As Latin America is increasingly identified as a growth region for solar energy, companies from the United States and Europe with plans for large utility-scale solar projects are moving into the area. One organization in particular is working with locals to help them develop residential and smaller-scale solar opportunities.

Solar Energy International will launch its first Academia de Profesionales Solares de las Americas this month with a series of online courses and in-person workshops for 50 solar professionals in Central America and Mexico. The program was organized through the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas.

Solar Energy International, a Colorado-based organization that established itself as a leader in the solar education field in the 1970s, opened the program to applicants during the winters and received 182 applications from solar professionals throughout the region, according to a release.

“The renewable energy market in Latin America is taking off, aided by shrinking costs for photovoltaics and new government programs that facilitate business,” according to the release. “The Latin American region holds great promise for solar, due to relatively high costs for electricity and ample sunlight, and a fast-expanding middle class that is increasing its energy consumption.”

Those conditions contributed to the extreme popularity of the new program.

Engineers, electricians, real estate professionals, government officials, agricultural workers, professors, students and working solar installers were among the pool of applicants. Those chosen to participate in the program are coming from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama. They will take two web-based courses focused on rooftop and residential solar installations, particularly grid-tied systems. They will also learn about battery-based systems, according to the release.

For the final stage of the program, participants will travel to Earth University – La Flor in Liberia, Costa Rica for a six-day hands-on solar PV workshop where they will learn all about both grid-tied and battery based solar arrays and will install two systems at the school.

“SEI is very excited and proud to be administering this program,” according to the release. “We are looking forward to providing a comprehensive PV training program that will help shape the futures of the (Academia) members and all the work they carry out.”