Cerritos College In Calif. Offering Solar Training And Certification Program For Veterans
Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif., is offering a training course that aims to certify military veterans as electrical field service technicians that maintain solar power and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.The program is the result of a partnership among the college, the Advanced Transportation & Renewable Energy (ATRE) industry association, a California community colleges workforce program, and solar engineering and services firm True South Renewables Inc.The five-month college certification program, which is not restricted to veterans, will teach students how to maintain and repair solar photovoltaic systems, EV charging stations and equipment needing general maintenance.
Qualified U.S. veterans are being prioritized for entry and will be able to secure financial support upon acceptance."This is an important initiative to provide military personnel who were electricians in the service with training to receive certification in a high-paying, growing civilian field," says Rue Phillips, CEO of True South Renewables. "In addition, these graduates are needed. Few outside the solar power industry are aware of the volume of operations and maintenance work required to ensure the optimum performance of large solar fields and photovoltaic systems on commercial and residential rooftops."Classes start Jan. 12, 2015, at the Cerritos College campus.
SPI Solar, a vertically integrated photovoltaic solar developer, says it is adjusting its business strategy to move away from solar park construction services. The company plans to serve as an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) manager over other outside construction services firms and to provide engineering and procurement services.As a result of the reorganization, SPI Solar is reducing its staff by approximately 30 positions.
"The reorganization of SPI will sharpen our focus as we manage a large pipeline of solar opportunities," says Steve Kircher, CEO and chairman of the board of directors at SPI Solar. "Serving in a project management and procurement role while sourcing other firms to handle the labor-intensive construction will give us maximum financial flexibility to pursue and execute multiple projects around the world while growing top-line net sales."The restructuring follows SPI Solar's announcement of a net loss totaling $2.4 million for the second quarter of this year.
Vacon, a manufacturer of AC drives and inverters, plans to open a new solar competence center next month in Barcelona, Spain.According to the company, the center will complement and support Vacon's solar product portfolio. It is expected to benefit customers who have purchased - or are planning to purchase - any product from Vacon's solar product range.The solar competence center will include a range of services, including presales, engineering, customer training, presentations and participation in project meetings. These services are available free for purchasers of Vacon's solar products.more info:http://www.renesola.com/hybrid-inverter/