Skilled Trades Training
Solar Technician
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Solar Technician Training And Navigating the Future of Renewable Energy
Are you ready to power your future? Have you always possessed a strong interest in photovoltaic system installation and having a career in renewable energy? If so, the Solar Technician Diploma program at Centura College could be a match for you.
- Diploma
- Program length: 7 months
- Day courses: between 8:30am – 2:30pm
- Night courses: between 5:30pm – 11:30pm
Become a solar technician
Benefits of Solar Technician Training
Our comprehensive Solar Technician Diploma program, offered at our Norfolk campus, is designed to equip students with the technical skills necessary to promote energy conversion methods. Our training combines hands-on learning in solar technology within both a classroom and a lab setting. This includes navigating the NEC Real-world applications like system maintenance, diagnostic procedures, and site analysis for a career in renewable energy.
Power Up with Industry Certifications
Our program offers the opportunity to complete certifications to further advance your knowledge, while giving you a competitive edge in the job market which include:
- National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Introduction to Power Industry and Solar Photovoltaic Systems Installer certification(s)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 30-hour safety certification
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Associate certification
Energize Your Training for Career Opportunities
Graduates of our Solar Technician Diploma program can find employment in installation, designing, maintenance, operations, and more! A person with a solar technician diploma can explore a wide range of entry-level job opportunities for a solar technician including working in manufacturing, construction, maintenance, and operation aspects of the solar industry.
Program Duration and Content: Your Roadmap to Solar Technician Success
Introduction to Craft Skills
Basic Electricity
Solar and the Power Industry
Site Assessment, Design, and Installation
Solar Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Introduction to Craft Skills
- Fundamentals of construction fields
- Environmental impacts for producing and distributing electricity
- How to identify safety considerations associated with the power industry and photovoltaic (PV) installation
- Usage of electrical test equipment
- Safety operations
Basic Electricity
- Navigation of the National Electrical Code (NEC®)
- Components of residential, commercial, and industrial wiring systems
- Fundamentals of direct and alternating currents (AC/DC)
- Identifying series and parallel circuits and instruments used to measure circuit values
- Tracing a basic electrical circuit and perform calculations using Ohm’s law
Solar and the Power Industry
- Power generation, transmission, and distribution
- Identifying forms of renewable energy sources
- Policies and regulations related to the solar industry
- Standards and protocols
- Smart grid technology
Site Assessment, Design, and Installation
- Identifying appropriate codes and standards concerning the installation, operation, and maintenance of PV systems and equipment
- Selection of suitable locations for installing inverters, controls, batteries, and components
- Acquiring and interpreting site solar radiation and temperature data to establish performance expectations and use in electrical system calculation
- Identifying appropriate system designs and array configurations based on user loads, customer expectations, and site conditions
- Determining PV panel layout, orientation, and mounting methods for optimum system production
Solar Maintenance and Troubleshooting
- Photovoltaic systems inspection before installation and testing of the system to verify overall system operation
- Tools and equipment required for maintaining and troubleshooting PV systems
- System maintenance performance as recommended by the photovoltaic manufacturer
- Diagnostic procedures, results interpretation and implementation of corrective measures on a malfunctioning system
- Records maintenance of system operation
Financial Aid: Your Ticket to Education
We understand that money can be a big concern when it comes to getting an education, but we’re here to help. We offer financial assistance programs for eligible students.
Before you take that next step of enrolling, we strongly recommend first scheduling a meeting with one of our Financial Aid Advisors. They will guide you through all the different financial aid options available. Plus, they’ll lend a hand in filling out your applications.
Career Support: Navigating Your Path to Success
We want to see you exceed after you graduate. Our Career Services Department is here to lend a hand to current students and graduates in need of job placement support. The department provides services like resume writing, polishing up your interviewing skills, and assisting you through your job searching.
Explore Centura Norfolk Campus: Where Your Dreams Take Shape
The Solar Technician program is offered at our campus in Norfolk, Virginia. The campus consists of a 24,000-square-foot facility with various amenities, including Wi-Fi, computer labs, lecture halls, and specialized labs for hands-on training. Centura College has a long history of career training since 1969, committed to providing students with educational tools and support.
Enroll with Ease: How to Begin Your Solar Technician Journey
Starting your journey at Centura College is simple.
*Applicants must meet admission requirements. Acceptance into the program is not guaranteed.
We also offer financial aid and scholarships to those who qualify. For any questions or assistance, please contact us at 877-523-9528.
Program Requirements: Your Checklist for Entry into Solar Tech
Students enrolling in the Solar Technician program need to meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 or older or have an approved cosigner if under 18
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Have a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport
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