Scarborough, Ontario-based Samco Machinery recently expanded into green energy by manufacturing solar racking components. Originally established in 1972, Samco’s core business has traditionally centered around custom metal roll forming solutions. Because its sales rely heavily on the strength of the automotive industry, Samco has been particularly hard hit by the recent recession. The company was forced to cut staff from 125 down to 63, and revenue has dropped substantially.
Mature Industries in the New Green Economy
Because of the economic downturn, Samco began searching for new and innovative ways to revive business, finally settling on solar PV racks under its new branch, Samco Solar. The Green Energy Act and the Ontario Power Authority’s feed-in-tariff program are helping the firm carve out a more sustainable future in the province’s expanding green economy. As other companies specializing in mature industries inevitably follow suit, demand for qualified “green” workers is likely to drive greater interest in solar training, PV installation classes, and related certification programs.
David Pichard, Vice President of Development of Samco Solar, says that there are “a lot of incentives for investors to come and set up solar farms in Ontario.” Large solar farms receive $0.44 per kilowatt-hour for the green energy they produce, which means huge gains and increased growth. With the economy struggling, more companies are sure to capitalize on the opportunities provided by green energy, which means that PV installation classes will become one of the keys to career success in this growing field.
Domestic Content Requirements to Drive Solar Training
Helping this growth is the Ontario government domestic content laws, which require that 50% of material and labour be sourced locally if solar projects are to qualify for special incentives. This represents a huge opportunity for solar PV parts and racking producers such as Samco.
In mid-July, Samco partnered with solar racking production company, SunEdison, in a joint venture that could create more than 100 new jobs in the province. However again, the lion’s share of new positions emerging from this and other solar partnerships will likely demand expertise in photovoltaic technology, highlighting the importance of PV installation training, engineering classes, and similarly themed programs.
