Virginia Solar Energy Training Takes Advantage of TVA Rebates IN 2000 Virginias State Bill 1415 titled Voluntary

Renewable Energy Portfolio Goal was passed and is one of only five states that allow a voluntary compliance with the national Renewables Portfolio Standard objectives (RPS). Virtually all of the other states have mandatory programs that are applied to privately owned utility companies. While the Governor of Virginia issued an Executive Order that same year that called for significant reduction in energy use by state owned properties, there was no sense of urgency or priority given to alternative renewable energy. Then in 2007 the Virginia Energy Plan was announced which would reduce the rate of growth in energy use by 40 percent. This 180 page report talked about lofty goals in achieving energy savings but said very little about how it would be accomplished and almost ignored solar electric PV systems all together. TVA rewards Virginia homeowners and businesses and encourages the PV industry Thankfully for the Virginia residents who are served by TVA and its member utility companies a program was developed to help offset the cost of installing photovoltaic systems called Green Power Switch (GPS) which allows individual homes and businesses to sell back energy generated by their PV systems and averages about $180 a month for the average home. This TVA incentive along with a Virginia law that allows cities to exempt solar installations from property tax assessment has spurred the PV design and installation industry in the state. Currently cities offering the property tax exemption include Alexandria, Charlottesville, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Fairfax, Falls Church, Hampton, Hanover, Henrico, Isle of Wight, King and Queen, Loudoun, Lynchburg, Prince William, Pulaski, Richlands, Roanoke, Spotsylvania, Warren and Wise. Getting qualified to take advantage of the Virginia boom in PV jobs A boom in PV installations means a boom in Installer jobs for qualified applicants. If youre thinking about getting into this field you will need at least a basic background in solar energy training and one of the best places to get that is Infinite Solar located in Philadelphia. Infinite Solar is already recognized as a premiere solar training facility and is a fully accredited IREC provider. The instruction is hands on and based on the learning then doing teaching model. Courses run from 2 day refreshers for veterans of the industry, to prep courses for the NABEC certification test to a full 5 day course on entry level solar electric (PV) system design and installation.

If you are a Virginian interested in the solar electric industry, dont pass up the chance to explore the possibilities that Infinite Solar energy classes can open up for you.