A solar electric panel is the basic unit of the solar generation and solar heat system needed to wean a home off purchased electrical power in coming years. With the legislation recently signed into being and heavily promoted by the President, installation of a solar energy system will put the American consumer on the road to a savings of between $1 billion and $2 billion a year in energy costs between the years 2012 and 2042.

Home solar panels are most often installed as a part of a solar generation system. These panels are generally grouped together in a formation known as an array. This array is positioned in such a way so that it can get the maximum amount of sunlight that falls on the property daily. If the structure has the capacity the array made of the solar electric panels is put on the roof. If the structure is not able to support the load the added weight the array will place on it, the array can be placed nearby so as to get the maximum sunlight. The array can be now be attached to the house through a cable.

The solar electric panel array is usually attached to a solar generator and a net metering system that usually hooks into the local electrical utility’s power grid. The net metering system is able to run backwards and forwards to accurately measure the wattage that might be pulled from the grid during the time that the sky is overcast or dark and can’t provide sunlight for generation. In the times when there is more energy produced than is needed to run the house, this extra wattage will be purchased by the utility for other customers to use. Ideally, this is done by someone with solar installation training.

For those houses that are too distant to economically run lines from a power grid, or those that want to remain totally self-sufficient, usually will have a battery system included in the plan with home solar panels rather than a net metering system so that they can store any excess, unused power that has been generated for themselves to cover for times that sunlight is not present to power the system.

Cheap solar panels can be found with a little bit of research. Prices of solar technology is expected to come down in coming times as the amount of solar home panels in use goes up. Economic incentives signed into law recently will more than likely lead the drive to make cheap solar panels more available to consumers looking to add this renewable energy resource as a responsible choice for their power needs.

Boots on the Roof, a leading Renewable energy training institute, is enrolling students into its Solar PV Training classes. For more information on qualifications, Training Dates and Locations, click here.

Everyone is going green these days. Even the fashion and the food industry are advocating earth-friendly ways of doing things. This trend has only grown in popularity in recent years, although movements to save Mother Earth have been around for some time. In the construction industry, this move to turn green, is still in its nascent stage.  This makes it an ideal time for architects, engineers, draftsmen, sales people, business professionals and skilled workers in the construction industry to specialize. That is, it’s a great time for training in new technologies and new, earth-friendly ways of doing traditional things. Now is the time for the construction industry to focus a measure of its time and resources for solar panel installation training.

Solar panel electricity is one of the most sustainable of alternative energy sources. The sun would definitely outlive the Earth, scientists say. It’s basically an immense power source that’s perpetually present. As such, the trend toward harnessing more of the sun’s energy to power cities and communities is definitely growing. As governments and people continue leaning toward cleaner sources of energy to solve the energy crisis, there is a surge in investments in solar panel electricity on most national budgets.

Solar panel installation training is a valuable investment. Key players in the construction and energy industry who invest in solar training for their human resources are investing in the future. As the world gears toward being more and more earth-friendly, products, services, resources and skills, even business practices that are considered ‘clean and green’ will become more and more valuable. When you’ve got competencies coveted by others in the industry, you are a valuable asset.

The market for solar energy is wide. In all five continents and all sectors of society that need or are housed in buildings, including families and communities. Both government and private businesses would require solar-trained experts for their solar-powered building projects. Even homes will be requiring experts with previous solar training for their homes. If Bill Gates’ multi-million dollar mansion in Washington is any indication of how future homes will be, solar training is a must for everyone in the construction industry.

The Future Has Solar

Although you can be sure governments and large private interest groups will continue to explore more earth-friendly, more cost-effective alternatives, solar panel electricity is definitely among the top choices for energy efficiency, sustainability and earth-friendliness. As this fact begins to sink in, more and more young people are going to see excellent opportunities and outstanding career paths in the solar energy industry.

Businesses will continue to provide solar panel installation training to their staff to keep them abreast of the latest in the industry. A number of third-party providers will specialize in solar education. In fact, this is already happening today. A quick keyword search on Google shows you there are a number of organizations offering various specialties and sub-specialties in solar education. If you are already in the construction and energy industry, it’s high time for you to take solar training seriously. It’s not a fad that comes and goes; it is the future and it’s here to stay.

One of the premier energy training establishments, Boots on the Roof, is enrolling students into its Solar PV Training classes. For more information on your qualifications, available training dates and locations, click here.

Solar energy and solar power have been around for some time. When concerns about the state of the environment reached international attention, the scientific community has proposed alternative energy sources, such as the sun and the wind, for a more-sustainable, earth-friendly way to address the world’s energy needs.

In the past 15 years or so, the demand for PV installations has seen steady increase at an average of 30 percent a year. And with the green trend gaining ground, the solar industry has become an multi-billion dollar industry almost overnight. Among many in the construction, manufacturing industry, there’s a growing emphasis on solar install training. Here’s why:

Solar training benefits individual careers. Engineers, architects, R&D professionals and even skilled workers expand their marketability with solar training and certification. As demands for expert knowledge and skilled workers rise, those with technical knowledge and specialized skills that fit the need of the renewable energy industry grow very valuable.

Solar training allows companies to reposition themselves in the market. Construction companies, design firms, PV manufacturers and other businesses are investing in solar training for their staff. When businesses are looking to actively participate in a new market, investing in new technologies and staff training ensures longevity and continued existence.

Solar training protects national interest. Because solar energy is available all over the world, no government can control world energy resources like the OPEC does. Neither is technology a monopoly of tech-savvy countries like Japan. It’s not surprising governments are now pouring investments into research for better and more efficient ways of harnessing solar energy, among other renewable sources.

Solar install training addresses the disparity between the growing demand for trained professionals and skilled workers and the limited supply. The technology is available. The materials are available. The last piece of the puzzle is workforce. At this time, the industry is still young and research remains ongoing. The research and development is focused on finding even more cost-effective ways of harnessing solar energy to power up entire communities. The whole range of services – from research, product development, manufacturing, installation, and support services – require professionals and skilled workers who are thoroughly trained in the various aspects of the solar industry.

Solar Energy in the Future

When the market gets saturated with manufacturers and technical workers, it drives prices down. Even in the solar industry, competition is intense and will grow more intense as more and more players join the market. But it’s unlikely for the solar industry to be live out a short life-cycle. The technology might change, costs will grow very effective and other alternatives will be harnessed. Whatever the trend in the next century will be, the sun remains a readily available source of energy. And as science points out, it lives on long after our planet has gone. It’s not likely for solar energy to be obsolete.

With that in mind, solar businesses are growing all over the world. With government policies and recent legislation supporting the green movement, the solar industry is definitely an attractive prospect for people who see value in acquiring solar install training.

Solar pv training (pv stands for photovoltaic) can come both under the context of training in the engineering field for those who have a four-year degree and those who work with the pv technology on an installation/repair basis.

Solar pv panels are collectors which capture solar radiation and converted to usable energy in the form of electrical current which then can be used to power appliances or other devices in the home or building. Other solar pv panels have the ability to capture the radiant heat from sunlight and convert it to heat that can provide warmth to heat a house interior or water needed for laundry or bathing.

Electrical engineers are responsible for actually designing the solar pv panels that consumers purchase for use in solar systems. These designs are what manufacturers use to produce the salable pv panels. Installation of these panels are usually done by someone who takes solar panels installation training classes, provided by such diverse sources as some vocational institutes that are becoming up-to-date enough in the new technology that they can offer solar components to graduates who are studying to be electricians or otherwise go into construction.

Other classes in solar panels installation training are being offered by manufacturers of different brands of solar pv panels or solar systems available commercially to consumers and businesses. This is to insure the proper installation of the product to the manufacturers’ specifications. To attend this solar installer training, it is generally assumed that the candidate already has knowledge of electrical wiring, plumbing, or both. In trade for the discounted cost of the solar installer training, it is usually required that the installer sell the manufacturer’s particular product line for a set period of time lasting for at least a year. Some manufacturers require that the class attendee sign a non-compete clause that prohibits him/her from working for a competitor for a set period of time after leaving the manufacturer’s product brand.

For those who pass the initial solar panels installation training course, many companies offer the chance to take more advanced solar installer training. The advanced training affords the attendees the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how to design individual solar systems based on the consumer’s needs to furnish a system specifically designed to meet his/her energy needs. Those not specifically interested in or able to do installation can use their knowledge of the product to do repairs, adding yet another opportunity to create jobs and profit by becoming a repair technician who can troubleshoot, diagnose problems and repair any system using a particular manufacturer’s products.

There is much to learn about solar energy systems. Everyone knows that the sun is used to generate energy but exactly how remains a mystery to most people and areas of expertise are needed all over the world. Depending on where you plan to live will have an impact on what type of training you require.

For example, Germany leads the world in production of solar PV installations in the EU and the Germans build over 88% of all grid-tied systems. The Germans also hold over 10,000 jobs in production, distribution, and installation of solar energy systems. The largest photovoltaic power plants in the world are housed in Spain and Portugal where solar photovoltaic cells are 50 to 60 MW. The advancement of these countries would demand a very skilled individual in solar energy systems and solar photovoltaic cells.

The US is working to create much more alternative energy through energy legislation but so far, the states have been handling the programs on their own. However, with $117.6M now available through President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, solar energy projects are beginning to take off. Two more bills are currently making their way through the Congress and Senate to help with installation cost financing and the manufacturing sector. Whether power plants, solar photovoltaic cells, or flexible solar panels, the US is on the move with solar energy systems and trained people are in very large demand.

Taiwan also has much to offer in the way of education. In 2007, this small country awarded winners of the Jinyi Award and presented solutions on the photovoltaic industry. Awards in every sector of business has proven to be very effective and something that our own country should be promoting in solar and all alternative creative outlets.

Educational courses and degrees are becoming more abundant at local universities and institutions online. Physicists, engineers, and business management are a few of the top qualifying positions that will be available soon in solar energy systems. Many of these positions are already available in other countries but training would be needed to learn their individual systems.

What once seemed a long way off is now beating on our door. If you wish to get ahead of the game and have some knowledge of the solar industry, check out a few courses online in Germany and Spain to get a head start on the market in the US. There can never be too much knowledge in solar photovoltaic cells and flexible solar panels and you just might find that you have valuable information to share with an employer.

Get involved with Blogs on the subject of solar energy systems and sign up for the latest breaking international news on the subject. Look into America’s largest solar photovoltaic system located in Clark County, Nevada and research why the Nellis Solar Power Plant is only pulling 14 MW and how to improve. Read, research and learn. The Internet can be a great learning tool for your new future and a growing solar world.

One of the main issues in the recent US elections focused on government investments and dedication toward finding sustainable, cost-effective energy sources. Not that the world’s supply of oil is near depletion. Besides being harmful to the environment, the world, not just Americans, hates being dependent on foreign oil. Thus, the need to look for sustainable, alternative energy sources.

This move away from oil-powered energy plants, gas-driven cars and use of depletable fuel sources has prompted this present trend toward alternative sources of fuel. As governments and private organizations continue to invest in research and development, technologies that have been known to work well, such as those tapping solar energy, are taking the frontiers. Solar heating training for professionals and skilled workers are in high demand in the construction industry to address the growing need for solar-powered facilities.

The Demand in Numbers

Solar panel installations around the world were nearly 6000 megawatts, more than double the number of solar panel installations in 2007. Demand for solar energy grows at a staggering 30% annually in the last decade and a half. Last year’s increased worldwide demand was due to government attention. Germany’s Feed-in law made it the second largest market in 2008. US markets increased to 357 megawatts; Japan is now the sixth largest market worldwide. PV cell manufacturers worldwide produced a total of 6.85 gigawatts in 2008.

Solar Career Opportunities

Obviously, with the market growing, there’s a surge of jobs and various career opportunities in the solar industry. And it’s only a subset of an even larger industry – renewable energy sources industry. Here are some of the many career opportunities for professionals with solar heating training:

• Sales engineers: It’s a new industry and the demand for highly qualified sales people are on the rise. Sales engineers whose expertise lie in solar panel installations, design of solar heating systems and other custom solar-powered energy-saving products can help speed up the process of bringing clean energy sources to communities.

• Technical support staff: As is the current trend in business, an after-sales support service is vital in keeping customers happy. The renewable energy sources industry needs it’s version of professional staff to man its phone lines, websites and other customer feedback channels. If you’re already familiar with the customer service industry, solar heating training will give you that edge to become part of a highly technical new industry.

• Trainers and Teachers: Solar training is a growing business as well. With new industries spurring a high demand of skilled workers, educational institutions are pooling experts to train workers for the industry. This presents an excellent opportunity for those who already are in the field to take on leadership roles and train others to join them. Engineers, architects and others in the construction and energy industry could obtain more specialized skills with solar training.

The demand in the renewable energy market will be filled some time in the future. But just like the internet, it’s here to stay. Trends will change, practices will improve but those who have positioned themselves as key players when the market was young will remain valuable. So, even if you’re still a bit skeptical, you can’t go wrong with an additional skill.

With the cost of electricity having increased every year for the last 20 years, the need for a more efficient, less environmentally damaging, renewable energy resource will be growing. Experts estimate that those receiving a solar energy education and entering the solar technology sector will experience unprecedented growth, even in today’s uncertain economy.

Solar panel install training is becoming more and more valuable as incentives are being offered as local and state or regional governments pass legislation to foster the increase in the number of smaller, individual solar generation systems. Like was accomplished in Hawaii, this legislation is designed to let individual systems reach parity with the local utility grid in terms of how much electricity is generated by the individual systems as versus the bigger utilities.

Grid parity is defined as being the point at which electricity generated through photovoltaic means is equal to or cheaper in price per kilowatt hour than that of grid power generated by the regional utility. This parity is expected to be achieved first in areas that have both abundant sunlight, yet has high costs for electricity as is found in California or Japan. Industry experts have predicted that the majority of the US will reach grid parity by the year 2015, although some report that this parity could be achieved by as soon as 2011.

The point of a solar energy education is to allow the installation of littler, systems that are placed on structures where no photosynthetic plants will be growing normally, making this form of electricity generated designated as a completely renewable resource since it has no CO2 emissions, nor will it impact on any renewable resources in the form of biomass (i.e. the production of corn which is used in the manufacture of biofuels).

Solar panel install training, usually offered for the use of smaller, individual systems, can sometimes extend to larger systems able to track the movement of the sun. The smaller systems have the solar panels set in a stationary, fixed position which allows the maximum amount of sunlight to hit them. They are usually combined with a net meter which allows the accurate measurement of power bought off the grid as well as any excess wattage generated by the solar panels, and which must be purchased from the homeowner by law.

The larger systems, sometimes referred to as “solar farms” are usually used by utilities because they can produce such large amounts of electricity. These systems have the solar collectors mounted on a mobile arrangement that can track the sun’s movement across the sky and move the panels accordingly so they can obtain a maximum exposure to sunlight during daylight hours.

A solar energy education in the form of classes which impart solar panel install training and/or solar power installation training will prove to be the doorway to the availability of a whole new range of jobs that will prove to be viable well into the future.

On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed into law, in an attempt to deal with the current U.S. financial crisis. While the Stabilization Act covers several areas it is historic legislation for the solar industry and those pushing for solar living in a greener world.

“This long-term extension of the solar tax credits will create a domestic solar industry with hundreds of thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to millions of American families, businesses, and communities,” said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to the bill being passed.

These tax credits are not small pickings. For instance, the 30% tax credit for solar installations, both residential and commercial, has been extended to eight years. For the layman, this means that any solar installation for your home or business receives a 30% tax credit for eight years.

The eight-year extension has other benefits as well. An economic study by Navigant Consulting, Inc forecasted that the extension would create over 440,000 solar manufacturing and installation jobs around the nation.

The federal incentives for solar energy don’t bring all pluses, however. Solar living isn’t hard, and even without the tax credits it can save the every-day individual a chunk of money, but the solar industry itself is suffering from a lack of people with solar training. That solar training and certification is imperative for the industry to be able to fill those 440,000 job openings.

Some of those solar jobs will be in photovoltaics (PV). Photovoltaics is a method to generate solar power by using packaged solar cells (pv modules) electrically connected by pv arrays, which ultimately coverts the sun’s rays into electricity. This area of solar energy alone has expanded dramatically in recent years.

PV isn’t the only area that the solar industry could use individuals with solar training. With the increase of solar appliances, green building and many other areas of every-day living, the need for solar training spans several industries. Electricians, roofers, installers and general contracts could all benefit from solar education and the federal incentives.

A general contractor with solar training and certification, for instance, may realize an increased demand for their services. Likewise with roofer, installers and electricians. Simply put, as appliances and installations go from usable resources to reusable resources (i.e. solar energy), the need for people who can install, repair and maintain “green” installations will rise higher.

Homeowners and green energy enthusiasts could also benefit from the knowledge gained by taking solar courses. Not only can a homeowner learn what appliances and installations fall under the 30% tax credit, they can also find out exactly which installations, appliances and changes it would take to turn their home “green”.

In the face of growing worldwide concern with regards to finding new and better renewable energy sources, solar energy is fast becoming a viable option. It is a field which will only increase in prominence in the coming years, and this has created immense opportunities for qualified individuals suitable for positions in this industry.

Solar training courses provide students with tremendous opportunity to gain a foothold in this growing industry and with the knowledge offered by these courses, they will be well positioned to be part of a knowledgeable workforce that will definitely be sought after in the solar installation industry.

Anyone who is looking to enhance his or her career opportunities in the field of renewable energy would do well to look into the career advancement possibilities offered by solar training. With the increasing need to develop renewable energy sources in the current environmental scene all over the world, more and more electrical contractors are looking to enter the potentially lucrative solar electric energy industry.

There is an obvious need for electrical contractors to continuously add to their skill sets and receive endorsements from authorized certification bodies and one of the best ways to do that is by getting solar education. This sentiment is echoed by many in the industry who feel that the process of gaining solar certification is not really that much different from that which electrical contractors have already gone through in the past in order to become licensed contractors. It only makes sense to acquire solar certification as a means of further enhancing these skill sets. This will also allow them to develop their businesses in a way that will become increasingly more important and relevant to the environmental field.

To address this growing demographic, numerous renewable energy oriented organizations are stepping up to meet the demand by offering various solar education courses. Amongst the popular certifications in demand in the solar education space is the Solar PV Installation Certification program. Electrical contractors who have received such solar certifications are discovering that they are quite sought after by employers who are looking for capable and knowledgeable team leaders who can help crews break-in the new technologies inherent in green jobs.

Certificate programs for solar education and solar courses generally seek to instruct applicants in basic knowledge of the various solar applications and entry-level capability in common solar equipment installation procedures. This will equip them with credential certifications that are intended for renewable energy professionals and solar electric installers. The solar courses have been developed specifically for students that have little or no experience in the solar field, who are looking to gain knowledge on the basics of solar electric system operations and maintenance.

Keep in mind that these entry level solar training programs do not render individuals qualified to actually install PV systems. Instead, they are intended to illustrate that students have gained a basic knowledge in the application and concepts of solar electric systems. Through further solar training in Advance Installer Certification programs candidates can equip themselves with expertise of a higher grid and scale.

Solar education and solar training courses are offered through a wide variety of venues. Some of the learning institutions where you can gain solar certification are colleges and universities, community colleges, vocational schools, technical learning institutions, and apprenticeship programs endorsed by appropriate government agencies.

Another solar training course that you can look into for purposes of enhancing your career opportunities with regards to green jobs are the ones offering certification and rating programs for manufacturers of solar panels. These programs are primarily designed to provide ways by which the maintenance of solar panels can be determined under recommended rating conditions. These solar training programs encompass a broad range of solar-based applications including swimming pool heating, recreational heating, space heating, water heating and even cooling. These solar courses are generally voluntary and are offered to all manufacturers of solar-related products.

One of the requirements of this program is the passing of a series of tests that have been developed by authorized solar certification bodies. This series of tests are conducted in line with industry standard methods that have been specified by independent laboratories.

Solar power and “green” building has become a focus in the construction market for several reasons. With the steady climb of energy prices, along with a decline in the price of solar installations, solar living has become a topic of interest for more than those that live in rural areas, or those looking to save the environment. Solar energy has become a viable alternative energy source, and the rates of both commercial and home installations are rising dramatically.

Who can use solar courses?
People from all walks of life could benefit from solar training. Anyone interested in renewable, sustainable energy sources are good examples. Due to the expected rise of needed manpower in the solar industry, however, reasons other than the environment should compel others.

Already, the solar industry has discovered a skills gap in solar training. Those that know how to install photovoltaic arrays, develop other ways of harnessing solar energy, maintain the necessary equipment and several other areas are retiring – without the younger generation replacing them in knowledge and training.

Another area where the skills gap is showing is in “greener” building. Environmentalists and others who just happened to notice solar energy is ultimately cheaper are demanding energy efficient appliances, solar panels, rain catchers and any number of newer, more environmentally safe changes to their homes. As a builder without solar training, one may find themselves losing business due to lack of knowledge. With a little bit of time and effort, a general builder can turn into a “green” builder, with all the training and certifications necessary.

So how do you get involved?
As a “green” builder or solar installation provider, the first place to gather information would be your local homebuilder’s association. They’ll have information on solar product supplies, rules and regulations, and what’s need for PV certification. This is especially important, as each locality has its own regulations. They may not vary much from one to the other, but they do vary.

Training and certification is necessary. As a home-builder using solar design, you’ll want to make sure that the finished home is certified as an energy efficient, solar domicile. For that to happen, you’ll need solar training and certification.

Likewise for solar installers. Each individual PV installation will be different, having its own requirements and sets of issues to overcome. This means that adding a PV system is not “plug and play”. Requirements and needs will have to be assessed, problems will have to be circumvented, and a custom solar installation will have to be designed. This is why PV training and certification is a must.

PV training and certification programs are readily available at our Boot Camps. There are three types of certification; an Entry Level certificate, a Solar Thermal Installer Certification (solar heat), and the PV Installer Certification. To hold these certifications, you would be trained to design and install all types of custom solar solutions.