Solar technicians need to know how to install and maintain solar energy systems. This includes knowledge of the different types of solar panels, inverters and other equipment used in a system. It also requires knowledge of electrical wiring so that you can safely connect the system to your home's electrical grid. Learn more about solar PV installers by visiting additional resources, such as O*NET, a source on the key characteristics of workers and occupations.
The technologies used to produce solar cells and photovoltaic modules are advancing to offer flexible and highly efficient solar panels. As a solar technician, you may encounter challenges when working with solar panels or other electrical equipment. A variety of plumbers, engineers, architects and carpenters are needed to plan, manufacture and install solar panels, but the industry could not thrive without solar technicians. This course provides you with an introduction to the fundamentals of solar energy as it relates to solar panel system installations.
Depending on labor and state laws, photovoltaic installers can connect solar panels to the power grid, although electricians sometimes perform this task. About 2,500 openings for photovoltaic solar energy installers are projected every year, on average, over the decade. Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, install, and maintain roofing systems or other systems that convert sunlight into energy. As the cost of photovoltaic panels and shingles continues to decline, more homes are expected to take advantage of these systems, resulting in greater demand for workers to install and maintain them.
This is an important skill because it allows you to work with all parts of a solar energy system and ensures your ability to build and maintain solar power generation systems. Although not required for employment, the certification demonstrates competence in the installation of solar panels. The attention to detail also ensures that a solar technician can read the diagrams correctly, helping him to install the panels correctly. The courses present how photovoltaic energy works and the anatomy of solar electrical systems, the economics of solar energy, the pros and cons of different systems, considered.
In the third course of the Solar Energy program, you'll learn to design a complete photovoltaic (PV) system for any application and location, from utility-scale solar parks to residential-scale systems.
