Solar Panel Installation Schools
Solar panel installers are solar electric professionals who design, configure, install, inspect, and maintain grid-tied and stand-alone photovoltaic, or PV, systems. There are many options for learning how to install PV systems. You can take courses at a trade school or college, from private trainers or online. In addition, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) offers two types of certification in PV installation. You can study for certification on your own or obtain a certification from taking courses.
Other People Are Reading
-
Certification
-
There are two types of certification offered by the NABCEP for solar panel installers: entry level certification and PV installer certification. Entry level certification is for those wanting to get a start in the solar field. The certification is a way to demonstrate that you have basic knowledge of the application, design, installation and operation of PV systems. The final exam for some college programs, such as the Solar Panel Installer Training at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is the NABCEP PV entry level exam. The PV installer certification allows experienced professionals to distinguish themselves from their competition. Many courses in PV installation use the NABCEP study guide and some include testing for entry level certification.
Colleges and Universities
-
Many colleges and universities offer two- or four-year alternative energy degrees with courses in PV systems. For example, Jackson Community College in Jackson, Mississippi, offers an alternative energy associate in applied science degree that includes a solar energy course covering design, installation, and maintenance of PV systems. Other colleges offer continuing education classes in solar technology. For example, in July 2010, Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee, offered a series of three classes in solar photovoltaics technology.
-
Private Trainers
-
There are private trainers that offer intensive courses in residential solar electric systems. For example, Boots on the Roof offers six-day solar training PV "boot camps" in California and New Jersey that include topics such as electrical integration, and HeatSpring Learning Institute offers boot camps across the United States. Costs for boot camps typically run between $1,500 and $3,500 as of 2011.
Online Training
-
Online schools also offer courses in PV installment. For example, Allied Schools offers an Introduction to photovoltaic systems course in their entry level installers program. Course topics include how to conduct a site assessment and basic subsystem installation. Distance Education offers an online course on solar panel design and installation that covers topics such as solar site evaluation and photovoltaic system components. The course from either online school costs under $1,000.
-
References
- New Jersey Institute of Technology: Solar Panel Installer Training
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: PV Installer Certification
- Jackson Community College: Sustainability
- Pellissippi State Community College: Pellissippi State Offers Solar Panel Installation Class
- Distance Education: Solar Panel Design & Installation
- Training 4 Green: Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems Course - Entry Level Installers Program
Resources
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: PV Installer Certification
- New Jersey Institute of Technology: Solar Panel Installer Training
- HeatSpring Learning Institute: Solar Energy Training and Certification Courses
- Distance Education: Solar Panel Design & Installation
- Training 4 Green: Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems Course - Entry Level Installers Program
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
