Those living in Austin, Texas can get a inside look at the solar industry during a forum and open house hosted by ImagineSolar. On August 25, 2012 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CDT at ImagineSolar’s training facility located at 4000 Caven Road, Austin, TX 78744, community members can see new solar products and services from various solar companies, learn about new courses (attendees are eligible for a $50 discount on one course) and tour ImagineSolar’s solar field lab.

Several solar companies who are looking for local talent will be on hand at the event including Ideal Power Converters, Schletter, Greenbelt Solar, Lighthouse Solar, and more. Several solar associations will also be at the event including Texas Green Network (TGN), Renewable Energy Student Association (RESA), Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association (TREIA), and Sierra Club, Austin.

Austin innovator Michael Kuhn, who is also the founder of ImagineSolar, has been active in public policy for the solar industry since the 1990s. Today he is working with other local solar entrepreneurs to develop breakthrough models for local solar development. The goal is to accelerate solar adoption in the community. Today, current capacity for non-utility-scale solar is around 6 MW and the hope is to reach 300 MW over the next 10 years.

During the event, Kuhn will speak on this work and what to expect in the next several years from the Austin solar industry. “I remember when you could count on your two hands the number of people working in solar in Austin ten years ago,” said Kuhn, “Today we count over 615 people with jobs in the solar industry. We continue to endeavor to ensure that the City of Austin remains a leader for clean energy. Austin’s support for local solar is an engine for job creation.”

For more information about solar opportunities in Austin, download the free eBooks “Career Opportunities in the Solar Industry” and “Career Opportunities in the Smart Grid Industry.”