Boots on the Roof offers a six-day Solar Training PV Boot Camp. This intensive photovoltaic system installation training course consists of hands-on lab work, classroom activities and lectures. Through this course, students learn photovoltaic electric system design, installation methods and safety procedures. Industry and business topics are also covered for those who are new to photovoltaics.
The hands-on portion of the course instructs students on the steps of a typical residential solar electric retrofit. Students learn how to wire inverters from several different manufactures and how to mount photovoltaic panels onto a racking system, including panel attachments and roof penetrations. DC disconnects, AC disconnects, inverters and load center or service panel attachment are covered as well. The students also see a demonstration of how to connect a live solar array that feeds power to the grid. Other topics taught during this course are estimating costs, sizing the system and system placement and using PC software.
This course is designed for a variety of professionals, such as general contractors, engineers, architects, journeymen or licensed electricians and home improvement contractors who would like to offer photovoltaic system installation services. Individuals not in the construction industry but interested in learning about solar installation can take the course.
Boots on the Roof
4670 Auto Mall Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538
888-893-0367
bootsontheroof.com
With a $468,000 grant for Industry Driven Regional Collaboratives from the California Community College Chancellor's Office, Sierra College launched its Solar Energy Technician program in fall 2009 at the Roseville and Grass Valley campuses. Several levels of training courses are offered.
The two- to three-semester certificate program covers topics like system design, electricity, residential wiring, site assessment, solar panel installation, conducting an energy audit, system sizing and electrical safety. Once this course is complete, the student should be prepared to take the industry standard NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) PV Installer Certification test.
Sierra College's associate degree program in this field includes core classes, electives and general education requirements. The college's employee training courses are short training programs that focus on a specific aspects of photovoltaic system installation, such as energy auditing, solar roof installation, solar fire safety and solar for building inspectors.
Sierra College
5000 Rocklin Rd.
Rocklin, CA 95677
916-624-3333
gofab.sierracollege.edu
Fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges, JobTrain offers a 20-week solar training program that covers a variety of topics. In this photovoltaic system installation program, students learn how to safely install grid-tied systems for the Bay Area. Construction and design skills are taught, beginning with the basics of the systems and advancing to hands-on installation. Covered topics include basic construction skills, safety skills, introduction to roofing, basic electricity, electrical and photovoltaic trade practices, inverters and CEC and NEC 690 referencing.
Several hands-on installation labs are used throughout the course. Roofing and photovoltaic installation labs are conducted off-site and on-site. Prior to taking these labs, students learn net metering, AC interconnections, instrument analysis and solar site analysis.
Students must have some basic skills to participate in this training as well as basic English and math skills and computer literacy. Students must be physically fit enough to work outdoors on a pitched roof. They must also be able to lift up to 70 pounds while climbing a ladder. If students are absent for more than two days, they are automatically dropped from the course.
JobTrain
1200 O'Brien Dr.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650-330-6466
jobtrainworks.org