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Pratt Community College will be starting a solar energy program that be offered both on campus and as a hybrid course this fall.
The yearlong certificate program will prepare students for entry level work installing, maintaining and repairing Solar Photovoltaic systems.
In the hands-on program students will be required to take 29 hours of classes during the fall and spring semesters and then will take part in a three month paid internship, which will be worth six hours.
“The price of photovoltaic cells has dropped considerably over the course of the past three years,” said Joe Varrientos, dean of technical instruction. “It is now affordable for some homeowners to make PV installations to offset the cost of their electricity, especially while the IRS is offering Renewable Energy Tax Credits for some eligible installations of up to 30 percent. Solar PV System installers may be in high demand very soon, especially here in Kansas where the density of solar radiation is one of the highest in the country.”
The program will prepare students to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and Entry Level Solar Photovoltaic Installer exams.
Varrientos said that even though students don’t need the certificate to install solar systems, it will make them a lot more marketable. In order to help students achieve this, Varrientos is hoping that students will be able to take the exam in Pratt next year. Right now the only place people can take the exam in Kansas is in Wichita.
PCC is a comprehensive community college, offering an associate’s degree in general education as well as technical education studies and business and industry training. Students may transfer to a 4-year university or enter the workforce upon completion of their degree of training.
PCC’s offers a variety of courses on campus and online leading to degree completion or transfer to a four-year college. Students experience one-on-one attention from instructors through small class size and personalized advising. PCC transfer students regularly achieve higher grade point averages at state universities compared to non-transfer students. In addition to PCC’s main campus located 70 miles west of Wichita, programs and services are also offered in Winfield, Coffeyville and through the Wichita eLearning Service Center, 7920 West Kellogg, Suite 200.
For more information about Pratt Community College call (620) 450-2217 or visit www.prattcc.edu.
Pratt Community College will be starting a solar energy program that be offered both on campus and as a hybrid course this fall.
The yearlong certificate program will prepare students for entry level work installing, maintaining and repairing Solar Photovoltaic systems.
In the hands-on program students will be required to take 29 hours of classes during the fall and spring semesters and then will take part in a three month paid internship, which will be worth six hours.
“The price of photovoltaic cells has dropped considerably over the course of the past three years,” said Joe Varrientos, dean of technical instruction. “It is now affordable for some homeowners to make PV installations to offset the cost of their electricity, especially while the IRS is offering Renewable Energy Tax Credits for some eligible installations of up to 30 percent. Solar PV System installers may be in high demand very soon, especially here in Kansas where the density of solar radiation is one of the highest in the country.”
The program will prepare students to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and Entry Level Solar Photovoltaic Installer exams.
Varrientos said that even though students don’t need the certificate to install solar systems, it will make them a lot more marketable. In order to help students achieve this, Varrientos is hoping that students will be able to take the exam in Pratt next year. Right now the only place people can take the exam in Kansas is in Wichita.
PCC is a comprehensive community college, offering an associate’s degree in general education as well as technical education studies and business and industry training. Students may transfer to a 4-year university or enter the workforce upon completion of their degree of training.
PCC’s offers a variety of courses on campus and online leading to degree completion or transfer to a four-year college. Students experience one-on-one attention from instructors through small class size and personalized advising. PCC transfer students regularly achieve higher grade point averages at state universities compared to non-transfer students. In addition to PCC’s main campus located 70 miles west of Wichita, programs and services are also offered in Winfield, Coffeyville and through the Wichita eLearning Service Center, 7920 West Kellogg, Suite 200.
For more information about Pratt Community College call (620) 450-2217 or visit www.prattcc.edu.
