Staying current with currents

PALMER — Three solar electric classes offered through Mat-Su College are giving about 20 Alaskans a chance to sharpen their skills and knowledge on solar energy concepts, installation and other aspects of ways to utilize the sun's energy.

Mark Masteller, assistant professor of sustainable energy at the college, said he has set up three classes in conjunction with one of the nation's leading solar installation companies — Solar Energy International (SEI) out of Colorado. He said the goal is to teach individuals the basics of solar panel installation from running wires, to electric grid hookup to energy storage components.

The three-week class/lab focuses one week in the classroom learning solar electric design. The second week has participants constructing a solar system and the third, focuses on energy storage through battery backup. The first class began April 10, the second Monday and the third will begin April 24. Masteller said he was able to secure an $85,000 Alaska Technical Vocational Education Program to help offset tuition and related costs.

Masteller said most of the participants, which include representatives from Alaska Native Health Consortium (ANTHC) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), various electric companies and municipalities from rural Alaska and Arctic Solar Ventures (ASV) are among those involved, to some degree, in solar power work. Masteller said this program gives participants not only hands-on training in all aspects of the topic, but also teaches proper techniques, such as wiring and hooking systems to the power grid.

Students spent time assembling, disassembling, wiring and troubleshooting two types of installation — rooftop and flat roof, or ground.

Masteller said this is the first time such a training session has been offered in the Mat-Su and it is only the second time in the state. The first, he said, was about four years ago. Two SEI instructors made the trek from Colorado to teach the courses. Jackie Savina, co-owner of Anchorage-based ASV, said having SEI representatives in Alaska is game-changing.

"They are the most recognized in the industry," Savina said. Her company, which was established about one-and-a-half years ago, currently employs four. "We want to make sure our employees are current in the latest product changes, design and installation procedures."

Eric Hanssen of ANTHC said he was part of seven ANTHC participants. Hanssen said he hopes to be able to implement solar technologies in rural Alaskan communities.

"We're here in an effort to reduce operating costs for public utilities in outlying parts of the state," Hanssen said.

Fellow ANTHC employee John Street, of Bethel, said as prices for solar technologies decrease and technological advancements increase, he would like to see a bigger push to have solar power utilized across the western part of the state. Street calls Bethel home but frequently visits villages in the state's most remote locations. He provided stark examples of current utility costs in his home town. With a population of approximately 7,000, Bethel is the largest city in Western Alaska. Street said stove oil runs about $6 per gallon. Those lucky enough to be able to hook up to the city's water and sewer system pay $220 a month for the service. Street said monthly electric bills run about the same amount.

Hanssen noted even with micro-grids that are prevalent across the rural parts of the state, the associated costs with utilities are extremely high. In some locations, fuel to operate electric generators must be flown in or brought by barge in the summer months. He said utilizing solar technologies to help offset those high costs just makes sense.

Savina said with the current federal tax write-offs, a home solar install will pay for itself in about 10 years.