CLINTON COUNTY — Energize Clinton County, in partnership with Blue Rock Station, shined a little solar light on a few individuals this week.
Twelve locals took part in a week-long comprehensive course which taught them the design and installation of solar electric systems within residential and light commercial structures.
Mark Rembert, co-founder of Energize Clinton County, said an inspiration for this workshop was from fellow Energize member and Clarksville farmer Jon Branstrator, who took a similar course in Athens, Ohio.
“He came to us and said that we should try it,” said Rembert. “We were impressed by his excitement.”
Jay Warmke, the owner of Blue Rock Station in Philo, Ohio, was the instructor of the workshop along with the one Branstrator had taken. Warmke is the author of a number of textbooks on renewable energy and has received several awards in instructing.
According to Rembert, many people are incorporating renewable energy into their business and farming, but there aren’t many people in town who know how to maintain the panels and equipment.
With this course, locals will be able to integrate the technology and not have to call an outside specialist — and keep more money in the county.
During the five-day course, the class of 12 heard lectures and participated in hands-on labs in which they worked with working systems, dismantling and reinstalling them, and keeping them in proper order. On Friday, the class took an ETA Level 1 PV Certification Exam.
As for future installments of the course, Rembert and others will discuss what to do next; he hopes to continue these courses in the future.
