Bermuda College is set to launch a weeklong solar panel installation course after 15 students completed a successful pilot class.

Joseph Weeks, co-owner of the company Combined Engineering Technologies, will offer the programme to certified electricians from Autumn 2017 after receiving his qualification from the United States.

“I’m open to whoever’s looking to learn. It’s a fledgeling industry, but the interest is growing as people see solar energy as a more viable option,” the Warwick resident said.

Mr Weeks, 50, said that the class was his way of “giving back”, after the National Training Board selected him to join the Tech Quest 2000 Project to create future leaders in technology.

The Government programme fully funded his higher education, allowing Mr Weeks to graduate from Howard University with an electrical engineering degree and the University of Phoenix with a master’s degree in business administration.

“My company was looking for a way to empower Bermuda, and we saw that Government expenditure on fossil fuel energy is close to $20 million a year,” he said. “We want to create a talent pool of solar installers, so they can use their certification here or in other jurisdictions.”

Mr Weeks also revealed his ambition to install a “comprehensive solar system” on top of Bermuda College’s Technical Education Centre, and said he would welcome offers for funding.

“My ultimate objective is to take the tech hall off the grid,” he added.

“It would provide energy cost savings, it would be a teaching tool and it would serve as a model for the community to see how the system works.”

The photovoltaic installation course, in collaboration with Workforce Development, will cost $1,700 per person.

Classes will run from 8am to 5pm daily, with a maximum group size of 20 people and a timetable structured to meet demand.

• For further details, call Mr Weeks on 300-3550.