October 30, 2007

Lakes Region CC Approves New Photovoltaics Course

New Hampshire Community Technical College Laconia’s Curriculum Committee approved a new 3-credit elective course titled “Introduction to Photovoltaics (PV)” for the Spring Semester 2008. The new course will train students in PV solar systems installations. After completing the course, students will be eligible to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners PV installers exam.

“Solar Today Magazine reports that renewable energy growth could generate hundreds of thousands of jobs for US workers in renewable energy,” says Lakes Region CC’s new Energy Services and Technology (EST) Coordinator, Wes Golomb (Deerfield), who presented the course for approval yesterday. “In 2006, 15,700 jobs were created in the PV industry alone. Lakes Region CC is positioned well for the future of renewable energy.”

“The New Hampshire legislature, in fact, is considering incentives for residential solar installations worth up to $6,000 per household,” Golomb continues. “If it passes, demand for the Photovoltaics course, and others, will be enormous.”

The new Intro to PV course was offered through the division of community education in the fall semester and was extremely well received. The success of the new class lead Professor Golomb to propose it as an official elective for the College’s Electrical Systems Installation and Maintenance and Electrical Power and Control Technologies programs. “If the course is not filled with Lakes Region CC electrical program students, it will be open to others,” says Golomb. “AC-DC Theory, ELC 1240, is a prerequisite for the new Intro to PV course, or approval of the professor. A basic knowledge of electrical theory will be required for the professor’s approval.”

For additional information about the Intro to PV course, contact Golomb at 524-3207 ext. 763.  One may also contact Lakes Region CC Academic Affairs Vice President, Tom Goulette (Belmont), at ext.716.