The launch will highlight the Solar PV training yard and classroom space, and will feature student and faculty-led abbreviated labs and solar panel demonstrations.

Salt Lake Community College's Green Academy will hold an event celebrating the completion of Utah's only Solar Photovoltaic (PV) training yard on September 6, at the College's Meadowbrook Campus, 250 West 3900 South in Salt Lake City. The press and media are invited to tour the lab that morning from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

"The completion of the photovoltaic training yard is an exciting addition to sustainable green energy practice and workforce development in Utah. It's been great to be a part of this project—it demonstrates the College's commitment to help prepare Utah's workforce for renewable energy technologies and conservation," said SLCC Dean of the School of Professional and Economic Development Karen Gunn. "The new training yard is the first of its kind in the state and will facilitate Utah's capacity to meet industry demands for highly skilled green energy technicians."

The launch will highlight the Solar PV training yard and classroom space, and will feature student and faculty-led abbreviated labs and solar panel demonstrations.

Deborah Buterbaugh, Energy Project Specialist from the U.S. Department of Energy will be attending the launch. Buterbaugh is the representative for two previously awarded grants that the College has received for a total of $2.1 million. Salt Lake Community College was selected as one of only a dozen sites nationally to visit, to see how the College has developed innovative green energy training programs.

The PV training yard is a resource for industry professionals and prospective technicians looking to accelerate their knowledge and skills through hands-on training and curriculum provided by North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)certified instructors.

To watch a time-lapse video of the construction for the solar training yard visit: http://youtu.be/rUfp_IX13UY

Salt Lake Community College's Green Academy is offered through the department of Continuing Education. The Green Academy received the 2011 Green Business award from Utah Business Magazine and was recognized for the programs leadership and teaching in the fields of green technologies, renewable and alternative energy. The program offers workshops, courses, certificate and degree programs that are designed for industry-related professionals seeking career advancement or for individuals looking to enter of the many renewable energy fields. For more information about Continuing Education at Salt Lake Community College visit: http://www.slcccontinuinged.com/greenacademy.

About the College: Salt Lake Community College is an accredited, student-focused, urban college meeting the diverse needs of the Salt Lake community. Home to more than 62,000 students each year, the College is the largest supplier of workforce development programs in the State of Utah. The College is the sole provider of applied technology courses in the Salt Lake area, with 13 sites, an eCampus, and nearly 1,000 continuing education sites located throughout the Salt Lake valley. Personal attention from an excellent faculty is paramount at the College, which maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of less than 20 to 1.