A weeklong solar electric design and installation course will be offered in Nome this August. The class is a partnership between the Village of Solomon (VOS) and University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Northwest Campus.
The workforce-focused course uses curriculum from Solar Energy International and is taught around Alaska by instructors with professional experience in the energy industry. Students learn how to calculate power needs, recognize major solar system components and test and operate photovoltaic systems. Kolt Garvey and Jacob Ivanoff are listed as instructors for the Nome session.
The training comes as VOS leads a federally supported effort to install solar energy systems on public facilities in Nome. The Environmental Protection Agency selected VOS and a coalition including King Island Native Community, Nome Eskimo Community and the Native Village of Council for an anticipated $2.34 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. The project is intended to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating expenses in tribal homes, businesses and government buildings.
The goal of the workshop is to build local knowledge, especially in rural Alaska where weather, shipping delays, flight cancellations and short construction seasons can complicate repairs.
To help bring in local workers, VOS has secured funds to make tuition for the six day course free, as well as provide five travel scholarships.
Classes start on August 17 and run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, followed by a final session from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Registration for the class can be completed here, and questions can be directed to Naomi Jones at 907-624-3157 or nejones2@alaska.edu.
