, I believe that once a student is trained they will be able to maintain, repair and install these systems.
7. Would they receive ongoing support after completing the solar training course?
I would imagine that changes will take place within the industry that will require ongoing education. This will be something that is decided by faculty in order to provide marketable skills.
8. I keep reading there is a huge shortage of qualified workers in the solar industry. So this would be a great industry for people to get involved in now?
In our area the three things we have are land or earth, sun or solar, and wind so earth, wind and fire create a great climate for the development for all types of renewable energy sources. We will undoubtedly see the development of a great many solar fields, because the cost of delivering energy through the new technology is profitable. So yes, I would say there are going to be a great many opportunities in all of these renewable energy mechanisms.
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Sunday, 30 May 2010
Friday, 28 May 2010
Solar Training Program In Georgia, US Proves Popular
Ever since President Barack Obama visited Savannah Tech's Photovoltaic solar training center, students have been pouring in to sign up for the classes.
"Solar energy is efficient, it helps the planet and it's the upcoming energy craze," said student Ytinu Jzar. "I want to start my own business."
In 2006, Savannah Tech started to offer solar energy training in addition to its traditional courses for electricians. But with rapidly growing interest in solar energy, the college decided to offer the state's first solar photovoltaic certification program.
"I teach them to install a 4,000 watt photovoltaic system to a roof so it can be tied in with a homeowner's regular use of the Georgia Power grid," instructor Robert Wiggins said. "Those solar panels will harness energy from the sun, put the power back into the grid and run the meter backward so the homeowner's bills are lowered."
Graduates, who are either an electrician or work with a licensed electrician, can install and repair solar energy systems in Georgia. Georgia's only other solar training center opened this year at Lanier Technical College in Hall County.
Savannah Tech officials are busy working to expand their solar panel training program so they can offer the national certification through the North American Board of Solar Energy Practitioners.
Currently there are only a few places in the country offering national certification. Once Savannah Tech's training program is nationally certified, graduates will be qualified to do solar work anywhere in the US.
As governments look to renewable energy and offer more initiatives in way of grants and rebates for homeowners who make the switch, the demand for certified solar system installers will increase rapidly.
Julian Smith graduated from Savannah Tech's photovoltaic solar training program, then started his own business because he believes rising energy prices in Georgia will soon make electrical power sources too expensive for average citizens.
"We can put in enough solar power that you won't have to worry about electrical rates," Smith said. "My bill was $49 last month."
For more info on this solar training course go to www.savannahtech.edu
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"Solar energy is efficient, it helps the planet and it's the upcoming energy craze," said student Ytinu Jzar. "I want to start my own business."
In 2006, Savannah Tech started to offer solar energy training in addition to its traditional courses for electricians. But with rapidly growing interest in solar energy, the college decided to offer the state's first solar photovoltaic certification program.
"I teach them to install a 4,000 watt photovoltaic system to a roof so it can be tied in with a homeowner's regular use of the Georgia Power grid," instructor Robert Wiggins said. "Those solar panels will harness energy from the sun, put the power back into the grid and run the meter backward so the homeowner's bills are lowered."
Graduates, who are either an electrician or work with a licensed electrician, can install and repair solar energy systems in Georgia. Georgia's only other solar training center opened this year at Lanier Technical College in Hall County.
Savannah Tech officials are busy working to expand their solar panel training program so they can offer the national certification through the North American Board of Solar Energy Practitioners.
Currently there are only a few places in the country offering national certification. Once Savannah Tech's training program is nationally certified, graduates will be qualified to do solar work anywhere in the US.
As governments look to renewable energy and offer more initiatives in way of grants and rebates for homeowners who make the switch, the demand for certified solar system installers will increase rapidly.
Julian Smith graduated from Savannah Tech's photovoltaic solar training program, then started his own business because he believes rising energy prices in Georgia will soon make electrical power sources too expensive for average citizens.
"We can put in enough solar power that you won't have to worry about electrical rates," Smith said. "My bill was $49 last month."
For more info on this solar training course go to www.savannahtech.edu
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Thursday, 27 May 2010
New Solar Training Centre Opens In Durham, UK
Romag, based in Leadgate, County Durham has announced it is now training people at its new solar training centre which opened recently.
The solar training centre, in conjunction with One North East, will train people across the manufacturing, electrical and roofing sectors.
Finance Director David Banks said: “The training centre has been completed in the past few weeks and we are starting to do some training already.
“We wanted to set it up as a centre of excellence and, hopefully, it will come to be that over the next year or so.”
After recent struggles, Romag is confident of building on its return to profit after the new UK solar feed-in tariff boosted interest in solar photovoltaic products.
The feed-in tariff - similar to the one used by world leaders Germany - was introduced by the Government last month and qualifies each unit of electricity generated by renewable energy for a fixed rate payment.
Romag, which manufactures solar photovoltaic products said that since the feed in tariff was introduced it has seen an encouraging increase in interest from both businesses and individuals.
Mr Banks said: “The announcement of the feed-in tariffs has really boosted the inquiry levels substantially. We have had numerous inquiries from all sectors.”
The company, employing about 150, is continuing to recruit after making 60 redundancies in February last year because of the economic downturn.
Mr Banks said: “We did start taking people back on and recruiting more since last summer. Since then, we have added 20 people to our workforce and we are continuing to recruit.”
So with the interest created by the feed in tariff and the shortage of skilled solar workers, now could be the time to get involved in the solar industry.
For more information on these solar training classes go to www.romag.co.uk.
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The solar training centre, in conjunction with One North East, will train people across the manufacturing, electrical and roofing sectors.
Finance Director David Banks said: “The training centre has been completed in the past few weeks and we are starting to do some training already.
“We wanted to set it up as a centre of excellence and, hopefully, it will come to be that over the next year or so.”
After recent struggles, Romag is confident of building on its return to profit after the new UK solar feed-in tariff boosted interest in solar photovoltaic products.
The feed-in tariff - similar to the one used by world leaders Germany - was introduced by the Government last month and qualifies each unit of electricity generated by renewable energy for a fixed rate payment.
Romag, which manufactures solar photovoltaic products said that since the feed in tariff was introduced it has seen an encouraging increase in interest from both businesses and individuals.
Mr Banks said: “The announcement of the feed-in tariffs has really boosted the inquiry levels substantially. We have had numerous inquiries from all sectors.”
The company, employing about 150, is continuing to recruit after making 60 redundancies in February last year because of the economic downturn.
Mr Banks said: “We did start taking people back on and recruiting more since last summer. Since then, we have added 20 people to our workforce and we are continuing to recruit.”
So with the interest created by the feed in tariff and the shortage of skilled solar workers, now could be the time to get involved in the solar industry.
For more information on these solar training classes go to www.romag.co.uk.
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Wednesday, 26 May 2010
SEI Announce Latest Solar Training For Women
Solar Energy International (SEI) have announced their latest solar training classes for women.
Already in their 14th year of solar electric (PV) training for women, SEI have 3 upcoming programs on;
June 7-18, Paonia, CO - This program will teach students all the basic PV system applications necessary to gain employment in this field including: system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, mounting solutions, safety, and commissioning. The course will also cover the basics of sizing a residential grid-direct system, wire sizing, overcurrent protection.
June 14-18, Paonia, CO - Students will install, take down and reinstall different grid-direct PV systems. This solar pv training workshop focuses on safe installation and commissioning practices.
Aug 30-Sep 3, Minneapolis, MN - This teaches you to apply the National Electrical Code (NEC) to residential and commercial grid-direct solar electric systems to ensure that your installation is safe and secure.
As the solar pv electric sector rapidly grows, the time is ripe for women to enter the solar industry. SEI's solar training courses have become extremely popular with women from all over the world looking to gain technical knowledge on how to design and install solar pv systems.
The classes are taught by the top women in the industry and are designed to empower and encourage women to explore the 'man only' industry which is both lucrative and rewarding.
For more info on these solar training courses go to www.solarenergy.org
For more on worldwide solar panel training
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Already in their 14th year of solar electric (PV) training for women, SEI have 3 upcoming programs on;
June 7-18, Paonia, CO - This program will teach students all the basic PV system applications necessary to gain employment in this field including: system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, mounting solutions, safety, and commissioning. The course will also cover the basics of sizing a residential grid-direct system, wire sizing, overcurrent protection.
June 14-18, Paonia, CO - Students will install, take down and reinstall different grid-direct PV systems. This solar pv training workshop focuses on safe installation and commissioning practices.
Aug 30-Sep 3, Minneapolis, MN - This teaches you to apply the National Electrical Code (NEC) to residential and commercial grid-direct solar electric systems to ensure that your installation is safe and secure.
As the solar pv electric sector rapidly grows, the time is ripe for women to enter the solar industry. SEI's solar training courses have become extremely popular with women from all over the world looking to gain technical knowledge on how to design and install solar pv systems.
The classes are taught by the top women in the industry and are designed to empower and encourage women to explore the 'man only' industry which is both lucrative and rewarding.
For more info on these solar training courses go to www.solarenergy.org
For more on worldwide solar panel training
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Thursday, 13 May 2010
Arkansas Solar Training By Ontility
Solar Training at Phillips Community College’s Stuttgart, Arkansas campus is now being offered in a 40 hour Entry Level Solar Design and Installation course.
Starting on June 14 - 18, this solar training program provides students with basic knowledge of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, modules, and solar system components; electrical circuits; PV system design, estimation, and code requirements; solar electric products and applications; an understanding of energy conversion from sunlight to electricity, and how to work with solar conversion equipment. The training course is designed for all learners.
The solar training course follows the Institute for Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) standards and the NABCEP solar photovoltaic guidelines for learning. The course focuses on real, hands on, site-specific knowledge.
Hands-on training for solar will cover site surveys; mechanical and electrical design, safety and construction issues; tool and test equipment use; best-practice construction skills; national code and local inspection issues.
This 40 hour course consists of five days of solar training, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day, and qualifies those who complete the course to sit for the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam, given on Friday evening at the conclusion of the class. The cost for the training class is $1,395.
For more information go to www.ONTILITY.com.
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Starting on June 14 - 18, this solar training program provides students with basic knowledge of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, modules, and solar system components; electrical circuits; PV system design, estimation, and code requirements; solar electric products and applications; an understanding of energy conversion from sunlight to electricity, and how to work with solar conversion equipment. The training course is designed for all learners.
The solar training course follows the Institute for Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) standards and the NABCEP solar photovoltaic guidelines for learning. The course focuses on real, hands on, site-specific knowledge.
Hands-on training for solar will cover site surveys; mechanical and electrical design, safety and construction issues; tool and test equipment use; best-practice construction skills; national code and local inspection issues.
This 40 hour course consists of five days of solar training, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day, and qualifies those who complete the course to sit for the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam, given on Friday evening at the conclusion of the class. The cost for the training class is $1,395.
For more information go to www.ONTILITY.com.
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Monday, 10 May 2010
CentroSolar Provide New Solar Training Program
A new solar training program by CentroSolar America has been launched recently.
CentroSolar are a provider of solar modules, inverters, racking components and packaged photovoltaic systems. They held their first solar training event in April in Pleasanton, Calif under the moniker of CentroSchool.
"The goal of CentroSchool is to guide new installers into the solar business and to help existing ones build their businesses," says Deep Chakraborty, CEO of CentroSolar America.
CentroSolar America got the idea for their solar training format from its German parent, CentroSolar AG, which has been teaching solar training programs in Germany since 2007 and have trained over 500 installers per year in that time.
CentroSchool's solar training programs will be held twice a month at various U.S. locations. The next two events planned will be in Mt. Laurel, N.J., on May 13 and Scottsdale, Ariz., on June 3.
Students interested in attending other solar training sessions can sign up at www.centrosolaramerica.com or www.centroschool.com.
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CentroSolar are a provider of solar modules, inverters, racking components and packaged photovoltaic systems. They held their first solar training event in April in Pleasanton, Calif under the moniker of CentroSchool.
"The goal of CentroSchool is to guide new installers into the solar business and to help existing ones build their businesses," says Deep Chakraborty, CEO of CentroSolar America.
CentroSolar America got the idea for their solar training format from its German parent, CentroSolar AG, which has been teaching solar training programs in Germany since 2007 and have trained over 500 installers per year in that time.
CentroSchool's solar training programs will be held twice a month at various U.S. locations. The next two events planned will be in Mt. Laurel, N.J., on May 13 and Scottsdale, Ariz., on June 3.
Students interested in attending other solar training sessions can sign up at www.centrosolaramerica.com or www.centroschool.com.
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Sunday, 9 May 2010
Solar Training In Milwaukee
A new solar training center is being opened by the Milwaukee Area Technical College as part of a large new solar farm in one of the largest solar projects in the state featuring nearly 2,600 solar panels from four different major manufacturers.
The aim of the project is to showcase a variety of renewable energy technologies, as well as provide solar training to students at MATC as well as Milwaukee's three engineering schools, said Brad Bateman of Johnson Controls.
"This will be a testing and solar training platform unlike any other in the country," he said.
The project is projected to generate enough energy to make the TV transmitter for MPTV the first of any public television station in the country to be powered with renewable energy. MPTV predicts that it will save at least $70,000 in its first year of operation.
And the project will create 150 people for the local population, said Sargent.
Johnson Controls Inc. is the technical college's partner and general contractor on the project, which includes 14 other firms -- 13 of them from Wisconsin.
The project is yet another positive step by the college toward fulfilling its carbon-reduction commitment as well as expanding its solar training efforts to prepare students for new careers in green jobs, said Michael Burke, college president.
At the 2010 Green Energy Summit last month in Milwaukee, Burke signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. The commitment, signed by Burke and the president of 16 other Wisconsin colleges and technical colleges, pledges to eliminate each campus' carbon footprint over time. More than 680 colleges across the country have signed the pledge.
For more information about these solar training programs go to www.milwaukee.tec.wi.us
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The aim of the project is to showcase a variety of renewable energy technologies, as well as provide solar training to students at MATC as well as Milwaukee's three engineering schools, said Brad Bateman of Johnson Controls.
"This will be a testing and solar training platform unlike any other in the country," he said.
The project is projected to generate enough energy to make the TV transmitter for MPTV the first of any public television station in the country to be powered with renewable energy. MPTV predicts that it will save at least $70,000 in its first year of operation.
And the project will create 150 people for the local population, said Sargent.
Johnson Controls Inc. is the technical college's partner and general contractor on the project, which includes 14 other firms -- 13 of them from Wisconsin.
The project is yet another positive step by the college toward fulfilling its carbon-reduction commitment as well as expanding its solar training efforts to prepare students for new careers in green jobs, said Michael Burke, college president.
At the 2010 Green Energy Summit last month in Milwaukee, Burke signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. The commitment, signed by Burke and the president of 16 other Wisconsin colleges and technical colleges, pledges to eliminate each campus' carbon footprint over time. More than 680 colleges across the country have signed the pledge.
For more information about these solar training programs go to www.milwaukee.tec.wi.us
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Monday, 3 May 2010
Oklahoma Solar Training Receives Boost
Solar Training has just got a shot in the arm as Taylor Burnett, the new director of business and industry services at High Plains Technology Center says that they will now be offering solar training programs as well as the traditional wind energy classes.
Burnett said he was "excited to get the word out about everything we have to offer."
"We've already been doing a lot of wind energy training," Burnett said Tuesday. "It's the wave of the future and a lot of jobs are going to be created because of it."
"I came from the employee side of things, and I know a lot of companies in the area," he said.
Because of this, Burnett claims he can better communicate to companies about the solar training High Plains Technology has to offer their employees.
He said High Plains Technology Center is the hub of green energy in Oklahoma because of the wind energy training programs it offers local people. But it soon will be the hub of solar energy as well as major investment in the sector starts to bear fruit.
Burnett said the school plans to start a new solar training program in the fall that will be taught by Bronsen Elliott, a former wind energy student.
Elliott "will be training both in solar and wind energy," Burnett said.
For more information on this solar training program visit their website at www.hptc.net. They are enrolling now for the solar training program.
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Burnett said he was "excited to get the word out about everything we have to offer."
"We've already been doing a lot of wind energy training," Burnett said Tuesday. "It's the wave of the future and a lot of jobs are going to be created because of it."
"I came from the employee side of things, and I know a lot of companies in the area," he said.
Because of this, Burnett claims he can better communicate to companies about the solar training High Plains Technology has to offer their employees.
He said High Plains Technology Center is the hub of green energy in Oklahoma because of the wind energy training programs it offers local people. But it soon will be the hub of solar energy as well as major investment in the sector starts to bear fruit.
Burnett said the school plans to start a new solar training program in the fall that will be taught by Bronsen Elliott, a former wind energy student.
Elliott "will be training both in solar and wind energy," Burnett said.
For more information on this solar training program visit their website at www.hptc.net. They are enrolling now for the solar training program.
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Sunday, 2 May 2010
New Solar Training Center In UK Opening Soon
Great news for people looking to get into the solar industry in the UK as a new solar training centre is opening in Merseyside, in north-west England.
The training centre will be dedicated to microgeneration technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines which will open later this year.
The Green Energy Training Centre (GETC), which cost £280,000 ($420,000) to establish, will provide solar training involving heat pumps, solar panels and other renewable energy forms such as wind turbines to help installers become qualified for the UK governments microgeneration certification scheme (MCS).
Mark McManus, UK managing director of Stiebel Eltrons, said: "If we are to meet the UKs target of 15 per cent of UK energy coming from renewable sources by 2020, there is a desperate need to improve the quantity and calibre of training available specifically in microgeneration technology. This is precisely what the GETC will focus on."
"Today renewables account for less than two per cent of energy production and by 2016 all new homes built must be carbon neutral,"
Newly introduced feed-in-tariffs similar to the ones in Germany are expected to make interest in solar energy soar as it will allow homeowners and businesses to save money on fuel bills, as well as paying them for any surplus energy they send to the National Grid.
Scientiam managing director Mandi O'Shea said, "In the teeth of a recession and with youth unemployment at its highest level since records began, we need to train young people in a sector where there is a massive jobs demand, and there is committed long-term investment."
This is just one of many new solar training programs that are being introduced to meet the expected demand for solar energy.
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The training centre will be dedicated to microgeneration technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines which will open later this year.
The Green Energy Training Centre (GETC), which cost £280,000 ($420,000) to establish, will provide solar training involving heat pumps, solar panels and other renewable energy forms such as wind turbines to help installers become qualified for the UK governments microgeneration certification scheme (MCS).
Mark McManus, UK managing director of Stiebel Eltrons, said: "If we are to meet the UKs target of 15 per cent of UK energy coming from renewable sources by 2020, there is a desperate need to improve the quantity and calibre of training available specifically in microgeneration technology. This is precisely what the GETC will focus on."
"Today renewables account for less than two per cent of energy production and by 2016 all new homes built must be carbon neutral,"
Newly introduced feed-in-tariffs similar to the ones in Germany are expected to make interest in solar energy soar as it will allow homeowners and businesses to save money on fuel bills, as well as paying them for any surplus energy they send to the National Grid.
Scientiam managing director Mandi O'Shea said, "In the teeth of a recession and with youth unemployment at its highest level since records began, we need to train young people in a sector where there is a massive jobs demand, and there is committed long-term investment."
This is just one of many new solar training programs that are being introduced to meet the expected demand for solar energy.
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