Demand For Solar Power Product And Installation Information Increases
There are several ways to install solar power units on buildings
NANAIMO – As the demand for solar power has increased, so has the need for education to help developers and homebuilders keep pace with new technology and installation techniques.
Hakai Energy Solutions co-founder Jason Jackson says that since consumer interest in renewable energy like solar powered homes and office buildings is outpacing the experience base of the construction community, they’ve designed their own industry training courses.
“In 2019 we introduced a Home Builders Solar Course which is registered by BC Housing,” notes Jackson, who co-founded the company in Cumberland in 2011. “If you’re a general contractor, you must earn Continuing Professional Development points to keep your license in good standing, which our course provides. Our course focuses on grid tied solar energy systems and covers the equipment used to generate electricity from solar power and how that power is distributed.”
Solar power units on commercial buildings are becoming increasingly popular
Jackson says the course covers battery storage systems, inverters and backup generators, and participants are taught basic design principals, how to identify the various components, understand how the components interact, how the building code applies, wire rough-in during construction, basic electrical concepts, trends in the solar industry, building incorporation and financing.
“We also go through case studies in each area,” he adds. “This training gives the contractor the information required to properly handle a client’s request at the financing and design stage, as opposed to leaving it to the client to sort out once the building is complete.”
Jackson notes that Hakai has a deep design team, built from a core group of individuals that has been designing electrical generation and distribution systems for longer than the company has existed.
“Couple this experience with highly qualified renewable energy experts and talented installers, and we’re able to offer a client the best possible outcome from the consultation stage, through design and execution,” he notes. “This is why our commercial portfolio is heavy in critical infrastructure such as fire stations, emergency response centers and other municipal infrastructure.
“Our growth strategy is pretty straight forward: Come to work and design to the very best of our collective ability, and maintain a healthy ability to criticize our own work. When we look back, we want to see an addition to our portfolio and our reputation that is truly built to last.”
Jackson observes that a new federal government solar energy grant program has helped the company’s residential market increase significantly this year.
“We’re currently involved in projects from Vancouver Island to Williams Lake, and we opened a service center in Nanaimo this year,” he adds. “We’re laser focused on building robust systems that work and will continue to work for three decades ahead. After all, there’s nothing renewable about a system that fails, or worse, damages property.”
