A new solar training has been introduced at Riverland, Minnesota in the USA.
With the solar energy economy creating a new generation of jobs, there is a need to train the workers to do them. And one school in the Minnesota area is on the cutting edge of that solar training.
"As we see it, it's a technology that's really going to require a lot of hands to put this together," said Riverland Community College instructor Steven Vietor.
And Riverland wants to make sure those hands are ready.
"To provide the solar training for the workforce out there to install solar systems, solar photo-voltaic systems," Vietor said.
"This round is targeting working electricians to get the skills required to become licensed to install solar equipment in Minnesota," said Becky Thofson at Workforce Development in Rochester.
"We're seeing it used even at the home level to support and run air conditioning loads or at the office level to provide some help in electric loads," Vietor said.
And like many community college programs, solar training is very hands on.
"We've got a 15-hundred watt solar trailer and a 3000 watt solar array and a variety of other solar panels we're going to be dealing with," Vietor said.
Riverland and Workforce Development applied for a grant from the Minnesota State Energy Sector Partnership, and the money they were awarded will make the solar training nearly free for up to 20 students.
"The grant itself covers the tuition funding, tuition and fees at Riverland for the students. The students are going to have to pay for their own books and supplies," explained Workforce Development's Becky Thofson.
And because solar panels are gaining in popularity and become more affordable, those who know how to install them are pretty much guaranteed of finding a job.
"We've had a real good placement. We've had people that were working as far out as North Dakota on small and commercial systems," said Riverland's Steve Vietor.
And as far as the future, the sky's the limit.
"Minnesota has a tremendous resource in our solar energy that at this point has not totally been tapped," said Workforce Development's Becky Thofson.
An informational meeting on the "solar training installer" program will be held at the Riverland campus in Albert Lea at 5:30 on Wednesday evening, September 28th.
Friday, 16 September 2011
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Chinese Giants Offer Solar Training To Californians
Solar training received an unexpected yet welcome shot in the arm in California with the announcement that Chinese solar energy giants Yingli Solar are to team up with US non-profit solar installer GRID Alternatives.
It is the biggest donation GRID has ever received, in a deal that makes the Chinese solar company GRID's official supplier.
According to a Yingli press release, the two companies will install 1MW of solar PV systems for 400 low-income families. These systems will generate more than $10m worth of renewable energy over their lifespans. On top of this, the partnership will provide solar training opportunities for thousands of people looking to develop skills in solar PV installation.
The idea of a major renewable energy company teaming up with a non-profit group in order to encourage the uptake of renewable technology in the residential sector (particularly among low-income households) is unique and works on several levels.
It promotes the use of solar energy, which helps the nation meet its targets relating to emissions, energy efficiency, and renewable energy generation.
And it will allow people from poorer backgrounds to gain solar training enabling them to take advantage of the emerging green economy. It will be local jobs for local people.
Also, large multinational energy companies can establish a presence in the US, which could provide a foundation for future investment in the nation's energy infrastructure.
The sponsorship of these solar training programs will create thousands of hands-on job training opportunities in PV installation while helping underserved families with immediate financial savings.
For more information on these solar training events go to www.gridalternatives.org/solarthon
It is the biggest donation GRID has ever received, in a deal that makes the Chinese solar company GRID's official supplier.
According to a Yingli press release, the two companies will install 1MW of solar PV systems for 400 low-income families. These systems will generate more than $10m worth of renewable energy over their lifespans. On top of this, the partnership will provide solar training opportunities for thousands of people looking to develop skills in solar PV installation.
The idea of a major renewable energy company teaming up with a non-profit group in order to encourage the uptake of renewable technology in the residential sector (particularly among low-income households) is unique and works on several levels.
It promotes the use of solar energy, which helps the nation meet its targets relating to emissions, energy efficiency, and renewable energy generation.
And it will allow people from poorer backgrounds to gain solar training enabling them to take advantage of the emerging green economy. It will be local jobs for local people.
Also, large multinational energy companies can establish a presence in the US, which could provide a foundation for future investment in the nation's energy infrastructure.
The sponsorship of these solar training programs will create thousands of hands-on job training opportunities in PV installation while helping underserved families with immediate financial savings.
For more information on these solar training events go to www.gridalternatives.org/solarthon
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