Our Mission
ImagineSolar is dedicated to accelerating the non-carbon-emitting transformation of the energy industry through solar and smart grid education, industry advisory services and community advocacy and public policy work.
We prepare our customers for clean energy careers and industry certifications. Our curriculum is delivered through onsite and online lectures, hands-on labs, online courses, and employee training programs.
ImagineSolar establishes partnerships with leading manufacturers, distributors, installation companies, training, and accreditation organizations to ensure that our courses are teaching best practices using the most current technologies and methods for the solar and smart grid industries.
Our Timeline
Conducting Advocacy, Training & Advisory Services
Company Founded
Solar Austin, Member of Founding Steering Committee
Austin Clean Energy Initiative (ACE), Member of Founding Steering Committee
Invited participant for the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Distributed Energy Workshop, Austin, TX
Speaker: Solar Electric Power Association Annual Conference, The Photovoltaic Experience, UPEx ’02
Member, Resource Management Commission (RMC) for the City of Austin: founder’s 2003 resolutions included a new aggressive renewable energy portfolio, specific goals for solar electric power in the city’s 5-year plan, and a new budget for a solar rebate program – the first in Texas
Conducted 1st Solar Training for City of Austin Inspectors with John Hoffner
Conducted the 1st Value of Solar Study in Texas as a Member of Clean Power Research Consulting Team
Recruited to be a Member of the Solar Circle
Created 1st Community College Solar Training Program in Texas at Austin Community College
Publication: The Value of Distributed Photovoltaics to Austin Energy and the City of Austin, Clean Power Research: Thomas E. Hoff, Richard Perez, Gerry Braun, Michael Kuhn, Benjamin Norris. March 2006
Volunteer Advisory Services: Solar Decathlon, University of Texas
Speaker: University of Texas, Workshop on Renewable Energy, “Solar Innovation: Technology, Market, and Value,” October 2006
2007 – 2009: Implementing Projects & Training Innovation
Publication: Opportunity on the Horizon: Photovoltaics in Texas, IC2 Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, June 2007
Publication: Opportunity on the Horizon: Photovoltaics in Texas, IC2 Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, June 2007
Speaker: Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association, Annual Conference, panel moderator for “Rural and Urban Opportunities for Solar Electricity and Storage Solutions” and presenter for “Solar PV Electricity: Opportunity and Value,” November 2007
Speaker: Solar Power International 2008, Annual Conference, “Accelerating Solar on a Local Level,” October 2008
Speaker: Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International Annual Outlook, “Outlook for Photovoltaics: Market and Technology,” November 2008
Advisory Services: Implemented U.S. Department of Energy, Solar America Cities Project for CH2MHill, City of Minneapolis/City of St. Paul
1st to Implement Solar Train-the-Trainer Project in Texas: Designed and implemented a solar photovoltaics train-the-trainer program to train educators throughout Texas. Funding for this program was provided by State of Texas funds approved by the United States Department of Energy. Program implementation was done through the Austin Community College
Founder Achieves NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification
Founder Becomes the 1st IREC ISPQ Master Trainer for Solar Photovoltaics in Texas and the 8th in the Nation
1st in the nation to implement three-instructor training model for hands-on labs during solar workshops
Approved by NABCEP as a PV Entry Level Program (now the Associate program) training provider
2010 – 2012: Expanding Solar Industry Training
NABCEP Volunteer: Founder served on the PV Job Task Analysis Review Committee
Designed and Implemented the Comprehensive-National Electrician and Solar Training (C-NEST) program funded by an Energy Training Partnership Grant from the Department of Labor, and ARRA HGEI
Advisory Services: Conducted U.S. Department of Energy, Solar America Cities Project for CH2MHill, City of New Orleans
Implemented the 1st in the nation complete NABCEP Alternative Experience Pathway solar training program for electricians
Speaker: Texas Workforce Commission – Annual Workforce Conference, “Comprehensive-National Electrician Solar Training”
Speaker: Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association, Annual Conference, “Renewables Education & Workforce Development: Creating the Supply”
IREC Volunteer: Founder served on the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Credentialing Advisory Board
Launched 1st in nation blended learning platform for solar training: onsite plus online plus online live streaming
Speaker: IREC Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference, “Building a Workforce Training Ecosystem for Customer Success”
Awarded IREC Accredited Continuing Education Provider for ImagineSolar courses PV201, PV320, PV321, and PV330
NABCEP Volunteer: PV Installation Professional Technical Committee
Founder featured in Chief Learning Officer Magazine for solar blended learning platform
Expanded C-NEST solar training program into New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas and greater Texas
Texas Workforce Investment Council, Office of the Governor, recognizes ImagineSolar as a model of promising practice for electrician apprenticeship training programs
Volunteer Appointment: Austin Local Solar Advisory Committee
2013 – 2015: Walking the Talk as a Solar Contractor
Solar Energy System Maintenance Contractor for the City of Austin Utility Austin Energy: PV system trouble-shooting and repair
Solar PV System Inspection Contractor for IBTS
Founder Recognized as NABCEP Emeritus, PV Installation Professional
Founder Achieves NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales Professional™ Certification
2016 – Current: Continuing the Mission to Train and Empower Others
Volunteer Solar Contractor for KOOP Radio solar project
NABCEP Volunteer: PV Technical Sales Technical Committee & Job Task Analysis
In addition to customers throughout the USA, ImagineSolar has now provided training services to international clients in countries such as: Africa, Australia, Canada, India, Lebanon, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates
Our Customers
Since 2002, ImagineSolar has provided solar training to customers from around the world as well as across the USA (see map below). Our customers include, but are not limited to:
- Utilities
- Government Agencies
- Project Developers
- Entrepreneurs and New Ventures
- Commercial Accounts
- Engineering Companies
- Contractors and Builders
- Investors
- Schools
- Non-profits
- Individuals developing their solar and smart grid careers
Our Credentials
We are the first combined solar and smart grid training organization in Texas, and we offer over 200 hours of courses and workshops as well as project consulting, workforce training and custom courses for corporate clients. Our clients include commercial accounts, engineering companies, contractors, project developers, new ventures, utilities, investors, government agencies (all levels), schools and non-profits, as well as individuals who want to build their careers in the Solar and Smart Grid industries.
ImagineSolar is approved by NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) as a Registered NABCEP Associate Provider. Our courses are in sync with NABCEP’s learning objectives and job task analyses, and are designed to prepare you for NABCEP’s certification exams.