People everywhere are looking for smarter, safer, and easier ways to travel. So, it is no wonder that electric vehicles (EVs) are set to hit an all-time high this year, according to the International Energy Agency. While EVs are helping to make a difference in the environment they run on battery power, which does not always go far enough. Therefore, many EV manufacturers are starting to turn to solar power advances to help grow the industry.
The US government is helping boost solar powered energy and it could not come at a better time. According to an article in IndustryWeek, Ford motors has planned a $3.7 billion “massive plant renovations in Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri, all focused on bringing more commercial EVs to market,” the author notes that “[a]ll major automakers are spending money furiously to gear up for EVs.”
One might ask how solar power and EVs go together, and the answer is simple, batteries die if you don’t continually stop to charge them, but solar power allows a continual charge without having to stop. The growth of solar powered EVs is exciting and makes sense in the growing industry. According to a Solar United Neighbors article by Ben Delman, “The improvements to battery technology made in conjunction with EV deployment will unlock battery storage as a tool to advance renewable energy, especially solar, integration across a variety of applications. EVs, being essentially batteries on wheels, will hasten the adoption of a more decentralized and interactive electric grid with the potential for two-way flows of electricity and increased consumer participation.”
The need for solar power is obviously expanding, which means the need for workers specially trained in the field is also growing. However, there is a shortage of these workers which has created an issue known as the “skills-gap.” Secondary and post-secondary schools are struggling to supply a pipeline of new workers with the right combination of skills needed by industry. Some schools can give students a good baseline in basic electrical, mechanical, and fluid power skills. However, most schools aren’t yet equipped to teach advanced green technology skills.
If you’re an instructor or a school administrator, how do you ensure your students are prepared for the green technology jobs of the present and future? Fortunately, if you’re looking to make sure your students are ready to succeed in available green technology jobs, you don’t have to recreate the wheel. The experts at Amatrol have been producing high-quality green technology eLearning courses and hands-on training systems for years. Amatrol has over 30 years of experience as the world’s leader in technical education training systems and eLearning curricula. Students receive the training and hands-on experience needed to be successful in the manufacturing industry. Amatrol offers a variety of training systems for the solar industry.
When your school or business is ready to help expand the solar power industry, Amatrol and Tech-Labs are ready to help. Contact Tech-Labs at sales@tech-labs.com or call 800-445-1088 when you’re ready to close the skills-gap.
