Cascadia Community College's Solar Photovoltaic System Specialist Certificate is one of the most comprehensive training programs available in Washington. The program is located in Bothell. To earn the certificate, you must earn between 51 and 57 college credits by taking courses in related subjects, (roughly 12 to 14 college courses) including courses in Solar Energy Systems, Blueprint Reading, PV Installation and Maintenance, as well as other compulsory subjects. The Certificate is the equivalent of an associate's degree.
At five college credits, the Solar Photovoltaic Designer Program in Shoreline, Washington is significantly shorter than the community college program at Cascadia, but it's also much less comprehensive. According to the program description, Shoreline's program trains students to identify and recommend solar systems to businesses and individuals, as well as help the electricians who install them. Students will get hands-on training in installation, but will focus more on assisting the electrician. Candidates do not have to hold a college degree to attend the training, though there are a few basic prerequisites for admission.
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, or NABCEP, offers an introductory course in installing photovoltaic systems, which is a 3-5 hour primer on the basics. Two institutions in Washington are registered as approved NABCEP Entry Level providers for a beginner class in Installing Photovoltaic Systems: the Southwest Washington Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (J.A.T.C.) in Tacoma and the Northwest branch of the same organization, in Mount Vernon. The course prepares students for the the NABCEP Entry Level PV Exam, though it does not qualify a person as a certified solar installer. (see resource 3)
According to the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) some employers will hire a person with the entry level NABCEP certification, but require them to obtain more certification after hire. That's where the NABCEP Certified PV Installer certification comes into play. While not a formal training process, the exam assumes a level of on-the-job training, available through the Northwest and Southwest Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (J.A.T.C.) branches in Tacoma and Mount Vernon, and requires an extensive knowledge of codes, standards and industry practices. Both J.A.T.C. branches have an apprenticeship program in place to train candidates for the Certified PV Installer certification.
Sun's Eye Power in Tacoma has a "Solar Basics" course for people wanting to learn about solar for their home or business. Courses are designed with particular students in mind, so more focus on hands-on installation is possible through this coursework. Sun's Eye also has a "Solar Technical Training" for more skilled workers to gain more knowledge in solar installation.