Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

endymion · January 2010

Hello!

I'm new to this forum and to solar power in general, though I have long been a strong advocate for renewable energy and environmental responsibility. Recently I've decided to pursue a career as a renewable energy technician focusing on solar power (PV or thermal? not sure yet...). Anyway, I'm pretty much starting from scratch with little to no construction/electrician background. Therefore I'm looking at some tech schools/community colleges that offer A.A.S. degrees in this field. This should hopefully give me the hands-on training and credentials it takes to land a green/solar job. The problem is that so many of the programs are new and after scouring the internet I can find little information about which schools offer quality programs (especially compared to each other). Some schools that get mentioned a lot are San Juan College in Farmington, NM, Lane Community College in Eugene, OR, and Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO. I've spoken with the program directors of each these college's respective departments, but it's hard to get an objective point of view this way.

Do you guys know which schools offer the best training (for an A.A.S. degree, ideally)?

Have you heard of the three schools I mentioned? If so, what are your opinions about them?

How concerned would you be about enrolling in a program that just started within the last couple of years?

Am I going about this the wrong way? Is the A.A.S. degree not the best way to become a renewable energy technician/installer?

Thanks!

icarus · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

You also might look into your local electrician apprenticeship programs. Regardless of any degree/certificate, there is no real substitude for experience in the "tools" All the theory of electricity can be taught/learned but knowing how to pull wire, wire boxes, mount hardware, work with other trades is invaluable.

I was a general contractor for ~30 years, and my favorite hires were always folks who demonstrated a natural aptitude and a good attitude. These folks prove most often to be the quick learners who I would then send to training classes/continuing ed seminars etc. Most of my guys eventually went on to do their own thing, usually quite successfully.

Get a job in the field, go to school, read and learn all you can and you will do fine.

Tony

BB. · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

Look at the cost of tuition and your expenses over the next two years.

Generally, most state/county schools charge pretty high out-of-state tuition for the first year.

My 2 cents would be to make sure you don't go into debt for your education. Student loans look nice--but they are pretty much with you for life (I think they cannot even be discharged in bankruptcy--not that I would want to see you go there). Living at home or in-state with low living costs and a part time job (if needed) would probably be more important to me than the "school brand".

If you go in with a good attitude and work hard--you will get the most out of your educational dollar no matter where you go.

Regarding the type of degree, you have two ways to go--more towards an Engineering/Electrical/Electronics degree--Or more towards a contractor's license.

I would avoid anything that gives you a specialist degree/background/eduction. Any good technical/construction type degree/eduction will set you on the right path.

And nothing stops you from crossing classes... Get your contractor's license and take some beginning electrical/electronics classes on the side.

I wish the best of luck--In our area, many people are going back to school right now because jobs are so hard to find and they don't want to "waste" their time/lives doing nothing.

Check out that you can get the classes you need in a timely manner. Many folks here are having difficulties getting into classes required to finish off their degrees because of the crush of high enrollment.

-Bill

endymion · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

Thanks for the replies, Bill and Tony. This is highly useful information, even if I have to modify/restart my school search as a result. I was wondering if you perhaps explain a bit more about why exactly employers would not look as highly on a more specialized degree such as "Renewable Energy Technician" versus a more traditional A.S.E.E. degree or something along those lines. I understand the need for electricians is broader than solar techs, but I'm just worried that if I go that route I may end up in a career I'm not satisfied with, whereas at the moment I'm pretty excited about working in the renewable energy field. Is this worry unfounded?

Also, I know a lot of these "Renewable Energy" programs are new, but could they be the wave of the future? In an industry changing as rapidly as solar power, could the path of entry into the field be different now versus 5 or 10 years ago?

In regards to tuition, Bill, I totally understand and agree with you. Getting into debt is the last thing I want to do. Luckily, I have several Americorps education awards (for doing environmental service internships) which hopefully will cover most or all of the cost of education. As far as looking for something in-state...well, I currently live in Wisconsin, and if I do end up pursuing the A.S.E.E. degree rather than the more specialized option, I definitely have more choices. I know Wisconsin is better than most states in terms of government support and incentives for renewable energy, but I'd kinda like to relocate somewhere else eventually (thinking on a long-term scale here). How important do you think it is to go to school in the same general area where you eventually want to end up working?

Thanks again for your input -

Tyler

hillbilly · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

I only have first hand experience with one of the schools you mention, LCC and that was before they had developed most of their RE offerings. I can say that they have for many years upheld a good reputation as one of the better CC in the nation. I did notice that they had greatly expanded to offer a number of classes relating to renewables.
Other than that I agree whole heartedly with what has been said already. The piece of paper is just that, it's more what you put into the process that helps determine what you get out of it. If you are passionate and determined enough to work for it you can accomplish anything you wish.
If you want any more details on LCC, send me a private message and I'd be happy to give you plenty more details.
Good Luck,
HB

icarus · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

I think LCC has a pretty well respected ICBO building inspectors certification course. If it is the same one that I am thinking of, I know several grads, all of whom seemed to be well trained.

Tony

BB. · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

From my point of view--The basics (including work experience) is what school is all about.

If you are convinced that the RE degree is a broad eduction and not a vertical job training course--it should be fine.

In general, I would be recommending a AS type degree (sciences) rather than AA (arts) education--but that is me (to say I suck at "arts" would be an understatement).

In the end--follow your passion and get the math/science/engineering/construction eduction that interests you. Makes the long hours much easier to take.

Whatever your course specifics are--I am sure that you will be able to pick projects that interest you (specifically solar RE types).

My personal opinion is to not specialize in your 2/4 year degree... What you see today will probably be in a different cycle 4 years from now.

And--I believe that much of Solar RE (wind, solar, etc.) is the result of a government funding bubble right now. And frankly, federal, state, and local governments are pretty much bankrupt right now (at least in much of the US).

I have seen these RE bubbles before (1970's oil shocks, etc.). They do not last long because the business fundamentals are not there. Last year, I was thinking of doing a photographic essay here where I was going to take pictures of all the dead solar heating/hot water systems just around my neighborhoods. Much of the local solar stuff today has the same feel from 30+ years ago.

-Bill

icarus · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

I still lament the "death" of the "liberal arts" degree. College and University has become way to vocation oriented IMHO. The great benefit of a liberal arts degree is that it (generally) taught one to think, and problem solve. I would hire someone with a good general education (who showed promise) over a very well educated specialist. I want the guy who can figure out which button to push and why, rather than they guy who spent his life designing the button.

Like I said earlier, almost anything can be learned, but not everything can be taught.

Tony

endymion · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

Some thoughts:

I completely agree about the value of a liberal arts degree; I hope I didn't give the opposite impression. In fact, I hold a Bachelor's degree (in Anthropology) from a well-respected university, the University of Wisconsin - Madison. However, society as a whole doesn't value my Anthropology degree too highly...so, coupled with a general lack of enthusiasm on my part in pursuing that discipline any further, I thought now would be a good time to start thinking about a career change. Renewable energy caught my eye since I've been environmentally conscious for a while now and it seems to be getting a big push from the current administration (the whole "green collar jobs" thing). But, it seems like from talking to people in the industry and with folks like you on this message board, the outlook for solar/renewable energy is not as bright as the government perhaps wishes us to believe, given the current recession and the freezing up of state and federal money by bankrupt governments. I've seen some examples of utility companies scaling back their incentives and rebates as well. Is this the profession I want to be investing in if it is so highly dependent on government incentives and subsidies? I'm not convinced the end of the recession is right around the corner either.

On another note, good to hear a few positive things about LCC; I spoke with their program director on the phone today and he made a good impression on me about their school, so I'll definitely keep them in mind. They also have a "Resource Conservation Management" option which focuses more on efficiencies, energy audits, and that type of thing. In light of what people here are saying, perhaps that would be a wiser career to get into, because regardless of which technology is supplying the energy to a building, there will always be a need to use that energy more intelligently.

The type of degree I get will be a science degree either way...A.A.S. stands for Associate of Applied Science (kind of confusing, I know).

- Tyler

BB. · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

The "A" vs the "S" in the degree--I think it is at least as important that you follow what excites the heck out of you--which every path that may be.

And, in any case, take some computer classes on the side... Pretty much everything today can be helped when you know how to make a computer streamline your job (or at least, know how to ask somebody else to do it).

And learning how to write, speak, and explain can be a great help too (coming from a guy who turned in his resignation on his first engineering job because I was to speak to at a sales conference--small groups--boss refused my letter and kicked my but into the conference room. After about 6 hours of talking--you could not shut me up). Guess which "arts" classes I skipped in college. :roll:

Another question is a 2 yr vs 4 yr degree (or beyond). When you are young and don't have the responsibilities of a family--you can take the time and money to further your schooling. Once you graduate (whatever level)--it is very difficult to go back to school (if you want to later).

Going to school where you will work--Hmmm... When I was interviewing for software and hardware engineers, it was the United Nations. We did not really worry if somebody had local experience or a place to live--but that was in the 1980's and 1990's when there where lots of openings but lots of people to talk with.

In the end, people who where confident, able to explain their reasoning when asked questions, willing to listen, flexible, were all good candidates. Rarely, would we expect to find somebody with a degree/specialization in the job we were hiring for. We want people that understood the fundamentals of the project and had the tools/knowledge/training to hit the ground running. We expected that there would be training/learning curve of a few weeks/month before they knew "our systems" -- and it worked out well.

Also, projects / assignments change. The people with broad education/experiences and a willingness to try anything were a joy to work with. People that complained when anything was "outside the box"--were the first to go when reductions needed to happen.

If you plan on working while in school--Finding that first job/opertunity (in this market) will probably be the bigger issue.

If you like rural areas--In California, those areas have been hit hard. Finding any job right now is difficult (>40% unemployment vs an overall ~17% state unemployment). And rural areas tend to have a dominant employer or business type (one local large plant, or ag, gas, wind, mining, etc.).

If you don't plan on working--then geography is probably less of an issue. The school and cost of living will be more important.

One thing to check out--is the job postings/programs at your school(s) of choice. Frequently, people hire from places they know. Check where they have placed graduates and if their postings are geared towards that school's graduates. However, it today's market--again I am not sure that there is very much hiring going on right now.

In the end, be flexible. If you find you made a mistake--identify it quickly and change. Don't go 2-4 years because the change may look "scary".

-Bill

BB. · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

And, don't overlook that an Arts degree can be put to good use:

Social Science Meets Computer Science:

Shortly after Carol Bartz took over as chief executive of Yahoo Inc. early last year, she met with Prabhakar Raghavan for an overview of the Sunnyvale Web giant's research division. As the head of Yahoo Labs ran through the catalog of computer scientists on staff, Bartz turned to him and asked: "Where are your psychologists?"
...
That's changing. In the last year, Yahoo Labs has bolstered its ranks of social scientists, adding highly credentialed cognitive psychologists, economists and ethnographers from top universities around the world. At approximately 25 people, it's still the smallest group within the research division, but one of the fastest growing.

The recruitment effort reflects a growing realization at Yahoo, the second most popular U.S. online site and search engine, that computer science alone can't answer all the questions of the modern Web business. As the novelty of the Internet gives way, Yahoo and other 21st century media businesses are discovering they must understand what motivates humans to click and stick on certain features, ads and applications - and dismiss others out of hand.

And, while I think the "going green" is a lot of hype. There are lots of opportunities for "conservation". In general, people waste a lot of their energy because they don't know they are wasting it.

Conservation includes lots of human scale interactions, engineering, electrical, electronics, as well as green tech.

The ability to put that all together (social, computer, marketing, engineering) is very interesting too.

In the end, I don't want to step on your green dream (and I am sorry if it comes off that way--I am more towards trying to look at both sides of issues)... Predicting the future is pretty much impossible. Making the future--that is doable.

-Bill

niel · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

are you talking about what you are interested in or what you can make big $ in? your first major you found there isn't big money in it and you will probably find the same thing here in solar unless you can con the government for research/grant money. you could eke a living with solar and what you do may sway the amounts a bit, but it may not be in line with your thoughts of what you want of this degree you will hold.
now you could go into electricity or electronics as you may overlap this into solar-electric, but solar itself does encompass many areas of knowledge one should know of. examples are electricity, electronics, physics, some construction, metal working, chemistry for batteries and thermal, plumbing for thermal, the law with nec rules along with federal and state rulings, requirements, and incentives just to name a few. or get into something totally different that you can make the kind of money that you want and can tolerate the work while keeping solar as an interest/hobby as many do. many get educated not by school, but by reading and doing on their own and you will find many here in that classification. i know of 1 that went into his own business of selling solar and there are some that engineer solar products that frequent this forum and maybe you could design some products with the right knowhow. you could also install, but is also not to be of the big $ makers. many who do these things from engineering, to retail, to installing are not on their way into the millionaires club.

russ · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

BB. wrote: »

Any good technical/construction type degree/eduction will set you on the right path.

And nothing stops you from crossing classes... Get your contractor's license and take some beginning electrical/electronics classes on the side.

-Bill

İ agree with Bill - if you are inclined toward construction, a general contractors license is a good thing. The side courses he proposes are a good choice for whatever you end up doing. Then you have to decide between residential and commercial - at least in North Carolina.

İ agree with all that suggest the current green jobs talk is just political hogwash. What wasn't a green job 10 years back now is? A job is a job is a job!

Residential energy conservation is interesting and useful but you would have to compete with many people with a Kill A Watt and a good story.

icarus · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

I wouldn't go get a contractors license until I had worked in the field for a bit. First, it isn't as easy as it seems, and second, without some experience it is going to be hard to get work.

I would find a local contractor who might specialize in remodel/renovation. Perhaps a contractor that specializes in green building/energy conservation. You might also look at some local social service agencies that specializes in energy conservation. In reality, what you really need is some experience. You could also consider construction project management.

Good luck,

Tony

BB. · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

Also, since you already have your BA--perhaps you would look at a 4 year program... Either as a declared minor or a second degree.

For one engineering department (my old school SFSU), a minor is not that many units (~22 core + 23 pre-reqs)--perhaps 2 years + a summer:

[FONT=Fixedsys]
Math 226 [/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Calculus I (4)[/FONT]     
[FONT=Fixedsys]Math 227[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Calculus II (4)[/FONT]     
[FONT=Fixedsys]Math 228[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Calculus III (4)[/FONT]     
[FONT=Fixedsys]Math 245[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (3)[/FONT]     [FONT=Fixedsys]
Phys 220/222[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Physics I with Calculus (4)[/FONT]     [FONT=Fixedsys]
Phys 230/232[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Physics II with Calculus (4)[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]

The minor may be satisfied by a minimum of 22 units (not including prerequisite units) distributed as follows:

Core requirements
    ENGR 205 Electric Circuits (3)
    ENGR 206 Circuits and Instrumentation Lab (1)
    ENGR 305 Linear System Analysis (3)
    ENGR 315 System Analysis Lab (1)
    ENGR 353 Electronics (3)
    ENGR 301 Electronics Lab (1)
    ENGR 356 Basic Computer Architecture (3)
    ENGR 357 Basic Digital Lab (1)

    16 units

Electives
    Approved upper division Electrical Engineering courses. No upper division course from major can be double-counted towards minor or second major.

    6 units[/FONT]

For an engineering major, the requirements are:

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is a 132-unit degree. Major requirements comprise 99 units, including mathematics, chemistry and physics prerequisites. The remaining 33 units are in general education.

Depending on your math and sciences, the 33 units from your BA already knock at least a year off a full ~4 year technical program.

Of course--I am using Engineering as an example--pick yours. MBA's (Masters of Business used to be a real hot degree. I had a friend pushing Patent Attorney or Dentistry recently--My kid's Orthodontist has a Phd in Engineering).

Regarding government subsidies:

http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2009/...lete-disaster/

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported in 2008, on a dollar per MWh basis, the U.S. government subsidizes wind at $23.34 — compared to reliable energy sources: natural gas at 25¢; coal at 44¢; hydro at 67¢; and nuclear at $1.59, leading to what some U.S. commentators call “a huge corporate welfare feeding frenzy.” The Wall Street Journal advises that “wind generation is the prime example of what can go wrong when the government decides to pick winners.”/QUOTE]

You can read about what a few of us here believe about small wind and what subsidies have wrought:

Small windpower a scam ? Survey says SO

Is there good stuff out there--yes. Is the good stuff being overwhelmed by the bad? Probably...

Much of the "green jobs" funded by our government has resulted in jobs overseas rather than in the US. And that is a big question--if a job can be done with a computer and a phone or requires a local manufacturing presence--it is in danger of being outsourced overseas.

The 11 US-based wind farms that received cash grants from the US Treasury have imported 695 of the 982 wind turbines that are to be installed. The IRW report sights a study by the Renewable Energy Policy Project, a think-tank that advocates renewable energy technology research, estimates that for every 1,000 MW of wind energy that is developed, 4,300 jobs are created: 600 for operation and maintenance of the wind farms; 700 for the installation of new turbines; and 3,000 for manufacturing.

The cash grants were given for the installation of 1,763 MW of capacity – 1,566 installed by foreign companies. Using the Renewable Energy Policy Project’s own numbers, as many as 4,500 manufacturing jobs may have been created overseas. The largest is Vestas Americas, a Danish company who has won something over 16% of the projects so far. But perversely, as Vestas has invested US$1bn in developing US facilities over the last two years, including manufacturing facilities in Colorado to build blades and has plans to open facilities to build towers and nacelles, US companies are moving their component manufacturing facilities to low cost overseas locations. GE now owns three manufacturing facilities in China and is opening another in Vietnam. It would seem regardless of the administration’s good intentions, their assertions that green stimulus funds will create a wave of US green manufacturing opportunities may turn out to be hot air.

If you have a knack for foreign languages--that may be also something that you would combine (even overseas schooling) with your future education (don't look to me--I barely survive in English--I had to marry for my foreign language studies).

-Bill

endymion · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported in 2008, on a dollar per MWh basis, the U.S. government subsidizes wind at $23.34 — compared to reliable energy sources: natural gas at 25¢; coal at 44¢; hydro at 67¢; and nuclear at $1.59, leading to what some U.S. commentators call “a huge corporate welfare feeding frenzy.” The Wall Street Journal advises that “wind generation is the prime example of what can go wrong when the government decides to pick winners.”

Wow. This situation is gloomier than I thought. I'd be curious to see at what rate the government subsidizes solar.

İ agree with Bill - if you are inclined toward construction, a general contractors license is a good thing.

That's just the thing; I'm not sure if I really am inclined towards construction. To be perfectly honest, one of the main reasons I started looking into this is because of all the talk of growth in the "green jobs" sector (which I realize encompasses many, many fields). It seemed like an industry with a bright future. Now I'm not so sure. I may have said this earlier but what I value most is a career I find fulfilling and meaningful, followed by job security. Sometimes I feel like the two are mutually exclusive. I love working outdoors and have spent the last couple years doing so (mostly trail building for government and nonprofit agencies), but it's not that easy to find work, at least not in the winter months.

Depending on your math and sciences, the 33 units from your BA already knock at least a year off a full ~4 year technical program.

Unfortunately, I haven't taken any real math or sciences classes since high school, since I had AP credits that transferred over to college, plus my major didn't really require any. I feel like my strength (which was reinforced in college) is writing, communication (more broadly), and problem solving. However, since I graduated I've found how much I enjoy actually working with my hands, building things, finishing concrete projects, etc. I've just had to start from scratch with all these things since I have pretty much no experience in construction. Perhaps it's best to take on solar as an interest or hobby, as Niel suggested.

I don't know. It's a lot to think about. I really appreciate all of your input though...it has made me look at this a lot more realistically.

westbranch · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

If you read the plethora of postings here, one common thread is the need to conserve before you do anything else...

As a Forester trained in the biological sciences and now retired, I would strongly recommend, if you are interested in it, to go for anything that is related to , my bias here, Conservation & Management as that is where the world has been headed for a long time, it just takes a long time to get there... remember concepts taught in school probably don't exist yet and the general population needs to accept them and then they can be implemented... it is always an uphill push with a new idea, but if you believe in it it can happen.

90% of life's enjoyment is in the road trip to the destination...

Enjoy

Eric

endymion · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

After talking with some other folks, it looks like Energy Conservation/Management is a very promising field indeed! Thanks for the tip, Eric. This is something I think I could enjoy doing thats also very much needed and seems to offer a bit more job security. I haven't done a super-thorough search for programs teaching this, but I noticed that LCC has an option for this, as does Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, WI (nearer to home, could get in-state tuition here). If anyone is curious about the course offerings for this degree (and could maybe give some input as to the usefulness of these classes), here is LCC's curriculum (from their PDF):

Resource Conservation Management Option

First Year Fall
BT 114 MS EXCEL for Business *,D,G ..................................... 4
NRG 101 Introduction to Energy Management 1 ................. 3
MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra *,2,M ..................................... 5
NRG 103 Sustainability in the Built Environment 1,D,G ........ 3
NRG 102 Blueprint Reading: Residential and
Commercial 1,D,G ................................................................. 3 ____
Total 18

Winter
NRG 111 Residential/Light Commercial Energy
Analysis *,1,3,D,G .................................................................... 3
PH 101 Fundamentals of Physics *,1,S ................................... 4
WATR 101 Introduction to Water Resources 1,D,G ................. 3
WR 121 English Composition: Exposition and
Introduction to Argument *,5,6,W .......................................... 4
NRG 154 Alternative Energy Technologies 1,D,G ................... 3 ____
Total 17

Spring
NRG 131 Lighting Fundamentals *,1,D,G ................................ 3
NRG 124 Energy Effciency Methods *,1,D,G .......................... 3
NRG 121 Air Conditioning System Analysis *,1,D,G .............. 3
PH 102 Fundamentals of Physics *,1,S ................................... 4
CG 203 Human Relations at Work 5,R .................................... 3 ____
Total 16

Second Year Fall
WR 227 Technical Writing *,5,6,A............................................. 4
NRG 141 Energy Investment Analysis *,1,3,D,G ...................... 3
NRG 122 Commercial Air Conditioning
System Analysis *,D,G,1 ........................................................ 3
NRG 157 Renewable Energy Systems *,1,D,G ........................ 3
____
Total 13

Winter
NRG 112 Commercial Energy Use Analysis *,1,D,G ............... 4
NRG 206 Co-op Ed: Energy Mgmt. Seminar D .................... 1
PE/Health Requirements ....................................................... 3
Resource Conservation Management Option Elective ...... 8 ____
Total 16

Spring
WATR 210 Water Conservation:
Industrial/Commercial D,G ................................................... 4
NRG 142 Energy Accounting *,1,3,D,G ..................................... 3
NRG 170 Organizational Behavior/Fostering
Sustainable Practices 1,G,D .................................................. 3
____
Total 10

crewzer · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

Some other organizations to check:

Midwest Renewable Energy Association (located in WI)
Solar Energy International (credit from some of their classes transfer to the colleges mentioned)
NABCEP

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

niel · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

endymion wrote: »

After talking with some other folks, it looks like Energy Conservation/Management is a very promising field indeed! Thanks for the tip, Eric. This is something I think I could enjoy doing thats also very much needed and seems to offer a bit more job security. I haven't done a super-thorough search for programs teaching this, but I noticed that LCC has an option for this, as does Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, WI (nearer to home, could get in-state tuition here). If anyone is curious about the course offerings for this degree (and could maybe give some input as to the usefulness of these classes), here is LCC's curriculum (from their PDF):

sounds good, but make sure of how many out there would hire for such a thing as conservation is something people can do without someone there with a degree in most cases.

BB. · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

Don't know anything about BotR--but for any schooling that will be industry specific--make sure they will give you the certificates you need upon graduation/testing. Random comment pulled from web about BotR (only one, don't know if valid or not):

Your advertising of NABCEP is incorrect,I took your course and was told the day I arrived that you do not in fact give the accredited test,I know have a problem in PA which requires IREC or NABCEP credentials to help my customers get their incentives.I feel that if your course is responsible you will do all you can for me before I go to the Better Business Bureau and possibly pursue a refund for false advertising...

-Bill

Solar Guppy · January 2010

Re: Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

That site sure has the spammer template feel ... no where is the price of the course listed and a bunch of discount coupons to boot?

The is no address info either on the site

http://whois.domaintools.com/bootsontheroof.com is the domain llokup ... seem to be run by this company

http://www.unitek.com/ which has complaints for other training services

http://www.yelp.com/biz/unitek-information-systems-inc-fremont

South El Monte, CA
1 star rating
12/24/2009

This company was a rip-off for Cisco CCIE. I sued them in small claims and won my entire tuition back, $6000 appx. plus flight and hotel for 1 week. They appealed with an attorney, and I still won, but the judge reduced damages to $400.oo. Go figure. The class promised a high rate of pass for CCIE R&S. Turns out all you paying for is the sample tests, and lab time. which was not enough. The Instructor could barely answer everyone questions because not enough time. Don't waste your money at this school for CCIE R&S, it is a sham and a scam under any ownership."

I would delete the post if this showed up on my fourm!

Best places to get training to be a Solar Technician?

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