Southeast Texas P-16 Council

Lamar Institute of Technology’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education Department is offering a new introduction to solar energy course in May.

Introduction to Solar Energy S103 is a 40-hour course offered May 23-27 at LIT.

Who takes this class?• Anyone interested in a career in solar energy;  Contractors, home builders, developers and others interested in expanding their businesses;  Entrepreneurs who want to explore business opportunities in solar energy

What do they learn?

• An  introduction to solar radiation, photovoltaic technologies and systems.
• An overview of system types & components.
• Site survey & analysis techniques & methods.
• Electricity basics & an introduction to the NEC.
• Design & use of grid-tied & grid tied-with-battery-back- up-system.
• Introduction to inverters, charge controllers and other balance-of-system components
• Overview of electrical utility systems and requirements for interacting with electrical utilities
• Introduction to permitting, inspection, commissioning, documentation and labeling requirements.
• System maintenance practices and procedures.

Is there certification?

For NABCEP PV Installer Certification: Those who complete this class are eligible to take the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam. This course satisfies the education requirement for NABCEP PV Installer Certification and most utility company incentive program requirements.

The course will be taught in the LIT  Ta4 Bldg., Room 104   505.27.11   from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.    Cost– $1,595  For more information, call Bobby Craigue 409.839.2909  or email rncraigue@lit.edu

The Total Port Arthur Refinery and Deep Conversion Project DCP has donated $30,000 to both Lamar State College – Port Arthur and to Lamar Institute of Technology to benefit local students.

Pat Avery, Human Resources and Communications Manager at the refinery, presented the checks to the two college presidents to go toward valuable scholarships.

“It is important to support individuals not just in our industry, but in every career choice that promotes growth in our community,” Avery said.

Total is expanding its Port Arthur refinery, the largest investment the company has ever made into one single refinery.  The work is scheduled for completion in 2011. At it’s peak the project employed 4,700 construction workers.