Learning on the Job: Ameresco Lets Students Lend Hand on Vo-Tech's Solar Installation
Ameresco has built numerous distributed energy and microgrid projects for many customers on-site, from military bases to schools, but this time the developer had a little help from friends at the location.
The 185-kW direct-current solar photovoltaic system was completed at the Tri-County Career Center in Nelsonville, Ohio. The project, which was built as part of a scheduled roof replacement for the vocational technical school, uses reflective membrane and bi-facial solar panels to maximize energy production for two buildings.
Massachusetts-based Ameresco engaged numerous high school students from the Electrical Trades Program at Tri-County Career Center to gain on-the-job experience on the installation. Commonwealth Solar also contributed to the project.
“Ameresco not only managed this project smoothly from start to finish, but they also made sure that the installation process would meet the school’s mission to ‘inspire, challenge, and prepare students to reach their career potential,'” Connie Altier, Superintendent of the Tri-County Career Center, said in a statement. “We were thrilled to see our students gain true on-the-job experience with Ameresco and Commonwealth Solar.”
The students aided Ameresco with installing 343 solar panels as part of the Tri-County Career Center project. The distributed energy will deliver about 20% of the site’s annual energy needs, while also cutting close to 161 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, according to the release.
"Providing students with the opportunity to engage directly with potential career paths and improve their campus was one of the most exciting parts of seeing this project unfold,” said Lou Maltezos, President of Central & Western USA, Canada Regions at Ameresco. “We’re committed not only to building a reliable, resilient energy supply, but also to supporting the on-the job training for the future workforce.”
The company surveyed some 600 Generation Z and Millennial workers last year, finding that 81% of them were interested in pursuing careers in the renewable energy sector. The students at Tri-County carried materials, constructed racking and installed solar panels as part of the three-week job.
The areas of study for students in the Tri-County Career Center’s Electrical Trades Program include blueprint reading, national electric code, measurements, principles of electricity, wiring skills, installing distribution systems, residential and commercial wiring, electric motor and control systems and occupational safety.
The program also teaches elements of solar and wind power. Those completing work can earn certifications as an ETA photovoltaic installer and other levels.
Tri-County Career Center in Nelsonville serves students in Hocking, Athens and Perry counties. Students come into the program from the Alexander, Athens, Federal-Hocking, Logan City, Nelsonville-York, Southern and Trimble local districts.
A 2024 report by researchers at McKinsey forecast that the global renewable energy industry will need an additional 1.1 million blue-collar workers by 2030. An additional 1.7 million workers will be needed to operate and maintain those projects, according to McKinsey.
