The American Solar Energy Society (ASES, www.ases.org) – the nation’s oldest solar association focused on advocacy, adoption and advancement of solar energy – is offering one of the industry’s most comprehensive and affordable training opportunities for installers and others at its annual National Solar Conference (Solar 2011) in Raleigh, N.C., May 17-21. This is the 40th consecutive year ASES has held its important conference, which brings together academics, government agencies, installers, manufacturers, consumers and others invested in solar’s future. In partnership with National Solar Trainers (NST, www.nationalsolartrainers.com) – a leading provider of unbiased solar education – ASES’s SOLAR AND YOU! training will provide installers and other interested participants exceptional skill development in advanced topics in solar technology, business management, market trends, residential and commercial installation, and more during early-conference training sessions May 17 and 18. “If there were just one professional development event a person currently working in or interested in working in solar should attend, THIS is it,” explained Shaun McGrath, newly appointed executive director of ASES. “This is the single place interested people can develop in-demand skills, forge valuable new connections and advance their solar careers.” The National Solar Conference is the longest-running educational event for solar energy professionals in the U.S. Now in its 40th year, the SOLAR 2011 program has been developed by solar energy experts in all topical areas – technology, buildings, policy, professional education, workforce development and consumer education. More than 5,000 attendees are expected. “We strongly encourage early registration for our SOLAR AND YOU! Training due to limited capacity,” reinforced ASES’s Kate Hotchkiss, the National Solar Conference director. “Training sessions we have offered with larger capacity at recent national conferences have sold out weeks before the conferences started.” “NST has trained thousands of people” explained Lars Rudstam, NST’s marketing manager. “This is the best program we’ve ever created.” “We’ll offer a more extensive, hands-on training and professional development than any other conference in the solar industry,” continued Hotchkiss. “If you want to become part of the green economy as an installer, THIS is the must-attend conference and training session.” The conference will also provide a “Green Career Resource Center,” staffed by the N.C. Capital Area Workforce Development Board’s JobLink Career Center in Raleigh. Green job seekers will find employment listings, resume and interview advice, and much more. The four primary Solar and You sessions include: 1) advanced workshops on commercial and utility-scale solar PV, 2) a “Solar MBA” on best business practices for solar installers, 3) courses on the design, applications, and markets for Solar PV, and 4) courses on the design, applications, and markets for Solar Thermal. Registration for SOLAR AND YOU! training began March 25, 2011. Click here: www.nationalsolarconference.org, or call: 303.443.3130. There are four significant firsts in professional development with the SOLAR 2011 conference: 1) Training programs are offered by an Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)-accredited continuing education provider (National Solar Trainers); 2) Participants will receive hands-on experience on a mock roof training lab (provided by the US Solar Academy); 3) Students will be able to earn in a single conference all 18 NABCEP continuing education credits needed for recertification. (NABCEP stands for: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.); and 4) The first national solar conference to have a big push for professional development. ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY: Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and grassroots advocates. Supported by more than 12,000 members, ASES advances research, education, and policy. ASES publishes the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, presents the National Solar Conference, rallies citizens to build a Solar Nation, and leads the National Solar Tour – the world’s largest grassroots solar event. www.ases.org. ABOUT NATIONAL SOLAR TRAINERS: National Solar Trainers LLC (NST) is the only exclusively business to business training provider in the solar industry. It provides trainers, curriculums, and consulting services for dozens of training programs, including manufacturers, contractors, solar academies, non-profits, and colleges, which in turn train thousands of students. Its trainers have over 40 years of solar experience and have trained countless students around the globe. NST seeks to be a mark of quality by ensuring the highest standards of professional solar training are being delivered across the industry. Learn more about NST trainings at www.nationalsolartrainers.com Media Contacts: Jason Sherman, (708) 445-8598, jason@shermancm.com, SHERMAN communications and marketing, www.shermancm.com, public relations firm Kate Hotchkiss, (303) 443-3130 x111, KHotchkiss@ases.org, national solar conference director, American Solar Energy Society Lars Rudstam, (315) 345-0348, lars@nationalsolartrainers.com, marketing manager, National Solar Trainers