ImagineSolar LLC

ImagineSolar is the first licensed school in Texas dedicated to workforce development and advisory services for the solar and smart grid industries. We offer hands-on training indoors and outdoors and on the roof of our 4000 sqft training facility. Classroom education takes place at our facility and at ImagineSolar Online. ImagineSolar has been at the forefront of clean energy policy and education since its founding in 2002. Our training and workforce development along with policy and advocacy work and industry/technology expertise enable us to be a part of today’s revolution in energy and tomorrow’s sustainable communities.

OUR MISSION

ImagineSolar is dedicated to accelerating the non-carbon-emitting transformation of the energy industry through technology-mediated solar and smart grid education, industry advisory services and community advocacy and public policy work.

We prepare our customers for clean energy careers and industry certifications.  Our curriculum is delivered through live and online lectures, hands-on labs, online courses, and employee training programs.

ImagineSolar establishes partnerships with leading manufacturers, distributors, installation companies, training, and accreditation organizations to ensure that our courses are teaching best practices using the most current technologies and methods for the solar and smart grid industries.

OUR CREDENTIALS

We are the first licensed solar and smart grid school in Texas, and we offer over 200 hours of courses and workshops as well as project consulting, workforce training and custom courses for corporate clients.  Our clients include commercial accounts, engineering companies, contractors, project developers, new ventures, utilities, investors, government agencies (all levels), schools and non-profits, as well as individuals who want to build their careers in the Solar and Smart Grid industries.

ImagineSolar is approved by NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) as a Registered NABCEP Associate Provider. Our courses are in sync with NABCEP’s learning objectives and job task analyses, and are formatted to prepare you for NABCEP’s exams.

ImagineSolar was featured in the March 2011 issue of The Electric Current by NABCEP Executive Director Ezra Auerbach: NABCEP Alternative Experience Pathway for Qualified Electricians. Many of our courses qualify as Continuing Education (CEU) credits for licensed professionals, including Engineers, Architects and Electricians.  The State of Texas requires Engineers to earn 15 hours annually.  Check with your state and industry’s license requirements.  

OUR PROGRAMS AND STAFF

Located in Austin, Texas, we operate a state-of-the-art training facility.  ImagineSolar Online courses use a ‘Triple O’ blended training platform where students can take advantage of onsite, online, and Online LIVE training. The ImagineSolar team is comprised of passionate individuals who bring unique experiences and leadership to the organization. Our Instructors and Lecturers believe in and practice the company’s core mission to move the world of renewable energy forward through the delivery of education.

Training and Workforce Development Projects

ImagineSolar has created and implemented training and workforce development projects for the educational sector, including the following:

First Solar Training Program in Texas at Austin Community College
ImagineSolar brought Texas its first community college program dedicated to solar training. After drafting the initial proposal for the program, ImagineSolar designed the course curriculum, specified the equipment, and conducted outreach to both participants and partners. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Texas State Energy Conservation Office.

Under the initial grant and subsequent grants, Michael Kuhn developed the original curricula for the nine courses below and provided consultation to ACC to create the first Associate of Applied Science Degree in renewable energy in Texas.

For ACC Continuing Education:

1. HART1071 Solar Electric Systems, Entry Level (with John Hoffner)
2. HART1072 Advanced Solar Photovoltaic Installer (with John Hoffner)
3. HART1073 Solar Thermal Systems
4. HART1074 PV Problem Solving
5. HART1075 Working Safely with Photovoltaic Systems
6. HART1076 Incentives for Solar Energy Systems
7. HART1077 Mounting Practices for Solar Energy
8. Solar Train-the-Trainer for HART1071

For ACC Electronics & Advanced Technologies Department:
9. ELMT2474 Solar Photovoltaic Systems, 96 Contact Hours

Austin Independent School District Solar Curriculum Development
In alliance with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements for K-12 science classes, ImagineSolar developed coursework for the Austin Independent School District on the topic of solar energy.  ImagineSolar also provided training for AISD science teachers in an effort to help implement the project.  This project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the City of Austin.

Solar Train-the-Trainer Program for Educators in Texas 
Following its conception at ImagineSolar, the Solar Train-the-Trainer program successfully prepared educators from all across Texas for instructing on the topics of solar energy and photovoltaic systems.  This project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Texas State Energy Conservation Office and implemented through Austin Community College.  We shared our knowledge for best practices with all the colleges listed below:
* Alamo Colleges, San Antonio, Texas
* Amarillo College, Amarillo, Texas
* Austin Community College, Austin, Texas
* Cedar Valley College, Lancaster, Texas
* Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas
* Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD), Dallas, Texas
* Kilgore College, Kilgore, Texas
* Lamar Institute of Technology, Beaumont, Texas
* Lee College, Baytown, Texas
* Lone Star College, Tomball, Texas
* Northeast Texas Community College, Mount Pleasant, Texas
* South Plains College, Levelland, Texas
* Temple Collage, Temple, Texas
* Texas State Technical College, Waco, Texas
* Texas State Technical College, Harlingen, Texas
* Texas State Technical College, Marshall, Texas