Pulled the trigger - 5 day PV design & install training starts Monday Oct 24!

[CA Contractor & Builder]

Yes it is time for me to jump into this arena. My goal of my course next week is to simply get an general overview of the design and installation of PV systems. Perhaps next year sit for the NABCEP and at some point contract and install a few hundred MW of PV before I retire.

As a licensed C-10 and with over 3 decades of interest in renewable energy, not to forget that I built a 3MW thermal solar power plant in the early 80's in San Diego, I think this is a natural fit for me.

I am interested in your experience, your move from whatever you were involved in the past to PV engineering, design and installation.

Briefly tell us your story:

1. What State are you located in?
2. How long have you been in the industry?
3. Area of involvement?
4. Are you satisfied with your career?
5. What do you see as the future for PV?
6. What is the biggest obstacle in the industry?
7. Are you satisfied?
8. Other comments and opinions?

I am glad to be a contributing member of this forum.

 

[jaggedben]

Perhaps next year sit for the NABCEP and at some point contract and install a few hundred MW of PV before I retire.

I admire your ambition. Right now California's total installed PV is a few hundred MW.

I'll take a stab at some of your questions...

What State are you located in?

California.

What do you see as the future for PV?

In the next few years, more systems with electronics on each module. Not just microinverters but DC power optimizers of different sorts.
Also, more ungrounded systems using transformerless inverters.

Longer term, there will be more issues with grid storage and more attention paid to monitoring and grid stability.

Personally I'm a believer in rooftop residential and commercial solar, not big 'farms' in the desert.

What is the biggest obstacle in the industry?

Hard to pick one. Here are few in rough order of importance:

1) The general inertia of society not wishing to change or bet on something new
2) PV still hasn't reached grid parity in a lot of places
3) red tape

I am glad to be a contributing member of this forum.

Welcome.