The solar industry provides the most opportunities over other Trades at this time. Especially in
the southwest where the building of solar panel production plants are under way in California,
Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.
Many Installation companies are already finding that a shortage of installers is effecting their
ability to grow.
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Entry level: PV (Photovoltaic) or Solar Panel Installer
Often no specific PV experience is required. However, those with some experience
and knowledge of electrical, roofing, and/or general construction trades are preferred.
This is a great position for construction workers, roofers, and electricians who want to get
started in the solar industry. Check our Thunder page for the electrical information on solar
systems.
Installers play roles insuring the construction of high quality residential PV systems as
well as positive customer experiences.
Installers usually work in crews of three, in order to maximize efficiency and insure safety.
There is also potential to move into sales, design and training roles in the future, as well.
General qualifications are:
-Must be able to work safely with the tools and equipment required
-Must be willing to do residential, commercial, & service work
-Must be willing to work in extreme environments (hot sun, high places/roofs & crawl
spaces).
-Must be able to lift at least 75 pounds and not afraid of roof top heights
-Must have a clean, valid drivers license

Roof shingles are coated with PV cells
made of amorphous silicon. They look
ordinary , but generate electricity.
Department of Energy PV Info
There are several ways to go about getting certification and employment in the Solar industry.
NABCEP Entry Level Certification Program
A person with this knowledge has basic information about
Photovoltaic systems, suitable for a supervised, entry level
position with a dealer/installer or other PV industry company.
The skills identified in this training do not replace Electrical
Trades, Technician, Technologist or Engineering training.
Other Information for Entry Level Students
For a listing and description of Solar Energy International workshops held at various locations in the United States, Central America,
and online: www.solarenergy.org/workshops
There are other reputable training organizations across the U.S., they just don’t happen to offer the NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of
Knowledge. Some examples are: the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), Solar Living International (SLI), Great Lakes Renewable
Energy Association (GLREA), Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), etc.
IREC’s on-line course catalog currently lists over 170 renewable energy courses offered by 31 organizations. Each listing briefly
describes the course and the provider. A direct link to the provider’s web site gives the user more detailed information about the course
or program. Courses can be sorted by state or technology. This project was coordinated by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council
(IREC) along with the Partnership for Environmental Technology Ed ucation (PETE) and Lane Community College .
www.irecusa.org/courses.php

Learn More Here...