South Coast Solar

Louisiana CleanTech Network, Louisiana Technical College Jefferson Campus Partner to Offer NABCEP Entry-level Solar Electric System Training Course
Louisiana CleanTech Network (LCTN), in partnership with Louisiana Technical College (LTC) Jefferson campus, 5200 Blair Drive in Metairie, will offer a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) approved solar electric installer training course on October 22-25 and October 27-29, 2008.  The course includes 48 hours of professional training presented in two, three-day sessions 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day.  Tuition for the training is $1,400.

In 2007, DOE named New Orleans one of 13 Solar America Cities to help accelerate the adoption of solar technology at the local level. A large part of the New Orleans’ comprehensive plan for the expansion of solar technology is teaching the technology and training a solar energy workforce. The LTC Jefferson campus is the sole provider of NABCEP approved solar electric system training in the New Orleans area.

About the Solar Electric System Training Course

The training course is a combination of lecture; hands on training; on-the-job training; real world solar applications; solar installation contractor training; National Electrical Code (NEC) information; explanations of The State of Louisiana and Federal tax credit incentives; and Louisiana solar installation contractor requirements.

The classes are very interactive and include much class participation. The “on-the-job-training” includes the complete installation of a fully functional Solar Electric system, from installing the solar panels on the roof to the balance of systems which are completely wired and functioning.  There is a total of two days of hands-on installation training that includes all materials and tools to do the job right.

This course teaches the NABCEP Photovoltaic (PV) Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge learning objectives, and has been approved by NABCEP.  Students that complete the class will qualify to take the NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge test.   The LCTN certificate of training, which all course graduates receive, will satisfy one of the requirements needed to be a solar system installation contractor in Louisiana.

Anyone interested in learning about or working in the solar industry or starting a solar energy company may attend this class. No particular skills are needed.  A construction background and/or electrical experience are helpful.

To register for the class, or for more information about the class, please call Stephen Shelton, director of LCTN, at (504) 343-4638 or visit the website at www.lacleantech.net <http://www.lacleantech.net> .

Background: Tax Credits, Partnerships Accelerate Solar Technology in Louisiana
The LTC Region 1 solar electric system training course offering is part of a statewide effort of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to help make it easier for Louisiana to go green. The system has formed a partnership with LCTN, a non-profit organization that works to promote the growth of clean technology businesses in Louisiana and to encourage environmentally responsible economic development. Together they are bringing solar technology installation training to Louisiana Technical College campuses.

These efforts come on the heels of 2007 legislation authored by Senator Nick Gautreaux. Senate Bill 90, which was signed into law as Act 371, provides a tax credit to homeowners and apartment owners who install or use certified solar energy systems. The tax credit has been called the best in the nation for those who use solar electricity systems in their homes. In order for more citizens to take advantage of this tax credit, more installers needed training but training in the state was not readily available.

The status of solar training availability in Louisiana gained momentum thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar America Initiative. In 2007, DOE named 13 U.S. cities as Solar America Cities. The partnership between DOE and these cities was created to help accelerate the adoption of solar technology at the local level, and New Orleans was one of the 13 cities chosen. A large part of the city’s comprehensive plan for the expansion of solar technology is teaching the technology and training a solar energy workforce.

DOE and LCTN looked to the LCTCS when searching for a place to conduct the training. The LTC Jefferson campus soon began offering the solar technology installation course, giving students hands-on experience in installing solar panels. The first Solar Installer Training course that began in June was a great success and produced 20 solar energy graduates in mid-July. At that time, there were only five individuals in the state that were certified solar installers. The second class in September produced 16 additional graduates.

The LTC Jefferson campus has become the sole provider of training in the New Orleans area, helping the city and DOE to achieve their vision by training installers that will work diligently to assist citizens in switching to renewable power sources.