As climate change is becoming the biggest challenge of the world, generating renewable and sustainable energy is critical. Concerning a new report by the (IEA) International Energy Agency, green energy is expected to enhance by 50% from 2019 to 2024, along with energy from the sunlight accounting for around 60% of that expected progress.
Solar energy is the fastest-developing source of renewable power. Solar panels have been everywhere for decades; however, it was not up to the 2000s that more economical solar panels were made, allowing this renewable energy to become mainstream.
The price to fix solar has fallen by above 70% after 2010, as stated by the Solar Energy Trades Association. Photovoltaics indicates the transformation of light into electricity. PV panels, which are generally installed on rooftops, transform sunlight into a voltage to deliver power to the house or office.
New technology is now in progress, where Photovoltaics cells are integrated into the roof directly to facilitate households to generate power. In the profit-making cases, a lot of PV panels are connected at the level of the ground to produce electricity vented to businesses and utilities; these installations are named solar farms.
Thanks to the rapid growth in solar power, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US has distinguished a positive job viewpoint for solar energy technicians. It estimates that employment will enhance by 63% among 2018 & 2028 and that the business will accelerate outstanding job openings for skilled people, especially those who hold photovoltaic training courses.
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What is a solar energy technician?
Both solar energy technicians, as well as solar energy engineers, are different. You do not need to get higher education to grow into a solar energy technician. However, a solar energy engineer must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in electronics.
What does a solar energy technician do?
Solar energy technicians are in charge of accumulating, installing, and preserving solar panel installations on rooftops. Solar energy technicians are frequently mechanically prepared and like to perform outdoors. Their nature is physical; they need them to work a lot each day, mount ladders, and bring the panels.
This person cannot be frightened by altitudes and should be happy working independently and in groups. The fixation of solar panels frequently needs the talent to perform as part of a group, while facility and upkeep are often alone work.
Solar energy technicians have a diversity of job tasks, which rely on their working experience. Before fixing, solar energy technicians need to identify the place and conformation of the solar panels, which contains determining the direction of the panels as well as approving the structural reliability of the building.
Moreover, systems must follow federal, government, and native building codes. By these tasks, solar energy technicians can read blueprints, graphics, and disclaimers and may have to discuss them with building supervisors occasionally.
Solar energy technicians who have less working experience may start their jobs by taking dimensions, cutting panels, and placing them in the desired location. Installation needs the use of tools like drill machines as well as screwdrivers.
Then panels are attached to the power grid, a method generally done by very experienced employees. The fixing of solar panels also comprises installing batteries, controllers, pumps, electric fans, and maintaining structures to facilitate the function of solar panels.
When installed, then solar panels should be examined, which contains confirming that everything is wired correctly. Some states need certified electricians to do the final analysis.
When the system is completely connected, any prologues in the roof should be closed, and all system is weatherproofed. Outside of the primary installation, experts also frequently service and sustain existing structures and troubleshoot gear deficiencies or faults.
Requirements for becoming a solar energy technician
Most businesses need that solar energy technicians contain a high school certificate and a lawful driver’s authorization. Learning protection techniques is important for firms that provide on-the-job exercise.
Specialists who have appeared in training courses have superior job openings, and people who have allied trade experiences like electricians, carpenters, and roofers already know aspects of production and only need minimal extra training.
PayScale (2020) approves the report beyond by the BLS, observing that businesses are beginning to assume solar fixing candidates to have precise certifications and work understanding.
Outside of the tough services and training needed for this job, popular technicians also contain outstanding communication abilities and can interact successfully with co-workers, managers, and clients.
How to become a solar energy technician?
There are several steps to becoming a solar energy technician. It is essential, but, to be conscious that electrical goods are becoming more refined and that gear is progressively complex, it means a higher threshold is required for expertise. Solar energy technicians should have more information to get entry-level sites. Below, ambitious solar energy technicians can catch the four steps headed for this profession.
1- Get a high school qualification or GED (four years)
Ambitious solar technicians are guided to take workshop classes and acquire how to work at an early age. As electronics are a developing module of solar systems, students must attend programs in science, electronics, mathematics, and computers.
Students should keep at least a 3.0 GPA and take part in extracurricular events, which contain physical training courses, sports clubs, and helper work, training, or freelance jobs for solar companies.
2- Obtain further education
Forthcoming technicians who have performed for solar corporations as high school learners can go through their on-the-job training after graduating. Some people can find a business keen to hire them, lacking further formal practice.
Emphasis is frequently on the usage of gears and job security. Trainees who need more prescribed training can sign up community institutions or trade colleges, which usually take a few years. Based on their aims and skills, they can also learn system design.
Adult people who have working experience of electronics can select to attend online programs or specified training provided by their skilled organizations. Tools vendors also offer training on their goods.
3- Get an advanced degree.
As solar technology is steadily sophisticated; therefore, are supplies set in place through controlling authorities. Solar energy technicians who hold undergraduate grades in network design, solar technology, green energy, or different energy are in high demand.
The ETA provides authorizations across all areas of electronics. ETA-certified experts work at large establishments containing Motorola, ESPN, Armed Forces of the US, and Google. The top certification is the Photovoltaic Installer for solar energy technicians, which can be acquired by hands-on practice from an ETA-certified school.
You should have primary education around solar principles, solar installation, performance features, and troubleshooting ways, best security practices, and financial impact.
The NABCEP delivers several resources containing official recognition and an associate platform for people interested in excelling in the solar field. There are multiple other certifications accessible to solar technicians considering to focus on PV technical auctions, design, setting up, and conservation.
RISE focuses on a large-scale installation of solar energy & uses a combined methodology to solar energy by most excellent practices in creation. Students are estimated to have a common understanding of several PV systems, risks, and the advantages to building holders, the mixing of PV structures with the electrical network of building, construction codes, and concerns after installation.
4- Get certified
Licensing varies from certification. The majority of the states need contractors (i.e., independent solar energy technicians) to be certified, and each state and town has its needs and fees for attaining certificates. Some states need a distinct and specified solar license.
The Regional Renewable Energy Association has a nationwide map of solar certifying circumstances in America. Hopeful solar energy technicians are stimulated to analyze the licensing necessities for their state to stop performing outside of what is legalized.
How much does a solar energy technician make?
Incomes of solar energy technicians rely on working experience, graduation, place, and extra expertise. PayScale (2020) records four types of this occupation, such as solar energy installer, solar panel installer, solar technician, and solar specialist, and pays to vary from $12 to $27 each hour. People with group leadership talents and practice earn more money usually.
The most recent data informed that more than 11,000 solar energy technicians throughout the U.S. made an average yearly income of $46,850 by the subsequent percentages:
- 10th percentile: $31,600
- 25th percentile: $36,310
- 50th percentile (average): $44,890
- 75th percentile: (average) $55,680
- 90th percentile: $63,880
For entry-level workers (i.e., people having working experience of under five years), PayScale (2020) designates that incomes range between $20,000 and $51,000, as stated by accounts from 179 power system installers.
The statistics also indicate that entry-level employees make only three percent as compared to workers with solar power abilities.
Like all occupations, as solar energy technicians attain skills, their pays rise. Payscale describes that mid-career technicians (i.e., people having 5 to 10 years working experience) make 23&%, and workers with above ten years of working experience earn around 73%.
Municipalities that have the maximum salary
The BLS notifies the following municipalities with the maximum average yearly salary for solar energy technicians:
- Honolulu, HI: $58,630 annual income
- Visalia-Porterville, CA: $58,590 yearly pay
- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina: $55,450
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA: $72,300 yearly pay
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $58,650 annual pay
The maximum salaries of these municipalities are tied to the budget, principles, and the climate. California, as well as Hawaii, have prosperous energy zones because of the high price of electricity as well as good solar energy resources.
Hawaii contains the highest rates of solar energy in the nation, and it is the first government to grasp grid correspondence for photovoltaics. California also planned laws requiring the state’s overall energy to originate from renewable resources by 2045.
States with the highest salary
The BLS notifies the following states as with the highest annual salary for solar energy technicians:
- Texas: $53,700
- Massachusetts: $53,180
- Oregon: $58,180
- Hawaii: $56,920
- Arizona: $51,840
The higher salaries in these states are usually recognized as their main productions. They all grasp parsimonies centered around tourism, administration or military existence, and high-tech businesses.
Please keep in mind that only Puerto Rico and 23 other states have stated service and salary stats for solar energy technicians. Furthermore, 22 cities, as well as municipal divisions, have a comprehensive occupation and salary data. The federations and municipalities that have not described may have considerably greater or lower medians.
Where to attend courses to become a solar energy technician?
Short term courses are available having one to two years of duration. After joining these courses, students will be capable of understanding:
- Benefits, types, and applications of solar energy
- How Photovoltaic solar batteries work
- Solar panel System and how they work
- Installation of the solar panel system
- Cost, and government funding for home solar system
- Pros and cons of solar energy
- Cost of solar energy
If you are living in the USA, just click on any of the following links:
- http://www.ases.org
- http://www.seia.org
- https://www.nrel.gov
- http://www.solarliving.org
Solar energy technician stats
2019 Average Salary $44,890 for each year
$21.58 for each hour
Characteristic Entry-Level Graduation High school qualification or equivalent
Working Experience in The Desired Profession None
On-the-job Exercise Adequate-term on-the-job practice
Number of Jobs, 2018 Almost 9,700
Job Viewpoint, 2018-28 63% (Much quicker than average)
Pay Change, 2018-28 Around 6,100
Career outlook & progress for a solar energy technician
The BLS estimates that openings for a solar energy technician will rise to 63% from 2018 to 2028. In reality, this is one of the best developing professions across the nation. The BLS features this upsurge to the growth in an ultimatum for solar panel connections.
All of the jobs accessible is the purpose of the budget of solar connections. National, state, as well as local administration encouragements, make systems more reasonable. Once solar panels are upgraded, and more produced, the installation charges will drop.
Power businesses that provide clear metering also balance the price of solar systems. When more industries and landowners participate in solar energy, the solar energy technician’s demands will rise.
The BLS exposed a complete report on the development of solar energy in America and jobs related to solar. The jobs include technical inquiry, solar energy manufacturing, solar power plant improvement, production, and tasks.
