TCC, UCF announce partnership to provide solar and photovoltaic training

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 9, 2008) - Tallahassee Community College (TCC) and the University of Central Florida (UCF) are teaming up to offer solar and photovoltaic training to residents of Florida’s Big Bend and Panhandle regions. The partnership is part of the Employ Florida Alternative Energy Banner Center, a statewide training program for alternative energy technologies that is targeting students throughout the state.

Beginning this fall, TCC will provide training for building contractors and incumbent construction workers, as well as those interested in learning about alternative energy technologies and their applications.

Workforce Florida, Inc. initiated the training program and, in February 2008, awarded a contract to UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to establish and lead the training center, along with six other Florida partners. In addition to TCC, FSEC’s other partners in the program include Brevard Community College, Westside Tech, Broward Community College, the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA) and the Brevard Workforce Board.

The partnership between UCF and TCC is a win-win considering FSEC’s long history of serving as a driving force in alternative energy research and education and TCC’s close connection to the local workforce. TCC’s interest in providing alternative energy training can be linked directly to local commitments to alternative energy. The City of Tallahassee strongly encourages the use of both technologies in residential and commercial applications.

Log on to www.talgov.com/you/electric/solar.cfm for more information on the City of Tallahassee’s alternative energy programs.

Rick Frazier, Director of Economic and Workforce Development at TCC, believes the Big Bend region is primed for solar and PV training.

“Without a doubt this partnership is just the beginning of a long relationship that will provide new and essential skills to our local workforce plus provide other economic opportunities in North Florida,” Frazier said. “Contractors who participate in the training are opening more doors to financial opportunities as green building is becoming increasingly important.”

According to recent projections, Florida utilities, over the next 10 years, will have to produce 75 billion more kilowatt-hours than the current level of energy output to accommodate the future electric energy needs of the state. Last year, Governor Charlie Crist issued three executive orders on energy usage and climate change, one of which calls for Florida utilities to produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable resources with a strong focus on solar and wind energy.
In addition to facing these energy challenges, Florida’s educational programs and curriculum in alternative energy technology are limited both statewide and nationally. There are some educational organizations throughout the U.S. that offer courses and workshops in alternative energy, but this training is not routinely available at traditional vocational schools, community colleges or universities, nor is it designed for workforce deployment.

Addressing these needs and concerns, the Alternative Energy Banner Center will offer two core programs in photovoltaic (solar electricity) and solar thermal (solar hot water and pool heating) technologies. Both programs will be designed for students at any level, regardless of previous skill level. The results from the initial program offerings will be analyzed and used as feedback to update and finalize the curriculum. After the first year, the plan will be expanded and offered throughout Florida at other community colleges and technical centers. The initial curriculum program for these two areas will utilize existing resources, but will expand depending on response from industry and partner feedback.

Anyone in the Big Bend who is interested in taking solar and photovoltaic training classes should contact TCC at (850) 201-8760.