Union Ironworkers Provide Training for Green Energy Job Corps
The skilled tradesmen who do more than you can imagine - Union Ironworkers - in response to Vice-President Biden’s recent comments regarding green jobs training, are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to install and maintain green energy projects in a safe and productive manner throughout the United States and Canada.
“Vice-President Biden is correct in stating that a well-trained workforce is required to successfully erect, install and maintain the promising green energy category. Our members are not only capable of successfully achieving this goal, but also in a position to immediately begin work on green and renewable energy projects as soon as the economic stimulus package is appropriated,” said Joseph Hunt, general president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers.
Advanced PV: Design Criteria and NEC Compliance Course (ONLINE)
December 31, 2008 by editor
Filed under Solar Workshops, Training
Advanced PV: Design Criteria and NEC Compliance (Online)
Dates: January 19 - March 1, 2009; March 23 - May 3, 2009; April 27 - June 7, 2009; June 8 - July 19, 2009; July 20 - August 30, 2009; August 24 - October 4, 2009; and September 21 - November 1, 2009
This course provides 60 cumulative hours of training, that may be used towards NABCEP certification purposes
Learn more about designing and installing an NEC code compliant solar electric (photovoltaic) power system without leaving your home. A six-week, Internet-based, online course of instruction with text, online reference materials and Internet resource links. The course is self-paced and there is no set time to be online. Individuals have six weeks to complete all course requirements and can work on the course material whenever they have time. Assignments can be submitted day or night and during the weekends, etc…
This course is designed to follow the PV Design & Installation workshop or the PV Design Online course with the next level of design criteria and maintenance issues. Participants must have completed SEI’s Online PV Design course or the hands-on PV Design & Installation workshop or have permission of the instructor. Read more
Women’s Only Hands-On Photovoltaic Design & Installation Workshop
December 31, 2008 by editor
Filed under Solar Workshops, Training
Women’s Only Photovoltaic Design & Installation
June 1 - 12, 2009 ~ Paonia, Colorado (2 weeks)
Why Women Only?
This workshop is intended to provide women with a supportive learning atmosphere. Many women have little hands-on electrical experience and may be wary of attending a coed course with men who have grown up using power tools. Even women with hands-on experience already working in technical fields find it helpful and rewarding to network with other women who are interested in and/or working in renewable energy.
A PV Design and Installation workshop geared specifically towards women and taught by women. Learn how to use photovoltaic technology to produce electricity from the sun through practical design and installation of PV systems. This two week workshop teaches the technical skills necessary to design and safely install all 3 types solar-electric systems: batteryless grid-tie, grid-tie with battery back-up, and stand-alone systems. This course includes all the same material as the other two week PV Design and Installation workshops (5 days in the classroom and 5 days of hands-on installation in the PV Lab yard). Other presentations include PV in developing countries and discussions on issues such as being a woman in a traditionally male field. Participants have included licensed electricians, engineers, teachers, students and homemakers.
The photovoltaic market world-wide has experienced an enormous 35% growth rate over the last five years. This course was developed for those seeking employment in the booming solar industry or for homeowners looking to install their own systems or hire a contractor. This workshop starts out with the very basics of electricity, and incrementally accelerates students to safely design a code compliant solar-electric system. PV Design and Installation provides a strong foundation in grid-tied, grid-tied with battery backup, and stand-alone systems.
This workshop is certified by the Institute of Sustainable Power (ISP) and fulfills the educational requirements for Category ‘B’ of NABCEP’s Solar PV Installer Certification. This course also qualifies you to take the NABCEP PV Entry Level “Certificate of Knowledge” Exam. The test, which consists of 60 multiple choice questions, takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Test will be administered from 6-8pm on the last day of each PV Design and Installation workshop. The cost of the test is $100. Students must register in advance with the SEI main office (call 970.963.8855). For more information on the NABCEP Entry Level Certification, please see their website at www.nabcep.org.
If you are serious about getting into the solar industry, you should also plan to take Advanced PV: Design Criteria and NEC Compliance. This workshop is intended to follow our first tier of workshops with the next level of design criteria, wire sizing calculations, maintenance issues, troubleshooting skill, and more information on batteries, charge controllers and hybrid system. (Note: You must complete PV Design and Installation BEFORE taking Advanced PV.) Read more
Hands-On Solar Hot Water Workshop in California
December 31, 2008 by editor
Filed under Solar Workshops, Training
Solar Hot Water Workshop
February 18 - 20, 2009 ~ Fontana, California
Participants in this workshop will learn the theory, design considerations and installation techniques necessary to install and maintain a solar domestic hot water system. Passive solar water heaters, drainback systems, antifreeze systems and photovoltaic powered systems are all discussed in-depth, as well as an introduction to pool heating and space heating systems. Solar collectors, mounting systems, pumps, blowers, controls, storage tanks, heat exchangers, maintenance and more are subjects covered with each type of system as appropriate.
Also included are safety considerations, code compliance, system sizing and solar collector per formance in a variety of climates and applications.
California Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards Training 2008/2009
TITLE 24 / 2008 Energy Efficiency Standards Training
By clicking on the company names listed below, you will be linked directly to their website which lists training opportunities for the 2008/2009 Residential and Nonresidential Energy Efficiency Building Standards. The websites include dates, locations and contact information for classes offered. Please contact them directly for registration information.
Contact Nelson Peña at www.npena@energy.state.ca.us or Beverly Duffy at www.duffy@energy.state.ca.us at the Energy Commission if you have additional training opportunities you would like to have listed on this site.
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Sierra College Receives Grant to Train for Solar Panel Installation

Employment in the solar industry is expected to grow by 30% to meet California state mandates and the growing demand for solar installations.
Sierra College received a $470,000 grant to start a new program training a “green collar” work force in solar panel installation, officials announced last week.
The program, scheduled to start in the fall of 2009, will include classes at Sierra College and hands-on training at laboratories provided by the city of
Roseville and Nevada County Economic Resource Council.
“This is exactly what we do best and what we want to do,” Sierra College President Leo Chavez said. “That is to bring a variety of partners to the table to do something that enhances the economic well-being of this region.”
Funding for the grant came from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.
“Clean energy is a top priority for future private investment, public policy support and job growth in our region,” Roseville Mayor Jim Gray said. “Worker training programs in this high-wage, high-growth area are vital to our economic growth and global competitiveness.”
Programs, such as the California Solar Initiative to put solar panels on a million roofs and Roseville Electric’s BEST Homes incentive program to encourage solar-powered communities, have created an in- creasing demand for trained workers.
Sierra College To Offer Solar Panel Installation Program
April 4, 2008 by editor
Filed under Solar Workshops, Training
Sierra College officials announced Wednesday that they will use a $470,000 state grant to train students in the growing field of solar panel installation.
The college, along with other partners, plans to start a program in fall 2009, initially teaching 24 students in the finer points of the green technology. Eventually, more than 150 students would be enrolled in Sierra’s photovoltaic panel maintainance and installation program.
A news conference was to be held Wednesday morning to announce the award from the California Community College Chancellor’s office.
Sierra College is partnering with the city of Roseville in the effort. Students will take some classes at Sierra and also work at the Roseville Corporation Yard on the city’s photovoltaic system.







