SEI Travels to Antigua for Solar Training

Posted by: chris

October 24, 2012

SEI recently held a PV101: Solar Electric Design and Installation training on the island of Antigua. The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), under the banner of its Green Antigua campaign, enacted an interconnection standard to allow PV systems to be tied into their grid. One of the requirements for the installer is that they must take SEI’s PV101 and PV203 (battery-based) training or test out.

The participants in this intense SEI training included a cross section of members from the private and public sectors. The training consisted of theoretical and practical information on how to safely design and install grid-tied PV systems, in addition to online training focused on battery based systems. The 25 candidates are now officially recognized by APUA as Certified Installers. 

 This Caribbean island is exposed to volatile energy prices by virtue of their small size, reliance on fuel imports and economic dependence on energy-hungry visitors. The government has launched a National Energy Policy that includes renewable energy and efficiency efforts. This training initiative is part of the first phase of the roll out of the newly instated Interconnection Policy. Phase two of the roll out of the Interconnection Policy will speak to educating the public on the policy and its benefits.

“Thanks to SEI for providing such a high quality course that will aid Antigua & Barbuda in its quest of diversifying our energy matrix. This course shall create the foundation for the development of renewable energy in my country. I would like to thank the entire staff of SEI for their dedication and commitment towards making the 1st PV training course of its kind in Antigua & Barbuda a success,” said Girvan Pigott, Project Engineer at APUA. 
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