Our solar installation training courses are designed to enable successful trainees to prepare for a job in solar energy — from the theory and science behind photovoltaics through the advanced skills needed to safely and effectively design, size and install a full solar PV array. In addition to traditional live classroom courses, we offer practical classes that can be taken anytime. Our distinct education delivery formats, flexible schedules and wide selection of courses make it easy for you to take what you want when you want it.

Solar installers determine the design of the array and perform the installations. The solar industry has nearly doubled in size every year for the past four years, and this trend is expected to continue. Thus we offer solar training designed to meet specific solar panel technician needs along with a broad range of training certifications. You can choose to learn the skills needed to work in the field, become a sales-oriented professional, or train as assessor.

These courses are great for anyone with experience in construction, roofing or contracting. The solar industry continues to grow, so there are opportunities for credentialed professionals to succeed in the field of solar energy.

How to Become a Solar Installer

The process to become a solar installer mostly depends on where an individual wants to install.

Residential solar systems. Becoming a solar energy professional sometimes requires a state license specific to solar. In some cases it may only require an electrician’s license. Each state regulates their own solar installation and safety process, and each state’s regulations or rules are slightly different. Your state’s energy department website will list the official licensing requirements.

The training for solar are for three sets of personnel namely:

• the pre-requisites for PV designer,
• installer and
• trainer

PRE-REQUISITES : The proposed pre-requisites for training participants are as follows:

1.         Solar PV Installer: to be an installer, one has to possess minimum a 2-year certificate (associates degree) in an engineering or technical field, or a trade certification in electrical installation.

2.         Solar PV Designer: To be a designer, one has to possess minimum a 4-year degree (bachelor degree) in any field and demonstrate basic knowledge of electrical and mechanical design.

3.         Solar PV trainer for designer and/or installer: To be a trainer, one must have both designer and installer certification, and is required to have: (i) 1 year experience as designer and 1 year experience as installer, (ii) at least three years of professional teaching experience, (iii) at least three years examining experience.

TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR PV SYSTEM DESIGNER

The content/material for PV system designer is summarized as follows:

• The different ways to harness the sun’s energy (including solar water heater, solar
• PV, and solar thermal electricity generation)
• Different types of solar PV installation
• Recognizing field conditions (shadowing, existing electrical issues, existing structural issues, etc)
• Local standards and safety codes for solar PV installation and electrical installation
• (MCB size, labeling, etc)
• Common electrical symbols
• Single line and 3-line diagram generation
• Installation procedures common to the industry (batteries, inverter, grid inverter,
• solar panels, etc) with examples from several big brands’ installation procedures.
• Reading specifications and manuals to specify equipment
• Cost payback period calculations
• Simple investment analysis/financial modeling
• Basic electrical design to match with local codes and standards as well as manufacturers requirements (such as cable sizing, MCB, etc)
• Electrical load demand analysis
• Basic system design and sizing (watt/watt peak/ampere/voltage/watt hour)
• Commercial software system design (PVSyst and others that’s appropriate for the region)

TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR PV INSTALLER

The content/material for PV system installer is summarized as follows:

• The different ways to harness the sun’s energy (including solar water heater, solar
• PV, and solar thermal electricity generation)
• Different types of solar PV installation
• Recognizing field conditions (shadowing, existing electrical issues, existing
• structural issues, etc)
• Local standards and safety codes for solar PV installation and electrical installation
• (MCB size, labeling, etc)
• How to read installation drawings (electrical, mechanical, civil)
• Installation procedures common to the industry (batteries, inverter, grid inverter,
• solar panels, etc) with examples from several big brands’ installation procedures
• Safety procedures
• Basic electrical workmanship
• Performance verification methods
• Remote monitoring systems
• Perform site surveys
• Chargeman / wireman course for PV (Malaysia only).

TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR TRAINERS

Training curriculum for Solar PV trainers will cover the list/content for Solar PV system designer and the following material in addition:

• Knowledge in several solar resource databases (such as NASA)
• Basic public speaking
• Basic classroom management
• Create Excel based tools for design and surveys
• Basic teaching skills