Solar Panel
Schools -
Training The
Renewable
Energy
Industry
By
BootsOnTheRoof
Solar power -
the dream of
renewable
energy is
realized; how
far we go now
is all up to
the limits of
current
technology and
our
imagination…
and training.
There are many
levels of
training, from
photovoltaic
(PV) panel
installation to
research and
development,
and all will
come in handy
in the very
near
future.
The demand for
solar energy
has grown about
30% per year
over the past
fifteen years.
While the
growth rate has
slowed somewhat
from its
initial boom,
it hasn't
levelled at
all. Even
though the U.S.
economy began
struggling in
early/mid 2008,
solar energy
companies
topped the list
of the 2008
largest venture
capital
investments;
Nanosolar Inc.,
a leader in the
development of
solar-cell
technology,
topped the list
with a whopping
$299,999,700 in
capital
investments.
(Dallas
News.com)
New California
legislation,
passed last
summer, allows
solar
photovoltaic
systems to be
bought on a
loan, paid for
by various
county and city
general fund
tax dollars.
According to
the North
County Times,
"homeowners can
finance solar
installations
over twenty
years instead
of forking out
tens of
thousands of
dollars up
front."
What does all
of this mean
for careers in
solar power?
That training
is essential,
and the best
time for
finding solar
panel schools
to teach you
the trade is
now. As the
demand for
solar energy
rises, so does
the demand for
solar
installations,
which, in turn,
increases the
demand for
solar
installers.
Schools that
teach this
trade are few
and far
between, and
fill up
quickly.
Why?
In general,
solar panel
schools
advertise to
businesses
instead of the
individual. The
amount of
training, as
well as the
hands-on
portion,
necessitates
smaller
"classroom"
sizes. Consider
a single
mid-sized
corporation
with three
hundred
electricians
that want to
move into solar
panel
installation.
Those three
hundred
trainees will
quickly fill
even multiple
classrooms for
the term
they've chosen
.
Does this mean
that an
individual
can't find
placement in
solar schools?
Absolutely not.
For most
training
facilities, the
major
prerequisite is
that you have
knowledge in
electrical
systems,
general
contracting or
fields related
to solar PV
installation.
These courses
are usually
training
intensive, with
dedicated
teachers on
hand to guide
the students
through each
step. A good
grasp on the
technology
through a
well-constructed
technical
training
program is
always a good
bet, especially
when dealing
with electrical
charges!
Training from
solar panel
schools isn't
all about
installation,
however. By the
time you're
done with just
the entry level
NABCEP
Knowledge of PV
Systems course,
you will learn
enough about
solar panels
to:
•recognize
individual PV
systems and how
to integrate
them
•have a working
knowledge of
policies and
regulations
•be able to
estimate the
cost, sizing
and placement
of the PV
system
In short, solar
panel schools
will give you
the training
to, not only
install and
maintain these
systems, but to
be a
knowledgeable
spokesperson
for your
business.
For additional
information on
Solar Training
visit school
for solar
energy at Boots
on the Roof
www.bootsontheroof.com
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more information
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