MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY, a premiere training and education arena for the PV industry, just announced its 2013 course schedule.
Starting in January, MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY will offer some of its most popular courses in a convenient online format to accommodate busy schedules and reduce travel time. Among the first courses slated to go live online is Solar Civics; a 2 hour overview for schools, municipalities, and the general public interested in solar energy and its benefits. Following Solar Civics will be Fundamentals of Business and Technical Sales in mid February. As one of the most requested courses at MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY, this 8 hour training session on proven business practices and essential technical knowhow for the quickly expanding solar industry also qualifies for 8 CEUs with NABCEP, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
In March of 2013, the online version of PV Field Inspectors will be available. At the center of this course is a thorough review of the 2011 NEC code and an overview over basic PV system requirements and efficiency. Students also learn how to correctly address safety, connectivity, as well as operation issues and identify common installation mistakes.
Besides its new online presence MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY will continue to offer key courses in a traditional classroom format. With its strong emphasis on practical hands-on training and the actual installation of an operational PV-system, SOLAR PV 101—Entry Level will be a staple again in the Academy’s 2013 curriculum. Following the successful completion of this 40 hour course in collaboration with Oconee Fall Line Technical College, participants are eligible to sit for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam. The first 2013 SOLAR PV 101 course date is April 8-12 at the MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY in Dublin, Georgia, a state-of-the-art 10,000 sq ft learning facility with vast indoor and outdoor training areas plus a solar technology park.
Parallel to its new online format PV Field Inspectors is scheduled to meet on February 22 at MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY, following the first 2013-classroom session of Fundamentals of Business and Technical Sales on January 25. Solar Civics on March 26 will conclude the new course offerings for the first quarter in Dublin.
A month later, on April 26, Fundamentals of Business and Technical Sales will be offered as a day-long face-to-face course also, with Grounding and Bonding following on May 10. This 8-hour course is designed as in-depth review of the 2011 National Electric Code, conductor sizing applications, and sample calculations.
Amy Harrelson was recently named Head of MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY. Bringing with her over seven years of experience in higher education in addition to her PV background, she comments: “Since its opening in January of 2011 MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY has matured into a well-established and respected training arena for PV professionals and many others interested in the fast growing solar market. With the expansion into online education MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY takes the next logical step to further increase its presence. We will continually enhance our course offerings and methods of delivery so installers and others interested in learning more about solar energy can add necessary skills and knowledge on the high level they have come to expect from MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY.”