Cape & Islands Self-Reliance to Offer Photovoltaic Installation Course

Cape & Islands Self-Reliance to Offer Photovoltaic Installation Course

Self-Reliance to offer photovoltaic installation course in July

NORTH FALMOUTH - The solar industry is growing worldwide. In New England the market demand for renewable energy systems is strong and the potential for business growth is high. Most states or utilities now offer some sort of rebate for grid-tied photovoltaics, which has helped make systems more affordable.  However, there is a great need for well-trained installers in the industry. 

In July, interested business owners, contractors and homeowners will have an opportunity to learn first hand the fundamentals of photovoltaic system design and installation procedures including how to properly site, specify, permit, and install a residential scale photovoltaic system. The class will be divided between indoor classroom activities and fieldwork, which will involve the installation of a residential scale PV system at a private residence in Brewster.

The workshop will be taught by Megan Amsler, Executive Director of Self-Reliance; Richard Lawrence, Clean Energy Coordinator at Cape Cod Community College; Conrad Geyser, Principal and lead installer of Cotuit Solar and Jason Stoots, President of e2 solar.

To better accommodate the busy schedules of interested participants we are rescheduling this workshop outside of traditional work hours.  This 40-hour, apprentice-level workshop will take place over two weeks with six evenings in the classroom (6 - 9 pm on July 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18) and two full Saturdays (9 am to 5 pm on July 12 and 19) in the field.

This course will be taught to the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioner's (NABCEP) learning objectives. 

The workshop will be taught by Megan Amsler, Executive Director of Self-Reliance; Richard Lawrence, Clean Energy Coordinator at Cape Cod Community College; Conrad Geyser, Principal and lead installer of Cotuit Solar and Jason Stoots, President of e2 solar.

This workshop is organized by Cape & Islands Self-Reliance, as a part of a collaborative workforce development educational effort with the Cape Cod Community College, Cape Cod Economic Development Council, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Cotuit Solar and the regional technical high schools.

More information is available on Self-Reliance's website www.reliance.org or by calling 508.563.6633.  Workshop registration is $750, which includes snacks and lunch (on full days) as well as the textbook. On-line registration is available at www.reliance.org.