MREA Midwest Renewable Energy AssociationMREA Midwest Renewable Energy Association

Solar For Humanity

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GET YOUR “LEAD INSTALL” REQUIREMENTS
WITH THE MREA & SOLAR FOR HUMANITY

MREA offers the ONLY course of this kind in the country!

Once again in 2010, a partnership between Habitat for Humanity, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and We Energies is bringing unique opportunities to the renewable energy workforce.

We are teaming up to offer 20 installation workshops in 2010-2011. This program, now in its third year, installs solar electric and solar hot water systems on Habitat for Humanity homes through MREA hands-on workshops.

In 2008, Wisconsin organizations servicing the renewable energy industry recognized a need for more North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified solar electric and solar hot water installers.

Focusing on the Milwaukee area where the installer base was low, the initiative utilized 20 Habitat for Humanity homes to be built in 2008. The homes served as a source for training where a solar electric system or a solar hot water system would be installed. The MREA taught workshops ranging from a General Installation Lab with multiple students, to an in-depth 10-day course. The in-depth course allowed the students to take the lead on at least one install and assist in three other installations. This allowed them to join other active installers on the Focus on Energy Full Service Installer list and prepared them to sit for the NABCEP certification exam in the future. In addition, the goal of bringing solar to low-income areas was achieved. In 2009, efforts were expanded to partner with the Habitat for Humanity Chapters in Fox Valley, Ozaukee County, and Milwaukee.

There have been solar installations on over 50 Habitat homes through this one-of-a-kind program.


TWO WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

1) ADVANCED INSTALLATION COURSE

Work as part of a crew installing a system. Crews are limited to four students so everyone gets lots of experience. Prerequisite for this course is the successful completion of the MREA Lab Course, or demonstrated equivalent training or experience. Courses will be offered through fall of 2010. Check back for scheduled dates!

PV 401: Advanced PV Installation 3-Day Workshop
SW 401: Advanced SHW Installation 3-Day Workshop

Cost: $400

2)LEAD INSTALL COURSE

MREA offers the ONLY course of this kind in the country! As Lead Installer, you will work one-on-one with a NABCEP certified installer on all aspects of a system installation, from designing to commissioning. You will take the lead on all aspects including managing a work crew made up of four MREA students. When you are done, you will have met the requirements of leading an installation that can be used toward North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification. Courses will be offered through fall of 2010.

This 501-level class is an application only course. Application can be found at www.the-mrea.org/solarforhumanity. Lead Installer applicants are encouraged to register for a 401-level MREA workshop to gain more installation experience and an enhanced ability to handle the role of Lead Installer successfully.

PV 501: Lead Installer – PV Installation 3-Day Workshop, plus pre and post install work
SW 501: Lead Installer – SW Installation 3-Day Workshop, plus pre and post install work

Cost: $1200

Any questions, contact Joe Schueller at joe@the-mrea.org or 414-431-0758.


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