- There are several solar companies that offer excellent hands-on training. DC power systems, Ontility, and Boots on the Roof provide an extensive selection of renewable energy courses in different locations. The cost of course range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on length and subject.
- Solarclassesonline.com has a thorough solar career preparation program, while Sunpirate.com offers a course in photovoltaic design and installation, as well as an exam preparation course for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) entry level exam. You must have taken the design and installation course before the exam preparation course.
- Most local community colleges and electrical trade schools offer courses in solar power engineering. Four-year colleges like UC Berkeley or MIT offer solar power courses such as solar energy fundamentals and solar systems engineering.
- The NABCEP is a board of solar energy professionals, state policymakers and educational institutions that promotes solar energy, professional certification, and consumer confidence in solar professionals. Most of the training you encounter is designed to prepare you for NABCEP certification as a photovoltaic installer, which requires previous experience in the electrical industry. There is also an entry level exam certification program for solar professionals with no experience.
- The more comprehensive training options will instruct you in electricity safety basics, solar energy fundamentals and photovoltaic markets. The photovoltaic installer courses assume you already have basic electrician knowledge and delves straight into site assessments for solar systems, selection of solar system design, installation of components and subsystems, performing system inspections, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Workshop Training
Online Training
Two- or Four-Year Degree
NABCEP
What You Learn
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