Solar Energy Technology
Industries across all sectors are experiencing a shortage of highly-skilled workers to fill critical technician roles, and the renewable resources sector is no exception. Experts blame advancing technology and a generation not interested in the skilled trades, but the bottom line is the same: the supply of highly-skilled workers simply can’t keep up with industry demand.
Why Are Solar Energy Technicians in High Demand?
Interest in alternative energy sources, like solar, is growing by leaps and bounds. As environmental interests gain momentum and non-renewable resources dwindle, green energy sources are becoming more and more popular.
It’s no longer a novelty to see solar panels adorning the roofs of homes and businesses. We even see them along the highway powering informational signs, as well as installed by the thousands in huge solar “farms” that generate power for local communities.
As local, state, and federal governments continue to fund and push for more alternative energy projects, demand for highly-skilled solar energy technicians will continue to rise. Amatrol’s Solar Technology program was designed to provide the tools educators need to train the next generation of solar workers.
That’s why Amatrol has developed a Solar Technology program with a comprehensive skills sequence that incorporates basic core skills, advanced core skills, solar PV skills, and solar thermal skills.
Educators can use the Solar Technology Skills Sequence chart as a road map to build their own custom solar energy program. An expert consultant from Amatrol can assist every step of the way with recommendations regarding the proper curriculum and equipment to teach students the skills they will need in the workplace.
In addition to basic and advanced core skills across a variety of disciplines, solar energy technicians will require specialized hands-on skills in solar technologies like solar installation, PV and thermal system troubleshooting, and specialized solar piping and pumps.
What Skills are Needed for a Career in Solar Energy?
Solar energy technicians must possess a unique combination of basic to advanced skills in a variety of disciplines, as well as specific skills directly related to the latest alternative energy technologies.
This presents a challenge for most educators. It’s not enough to teach students the basics of solar panels, solar energy and heat collection, and photovoltaic (PV) and thermal system troubleshooting. Solar energy technicians must also be knowledgeable and skilled in a variety of other areas, including electrical wiring, piping, heat transfer, pumps, and power distribution.
Amatrol offers a robust mix of interactive eLearning curriculum and solar energy training systems that feature real industrial components workers will encounter on the job. These training resources were developed in conjunction with solar energy experts and an extensive solar technician task analysis.
Amatrol’s solar training systems teach learners everything from the basics, like solar concepts and site analysis, to advanced solar PV and thermal installation and troubleshooting. In fact, Amatrol’s unique computer-based fault insertion capabilities allow instructors to create challenging situations that teach realistic industry troubleshooting skills.
Available solar energy training resources include:
Are Solar Energy Certifications Important?
Despite tremendous job growth, employers in the alternative energy industry still face an ongoing problem with hiring qualified solar technicians. That’s why industry-standard certifications have taken on greater importance in recent years.
Industry-standard certifications enable students and workers to demonstrate their skills and market their training. They also allow employers to be sure they’re hiring qualified workers who won’t need hundreds of hours of additional training.
Amatrol’s Solar Technology program features comprehensive eLearning curriculum that lays a solid foundation for students and workers pursuing industry-standard solar certifications from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), the premier solar technology certification organization.
For example, Amatrol’s Solar Technology program strongly supports those seeking NABCEP’s PV Installer Specialist (PVIS) certification. Equipped with foundational knowledge and hands-on skills, users of Amatrol’s Solar Technology program will be able to earn industry-standard certifications that will put them on the path to a rewarding solar energy career.
