The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN an effort to get more Bahamians sensitised to the increasing demand for solar energy, Techsystems Solar HVAC has completed its second training programme.

At the end of a three-month course that started in December, the seven candidates were presented with their certification certificates recently at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.

Rodwell Knowles, the senior instructor, said the programme was a solar tech course conducted by their company Techsystem Solar HVAC to provide an opportunity for young people in the country to solve PV Design.

“It was based on a 60 hours schedule and they were able to complete the course in record time with nine different courses,” Knowles said. “And also too, we did standards for Bahamas Power and Light and we did the standards for the Ministry of Works.”

The course was staged in the classroom at Chapel on the Hill every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-9pm.

“The purpose of this course was to take advantage of all the sun we have in The Bahamas,” Knowles said. “They always say we don’t have any trained people in The Bahamas, but these people re trained professionals and they can go out there with a licenced electrician and get the job done.”

Ahmal Henfield, another senior instructor, said they decided to start the programme to help individuals in the community to get more knowledge about solar power and its installation, the applications in terms of operation and business opportunities.

“We started in the Golden Isles dommunity and we had a successful run and so we wanted to continue the good work,” Henfield said. “I see the program as something that could be expanded throughout The Bahamas and it is necessary for the future of our country.”

Three of the candidates, who passed the course, were delighted to have earned their certification.

Angelino Cooper, a mechanical engineer, said he always wanted to learn about global energy and the course provided him with an opportunity to achieve that goal.

“The course was pretty nice. We took our time. It felt like I was back in school,” Cooper said. “We had to go through the math, equation and a little bit of physics and drawing. It was a lot of work, very detailed, but I liked it.”

Cooper said he intent to use the knowledge gained to advertise his ability to provide some type of energy saving service for their homes.

Sidney Forbes, whose background is in chemicals, said he decided to join the course because he was always interested in renewable energy. 

“The course was excellent. The instructor, Mr Knowles, made it so easy for us,” Forbes said. “I would like to get some more experience and take the industry by storm.”

And Clifford Albury, a member of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force from 2014-2022 before he moved to BPL as a chemical engineer, said he joined the programme to get ahead of the crowd for the installation of solar systems in the country.

“I don’t see a lot of individuals and companies doing a lot of solar installations, so as it become more in abundance, I believe it’s better to start now than later.”

Eventually, Albury said he hope to install a solar system in his home and on an apartment that his parents owe. But his ultimate goal is to start his own solar panel business with his personal electrician and some of the candidates whom he went through the course with. 

Interested persons can contact Techsystems Solar HVAC at 801-6509 or email techsystem22@gmail.com.