CleanEdison

Cheap electricity actually exists! Solar industry experts are championing Solar PV as a cheaper way to generate electricity and governments, private companies, and non-profits are all jumping on-board with this cost effective energy source.

Solar PV uses solar cells, which are components of a solar panel, to convert sunlight into usable electricity. Solar PV systems, due to their renewable energy source, allow us to produce large amounts of electricity, cheaply and sustainably.

Solar technology is rapidly growing in the United States because it saves energy costs. Edwards Air Force Base in California is building three solar farms on base, a project that will save the military base hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Additionally, states and the federal government are investing in Solar because the industry is creating jobs and boosting U.S. competitiveness in alternative energy markets. In October 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a $60 million investment for scientific research to advance cutting-edge solar technologies. This program, through the Department’s SunShot Initiative, is an effort to encourage widespread adoption of solar to help reduce the cost of solar energy systems by 75% and in-turn increase U.S. competitiveness in the global market for solar technologies. Furthermore, in November 2011 the U.S. Department of Energy reported a 6.8% growth rate in the solar industry and that over 100,000 workers are employed in the U.S. solar industry. Even better news is that these numbers are continuing to rise!

Don’t be dissuaded by the recent negative press surrounding the solar industry. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman reports that Solyndra’s failure ‘was actually caused by technological success.’ As the price of solar panels continued decrease, consumer demand increased, and Solyndra could not keep up with the competition. Similarly, Florida had to delay administering its solar energy rebates to its residents who purchased and installed solar energy technologies for their homes and businesses because public demand exceeded available state dollars. Launched in 2006, the program’s funding was depleted by 2009, due to widespread popularity. Residents and business owners are all looking to implement cost effective measures and are turning to solar to save money while helping our environment at the same time.

Coinciding with this latest solar buzz, CleanEdison is offering our Solar Series courses! Our Solar PV Bootcamp and Solar Thermal Bootcamp are a blended hands-on and classroom instruction courses covering Fundamentals, Sales & Marketing, Design and Installation. These are perfect courses for any solar professional, or soon to be solar professional, looking to start or expand their current business. At the end of this course, students will be eligible to take the exam to earn their NABCEP entry level certificate. Visit our website, www.cleanedison.com or call 646.723.4050 to find out more!