Help direction in solar employment

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solarcell

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philadelphia pa
To anyone currently in the industry. Im currently going to school on NJ fro Electrician. Theory, Residential,Commercial,NEC. Seriously interested after done with continuing on to Solar education and work . What is a recommended next step? What are is expected to become a Solar installer. What are employers looking for? Any constructive ides will be seriously taken to heart.
Thanks
 
Anything to show that you have specific knowledge or experience with solar will help. Take classes in solar installation or design. If someone offers you a job in roofing or anything that involves working on a roof or with fall protection, say yes. Likewise for electrical, obviously. If there are any organizations that use volunteer help to install solar, make sure to get on their volunteer list. (In California there's a great group called Grid Alternatives that is basically like Habitat for Humanity but just for solar. Don't know if there's anything like that in NJ but if there is it's a great way to get some experience as a volunteer.)
 
One thing I cannot stress enough regarding solar installations is that it is just another piece of our ever expanding puzzle (ie. the electrical industry). Don't forget to work on being an electrician first and foremost. While solar in NJ was booming 2 and 3 years ago it is much different now due to the SREC values, loss of the federal grant, unlicensed installers, etc. I know many "electricians" that can lay modules fast and straight, but they can't bend a stick of pipe for the DC feeders from the CBs to the inverters/disconnects...let alone know what size wire they would need and why. It reminds me of a guy I met in Texas who called himself an "electrician", but all he did was work for a large outfit wiring track homes. He ran a drill and drilled the same holes in the same four rooms of every house in the track...along with two other guys who drilled in other rooms of the houses. He never got to touch a piece of wire.

In regards to how to promote growth in the solar field...make yourself more marketable:

Get other types of training (ie. fall protection, aeial lift, forklift certification, rigging, etc)
NABCEP certification

Hope this helps.
 
To anyone currently in the industry. Im currently going to school on NJ fro Electrician. Theory, Residential,Commercial,NEC. Seriously interested after done with continuing on to Solar education and work . What is a recommended next step? What are is expected to become a Solar installer. What are employers looking for? Any constructive ides will be seriously taken to heart.
Thanks

Get some specific solar training from a NABCEP accredited training center like this one: http://imaginesolar.com/ and pass the entry level NABCEP exam. Look for work with a contractor who installs solar. Accumulate the hours necessary to qualify to sit for the NABCEP installer's exam. Study your butt off and pass it. As an electrician with a NABCEP installer's certification you will have marketable skills.

Good luck!
 
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