Trade Schools
With the rise of the solar energy and technology industry, demand for solar installation technicians continues to grow at a rapid pace.
In addition to higher-than-usual starting salaries and job security, becoming a solar installer offers additional benefits like fighting climate change and helping residents lower their utility costs.
To become a solar installation technician, it’s advisable to enroll in a training program, which will give you the foundational knowledge to start at an entry-level position.
Training programs are available at trade schools, technical schools, and community colleges.
Many who earn the installer credential and gain experience move to a bachelor’s degree in sustainable energy.
If you’re interested in becoming a solar installer, keep reading to learn more about the best online training programs, courses in a program, and the associated time and cost!
Best Online Solar Installation Technician Training Programs
The best online or hybrid solar installation technician training programs include:
Ten: HeatSpring
HeatSpring’s online Solar PV Bootcamp + National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Associate Exam Prep online program was developed for Solar Energy Technicians.
The entire course is self-paced and fulfills the training requirements for the examination.
After enrollment, students can access all online course materials and lectures comprising six modules.
Live instructors are available to answer questions about the material.
HeatSpring is a learning platform specifically created for the cleantech and solar industries.
Established at Babson College in 2006, the platform boasts over 200 courses ranging in price and duration.
HeatSpring is a NABCEP-registered provider, and students can also take the exam through school after graduation.
Nine: Solairgen School of Solar Technology
Solairgen School of Solar Technology has an online training program for entry-level solar installers in solar energy.
Students learn about various solar installation and solar design topics to prepare them for entry-level positions in the field.
The introductory (PV 201) class is a prerequisite for additional advanced classes and covers beginner and moderate-level solar topics in a single curriculum.
After completing this class, students can register for the Associate Installer Certification Exam.
As an NABCEP-approved and Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)–accredited training organization, Solairgen has been offering training opportunities since 2007.
The school is also a registered provider of the NABCEP Certification Exam.
Eight: Midwest Renewable Energy Association
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) has an online Solar Photovoltaic Technical Certificate program that can be taken online or in person.
The introductory level class (PV 101) teaches the basics of solar electric systems. PV 201 covers the process of conducting a PV site assessment.
Solar PV System Design (PV 202) teaches students about design, layout, and equipment considerations. MREA courses meet the NABCEP educational requirements for graduate credentialing.
The school is also IREC-accredited, so you know you will receive the best education.
Seven: Solar Energy International
Solar Energy International (SEI) offers a Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Design and Installation course.
This non-profit organization offers renewable energy technical training with many online courses geared toward solar installation.
Students can take individual courses to improve their current knowledge of solar energy or enroll in the solar professional certificate program.
The graduate requirement for the certificate is nine courses and one training progression.
Each class is six weeks, and the school has four-day labs at the Paonia, Colorado campus for those who want more hands-on training.
SEI has provided educational offerings on renewable energy for over 25 years.
The school boasts in-person workshops and an online solar training program for domestic and international students.
The world-class curriculum at the SEI Online Campus is taught by highly trained instructors who work in the solar industry.
The same instructors teach in-person classes for those who are local to the campus.
Six: Bryan University
Bryan University has an online solar energy technician certificate that provides the knowledge required for entry-level solar work.
Graduates of this 40-week diploma program can enter solar operations, sales, or installation, depending on their career goals.
Bryan University is a NABCEP-registered provider, and the curriculum prepares students to take the NABCEP Photovoltaic Associate certification examination.
Since 1982, Bryan University has been offering career training programs to potential students.
The school is accredited by the ACICS (Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools) and offers online, in-person, and hybrid programs.
Five: Hudson Valley Community College
Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) has worked closely with the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to create a solar energy training program that meets the demand for solar installers.
Located in Troy, New York, near Albany, HVCC is part of the State University of New York collegiate system.
The HVCC PV-Associate, online training program, gives students the knowledge to enter the solar panel maintenance and installation field.
The 21-credit online Photovoltaic Installation certificate was crafted for those who wish to enter the renewable energy industry.
The curriculum covers photovoltaic system installation and design fundamentals.
Upon course completion, graduates are prepared to take the NABCEP PV Associate Exam.
Best of all, students can take the exam at school immediately after graduation.
Four: Central New Mexico Community College
New Mexico is a leading state for solar development, and the demand for trained technicians will double over the next five years.
Central New Mexico Community College (CNMCC) has an online Solar Electric Basics course.
Although the program is short, the classes are asynchronous and live, so students can learn about solar energy foundations.
The class is available in the spring and fall, and students can also take the 60-hour prep course for the NABCEP Solar Associate examination after graduation.
CNMCC works with Central New Mexico Ingenuity, an organization dedicated to building a stronger, skilled workforce across the state.
This non-profit was created by CNMCC in 2014 and offers innovative development and training in growing industries like the photovoltaic and solar sectors.
Three: Colby Community College
Colby Community College (CCC) has an online Solar Photovoltaic Certificate and in-person Solar PV Technical Certificate for those who are local to the High Plains area in Kansas.
Although not required, the school encourages students to participate in on-campus and online boot camps developed specifically for budding Solar Energy Technicians.
These Saturday boot camps occur every eight weeks throughout the spring and fall semesters.
The goal of the boot camps is to offer firsthand training using state-of-the-art solar installation equipment so students are familiar with the materials used on a typical workday.
CCC is located in the Northwest corner of Kansas, just 50 miles from the Nebraska and Colorado borders.
The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which ensures the curriculum meets the organization’s high standards of education.
Two: Century College
At number two is Century College, which offers an Energy Technical Specialist, Solar Power Track, associate degree, Solar Sales and Marketing certificate, Advanced Photovoltaic Energy Systems certificate, and a hybrid Solar Assessor Certificate.
Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Century College is a small school with one of the best solar installation programs in the U.S.
The Solar Assessor certificate can be completed online and requires 16 credits.
Graduates of the solar program are prepared to work as installation supervisors, solar technicians, solar installers, and solar assessors.
As one of the largest two-year colleges in the state, Century College has over 20,000 students enrolled each year in online, hybrid, and in-person classes.
The school meets all educational standards and requirements and is HLC-accredited.
One: NC Clean Energy Technology Center at NCSU
Rounding out the top online solar installation technician training program is the North Carolina (NC) Energy Technology Center at North Carolina State University (NCSU) six-week, 40-hour Renewable Energy Technologies course.
The fully online curriculum covers the fundamentals of Photovoltaic Design and Installation.
The classes include workshops that teach attendees Solar thermal design, renewable energy management, and the practical application of photovoltaic systems.
Each week, students must learn from pre-recorded lectures and readings and take quizzes based on that information.
Once the online class is completed, students can sit for the NABCEP PV Associate Examination.
This is the most widely recognized national certification for those in the industry.
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center recommends students also take an in-person, one-day PV installation class to complement the online coursework.
The hands-on workshop meets at the end of the course at the center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
What Courses Are in an Online Solar Installation Technician Training Program?
Depending on the course length and type, the number and content of classes could vary drastically.
However, the foundational classes will all cover the following topics:
- Battery baking size – details about the proper batteries for different applications.
- Commissioning and troubleshooting – finding typical issues and how to fix them.
- Overcurrent protection – discusses how to design and protect the system from excess current.
- PV installation techniques – the most effective and efficient installation methods.
- Service panels – reviews the different types of panels for different customers and applications (i.e., residential versus commercial).
- Solar system components – the common components comprising a solar electric system.
- System design – as an extension of the components, system design is the efficient engineering and design of all solar components so that they work together.
- Proper safety protocols – safety requirements and tips for construction sites.
- PV project cycle – the lifecycle of an entire installation project.
Tools and equipment used on the job site – commonly used installation and assessor tools.
Some programs offer in-person workshops to better understand the equipment and usage.
There are several types of training programs, with some being single, comprehensive classes, and others being associate degree programs.
The time commitment and cost are commensurate with the diploma type and depth of detail.
Shorter programs focus solely on solar energy and installation.
An associate degree program also requires core classes like English and History to make students more well-rounded and build better development skills.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Solar Installation Technician Certification Online?
Depending on the certificate or diploma type, some online certification programs take six weeks, while others can take up to two years or longer if attending part-time.
A six-week course does not provide the same level of detail as longer programs but is less expensive and allows you to enter the workforce faster.
A one-year certificate program focuses on solar topics and eliminates the core class requirement.
An associate degree offers the same level of knowledge as the one-year program but adds other core classes.
Shorter programs are available at trade schools, technical schools, and community colleges.
Two-year programs are usually only available at community colleges because of the required national accreditation requirements.
One of the greatest benefits of taking an online program is the ability to learn the material at a pace that works within your learning preference and lifestyle.
While a program may be advertised as one year, you could complete it faster or take more time if you have additional commitments while still earning graduate status.
Longer programs also include certification examination preparation work so you can take and pass the exam immediately after graduation.
How Much Does an Online Solar Installation Technician Training Certification Cost?
Solar installation training costs can range from $1,000 to $40,000 depending on the diploma type, location, and school’s reputation.
Shorter programs that are commonly taken at a trade school start at $1,000 and can cost upwards of $15,000.
The required time is six weeks to one year.
An associate degree from a community college can range from $5,000 to $40,000 and requires a two-year time commitment for completion.
Becoming a solar installation technician, assessor, salesperson, or any other role in the industry can be incredibly lucrative due to high demand.
Also, graduates will enjoy job security for decades to come as this technology continues to be adopted.
To enter the field, earning a certificate or diploma will help differentiate you from the competition and provide the skills necessary for entry-level work.
The training cost ranges from $1,000 to $40,000 and requires a time commitment of six weeks to two years, depending on your educational and career goals.
Numerous training schools are available with in-person, hybrid, and online programs.
Typically, shorter programs are offered by trade or technical schools, while longer certificates and associate degrees can be earned from community colleges.
