Best way for electrical contractor to become a competent solar installer

[Flux]

I have really wanted to enter this sector but don't know where to begin.:happysad:

 

[ggunn]

I have really wanted to enter this sector but don't know where to begin.:happysad:

Look for NABCEP accredited PV training, take it, do some simple installs, and sit for the NABCEP installers exam (and pass it). An accredited training provider that I can recommend is ImagineSolar http://imaginesolar.com/ here in Austin.

 

[SolarPro]

Here are a couple books worth reading:

http://www.amazon.com/Photovoltaic-Systems-James-P-Dunlop/dp/0826992277/ref=rec_dp_0

http://www.amazon.com/Photovoltaics...ergy-International/dp/0865715203/ref=rec_dp_1

The NJATC book is pricey, but it's written with professional electricians in mind. A (smart) friend of mine also wrote the "Photovoltaic Design and Installation for Dummies" volume. That's a less expensive option.

You can also sign up for a free subscription to SolarPro magazine:

http://solarprofessional.com/subscribe/members/index.cfm?page=one

 

[SirSparky]

Articles & Webinars

Articles & Webinars

Read every article you can find by John Wiles. He is the foremost code expert on solar in the U.S. and writes articles frequently for ECM magazine, Home Power & several others. Just google him. Be advised that solar code is constantly evolving and try to stay current. Also, a lot of solar equipment vendors have ongoing training webinars. To name a few - Solmetric, SMA Sunny Boy, Quickmount, Enphase and others. Those webinars are a nice way to improve your design knowledge and stay on top of new equipment rollouts.

 

[ggunn]

All good advice. Check out NABCEP http://www.nabcep.org/ as well; a NABCEP Installer's Certification is a handy thing to have and it is necessary in some jurisdictions for your work to qualify for the AHJ's incentive programs.