Solar Power for Houses: Your Residential Solar Power System

If you are looking to enter the field of solar panel installation, you would greatly benefit from being aware of the various training and certification requirements for the job. Obviously, extensive training is crucial if you are to have a certain degree of competency, however, certification is not necessarily an absolute requirement for solar panel installers in most states.

Obtaining certification from recognized solar energy regulatory organizations will likely have the effect of increasing your career opportunities and making your credentials more viable for a green job in the solar energy sector.

It is worth keeping in mind that different states may have different requirements with regard to licensing for solar panel installation professionals. These requirements typically fall under general contractor licenses or their equivalent, with some being more specifically categorized as electrical contractor licenses for PV, plumbing license for solar thermal systems, or solar contractor licenses.

You should also be aware that the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners or NABCEP specifically states that the certification which they offer is in no way intended to take the place of any licenses, credentials or certificates that may be required by local laws in the state wherein you plan to practice your trade. These solar certification and solar training courses are purely voluntary at present, although there is an increasing trend to support these and other similar solar certification programs by way of rebates and other incentives. Furthermore, the number of projects that require solar certification from the NABCEP certification is on the rise, and this will likely increase even further in the near future.

The solar certification program of the NABCEP specifies that solar PV installers should possess the skills and knowledge necessary to recommend solar electrical systems, configure and install these systems, inspect and maintain them in way that meets the customers� satisfaction, and conform to current industry standards for the performance, safety and reliability of solar electrical systems.

To this end, the NABCEP has developed a system geared towards PV Task Analysis, which is comprised of several areas of discipline, including how to work safely with PV systems, conducting site assessment, the selection of proper solar design, how to adapt the mechanical and electrical design, installation of solar electrical subsystems and components on-site, system check and inspection, and solar electrical system troubleshooting and maintenance.

All of these are of course essential areas of knowledge for those who are seeking qualifications as solar energy industry practitioners. In a report published by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in 2003 detailing training and certification requirements for the photovoltaic industry, it stated that the training required for solar industry professionals goes well beyond that which is typical for other areas in the building and construction industries. The report goes on to list some of the training requirements specific to the field of photovoltaic installations, some of which are outlined below:

�On-site evaluation with regard to system performance. This would include determining the effects of obstructions, angles, and so on.
�Characteristics of photovoltaic cells and modules, particularly how they relate to the design and performance of solar electrical systems
�System characteristics calculation�which includes aspects such as wire size�as a means of minimizing power loss and optimizing energy production
�Current wiring methods
�Mounting technology
�Solar electrical system maintenance, as well as diagnostics and troubleshooting methods
�Customer education

Aside from these training requirements, aspiring solar panel installation professionals should also receive instruction in basic electrical skills, possess knowledge of the electrical grid, and be well versed in various roof and ceiling applications.

The installation of solar hot water or pool heating systems has its own requirements with regards to training and certification, for which the NABCEP has also developed a separate task analysis. This analysis is intended specifically for solar thermal applications, and details knowledge and skill sets that are required of professionals in this area of specialization. Among the areas covered by the Solar Thermal Task Analysis of the NABCEP are:

�Safe installation of solar powered hot water and pool heatig systems
�Systems and component identification
�System design adaptation
�Effective site assessment methods
�Solar collector installation
�Water heater and storage tank installation
�Piping, insulation and connector installation
�Mechanical and plumbing system and component installation
�Electrical control system installation
�Operation and identification tag installation
�System checkout
�Solar thermal system maintenance and troubleshooting

This set of tasks assumes that the solar thermal system installer utilizes an industry approved solar system design, along with the required components, installation instructions, schematics, and instructions for system assembly and troubleshooting. While the system itself is not necessarily designed by the solar electrical system provider, he or she must possess thorough knowledge about all aspects of the system, and in some cases may be called upon to modify the design depending on the application or customer requirement.

—

Solar Training, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy
Education-Boots on the Roof.

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

Article Source: Populate.net

The renewable energy industry has grown dramatically in the past few years; everywhere you turn, you hear about solar power and solar panels, wind farms and biofuels. The solar industry, in particular, has become such a hot topic and so high in demand that there are some just waiting for the solar bubble to burst. Every dog has its day, everybody has their fifteen minutes of fame, and the solar industry’s fifteen minutes was up a long time ago.

Not true. Solar power took the stage and stayed on it, and the demand is only rising higher. What financial people, marketing and trend studies are finding out is that, while the demand for solar products is high, there’s a huge shortage of qualified people with solar training to install PV (photovoltaics) systems, as well as many other areas.

States such as Oregon, Colorado, Arizona and New Jersey have policies that make them good places to start up or grow solar businesses, among many other states. Solar integrators are looking at many new technologies, searching for better ways to harness solar energy.

PV technology, for instance, uses silicon to create energy when encountering light. PV systems use the light photons that cause heat, and most modules are made with silicone wafers, soldered together in rows. While many research and development programs are funded somewhat, most of it is driven by the private market. This opens up “green jobs” in research and development, as well as manufacturing and installation in local communities.

Over the past twenty-five years or so, solar electric power systems have garnered a huge popularity in the business and private sectors. Therefore, the local levels are also suffering a shortage of employees with solar training. With the demand for PV products rising, those in the construction business such as general contractors, electricians, roofers and the like will need to be able to meet that demand.

Businesses, especially, are taking energy audits and looking at ways to reduce energy costs. This is where those in the construction business can really benefit from solar training and certification, as well as learning “green” building.

Companies are becoming more interested in ways to save, from insulation, to lighting, to solar installation. If a general contractor takes an interest in solar training, knows how to measure energy usage and knows how to reduce it, that’s a general contractor who will be in higher demand than others.

Roofers and electricians can also benefit from solar training. Homeowners are starting to replace their old roofing tiles with solar PV arrays; a roofer who is also a qualified installer will be able to find more work. However, sometimes the solar arrays won’t work on a roof and must be installed on the ground. In this case, an electrician with solar training can find the perfect niche to work in.

As long as the upward trend continues in the solar industry; as long as people worry about the environment and global warming; as long as nations work together to make the world better, solar training will be a necessity in several walks of life.

—

Solar Training, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy
Education-Boots on the Roof.

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

Article Source: Populate.net