Solar Energy International is preparing to kick off its first extensive solar training program in Latin America.

The webinar series, which starts July 26, will be available to 50 professionals in Central America and Mexico who want to learn to design, install and maintain solar photovoltaic energy systems and build solar energy businesses in their communities.

The Colorado-based organization has focused on solar education since its founding in the 1970s and announced early this summer it would expand its educational opportunities to the Spanish speaking world.

Solar Energy International partnered with Energy & Climate Partnership of the Americas to form the Academia de Profesionales de las Americas.

“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 a statement fro SEI. “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.”

The webinar series kicks off with a session about policy and influencing policy change. Sessions 2 and 3 in August and October focus on building a successful solar energy business in Latin America and on other renewable energy technologies that a business could incorporate.

While only 50 students can participate in the complete program, which includes the three webinars followed by a six-day hands-on solar training course in Costa Rica, SEI is inviting others to register for the first webinar in the series.