The brand new academy will train 25 to 50 people a month, from electricians to roofers. Training up the workforce to meet the expected growing demand for solar panel installation, and giving professionals a chance to change career and move into the renewable energy sector.
Sharp Solar is also the first Photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer to integrate its training academy with its production facilities which are likely to expand having just announced 300 new jobs at the factory.

Speaking at the launch of the Sharp Renewable Energy Academy, in Wrexham, Mr. Igarashi, CEO, Sharp Manufacturing Company, UK said: 'We're experiencing an exponential rise in UK solar installations, so to meet that demand we're looking for the UK's top tradespeople to sign-up for the Sharp Renewable Energy Academy. Here they can learn comprehensive, high-quality solar installation skills and gain a valuable advantage over other installers in the growing renewable energy industry.'

New research commissioned by Sharp suggests a rise in demand in the solar panel installation market, expected to be worth £500 million a year by 2015. The research found that 62 per cent of those surveyed were aware of the benefits of the Government's Feed in Tariff (FiT) scheme, which allows renewable energy to be sold back to the grid. Rising electricity prices across the UK, as well as the growing awareness of the FiT is seen as likely to also increase this demand for solar power.

The Sharp Renewable Energy Academy offers a range of training courses from a one day awareness course to a five day Solar PV Installation Training Programme, providing both classroom based and hands-on installation experience on simulated rooftops. The academy is also offering a competition for a free place at the academy to one trades person. To enter visit: www.sharpmanufacturing.co.uk/renewable-energy-academy-competition

For more information on courses available visit www.sharpmanufacturing.co.uk/renewable-energy-academy