FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2011—Fort Lauderdale, FL—USSI announces 2011 earnings. Ray Johnson, President and CEO of US Solar Institute, announced to the board that profits and revenue for 2010 exceeded projections and are expected to increase threefold in 2011. “Our growth mirrors the patterns we are generally seeing in the industry,” suggested Ray Johnson. “We believe solar related industries will continue to outperform most other markets simply because solar energy is cost effective, very reliable, and the leading solution to our eminent and ongoing energy crisis.”
US Solar Institute’s growth is expected to continue to be supported by working as the Master Instructor and Facilitator of Underwriter Laboratories University (UL University) through a partnership formed last year. In 2010, US Solar Institute was selected by UL as the company to build out their solar labs, provide all curriculum, and facilitate each and every one of UL’s Photovoltaic training classes. These classes were intended to prepare students for the UL Personal Certification Examination.
“We are very honored to have instructed the very first 30 or so students who attended UL University and a dozen more of those who were the first to earn their UL PV Certification. Bill Poteat, President of Bresco Electric and Blue Ridge Energy Services, was a student of Ray Johnson’s at UL and number 8 to earn the UL PV Certification. “I have been in the PV industry since the 1970s and I can state Ray Johnson conducted one of the best classes I have ever taken. Anyone who wants to be a true professional in the industry will gain much by spending a week or more with Ray.”
“We believe all problems and challenges in the market stem from lack of knowledge,” states Ray, “At USSI, we believe in a simple premise that one must know before one can do.” This starts with the potential consumer all the way to those who write and enforce policies (AHJ’s). “The need for real world relevant education and training has never been more critical. The oil and coal companies are not going to lose market share or anything that upsets their growth without a fight and, they have very deep pockets for that battle.” Ray believes a transition to renewable energy and solar requires training and continuing education for established professionals – including governmental officials, firemen and other Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ’s).
Recently, at a South Florida Solar Conference, Ray met with Cindy Lerner, Mayor of Pinecrest, FL. This innovative leader suggested that in order to hold or take office, one must understand renewable energy. We agree with you, Mayor Lerner! Lerner reported taking significant time to teach herself about the industry and, felt others would benefit from a short seminar on the many topics those of us in the industry take for granted. “We are here to help our officials, leadership and candidates alike. This is a core part of our business development and growth strategies,” reports Ray to the board. One of our main goals and first lessons at US Solar Institute is to make the student “green literate” and this must continue and expand. Simply knowing the difference between a Renewable Portfolio Standard and a Feed in Tariff could make all the difference because everyone knows that “policy dictates results.”
US Solar Institute will continue instructing everyone from the most basic beginners to the very seasoned electricians and building inspectors in 2011. We have new courses coming out just about every month for both facilitated and online instruction. Building officials in four counties have agreed to send their staff to USSI for continuing education and introductory courses in solar energy because few companies have USSI’s credentials and overall educational and facilitation talent. “We look hard to find courses that will be most effective for our Fire Marshalls and Firemen alike,” states Tony P., a Fire Marshall near Fort Lauderdale. “US Solar Institute took the time to even write courses specifically to help our fireman and provide this training free of charge. We continue to look to them for solar education well into the future.”
“Thank you for all your support in 2010 – we had a great year but, 2011 looks to be the best ever,” says Ray.
US Solar Institute is a Florida Department of Education Licensed Vocational College, a partner with the Florida Vocational Rehabilitation Department, Continuing Education provider Certified by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation as a certified continuing educational provider, a Florida Certified Solar Contractor, member of American Solar Energy Society, and Master Instructor for Underwriters Laboratory’s PV Certification Course.