In the Rearview Mirror and Up Ahead

 

Across industries, government, academia and public interests, people come to IREC's Annual Meeting for two reasons:  1) they come for the intelligently researched, fact-based content on pressing clean energy issues; and 2) they come to reconnect with colleagues and friends.  What they leave with is a wealth of new information, thought provoking insight from a variety of experts, and a stronger vision of next steps toward our clean energy future and a quality trained workforce to sustain it.

 

From the Orlando meeting, IREC released its annual  Updates & Trends Report, which details the dynamic renewable energy environment, including growing and changing markets, increased quality demands by consumers, and regulatory achievements in the clean energy space.   We also recognized our 2012 Innovation and Special Recognition winners, those organizations and individuals who advance the understanding and use of clean energy in our communities. Congratulations to all. 

 

If you were unable to join us, you can see the 2012 awardees and the meeting presentations on IREC's website.  Thanks again to our very generous Annual Meeting sponsors.  And a special thank you to all of our partners, supporters and friends for making IREC's 30th birthday an occasion to celebrate.  Pictures from the birthday party are on IREC's Facebook page.

 

Just yesterday, IREC and the DOE announced a groundbreaking PV Online Training opportunity for Code Officials (PVOT).  The dynamic new training program can quickly and cost-effectively reach a far greater number of code officials than has been possible with traditional onsite workshops and seminars. This helps solve a critically important obstacle to timely, cost-effective PV installations, as municipal code officials in charge of permitting and inspections are often unfamiliar with what to look for in a quality installation.

 

PVOT includes seven online modules.  The first six are traditional linear training modules with 2D media and narrated video, followed by an assessment quiz. The seventh module, the 'capstone' game-based module, offers a virtual house with problem-based challenges and scoring. This 3D game-based framework provides an interactive environment where users can assess and improve their ability to identify correctly and/or incorrectly installed components of a roof-mounted PV Array installation.  Though developed and targeted to code officials who inspect and permit PV systems, it's available to anyone.   

 

For more information, go directly to PVOT, or go to the National Training & Education Resource (NTER) website, and enter  'Photovoltaic's or 'PV' in the search bar.  

 

Next month, the 5th national Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference is November 13-15 in Albany, NY.  With 84 presenters and five pre-conference technical workshops, the national conference is expected to draw some 500 clean energy educators and trainers who will offer the latest information and insight on instructional strategies, curricula development, credentialing and best training practices.  There is still time to register.  Find out more about this impressive program at www.cewec.com. Will we see you there?