Coming soon 0 to Solar Hero: Free 18-hour Advanced Solar PV and the NEC Training

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About the Course

Our 0 to Solar Hero series costs $0.00 for qualified Solar Heros Applicants, that's right free! This course is currently under development, please join the waitlist if you are interested in taking it.

Starting with PV Application, the participants will learn the applications and history of photovoltaics. 

In PV Sales and Finance, the participants will learn about the benefits and motivations for investing in PV technology.

In Solar Design, participants will put together the basic elements and work through advanced PV design considerations. 

PV Installation will introduce the participants to the National Electric Code and key elements of a successful and long-lived installation. 

In PV Operations and Maintenance, participants will discover what it takes to keep a PV system operating effectively and efficiently.

Unit 1: Solar Application

Industry Standards. Intro to PV, What is Photovoltaics? PV History, Harvesting Energy from Sunlight, Solar Jobs, Environment, The Utility Grid. Sustainability, Solar Modules, Direct Current. Power, Energy. Basic PV designs. Best Practices. Day in the life of a solar installer.

Unit 2: Solar Design

PV System Types, PV Modules, Types of PV Modules. PV Components and balance of systems, Inverters, Micro-Inverters, Optimizers. Charge Controller, Solar + Storage. Solar Resource. Peak Sun Hours. Loads. Common PV measurements. Designing to meet customer expectations/requirements. General system sizing. Physical location. System configuration. Electric codes. Fire codes. Building codes. Series, parallel. Ohms law. AC vs DC. Single phase AC, multiple phase AC. System grounding. Roof mounts. Ground mounts. Inverter operation, inverter operating window.

Unit 3: Solar Installation

Ladder safety, PPE. Fall Safety. Wind loads, live loads, dead loads. Site hazards. Required Documentation, Site plan. One line diagram, Three Line Diagram. Permits. Permitting. Authority having jurisdiction. Equipment manuals. Waterproofing, flashing, weather sealing. National Electric Code. Working clearances. Labeling requirements. Battery types, battery chemistry. Structural considerations. Common hand tools. Standoffs. Wiring best practices. Commissioning.

Unit 4: Solar Sales, Operations & Maintenance

Solar Sales and Finance: Cost of Solar energy systems. Financial Benefits. Usable lifecycle. Levelized cost of Solar Energy. Solar Incentives and Grants. Utility rate structures. Energy Charges, Demand Charges, Basic Financial terms, Return On Investment, basic economic performance measurements. Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC), Solar lease, cash purchase. Warranties. Maintenance costs.

Maintenance and Operation: Solar Monitoring. Solar Metering. Test Conditions. Equipment upkeep, Equipment Replacement, Lock out / Tag out. Production losses. Typical faults. Multimeters, Electric shock, Inspection, Visual Inspection and documentation, safety regulations, OSHA, Irradiance Meter, OHM’s law, Batteries, Battery Voltage. Roof access. Equipment staging.

Course Developer

  • Alexander Jarvis

    IREC Certified Master Trainer

    Alex has been working in the solar industry since 2006. He is an IREC Certified Master Trainer in Photovoltaic Technologies and a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional. He is a solar installer and is the founder of Solar Systems of Indiana and cofounder of Southern Indiana Renewable Energy Network. He served on the Board of Directors at MREA from 2018-2024.

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Join Waitlist

This course is under development with a target release date of December 2024. Click below to join the waitlist and we will email you when the course is available.

Join Waitlist

Frequently asked questions

Is the full course really free, do I have to pay for anything?

Yes the is free for approved Solar Hero applicants to take the full course and earn a certificate of completion. Students are still responsible for any exam fees due to NABCEP when they decide to sit for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Exam and any other books or study materials they want to use.

Will this course prepare me for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Exam

Yes this course covers the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis and is developed by IREC Certified Master Trainers in PV. It includes practice exams and is intended to help you pass the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Exam. Passing the exam requires a great deal of studying and preparation.

Has this course been approved by NABCEP?

Yes this course has been approved by NABCEP and Waivolt is approved as a NABCEP training provider.

Why did you make it free, what's the catch?

We are an open startup and believe that the future of our planet depends on the deployment of solar PV at scale as fast as possible. The growth of the solar industry is currently hampered by a lack of solar talent and we want to help solve that problem by making high quality solar training available for free. There is no catch. If you like what we are doing, and can afford to do so, we hope you will join as a Waivolt Pro member to help our mission.

Is this course sponsored and are specific products endorsed?

While we do encourage corporate sponsorships, sponsors have zero influence on the content of our courses. The courses do not receive sponsorship in return for endorsing any specific products or manufacturers. All course materials are developed by IREC Certified Master Trainers in accordance with IREC's Code of Ethics. All course development to date has been funded by our founder, Duncan Miller, who has been working in the solar training industry since 2006.

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