WVU Parkersburg sponsors solar energy training event - Business, Government Legal News from throughout WV

West Virginia University at Parkersburg recently completed a solar energy "Train the Trainer" event to help develop adjunct instructors for its energy programs and increase knowledge and awareness of solar technology in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association of Wisconsin and the Northern Mid Atlantic Solar Education and Resource Center of Penn State University provided the training to 13 students. The training was made possible by a grant from the West Virginia Division of Energy.

This accelerated solar training program covered such topics as solar energy basics, radiation, appropriate roof, ground and pole mounting systems, meters and inverters, voltages and complete system design. Participants in the program included representatives from local architectural and engineering firms, local contractors and instructors from out-of-state colleges.

NMASERC provided the extensive hands-on experience through its mobile solar training lab. The lab is equipped with the hardware, interconnect wiring and tools required to assemble and energize at least four different solar photovoltaic systems.

"WVU Parkersburg is pleased with the progress made on developing awareness, providing training and securing implementation of solar energy initiatives that have grown out of our grant from the West Virginia Division of Energy," said Rhonda Tracy, WVU Parkersburg senior vice president academic affairs. "We have a dedicated team of faculty and staff who have made this possible."

Graduates of the training program are qualified to sit for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners entry-level exam and are qualified to teach in a registered NABCEP entry-level training program. Through the training, WVU Parkersburg was able to develop three adjunct instructors for its solar energy technology program.