What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the phrase “alternative energy”? For some, mental images of towering wind turbines might come to mind. For others, it could be vast fields full of solar panels.
As so-called “solar farms” become more and more popular, many landowners are transitioning their agricultural fields to house solar panels rather than crops. That doesn’t always have to be the case, though. In many areas, solar installations are existing in peace and harmony side-by-side with agricultural uses.
This unique intersection of agriculture and solar technologies has also become a target for new advanced automation technologies being developed by companies around the world. For example, in a recent PV Magazine article, author Lior Kahana reports that agRE.tech, a company in Israel, is “developing a robotic operating system tailored for agrivoltaic projects.”
According to the company, its “advanced robotic operating system tailored for agrivoltaic areas…utilizes artificial intelligence to execute complex agricultural tasks autonomously, such as selective spraying, pruning, and harvesting. Additionally, it oversees the control and maintenance operations of the solar fields.”
Elad Levy, CEO of agRE.tech, explains that the company “identified climate and agriculture as burgeoning fields where we can contribute to global efforts addressing the climate crisis and food security. The convergence of these sectors presents immense potential for technological and business innovation.”
As advanced automation technologies find a solid footing in both agriculture and solar, companies in these industries will need to both upskill current workers and hire new workers with the hands-on skills they’ll need to succeed in the workplace.
Fortunately, companies don’t have to be an expert at training to implement a new program. The experts at Amatrol have been working together with industry and educational institutions for years to design training programs to teach the hands-on skills employees need.
For example, Amatrol’s Agritech training program features a wide variety of training solutions to address common skills needed in the agriculture sector. These training solutions boast both eLearning curriculum and hands-on experience with trainers equipped with industrial components workers will encounter on the job.
Amatrol also offers an impressive range of alternative energy training systems. In particular, companies needing solar training will be interested in the following solar training systems available from Amatrol:
- Alternative Energy Learning System – Solar (850-AES): Teaches aspiring solar technicians the knowledge and skills they need to prepare for portions of the solar certifications offered by such certifying groups as NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) and ETA (Electronics Technicians Association).
- Solar PV Installation Learning System (950-SPF1): Teaches students the installation and commissioning of grid interactive and stand-alone photovoltaic systems for commercial and residential applications. It also supports the learning necessary to prepare for portions of NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification and helps to prepare students for successful employment in the solar photovoltaic industry field.
- Solar PV Troubleshooting Learning Systems (950-SPT1): Allows students to develop the specialized skills and knowledge needed for working with the common types of PV systems. The 950-SPT1 teaches students connection, operation, programming, and troubleshooting of AC/DC and grid-connected systems.
- Solar Thermal Troubleshooting – Closed-Loop Learning System (950-STCL1): Allows learners to develop the specialized skills and knowledge needed for working with the two common types of thermal closed-loop systems: drainback and pressurized. Solar Thermal Troubleshooting teaches learners about connecting, operating, programming, and troubleshooting both drainback and pressurized systems.
- Solar Thermal Installation Learning System (950-STF1): Teaches students the installation and commissioning of closed loop and open loop solar thermal systems for commercial and residential applications. Students will learn how to install systems by selecting, preparing, mounting and connecting solar thermal components using copper tubing, PVC piping, and electrical wiring.
- Solar Thermal Troubleshooting – Open-Loop Learning System (950-STOL1): Examines how to connect, operate, program, and troubleshoot open-loop solar thermal systems. The combination of in-depth, multimedia curriculum with real-world equipment gives learners hands-on experience with both drainback and pressurized open-loop solar thermal systems.
For more information about how Amatrol can help you upskill your current workers, contact an expert at Amatrol today!
