Solar Electricians are the backbone of the solar power industry. After all, photovoltaic solar cells convert sunlight into electricity, and that electricity then must be distributed throughout a building. Attending a solar school to get solar panel installation training rather than a regular vocational school, however, to get an Electrical Engineering degree specializing in solar power will provide you with a strong advantage in getting hired as an electrician in the solar power industry.

Why? The answer is because wiring a building to run off of solar power requires very different technologies and skill sets than wiring a building to run off of the local electrical power grid.

Using local grid power, regular home construction electricians are used to accessing a constant, regulated, steady flow of electricity from the local power grid. All they have to do is distribute that constant flow of electricity throughout the building via the standard residential electrical wiring network.

Solar power, however, is much more complex. Under solar power systems, electricity comes not from the local power grid, but from the sun. Solar panels in the roof convert sunlight to electricity. Consequently, the flow of electricity is neither regulated nor constant. To overcome this problem, electricity generated by the solar panels is stored in battery banks. The batteries, in turn, provide a regulated, steady flow of electricity to the building. If the batteries are depleted, the home electrical network needs to be able to switch seamlessly back over to the local power grid.

All this, obviously, adds an extra layer of complexity to wiring a building’s electrical network. Any electrician specialized in dealing with it will be in high demand in the solar power industry.

How will I use my Solar Power Training Certification–What Does a Solar Electrician Do?

In addition to wiring a home or building with the usual electrical network, a solar electricians must also set up the solar energy battery banks. This is not as easy as it sounds. The solar electrician must know what type of batteries to use, and how many will be needed. If there is more than one battery (as with all but the most basic solar power system there will be), the solar electrician will need to set up load-balancing equipment to charge and deplete the multiple batteries evenly. The electricity will also need to be converted from DC power to the 120-volt AC power used in the building’s wall outlets.

Solar electricians also need to be also to install instrumentation to measure the charge in the battery banks, and control mechanisms to switch over to local grid power when the battery banks are almost drained. Today, very few homes are capable of being powered entirely by solar energy. Most use a combination of solar and grid power, using the solar power produced merely to reduce their monthly power bill.

How Do I Become a Solar Electrician?

At least an Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field would be the required to qualify as a Solar Electrician. Obviously, a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree you be preferable. If possible, attend a solar school rather than a community college or a vocational school program to get solar panel installation training. Not only will a solar school train you in the specializations needed to work with solar power systems, but you’ll learn more about solar power in general. Both of these will make your degree more attractive for a solar power company, and increase your chances of being hired.

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

This is the kind of job most people imagine when they think about a career in renewable energy.  Solar Laboratory Technicians are the scientists working in research & development laboratories for renewable power companies.  They constantly research and invent new and better technologies to generate and utilize green energy sources.

Specifically, Solar Laboratory Technicians pioneer new ways to improve and diversify ways of gathering sunlight, turning it into electricity, storing it, and utilizing that energy.  Similar research & development laboratory positions exist, however, in other areas of the renewable energy economy.  Green power companies involved in wind power, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, and biomass gases all need research scientists and technology architects.  And this isn’t even mentioning the many other new alternative energy technologies that are currently being explored, but have yet to become well-known household terms.

Obviously, being a Solar Laboratory Technician requires a large amount of detailed knowledge of solar electronics.  The most common and well-known type of solar power systems are photovoltaic solar arrays  that convert sunlight into electricity.  The development of solar cells that can generate more electricity, automatic tracking systems to follow the movement of the sun to optimize the efficiency of solar arrays, and batteries that can store more electricity for longer periods of time are all things that Solar Laboratory Technicians research, build, and test.

There are many other types of non-electric solar power, however, that a Solar Laboratory Technician should be familiar with.  An example is thermal solar cells, which convert sunlight into heat.  Other areas include passive solar systems, an area of research that seeks to optimize variables such as location, weather, architecture, windows, and insulation to heat or cool a building by either absorbing or reflecting sunlight.  Finally, another form of solar energy utilizes focusing lenses and mirrors to concentrate sunlight and thermal energy.  Applications of this technology include warming homes, heating water, and even boiling water for electricity-producing steam turbines.

Requirements for Becoming a Solar Laboratory Technician

Obviously, Solar Laboratory Technicians must possess a greater knowledge of solar power systems that solar panel installer-roofer or maintenance technician.  In fact, Solar Laboratory Technicians require some of highest education and most thorough training of all careers in the green energy economy.  Solar Laboratory Technicians need to understand applied and theoretical science, as well was the design, development, engineering, construction, and testing of electronics, particularly electrical power systems.

Solar Laboratory Technicians should also have practical experience using scientific equipment, tools, and instrumentation.  Advanced mathematics, including calculus and statistical methods and applications, will most likely be a prerequisite.  The ability to read, interpret, analyze, and compile scientific data, charts, and graphs is also necessary.

To become a Solar Laboratory Technician, you would need at least a Bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, engineering, or material science.  A Graduate degree in any of there fields would be better.  Some companies might also accept an Associate’s degree if combined with at least two or more years of work experience in this field.

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.

Watch President Obama’s speech on Jobs and Clean Energy.  See why it’s important to get solar energy training now.

Boots on the Roof, one of the best solar/wind training providers in the San Francisco bay area, is currently enrolling students into its upcoming Solar PV and Wind Energy training boot camp.  Students can get certified as solar PV installers. The training program includes hands-on labs, classroom activities focusing on solar electric system design, safety regulations, installation and extra business topics related to photovoltaic.  To learn more about dates, locations, and course details,  click here.

Nowadays, an education is a means to an end. Of course, the end is securing a well-paying job although helping your environment and helping your fellowman while you are helping yourself is a good proposition. This is exactly what you will get from your solar school education!

With your education, you can earn anywhere from $31,200-$60,000 per year with solar engineers earning as much as $80,000. Now, that’s a good living any way you look at it while you are doing good things for the environment! However, to maximize your education, there are three things you must do.

Get Busy!

The solar sector of the renewable energy industry is one of its fastest growing areas. In fact, the Department of Energy’s Solar America Initiative predicts that solar power shall be a competitive energy source for commercial electricity by 2015! As such, many job opportunities are available for professionals who possess the right kind of qualifications. Therefore, professionals must get busy with acquiring more knowledge and more experience either from getting a solar school education or from the field.

If you cannot secure a job within the solar sector, volunteering in establishments that are solar-friendly can boost your résumé. If you have spare time, learn all you can about the industry through trade journals. If you must, take the low-paying job being offered just because it provides for entry into the solar sector. The point is to get busy expanding your network, your knowledge and your experience. Eventually, you will get noticed by the top honchos of the company and the sector you want to work in.

Get Noticed!

Even when you have attained good performance marks in your solar school education, you still need to get noticed by the solar industry. There are many ways to achieve this goal although you have to put your personal twist on them.

• First, you must attend industry conventions. These are venues where professionals converge to discuss the concerns and directions of the solar industry, which are also often excellent sources for employers to source out prospective employees. At the very least, you can distribute business cards and résumés to the people who matter in the industry.
• Second, you must build a good reputation within the industry. At present, the solar sector is sufficiently small to allow for an atmosphere of almost-everybody-knows-almost-everybody to pervade. As such, good word of mouth advertising as well as official recommendations from former employers and co-workers will provide for more job opportunities.

Again, the point is to get noticed in a positive way. It will not just be your education from a prestigious solar school that matters, but your personal and professional track record will matter, too!

Get Updated!

As usually happens, fast growth means fast obsolescence and fast turnover. As such, the solar industry is always on the lookout for newer, bigger and better technologies and applications.

In turn, the professionals must be constantly updated on these new technologies. It is a challenge that creates new business opportunities. It is fast growth that requires new knowledge. In short, the more you know of the latest in solar technologies and events, the more opportunities you have to maximize your solar school education!

Truly, solar education must be maximized not only for the sake of financial stability and career advancement but because it paves the way for a brighter and cleaner future.
Boots on the Roof is currently enrolling students into its upcoming Solar PV training boot camp. To learn more about dates, locations, and course details,  click here

There is an overwhelming need in our country for people who have advanced educations in the renewable energy industry. Not only is the demand for this energy higher than ever, those professionals already in the field are nearing retirement and suitable replacements will be needed. It is estimated that there will be over 100,000 positions to be filled.

Solar energy education is flourishing. Educational institutes have recognized the need to included solar energy education programsdue to the increased need for well training professionals in the solar energy industry. There are programs that offer certificates all the way up to four year degrees and beyond.

Solar energy education is not only for those looking to start a profession in the industry. Many homeowners are getting solar energy education to learn how to install and maintain solar energy systems for their homes. There are basic courses designed for these individuals. These programs will teach them the basics of how to install a variety of solar energy systems, the state codes they must follow and the specifics for their area. They also teach them how to be able to repair and maintain all part of their home’s system.

Engineering degrees are very valuable and these professionals are in high demand. Also degrees that focus on research and development have growing demands as companies are looking to make solar power more efficient. An environmental internship can be a helpful addition to a solar energy education program. Internships allow you to prove that you can be a valuable player at a company. It will give you invaluable experience and additional trainings that will give you the edge over your competition who are entering the solar energy industry.

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.

Solar energy is becoming one of the fastest growing industries. There are many careers in this industry but one of the most popular is solar panel installation.  There are several parts to the solar energy system that you will learn to install. The main components are the solar energy panels themselves.   Some systems have batteries that the currents go to for storage but others require the energy be used right away. Solar panel installation training with teach you the difference and about the variety of systems available.

Most all systems that are installed today will have batteries to store solar power. This allows users to not only get power during the hours the sun is not up but on cloudy days as well. Solar energy systems are increasing in popularity. They are extremely efficient in saving energy as well as better for the environment then other energy sources. Here are some basic solar energy facts:

• Solar energy is one of the best energy sources for our environment
• It can be used to produce electricity through the photovoltaic solar panels to heat water, power heating & air conditioning units and any other electrical needs
• As the used of solar energy panels increases the demand all over the world increases
• Solar energy power is measured with 1 kilowatt equaling 1000 watts
• A 100 watt light bulb utilizes 1 kilowatt per hour
• In 1999 it was estimated that the average American household will use about 866-kilowatt hours per month in 1999 costing them $70.68 with this number being much higher now
• 30% of this usage being to simply heat their homes

There are a variety of solar panel installation courses and training programs available throughout the country.

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.

Perhaps you’re a non-core staff at a construction firm. Or you could be a sales staff at a construction firm who has been bypassed for promotion several times. You know your colleagues routinely earn credit units from various programs for continuing education. Now you are looking to position yourself well by acquiring specialized skills for future trends. If you need to acquire specialized skills to put yourself back in the market again, consider solar training.

Solar training provides you with basic knowledge and skills that are vital to everyone in the solar industry. Even the basic preparatory course eases your entry into this fast-growing field. Learn the basics of the market – electricity, safety and the various PV market components and applications. Understanding the basics of the solar market components and a general appreciation of the benefits of solar products and services puts you in an excellent position to sell. Tap into new markets and expand the need for present products. Solar training can give a sales engineer the things they need to know to get into the market.

Solar training can give you the coveted knowledge or skill few, if any, in your company has. If you work for a construction, architecture or design firm, you should recognize that there’s a bright future for professionals going green. If Bill Gates’ $147-million home in Washington State is any indication of future trends, engineers and architects with solar training or who have extensive knowledge and the required skills to build a solar-powered facility like that will prove valuable to businesses for a long time.

Solar training opens doors of career opportunities. Everyone knows that the market for renewable energy sources is expanding exponentially. Governments and private organizations are all going green. The surge of green jobs all over the world demands professionals that are technically capable of handling the demands in this specialized industry. If you are in the oil and gas industry, for example, you don’t have to sit idly and watch while the oil market is taken over by cleaner fuel. Get solar training and position yourself as a valuable asset in this new market.

Solar training allows you to stay current. The world is changing and new practices emerge. Continuing professional education is not just about acquiring credit units but acquiring relevant skills that are responsive to current trends. Green is the color theme of the day and those who keep themselves current will continue to find relevance in tomorrow’s world. It doesn’t take much to stay in touch with how the world works. Keep yourself informed and take continuing education seriously. Make each credit unit count and position yourself well in tomorrow’s markets.

You can save more with solar-powered systems at home. Solar training can be useful to you. Is your home-heating cost eating up a huge chunk of your monthly income? It’s an investment well worth looking into. And because of the rising demand and limited supply, it’s relatively expensive to have photovoltaic cells installed at home. So Get Solar Trained!

Countries around the world have been experiencing major developments in technology and civilization ever since electricity was discovered. Year after year people make use of the world’s energy sources to make the lives of others more convenient and safer. Now the world has reached a point where negative environmental changes are taking place and probably decades after, lack of resources available.

Fortunately, there are several energy alternatives available each with advantages and disadvantages with solar energy being one of the more popular choices. But there aren’t many people hooked on to the technology which is why solar training is very important.

Solar Technology Development
Solar energy was realized as a clean alternative source of energy way back in ancient times and then later on solar power plants were installed in several areas to give clean power to homes. While it is a clean energy source, it definitely isn’t the cheapest and that discouraged people from embracing the technology. Then when digital mobile technology started to get popular, solar energy was revisited as more and more people started to purchase these gadgets. The focus was on how often people use electricity to charge their batteries for their mobile devices and now people are trying to find ways for solar energy to charge those devices instead.

Solar Training Development
The problem of the development in solar technology is the lack of people that are involved with these solar projects basically because people do not have the know-how and experience in solar technology to begin with. Many companies have a need for people to take on positions with solar energy related tasks. Because of the lack of people solar training was pushed forward to spread the awareness of the benefits of solar energy, applications, advantages, and more importantly workarounds of the disadvantages using modern technology.

Future Expectations
There is still an ongoing problem today regarding the lack of people interested with solar energy development, but as more solar training programs go underway and more breakthrough gadgets utilizing solar energy are brought to the public, it is expected for more people to find out more information about this clean energy resource. The end result of all this solar training should be positive and should have positive impacts on the environment and help save non-renewable resources so they can be used for more important means.

As a new generation draws near, people need to look back to history on how their energy consumption habits affected the environment and solar training will help people not only realize why solar energy is so important, but on how to use any gadgets and equipment that are powered by solar energy. Solar energy is abundant and can be captured in virtually any part of the world if you only know what materials you need to convert the sun’s energy into useful electricity. It also opens the door for people to embark on new careers that will have huge contributions to the communities of the future.

“Solar living”, “green houses, “smart” appliances, “going green” – these aren’t just the day’s catchwords; these are all phrases used to describe a way of life. In the past decade or so however, they’ve also come to describe a way of working.

If you’re new in the field and looking for a career, or if you have a career but you’d like to increase your knowledge and skills base, you’re in luck. Your position doesn’t have to be high technology, like a PV Project Engineer. Thanks to the new federal incentives for solar energy, more than 440,000 jobs for installation and manufacturing will be opening up within the solar industry.

Even without the federal incentives, the need for people with solar training grows each year. Environmental groups argue against carbon pollution; homeowners looking for lower energy costs pay roofers with solar training to replace their old asphalt tiles with solar panels and PV arrays; companies and individuals who use solar energy receive tax credits. As the demand for products from the solar industry rise, so does the need for those who can develop, manufacture and install those products.

This remains true even through the current economic crisis; having a green job ensures job security in a shaky economic climate. Billions of dollars are being spent on solar photovoltaic cell manufacturing, installation and maintenance, green building and any number of energy efficient and sustainable energy methods. According to Greenpeace and the Worldwatch Institute, green jobs may be one of the keys to economic stabilization.

People in the construction industry, such as general contractors, are some of those that could take advantage of solar courses and certification. Most solar training for general contractors isn’t so much learning about new things, as learning a new way to do old things. For instance, a trained general contractor will ensure that new buildings meet the high performance standards necessary to receive Green certification.

In addition, retrofitting old buildings to become energy efficient adds jobs for solar trained workers, engineers, electricians and others. Retrofitting may actually turn into a more lucrative position than building, as there are more non-compliant buildings than there are Green certified buildings.

The lack of workers with solar training isn’t confined to one area: Connecticut just created a $9 million fund for investments in starting companies focused on clean technology jobs. Hawaii plans to stop using fossil fuels within the next ten years, moving to renewable, sustainable energy. An agreement to allow customers with solar panels to sell power back to the Hawaiian Electric Company was signed in November of this year, though not brought into law. In Oregon, over 1,700 solar jobs are either available or opening since Gov. Ted Kulongoski began luring renewable energy jobs to the state.

Everywhere across America and the globe, solar jobs are opening up and people with solar education are needed. If you don’t have a field yet, or would like to expand your field, look into solar training. The opportunities are endless!

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”.