Miami-Dade College PV installation and design workshops - January 15, 16, 22, 23

Workshops for basic and now advanced photovoltaic installation and design are available again at Miami-Dade College through the Earth Ethics Institute.  Classes from January 15 through the 23rd.  Visit their site for details and how to register: www.earthethicsinstitute.org/pvworkshops.asp

Designing and Installing PV workshops coming up at MDC

Miami Dade College Earth Ethics Institute is offering their Designing & Installing Photovoltaic Systems classes once again.

Participants can earn 7 CEUs for each of the 7-hour courses.

More info or to register:

Intro to Designing PV, Sept 25, 2009

Intro to Installation of PV, Sept 26, 2009

It also looks like the College is preparing to offer a new set of more advanced courses in the near future too. I'll post info about any course offerings when the information becomes available.

Electricity for newbies course offering at MDC

The Earth Ethics Institute of Miami Dade College is offering a course for novice electricians on September 19th (sorry for the late notice).

This is a 7-hour course that 'introduces basic electrical concepts for those who wish to obtain a basic understanding of electricity before taking more advanced courses in designing and installing photovoltaic systems." Sounds like a good idea for homeowners who want to be better consumers too.

For more info or to register for the course, visit www.earthethicsinstitute.org

Miami Herald Drops Ball on Secretary of Labor visit

The AFL-CIO Executive Council had a big meeting in Miami back in early March. I'm not in the solar business directly (just a big advocate), so I didn't hear a peep. Hilda Solis, then recently confirmed as Secretary of Labor, visited the group as one of her first acts on the job.

Why is her visit a solar energy story? Well, after addressing the Executive Council, she went to visit a training center for the IBEW where they're preparing future electricians to be the skilled "green jobs" workforce we need to successfully install solar photovoltaic and other "new" technologies.

Did you read about it in the Herald? I didn't. I found a link by accident to an online video of the visit on the IBEW's website: Sec Solis Visits LU 349 I have no idea how I got there, but glad I found the video none the less.

Curious how I'd missed such a big deal since I'm pretty good at scouring the local rag for energy stories, I ran a search of the Herald online and could only dig up a story in the Business Section (beacuse there's no such thing as a labor section) that came close: Labor secretary inspires union crowd in Miami, March 3, 2009

That story is just a bunch of piffle - no substance - about a rally of union members just happy to have someone at the DOL that might actually advocate for labor (organized or otherwise).

Nice to see the local electrical workers union wasn't waiting for stimulus funds or for the local markets to catch onto solar before they started their training programs. Very encouraging, even in the absence of the local press.

Miami Solar installation and design courses coming up soon

Miami-Dade College Earth Ethics Institute has been hosting photovoltaic training classes for a couple years now with the help of PV evangelist and FAU professor emeritus of electrical engineering Dr. Roger Messenger.

From their website:

Designing PV Systems, June 5, 2009

This is a 7-hour course that introduces the process of PV system selection, PV system site selection, types of PV systems, PV system electrical design considerations, PV system structural design considerations and PV system permitting and paperwork. It is intended primarily for design professionals (architects and engineers) but should also be of interest to code officials and contractors. Electrical and solar contractors who have taken the Installing Photovoltaic Systems course and want to understand more about the PV system design process may also be interested in this course.

Installing PV Systems, June 6, 2009

This is a 7-hour course that introduces the process of PV system installation and focuses, in minute detail, on how to install a PV system that someone else has designed. It includes understanding the electrical design, siting and structural considerations, safety considerations, system commissioning and programming as well as permitting and paperwork. It is intended for electrical and solar contractors as well as for electrical and structural inspectors and plan reviewers.

These courses qualify for 7 CEUs each for those who need continuing ed credits, and they're NABCEP certified too.

Thanks to the emailer who reminded me to post this.

Solar Power Conference & Expo opens registration for October event

Well, this post isn't South Florida centric, but important none-the-less.

The 2008 Solar Power Conference & Expo is now open for registrants. The conference, the uber-conference for solar proponents, will be in San Diego from October 13th through the 16th.

For more info, visit their official website at: solarpowerconference.com

The agenda is rather detailed well in advance of the event, with tracks finance, policy, marketing, and technology, plenary sessions and workshops.

PV Design & Installation Courses at MDC, May 9th & 10th

Miami-Dade College has been trying mightily to boost the number of qualified solar installers in South Florida. They offer regular courses through the Earth Ethics Institute for the Design and installation of solar photovoltaic systems.

The classes qualify for 7 continuing education credits for Architects and Engineers attending for the entire day-long course.

Seems like a pretty good deal for $150 for each class. North American Board of Certified Energy Providers Approved even.

Check it out at www.earthethicsinstitute.org