Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College's campus has new solar energy installations

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College's campus is now home to some new solar powered installations, including a solar powered bench, panels, and monitors. These installations were made possible by 2023 funding from the West Virginia State Advance Grant in the amount of $157,614. In addition to the installations, the school was also able to introduce its Solar Installation Technology training program.

According to an article on Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s website, Jay Warmke, who serves as a Solar Installation Technician instructor, was quoted as saying, “Here at Eastern, we are trying to expose students to all the latest in solar technology – from a fully equipped lab where they will work with products used every day in the field, to a number of functioning arrays on campus where they can see and monitor how systems work once they are installed.”

The new technologies on campus include two EnGoPlanet solar powered benches, which sit outside the main entrance to the campus. The benches, which function via solar power, provide students, faculty, and community members the ability to charge their phones wirelessly or via USB, connect to Bluetooth, and access WiFi. Additionally, a new flagpole stands on campus that is lit with lights that are powered via the sun. The final installation is a set of monitors that allow students in the Solar Installation Technology program to check on the solar arrays on campus.

Students who were part of the Spring 2024 Solar Installation Technician training session were able to access these installations beforehand and test them in order to make sure everything was functioning correctly before they were ready to go on campus. Enrollment is open for the next session of the training program, which includes two days of in-person training following six weeks of online learning. 

Lauren Arbaugh, the Workforce Education program coordinator at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, explained that programs like this one are important to the local workforce. Arbaugh said, “Eastern is committed to providing relevant, hands-on education that prepares our students for the workforce. Our renewable energy programs, including our solar and wind initiatives, are shining examples of that mission, equipping our graduates with in-demand skills for a growing industry.”

For more information about Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.