29Nov 2018 by Andrew Valainis
MREA establishes ground-breaking alliance with OSHA

MREA establishes ground-breaking alliance with OSHA

Industry & Technical, Safety & Training
[caption id="attachment_1877" align="alignright" width="375"] MREA President Henry Dykema (left) and OSHA Area Director Art Hazen (right) signing the Alliance agreement documents[/caption] The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has two programs that proactively engage contractors working in industries across the country. One is the Cooperative Partnership program, and the other is the Alliance program. The Montana Renewable Energy Association (MREA) was the first renewable energy group in the country to join OSHA’s partnership program. We worked together with OSHA to identify hazards specific to the renewable energy industry, discuss what trainings would be useful to the industry, and how industry members could provide input to OSHA. In return, OSHA worked to share informational resources with the industry, including training and education opportunities. MREA has now transitioned…
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06Jul 2018 by Andrew Valainis

Lithium Battery Technology for Home and Business – presented by Blue Planet Energy

Safety & Training
Join us on Friday, August 10th for an industry designed training for installers working with solar + storage systems, presented by Kyle Bolger, Vice President of Engineering with Blue Planet Energy. This one-day workshop will explore the emerging technology of lithium based energy storage systems for homes and businesses, with an emphasis on off-grid applications. The research, development, and implementation of lithium based energy storage systems for homes and businesses is transitioning into a mature and readily available market, with incredible potential to change the traditional design of solar PV systems. Some of the topics for this workshop will include differences in various lithium battery technologies, expected life cycles, warranty periods, cost considerations, and general design parameters. *Space is limited to 25 participants >> Click here to register << Details…
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15Sep 2017 by Andrew Valainis

Battery Based Inverter Training by Outback Power Systems

Safety & Training
On Friday, September 15th MREA offered an industry designed training for installers working with solar + storage systems. Presented by Lones Tuss with OutBack Power, the course was a one-day industry designed workshop focused on Outback Power Systems battery based inverter technology, along with balance of system components, web based monitoring, and their new grid-tied three-phase inverter product. Topics included: -- Battery Based FXR and Radian Inverters -- Integrated Combiner Solutions—ICS Plus (Rapid Shutdown) -- Optics RE—Web Based Monitoring and Control -- ProHarvest—3-Phase Grid-Tied Inverter Attendees who completed this course were eligible for 6 NABCEP credits. We are grateful to have been able to partner with OutBack Power and have Lones present to members of Montana's renewable energy industry. The event was a great success, and was a perfect way…
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20Feb 2017 by Andrew Valainis

MREA partners with Solar Energy International on PV101 Course

Safety & Training
Last week, 25 future members of Montana's renewable energy industry gathered at the Weatherization Training Center in Bozeman to attend a week long training course on solar photovoltaics. This course, taught by Solar Energy International, was an introductory-level training for those interested in becoming solar photovoltaic installers. The goal of the course was to create a fundamental understanding of the core concepts necessary to work with all solar PV systems, including system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, mounting solutions, safety, and commissioning. Students who completed the weeklong course had the option of registering for a 6-week online course on Battery-Based PV System Fundamentals, also offered by Solar Energy International, which will be held February 27 through April 9. Students who complete both the in-person and online courses will be…
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27Sep 2012 by MREA

MREA Safety Statement

Safety & Training
The Montana Renewable Energy Association is dedicated to expanding the use of renewable energy across the state of Montana. Greater adoption of renewable energy technologies by the public requires a well-trained workforce; without trained individuals using best practices in the field to produce code-compliant installations, renewable energy systems are bound to perform poorly and/or become a hazard to the property and its occupants. Of equal importance is the need for this workforce to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations for the construction industry. Non-compliance with OSHA safety standards on the jobsite can result in business-ending fines, life-altering injuries, and even death – all of which represent a step backward for the renewable energy industry and the broader adoption of its technologies. For these reasons, in…
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01Jan 2008 by MREA

OSHA Partnership

Safety & Training
In January 2008, The Montana Renewable Energy Association and the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration executed a Strategic Partnership Agreement to ensure workplace safety in the growing renewable energy industry in Montana. The MREA is attempting to foster a safer working environment for themselves and their member companies. The purpose of the partnership is to prevent the four major hazards (falls, electrical, caught in/between and struck-by hazards) that account for the majority of fatalities and injuries in the construction industry. This partnership will focus on improving the safety and health programs of the MREA and their Participating Member companies and strive to eliminate hazards in the targeted areas. The OSHA Strategic Partnership Program for Worker Safety and Health (OSPP), adopted on November 13, 1998, is an…
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