ImagineSolar's Richard Stovall

Richard Stovall, good friend and uber nice guy, is the recent ImagineSolar staffer to attain IREC’s ISPQ Master Trainer credential.  Richard’s certification brings to four the number of instructors and master trainers at Austin-based ImagineSolar who have received the prestigious certification.  Founder and CEO, Michael Kuhn, became the first IREC ISPQ Master Trainer in Texas in 2009.  Currently, ImagineSolar leads the State of Texas with more accredited instructors and master trainers than any other solar training organization in Texas.

The community of IREC ISPQ Master Trainers in the U.S. is an elite one.   To date, there are only 31 in the U.S.; 26 of whom are PV, one small wind, and four solar thermal.

According to the IREC ISPQ Candidate Handbook, Master Trainers are those trainers with considerable experience and education who are qualified both to teach conventional students as well as fellow instructors within the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and distributed generation fields. These trainings are designed to prepare individuals for job entry, career advancement, and/or skill updating in specific levels of professional and practical competency.

Additionally, Master Trainers must be able to document training experience and education for 1280 contact hours hours, as compared to IREC’s ISPQ certified instructor Document training experience and education to meet the IREC ISPQ requirements for 470 contact hours.

“Being awarded ISPQ Master Trainer Certification fulfills a goal I set early on in my solar career, as this represents the highest level of recognition for educators in renewable energy,” said Richard after he was notified. He continued, “I have worked hard to gain the experience, education, training hours and industry involvement required for this, but what motivates me most is the achievement of the participants in my classes. Ultimately, my success is measured by the impact that I have on them to instill high standards for quality workmanship, integrity, and a commitment to join me in leading the solar industry in becoming a major component of the global energy mix.”

Congratulations, Richard.