Based in Colorado, Solar Energy International offers courses online and in person at their many workshops. Courses include solar energy design and installation, grid design and solar hot water. Online courses run about six weeks, while workshops average five to six days and are offered in many locations. Tuition ranges depending on course length and location.
The Green Business Institute also has courses online or in a classroom setting. The school's Solar Training Department presents classes on fundamentals of photovoltaic cells, their design and installation, solar business management and training in solar water heating systems. Online courses take about 50 hours and cost $895 as of February 2011. Their six-day course on photovoltaic principles and installation costs $2995.50 and takes place in Fremont or Los Angeles, California; Newark, New Jersey; or Denver, Colorado.
Everblue Training Institute presents classes on the basics of solar energy, the business side of solar power and installation. Their PV (photovoltaic) Bootcamp covers many of the principles of solar energy and panel design. The course is recommended prior to taking their installation course. Classes are offered in several locations. The PV Bootcamp course takes five days and costs $1,595 as of February 2011.
If your aim is to obtain a two-year degree in addition to learning solar installation skills, several community colleges offer two-year alternative energy degrees. One example is Cleveland State Community College, where you learn safe methods of installation, building requirements and the basics of alternative energy. The school works with certification boards, utility companies and solar industries to provide its students with a unique education. A four-credit class costs $561 for residents and $586 for out-of-state students.