Ecotech Institute Marks National Solar Day With More Than 10,000 Hours Of Solar Energy Produced

National Solar Day is June 18: Learn More about Solar Careers, Take a Tour of the Facility. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) June 15, 2011 - Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design, today announced that its on-site solar and wind units have produced more than 10,000 kilowatt hours of energy since opening in January. To celebrate National Solar Day and the achievement of this major energy milestone, Ecotech Institute invites guests and their families on Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. to tour the eco-friendly campus and ask questions about solar-related education and careers.

Ecotech Institute's Solar Energy Technology Program prepares students for careers in the solar industry and is designed to provide a solid grounding in fundamentals of solar energy technology. State-of-the-art facilities, modern labs, and small class sizes give students the opportunity to apply theory to the real world. Currently, Ecotech has more than 300 students and continues to grow as solar technology gains momentum due to new incentives from state and local governments.

For current and prospective students looking to enter the solar industry, examples of jobs after graduation include construction, installation and repair of solar energy systems and working with architects or engineers as they design and install solar projects.

Some solar workers concentrate primarily on installing solar panels. Others, especially those at small companies, do everything from sales to planning to wiring. Experienced installers in any size company may advance to lead installer, system designer, sales representative or other positions. Given the trend in favorable government incentives, analysts expect that the solar power industry will continue to grow rapidly.

Ecotech Institute's Solar Energy Technology Program may be right for people who love working outdoors; want to help develop cleaner, more sustainable energy; are interested in how electrical devices work; enjoy math and science; and like working with power tools to assemble, repair or install.

Ecotech has attracted students from all over the United States because of its high-caliber programs and Colorado's culture of sustainability. Learn more about relocation at www.ecotechinstitute.com/ecotech-location.cfm.

In Colorado alone, there is high demand for an educated workforce in the solar industry. However, growth in solar technology is nationwide and, according to research experts Clean Edge, solar power ranks first in the top sectors for cleantech job activity in the U.S. Local examples of expansion in this industry include:

• Colorado had the sixth-highest installed solar generation capacity, with the majority of capacity generated in southwest Colorado. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has classified the southwest Colorado region a high potential solar resource area that could satisfy about half of the state's peak power demand. (SNL Financial, 2010; Interstate Renewable Energy Council, 2010)

• In 2010, more than a dozen companies chose Colorado as the place to develop new wind and solar projects. According to a study by professors at Arizona State University, Colorado ranked as the second-most attractive location for businesses hoping to export solar power.

• The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation named SMA Solar Technology AG, the largest solar inverter manufacturer in the world, "Deal of the Year" award winner in 2010. The Germany-based company was recognized for its significant economic impact to the region through capital investment and job creation. In 2010, the company hired 200 workers at its northeast Denver plant and could add up to 500 more positions by the end of 2011.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, launched in Aurora, Colorado in April 2010 with seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills valued by today's alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com. The next round of classes begins this month and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available.

About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, the college offers seven associate's degrees and a certificate program designed by experts in the industry for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com.

About Education Corporation of America
Education Corporation of America is a leader in the post-secondary career school market with current enrollment of nearly 19,000 students. The ECA website is www.ecacolleges.com. In addition to Ecotech Institute, ECA schools include Virginia College, founded in 1983, a private institution of higher education that offers non-degree and associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs in the areas of Health and Medical, Business, Information Technology, Interior Design, Computer Design, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Nursing and more in eighteen different cities. Virginia College campuses are located in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama; Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida; Augusta, Macon and Savannah, Georgia; Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi; Charleston, Spartanburg, Columbia, and Greenville, South Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Richmond, Virginia; and Austin, Texas. The Virginia College website is www.vc.edu. Virginia College also offers classes worldwide via the Internet, with student services and admissions facilities in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida. Information about online classes at Virginia College is available at www.vconline.edu. Additionally, ECA operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, with locations in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; and Jacksonville, Florida. The website is www.culinard.com. ECA also operates Golf Academy of America, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Golf Academy website is www.golfacademy.edu.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger or Jenny Foust
CSG|PR
720.933.8119
ahassinger ( @ ) csg-pr dot com or jfoust ( @ ) csg-pr dot com

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