Archive for the ‘Solar Social’ Category

« Older Entries

Canada’s Leading Solar School Opens New State-of-the-Art Training Facility

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

-Solar Academy International introduces new Solar PV training centre in Toronto, to meet Ontario’s needs for solar panel installation professionals.

Toronto, Ontario (Solar Network Wire) September 8, 2010 – Canada’s premier photovoltaic (PV) installation school, Solar Academy International (SAI), has recently opened a new state-of-the-art training facility to help create a skilled workforce of solar professionals for Ontario’s expanding green job market.  Located just next to Toronto’s international airport, the new training centre will host a range of 1-day, 2-day, and 5-day solar classes covering everything from PV sales and marketing to solar panel installation and electrical safety.

The new facility’s launch comes nearly two years after Ontario’s introduction of the Green Energy Act – a historic piece of legislation that helped lay the groundwork for the province’s aggressive push into sustainability and energy independence.  Heralded as the first school in Canada to receive recognition from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), SAI is preparing for a surge in enrollment as large-scale solar projects begin to receive approvals to proceed.  The ISPQ-accredited school is settling into its larger Ontario centre, even as it prepares to expand into select USA markets.

At a time of rising unemployment, green-collar jobs, and solar opportunities in particular, continue to show resilience as PV installation companies seek out more well-trained and experienced employees.

Comments SAI Operations Manager, Matt Summers, “We developed this new centre to meet rising demand for qualified green professionals – Ontario has become extremely fertile ground in the renewable energy push.”  He continues, “Our 5-day solar PV installation courses target the general population while our Back-to-Back Weekend classes target professionals whose schedules prevent them from taking advantage of our standard Monday through Friday workshops.”

Students who attend SAI’s ISPQ-accredited PV installation and design courses are eligible to sit for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam. Upcoming classes include back-to-back weekends on September 24-25 and October 1-2, plus a 5-day course from September 26-30.  SAI also offers a 2-Day Solar PV Sales class on October 22-23 and a 2-Day Introduction to Solar on December 3-4.  Discounts are available for early enrollment.  Visit www.SolarAcademy.com to learn more.

About Solar Academy International

As Canada’s first and only ISPQ-accredited solar training institute, Solar Academy International uses NABCEP learning objectives to quickly advance expertise in solar design and installation.  Its 5-Day and Back-to-Back Weekend Solar PV Training includes hands-on workshops that prepare participants for NABCEP’s PV Entry Level Exam.

 

 

Posted in Solar Social, Solar Technology, Solar Training | No Comments »

Ontario First Nation Solar Installation to Create Jobs for PV Course Graduates

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

Toronto’s SkyPower Limited (SkyPower) has announced plans to build a new 10 MW solar panel installation at Fort William First Nation in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  The project will help to create up to 100 jobs for graduates of the region’s solar panel installation courses and when complete, it will mark the first system of its size built on First Nations land in Canada.

SkyPower finances, develops, owns, and manages solar projects across Ontario.  Its 9 MW First Light I project in Stone Mills debuted in 2009 as Canada’s first-ever utility-scale solar park.  The company helped to create more than 100 jobs in the region during the project’s construction and the facility generates enough solar energy to power up to 10,000 homes.  SkyPower’s latest project in Fort William is currently under construction and will involve approximately 45,000 solar panels installed over about forty hectares (100 acres) of land.  The solar company plans to complete the project by the summer of 2011 and expects it to generate enough solar energy to power 17,000 homes and offset thousands of tonnes, annually, of the greenhouse gases produced by conventional energy sources such as oil or coal.

Region’s Solar Industry Supported by Ontario’s Green Energy Act

Ontario benefits from a robust solar industry that is buoyed by its Green Energy and Green Economy Act (Green Energy Act).  The Act was signed into law in 2009 and gave the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) the tools it required to offer its feed-in tariff (FIT) program.  The FIT helps to create jobs and stimulates the economy by paying green energy producers high prices – up to 80.2 cents per kW-hour – for power they generate using solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric installations of varying sizes.  It also gives rise to new educational streams like solar panel installation courses and post-secondary green tech programs.

With its latest project in Fort William, SkyPower continues to contribute green energy solutions to Ontario’s power supply mix while it takes advantage of the favourable business climate created by the FIT.  “This successful partnership demonstrates our commitment to strategic partnerships in renewable energy,” says the company’s President and CEO, Kerry Adler, “and we continue to explore similar opportunities to ensure a brighter future for future generations.”

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Business, Solar Social, Solar Technology, Solar Training | 1 Comment »

Ontario’s FIT, MicroFIT Projects Subject to New Fees

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

As of March 15, Ontario’s green energy producers will be subject to a new set of fees for applications they make for feed-in tariff (FIT), microFIT, and other renewable power projects.  The province has a rapidly-expanding market for solar, wind, and other clean power sources that has created thousands of kilowatts (kW) of green energy and boosted the careers of workers in these industries.  In exchange for the new Renewable Energy Approval fees, the Ministry of the Environment will streamline the approvals process in order to make it easier for businesses, organizations, and individuals to participate in this emerging area in the future.

The FIT and microFIT are parts of a government initiative to diversify Ontario’s energy supply mix and to use cleaner forms of energy to replace the province’s coal-fired power plants by 2014.  The programs keep the initiative on course by paying high prices to producers of solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, and biomass energy.  In turn, they provide spin-off benefits like new career opportunities and training courses like Ontario Solar Academy’s PV design and installation training program.

Fees Help Simplify Process, Keep Solar Energy, Career Training on Course

The new Renewable Energy Approval fees, as drafted, range from $1,000 to $67,905, depending on the type and size of project.  However, the Ontario government’s recent decision to impose a moratorium on off-shore wind projects effectively cancels the highest fee, leaving the top payout at $56,458 for on-shore wind farms larger than 50 MW.  Owners of new PV projects will now pay $1,000 for government approval of installations of 500 kW and less and $12,844 for larger solar farms.

According to a government website, “The Renewable Energy Approval simplifies the number and types of approvals required for new renewable energy projects, integrating environmental, health, and safety matters previously dealt with by a number of provincial, municipal and proponent-driven processes into one process.”  While Ontario’s new fees may present an obstacle for newcomers to the province’s green energy industry, the recent decision reflects the government’s responsibility to ensure that this new market evolves into a long-term, stable sector of the economy that helps to create a healthy and prosperous future for Ontarians.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Legislation & Politics, Solar Social, Solar Training | No Comments »

SkyPower’s and Fort William First Nation Create Renewable Energy Jobs

Monday, February 21st, 2011

SkyPower Limited (SkyPower), a Toronto-based solar energy company, recently signed an agreement with the Fort Williams First Nation (FWFN) to create a solar park project in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  This particular solar project is special in that it marks the first time this type of large-scale solar energy project has taken place on First Nation Land in Canada.  Covering about 100 acres of Fort William First Nation land in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the park is not notable simply for its size and scope, but it is also expected be a generous source of new renewable energy jobs for qualified individuals with solar PV course training.

“In Ontario, it is essential that we are continuously driving and fostering innovative relationships in the clean energy sector.  We are pleased to be a part of such a unique agreement to develop this solar park,” said Kerry Adler, SkyPower President and CEO.  “Since the founding of Toronto-based SkyPower, we have always sought unique opportunities for collaboration and partnership with First Nation communities.”  He continued, “This successful partnership demonstrates our commitment to strategic partnerships in renewable energy and we continue to explore similar opportunities to ensure a brighter future for future generations.”

About the Solar Energy Park

Construction of this unique solar energy project will begin in early 2011, with completion currently slated for later this summer.  When the solar park becomes operational, it will generate enough clean energy to power 17,000 homes per year for the next twenty years.  Environmentalists will be happy as the project’s Carbon Dioxide Offset is estimated to be 130,000 tonnes over the expected lifetime of the project.

Agreement Increases Demand for Solar Energy Classes / PV Courses

This agreement is also significant as the partnership will result in an increase in renewable energy jobs in Ontario, thus, helping to boost demand for green professionals who have successfully completed PV courses or solar energy classes in the province’s growing renewable energy market.  By enrolling in schools like Ontario Solar Academy, aspiring solar PV installers can receive their full training and certification in as little as five days.



Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Business, Solar Social, Solar Training | No Comments »

Not Enough Workers with PV Training and Solar Energy Job Preparation

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Solar energy is more prevalent today than ever before.  Worldwide, investors put more than US$1.66 billion into the solar market in 2010, with the United States, France, Israel, and Canada leading the pack.  Of late, Ontario has ranked particularly well in the photovoltaic (PV) market, encouraged by government incentives, such as the province’s feed-in tariff (FIT) program, which launched in October 2009.  These incentives have all helped the province’s solar market blossom, creating both more green energy and more demand for those with the requisite solar photovoltaic training.

These incentives have also attracted a tremendous amount of investment, both domestically and from abroad, as solar companies scramble to stake their claim in the province’s booming industry.  Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. just signed a multi-million dollar deal for two solar energy projects in Ontario.  Fort William First Nation became the only First Nation to sign onto a major solar project.  Flexitronics signed an agreement to produce solar panels in Ontario.  Toronto-based Celestica Inc. recently snagged a deal to supply solar modules in Ontario.  The list goes on.  In December of 2010, Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid announced the creation of 1,700 green energy jobs across the province.

With all the new opportunities that are arising, there are many different green energy jobs that require solar training ad PV knowledge, and these can be broken down into two main groups.  One group consists of solar panel designers and manufacturers, and the other includes solar panel installers and maintenance.  Solar job preparation does require an investment of time and money, but the career path is promising.

Solar Job Preparation

The basics of solar job training include fundamental knowledge of small level systems, as well as electronics and electrical systems.  This knowledge qualifies the student to work with smaller scale solar system deployment.  Classes exist across the province, usually lasting between a few days to several months.  These courses are usually offered in a workshop environment, meaning participants get hands-on experience and exposure.

Benefits of Solar Energy Jobs

Today there are more opportunities than even for someone with solar training to get a job.  People who invest in solar energy panels can save money in the long run on utility bills, so both the customer and the company offering the services, as well as the environment, will benefit.  With every solar energy job completed, there is also the not insignificant knowledge that the carbon footprint and impact on the environment will be reduced.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Business, Solar Social, Solar Training | No Comments »

Renewable Energy Careers in the Niagara Region

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

In southern Ontario, the Niagara Region has joined the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance (OCTA), an organization with representation in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Waterloo Region, Windsor-Essex, London, Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent, and Guelph.  In a continuing cross-border exchange of technology learned in solar panel workshops and photovoltaic (PV) certification courses, alliance members were promoting Southern Ontario in Phoenix, Ariz. as a green-energy hub at the Energy, Utility, and Environment Conference EUEC 2011.  “We’re looking at it as a very cost-effective way of getting Niagara’s name out there,” said Alan Teichroeb, VP of Business Planning for the Niagara Economic Development Corp (NEDC).  ”When you’re marketing beyond the borders of your country, it’s particularly important to create alliances and partnerships.”

Municipal economic renewal efforts are part of many initiatives taken by the private sector in the region to encourage clean energy and green economics.  The rooftop at the 20 Bees Winery on Niagara Stone Road will have a different look come this spring when it becomes the new home for a 109-kilowatt solar energy system.  Enfinity, a global renewable energy company, will lease the rooftop space.  “Enfinity approached us about doing it and we’re very excited about it,” said Matt Dixon, Brand Manager for Diamond Estates, owner of the winery.  ”We think this is a great way to get alternative energy,” he said.  ”It benefits us; it benefits the community because everything goes back into the grid.”

PV Certification Course: Road to Entrepreneurship

Many Niagara residents have started attending solar panel workshops and PV certification classes to prepare themselves for renewable energy careers in the province.  After taking PV design and installation training at Ontario Solar Academy, Niagara construction consultant and electrical contractor, Luciano Di Leonardo, started two new companies: SolarHarvest Power Corporation Ltd. and SunHarvest Solar.  Similar examples of solar-powered entrepreneurship exist throughout the province as residents and business owners alike embrace the economic potential of photovoltaic technology.

Niagara’s political and business gurus recently erected signs along the QEW calling Niagara the “Green Energy Capital of Ontario.”  Renewable energy careers will grow alongside grapes in the vineyards of solar panel workshops.  They will be the new wine served at the clean energy table.  It is a sweet and intoxicating prospect.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Business, Solar Social, Solar Training | No Comments »

SCE Boosts Ontario’s Solar Industry with Four New Stations

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Solar company, Southern California Edison, announced the completion of seven solar power plants in Ontario, Canada and Redlands, California.  The projects began construction last year, with the promise of improving both regions’ solar industries.  All together, the installations can generate a total of 12.5 MW of solar power, adding to SCE’s initial three neighborhood solar stations.  Ontario received four solar power plants, comprised of 32,950 solar photovoltaic panels built over 1.8 million square feet of warehouse rooftop leased by ProLogis.  Redlands, California received the other three solar installations.

Initiative Provided Boost to Ontario’s Solar Industry

According to sources, construction of the solar power plants generated 250 temporary solar jobs, particularly benefitting those with solar installation training.  The whole scope of SCE’s photovoltaic initiative is expected to create as many as 1,200 new solar jobs.  “Ontario is proud to partner with Southern California Edison to provide renewable energy resources to our residents and businesses,” said Ontario Mayor, Paul S. Leon.  “Through this exciting new solar program, we are not only creating jobs for our community, but we are [also] ensuring that sustainability is a key component of our long-term vision.”  While not all of those new green positions are for Ontario, a considerable chunk of them are, providing much needed solar job help for the province.

Project Helped Generate Solar Jobs

A total of 130 workers with solar installation training from the 250 total were hired to work on the Ontario-based solar stations.  As with other solar investors within the province, Ontario’s feed-in-tariff (FIT) program and other incentives are huge factors behind SCE’s entry into the province’s solar industry.  This January alone, multinational corporations like GE and solar companies like P2Solar and SolarLogix moved into the region, providing additional solar job help and green career opportunities for residents.  As Ontario’s energy economy shifts from traditional to alternative sources, opportunities in the solar industry will only continue to rise.  Those who are new to alternative energy but are interested in solar installation training can start by reading accounts about what to expect as they transition into Ontario’s solar industry.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Social, Solar Technology, Solar Training | No Comments »

Government Investment at Stratford Festival Supports Solar Energy Industry

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Gary Schellenberger, MP for Perth–Wellington, recently announced that the world-renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival will receive funding designed to help Ontario’s growing solar energy industry.  Specifically, the Government of Canada funded $246,750 to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival via the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund within the Department of Canadian Heritage.

This federal government funding will go towards paying for both the cost and labour involved with building an innovative solar energy wall at the famous Avon Theatre in Stratford –  another boon to Southern Ontario’s solar energy industry.  In addition, the funding will also pay for the festival theatre’s new heating purchase and installation.

“We know that the installation of energy-efficient equipment will help ensure the company’s continued success and further promote its environmental leadership,” stated James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Funding Increases Alternative Energy Jobs and Demand for Solar Courses

Besides the obvious direct benefits to the festival, this funding will also increase the number of alternative energy jobs in Ontario.  Consequently, demand for green professionals who have successfully completed solar training courses in the province’s growing alternative energy job field will likely increase well.  However, schools like Ontario Solar Academy are able to train and certify solar PV installers in as little as five days.

About the Stratford Shakespeare Festival

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival offers superior live play performances to both a national and international audience.  Established in 1953, this world renowned festival has grown to become one of North America’s largest classical repertory theatre companies, prompting Moore to comment that his government was “proud to support a quality organization like the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.”

In response to this investment, Antoni Cimolino, General Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival stated:

“We appreciate that the Government of Canada has shown interest in these less glamorous aspects of arts support, recognizing that they will allow us to reduce our carbon footprint. We strive to be a leader in the cultural sector and hope that our efforts to green our facilities will inspire other cultural organizations to do the same.”

All in all, the future is looking great for alternative energy jobs and the solar energy industry in Ontario.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Legislation & Politics, Solar Social, Solar Technology | No Comments »

Ontario’s Solar Economy Suffers Temporary Setback

Friday, February 4th, 2011

A renewable energy development deal between Samsung and Six Nations has been called off due to a disclosure related disconnect.  The deal was to involve a partnership between the two parties, geared towards the construction and operation of two renewable energy projects and the continued development of Ontario’s solar economy.  Last year, to outline the deal, Samsung and Six Nations signed a memorandum of understanding.  But according to Six Nations elected band council, Chief Bill Montour, Samsung was “Very closed about the information we needed,” ultimately leading to the deal’s disintegration.

The project was to be a part of Samsung’s $7 billion renewable energy deal with the Ontario government.  This primary deal between Ontario, Samsung, and the Korea Electric Power Corporation, was to be the foundation of the Liberal government’s plan to encourage private sector-backed clean energy projects in the province, while also creating renewable energy careers.  The net objective of this deal with the province was to involve the construction of four clean energy manufacturing plants in Ontario, and the creation of 16,000 new jobs with the assistance of independently available solar training classes regularly positioned throughout Ontario.  Notably, these limited capacity solar training classes are selling out, with Ontario Solar Academy’s recent sold out session in Northern Ontario serving as testament to the overall demand for trained professionals in the province. Currently the Academy is hosting solar training classes in Toronto.

Impact on Solar Economy, Six Nations, and Renewable Energy Careers

The cancelled partnership represents a temporary obstacle to both Samsung and Six Nations.  The renewable energy careers expected as a product of the deal would certainly bolster the aboriginal community’s economy and the province’s solar economy in general.  Comparatively, at the time the primary deal with the Ontario government was signed, it was revealed that Samsung was to receive $437 million in subsidies, beyond those already projected under the feed-in-tariff (FIT) rates received in connection with wind and solar projects.  It is not yet known what Samsung will do next in lieu of the arrangement breaking down.

Had it proceeded, the Six Nations deal was to involve a 260 megawatt joint wind and solar project in Port Maitland and a smaller 10 megawatt solar project at Fifth Line on Six Nations.  Montour lamented the failed deal, stating that “We spent a lot of time trying to understand each other,” and noted that Samsung was “Not comfortable dealing with the public sector’s needs.”  According to Montour, Samsung was basically saying, “Sign this deal and trust us,” which wasn’t an acceptable degree of disclosure.  Montour added, “There are plenty of other North American companies that are just as capable with this and we will be going forward with that.”

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Social, Solar Technology, Solar Training | No Comments »

New Deal to Provide Domestic Content for Ontario’s Career Solar Energy Workers

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

New Mexico’s Unirac, Inc. (Unirac) and Kitchener-based Canadian Solar Solutions, Inc. (Canadian Solar Solutions) have recently announced that they will jointly offer a complete solar package to their customers that combines Canadian Solar Solutions’ photovoltaic (PV) panels with Unirac’s racking systems.  The agreement covers 30 MW worth of Canadian Solar Solutions’ systems and will benefit owners of solar projects in Ontario, where in order to receive government green energy incentives, they have to certify that their projects contain materials made in the province.

Ontario’s solar projects received a big boost in 2009 when the provincial government began to offer its feed-in tariff (FIT) program.  The program creates green energy, career options, and demand for new educational streams like PV certification by offering producers of renewable energy from solar, wind, and biomass installations high prices to tie their projects into the grid.  Owners of participating solar projects must certify that their installations are comprised of at least 60% domestic content and use Ontario labourers.  This provision ensures that the money and career opportunities the FIT creates benefit the province directly and over the long term.

Companies Offer Needed Supplies for Project Owners and Certified PV Installers

Canadian Solar Solutions, and its parent company, Canadian Solar, Inc. (Canadian Solar), provide turnkey solar solutions for residential, commercial, and solar farm markets in Canada, the US, Europe, and Asia.  Their participation in the Ontario market enables project owners to certify that their installations meet the FIT’s domestic content requirements.

Unirac is an Albuquerque-based provider of PV mounting systems.  Their previous work included solar energy installations at Universal Studios and Google Campus.  By partnering with Canadian Solar Solutions, Unirac gets a leg up in Ontario’s exclusive market.  “We are excited about working closely with a strong partner like Canadian Solar Solutions to address the rapidly growing Ontario market for solar energy,” says the company’s CEO, Doug May.

Canadian Solar Solutions and Unirac’s new partnership joins a number of solar matches made in Ontario that provide domestic content for projects in the region, as well as for its certified solar energy workers who have helped it to attain the second highest installed PV capacity in North America.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Solar Business, Solar Social, Solar Technology, Solar Training | No Comments »

« Older Entries