Solar Energy International (SEI) Paves the Way for PV Technicians in the

Posted by: chris

March 25, 2013

The Academia de Profesionales Solares de las Americas (APSA) is strongly underway. On January 15 SEI announced the application process open for this exciting Spanish PV training initiative for Central Americans and Mexicans. To date we have received 80 excellent applications from people all over the region. This high rate of interest in a little over a month’s time is very exciting for SEI to see. The application process closes on May 15, and we will be choosing 50 people by May 31.

We are expecting to see many more applications in the coming months. Due to demand for this program being so high, participants will be chosen through a competitive process. We are looking for applicants from diverse backgrounds including electricians, technicians, engineers, students, community leaders, decision makers, and people working in agriculture, for NGOs, and for solar companies. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Qualified candidates will meet the following requirements:

• A citizen of one of the following countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, or Belize (all trainings are conducted in Spanish).
• Access to a reliable high-speed internet connection
• Ability to take 9 weeks of online instruction (approximately 8 – 12 hours per week)
• Ability to travel to EARTH University – La Flor in Costa Rica in November 2013 for a week of hands-on training (travel stipend provided)
• Desire to work in the renewable energy industry or in renewable energy projects in Central America

SEI encourages people from the region to continue to apply. We are working on developments that will allow us to continue this training initiative long in to the future. We are working diligently to quickly provide an opportunity for those who do not make the first cut of accepted applicants to have the chance to participate in a future training program.

One of the developments we are working on to support a continued initiative in to the future has to do with forging a long-term partnership with the Earth University – La Flor outside of Liberia, Costa Rica. SEI is very excited to be working with EARTH University, a private, international, non-profit university dedicated to education in the field of agricultural sciences and the rational use of natural resources. The University aims to contribute to sustainable development around the world with an emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean. SEI, through the APSA program, and EARTH are both working to provide renewable energy training in the region to help strengthen the renewable energy industry in the Americas.

The hands-on workshops as part of the APSA program will be held at the Earth University – La Flor campus. APSA Project Manager Matthew Harris and Lead PV Technical Trainer Brad Burkhartzmeyer just returned from a successful site visit at Earth University. The visit resulted in plans to begin building the foundation of a hands-on PV Training Facility on the Earth campus. The first round of students in the APSA program will work on installing 3 PV systems: micro-inverter, grid-tied, and grid-tied with battery backup. These systems and the other mini-PV labs students will work on in the workshop will be designed and constructed in such a way that will allow for future PV trainings.

The Academia de Profesionales Solares de las Americas is a great opportunity for SEI to expand it’s Spanish PV Program, help leverage networks in the region, and work towards building the capacity of qualified PV technicians. If you are interested in finding out more about the APSA program, have information to share, or know of qualified people who should apply, please contact APSA Project Manager, Matthew Harris at apsa@solarenergy.org

For a cleaner energy future,

Matthew Harris
SEI Education Center Manager
Project Manager- Academia de Profesionales Solares de las Americas
Solar Energy International
Visit the APSA website to learn more.

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