MAGE SOLAR, part of the globally operating MAGE GROUP, will launch a Solar PV training facility in North America this month. Classes will prepare students with technical knowledge and job skills as well as solar-specific sales and marketing knowhow for the growing PV market.

(January 6, 2011) -- MAGE SOLAR, part of the globally operating MAGE GROUP, will launch a Solar PV training facility in North America this month. Classes will prepare students with technical knowledge and job skills as well as solar-specific sales and marketing knowhow for the growing PV market.

Demand for skilled and well trained solar specialists in this booming industry is high, says MAGE, adding that enrollment applications have been steady with the inaugural training class having sold out weeks ago. Architects, engineers, licensed electricians, roofers, general and home-improvement contractors, sales managers and marketing professionals are among the professionals signing up for training.

Click to EnlargeThe MAGE SOLAR Academy, located at the North American Corporate Campus of MAGE SOLAR in Dublin, GA, is 10,000 square feet and features state-of-the-art classroom technology and an outdoor training area. Intense 5-day training courses will be offered on a regular basis throughout the year. The course catalogue includes classes like ‘Solar PV 101: Entry Level’, ‘PV Sales and Marketing’, ‘PV Mounting Systems’, and ‘Advanced PV: NEC Compliance’ and is likely to be expanded in the near future. Classes with technical focus will be able to train hands-on using a variety of the latest technology the solar industry has to offer in terms of inverters, panels, mounting systems, solar trackers, etc.

Students will be able to practice outside on simulated installations year round. Class sizes are limited for better learning environments.

Based on a study by Itecs Insider, a government-oriented agency for new technologies, solar installers will become one of the fastest growing job categories in the United States. Federal funds and programs, in particular the American Recovery Act, have earmarked hundreds of millions for solar technology development and deployment, aided by multi-billion tax-credits for clean-energies. As the rate growth of the solar industry exceeds the general economy by far, photovoltaic installers are indeed in high demand. According to the just released U.S. Clean Energy Census, "jobs expected to see most growth are for photovoltaic installers, solar-specific electricians […] and roofers with solar-installation experience." The need for up to 24,000 new workers in 2011 is currently met with a critical shortage of qualified professional installers who are familiar with forefront technologies and the latest developments in the industry.

MAGE SOLAR USA, LLC, based out of Dublin, GA, specializes in complete solar systems and provides high-quality photovoltaic modules, intelligent mounting systems and high-performance brand inverters. Learn more at http://magesolar.com/

Subscribe to Photovoltaics World

Follow Photovoltaics World on Twitter.com via editors Pete Singer, twitter.com/PetesTweetsPW and Debra Vogler, twitter.com/dvogler_PV_semi.

Or join our Facebook group