Up to 10 Pawnee Nation community members will participate in a two-week, in-person solar training program in Pawnee, Oklahoma, combining NABCEP PV Associate coursework with hands-on experience working with a ground-mounted solar system.
Everblue will deliver the program in partnership with Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City and the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. The training is designed to give participants foundational knowledge of photovoltaic systems, practical experience with solar equipment and a pathway toward earning the NABCEP PV Associate credential.
“We’re excited to build on our relationship with OSU-OKC to bring this training directly to the Pawnee Nation,” said Joe Keefe, program manager at Everblue. “By combining credential-focused coursework with hands-on training, we can reduce barriers to participation while giving community members practical experience they can build on.”
“OSU-OKC is committed to providing accessible, hands-on training that prepares Oklahomans for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Dr. Ronna Vanderslice, provost of OSU-OKC. “As part of OSU’s land-grant mission to serve all 77 counties, we’re proud to partner with Everblue and the Pawnee Nation to bring solar workforce training directly to the community. This program gives participants practical experience, an opportunity to pursue an industry-recognized credential and skills that can open doors to new career opportunities while creating a lasting energy resource for the Pawnee Nation.”
During the program, participants will work with a ground-mounted, off-grid solar system that includes an inverter, charge controller, battery bank, wiring, disconnects and other equipment. Working with an operational system will allow participants to apply concepts from their coursework while gaining practical experience with the components of a PV system.
Participants will complete NABCEP PV Associate coursework and have the opportunity to sit for the NABCEP PV Associate exam. Each participant will receive one exam attempt and an Everblue certificate of program completion. Participants who successfully meet NABCEP requirements will have the opportunity to earn the NABCEP PV Associate credential.
The program will also leave a lasting resource with the Pawnee Nation. Following the training, the solar equipment used during the program will be transferred to the Nation along with system documentation, manuals and warranties. The system is designed to be modular and expandable, providing a foundation the community can build upon as its clean energy needs evolve.