Owens adds solar technical training program

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Owens Community College is partnering with Green Energy Ohio to expand growth in the state’s clean energy
sector as the academic institution’s Workforce and Community Services unveils the region’s only Solar
Hot Water Technical Training Program. Owens is one of four technical and community colleges across Ohio
collaborating with Green Energy Ohio with the overall focus of building the local capacity of a trained
labor force in the solar thermal industry.
Fifteen area residents with backgrounds as plumbers, pipe fitters, engineers, facility managers,
contractors, HVAC specialists and code inspectors participated in the initial three-day program with the
goal of expanding their knowledge about solar water heating and providing this installation option to
homeowners and businesses with an interest in renewable energy. Other Ohio academic institutions
partnering with Green Energy Ohio and offering the new program include Cincinnati State Technical and
Community College, Cuyahoga Community College and Hocking College. The new statewide solar thermal
training programs are supported by The Ohio Department of Development – Ohio Energy College.
"Green technology is the wave of the future and more and more individuals are choosing renewable
energy sources for conventional purposes and practices, such solar water heating," said Dr. Michael
Bankey, Owens vice president of Workforce and Community Services. "The college’s new Solar Hot
Water Technical Training Program is designed to raise awareness of alternative and renewable energy and
provide individuals with enhanced knowledge about the many benefits of ‘green living’ both from a energy
conservation and efficiency standpoint."
Owens’ new training program was held in June at the college’s Workforce and Community Services building
on Tracy Road in Northwood. In addition to that class, the program will be offered to area residents in
the coming summer months.
Individuals attending the Solar Hot Water Technical Training Program will receive instruction specific to
designing and installing a solar thermal system for commercial and residential buildings. Course content
includes solar resource fundamentals, solar thermal applications, system components, codes and
standards, troubleshooting, maintenance, and federal/state grants and incentives. Installation
techniques of various equipment designs, as well as solar site selection, collector mounting, system
piping, and system check-out and start-up procedures will also be highlighted.

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