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Bella Energy Trains Green Jobs Crews to Install Solar Systems

Posted on: Monday, 9 March 2009, 07:00 CDT

Federal Economic Stimulus Bill Expected to Fund Expansion of Program

BOULDER, Colo., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Bella Energy, a Boulder-based solar energy client, trained workers learning green construction skills as part of a Boulder County Green Jobs Pipeline Program. Together the crews installed a 10 kW solar system on an affordable housing unit in Louisville, Colorado. The Green Jobs Pipeline is dedicated to helping low-income Coloradoans in need of work attain the renewable energy and energy efficiency skills necessary to compete in the nation's New Energy Economy.

Boulder County hopes that funding from the federal economic stimulus bill will support expansion of the Green Jobs Pipeline Program, a joint effort between Workforce Boulder County (WFBC) and Boulder County Housing and Human Services (BCHHS), to train more eligible parents for future jobs in the booming green construction industry. The Colorado solar energy industry alone has grown 1,000% in the last three years and the Solar Energy Industries Association expects new federal legislation to create 60,000 new jobs in the national solar industry in 2009, or 111,000 over the next two years.

"We are proud and eager to help Boulder County train workers for future green collar jobs that will promote Colorado's new energy economy," said Jim Welch, CEO of Bella Energy. "This affordable housing installation is particularly heart warming because solar energy should be available to all levels of society." With solar energy systems like the ones the crew installed with Bella Energy, residents will benefit from reduced prices on electricity and fixed costs for the next 30 years.

The primary funding source for the crew comes from TANF funds (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) so crew members had to have at least one child under 18 in the home. Green Jobs Foreman and young father Jesus Armandariz said, "I am glad I had the opportunity to work with a solar energy crew, it's such a growing, promising industry."

Bella Energy is Colorado's leading solar energy company engaged in the designing and contracting of renewable energy and energy conservation projects throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region. Since 1982, we have been empowering individuals, businesses and communities to achieve energy independence, embrace a sustainable future, and contribute to a clean energy economy. www.bellaenergy.com

SOURCE Bella Energy

Source: PR Newswire

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