Solar Installer-Roofers are the people who install solar panels and solar cells in the roofs of residential and commercial buildings.  Currently, trained, qualified Solar Roofers are hard to come by these days, even in our quickly growing “green” economy.  Why?  Because a Solar Roofer must not only possess the trade skills and construction experience of a roofer, but must also be a competent solar electrician.

Solar Roofs

There are basically two different types of solar roofing jobs being done today: retrofitting and integrated.  Retrofitting is installing a solar panel on an existing roof.  Integrating is incorporating solar cells and panels into a new roof being built.

Solar electrician skills are less important for retrofitting solar roofing.  This is a relatively easy job.  It basically consists of mounting one or more solar panels on an existing roof, and feeding the wiring though the roof to the battery banks.  A regular roofer could do this, and leave the wiring to an electrician.

Retrofitted solar roofs, however, have many drawbacks.  Solar panels are bulky, more exposed to the elements of wind, rain, and snow, and many consider them to be an eyesore that drags down property values.  Consequently, integrated solar roofing has become increasingly popular.  The solar panels are actually built into the roof, the sides more or less flush with the rest of the roof.  Such solar panels are less exposed to harsh weather and more aesthetically pleasing.  It’s still obvious, however, that you have solar panels on your roof.

To compensate for this problem, solar cell manufactures have started producing “solar shingles.”  These are specialized roofing shingles that have photovoltaic solar cells built into them, but otherwise appear to be the same shape, size, and color as regular asphalt shingles.  Solar shingles can provide an entire building roof that is essentially one big solar panel, but (from a distance, at least) looks like any other roof.  Although solar shingle roofs are increasingly popular, they have also increased the demand for Solar Installer-Roofers.

Unlike solar panels in which all the solar cells are already wired together, solar shingles must be wired together into a solar array as they are applied to the roof.  Furthermore, the solar shingles need to be installed and wired together before the rest of the roof is installed with regular shingles, so that the wires from the solar shingles can be run along the ridge cap of the roof, where they are hidden from sight and protected from harsh weather.

Requirements for Becoming a Solar Installer-Roofer

Solar Installer-Roofers are usually made rather than found.  Unfortunately, few people today possess both roofing trade skills and solar electronics training.  Therefore, solar roofing companies either hire roofers and train them to be solar electricians or hire solar electricians and train them to install roofs.

If you are already a roofer, enter a two-year program in electrical engineering at a community college or vocational school.  Another option is an electrician apprenticeship trade program.  Either way, this should give you the electrical knowledge and experience necessary to qualify for a Solar Installer-Roofer position.  For there, your employer should train you on the specifics of their methods and equipment.

On the other hand, if you are already have an Associates or Bachelors in electrical engineering, or are a certified electrician, you’ll need to train to become a roofer as well.  Vocational schools should at least offer a few classes in this construction skill, and some might even offer full programs.  Another route is to enter a roofing apprenticeship trade program.

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

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.

Today, people who want to invest in clean, green solar energy can incorporate solar roof tiles into their home’s design. If you live in areas with a hot climate, such as the ones in south California, it will be super-easy to take advantage of solar roof tiles. Moreover, your house will not look very different from the rest of the houses in the area, because solar roof tiles look just like clay tiles, but they bring so much more when it comes to functionality.

• Solar roof tiles can generate up to 850 kilowatt-hours per year.
• If you wonder about how many solar roof tiles you need per square foot, we will give you a hint: generally, 30 tiles will cover 100 square feet of roof surface.
• Solar roof tiles are also available as solar power shingles. There is no difference between the two types and they both use thin solar film technology.

Solar panel tiles are kind of new on the market, so don’t expect to find them on the local producers. Our advice is to browse the Internet and find few companies that produce solar roof tiles. Make an order, and then enjoy lower electricity bills!

Boots on the Roof, a leading Renewable energy training institute, is enrolling students into its Solar Thermal Training classes. For more information on qualifications, 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.

At present, thousands of new graduates from varying educational backgrounds are considering careers in the field of renewable energy. These fresh graduates are ideally positioned to fill the needs of financiers, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, provided they have the skills and capabilities required in the industry. And that is where the quandary lies.

While there is undoubtedly an increasing demand for experienced and qualified personnel in virtually every aspect of renewable energy, the demand greatly outweighs the supply. At the root of this wide demand and supply gap in the labor market, is the incessant lack of programs which train students for careers in environmental jobs or green jobs. This void has begun to be addressed by a few educational institutes such as Boots on the Roof, a growing Solar Training institute in the heart of California, which is running a series of very successful solar training boot camps for students nationwide.

Interestingly enough, many of the professionals currently working in the renewable energy field began their education in other areas, even in fields that are totally unrelated. That being said, the best way to break into the solar energy industry is still by way of a thorough solar education as provided by traditional learning institutions, and Boots on the Roof is a good example to cite here.

The younger generations in particular have taken advantage of courses offered by an increasing number of colleges and universities in sustainability and renewable energy.

In spite of these programs and similar others, solar companies are still dealing with under-staffed teams due to lack of skilled manpower. Some renewable energy organizations that are currently existent are now offering corporate solar training programs which are targeted towards applicants of different capability levels and interests. Some companies even offer solar training courses for military veterans who are looking for careers in the private sector.

While technical knowledge and background in solar courses is undoubtedly essential for those who are seeking careers in renewable energy, some basic business knowledge will come in handy as well.