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Interested in becoming a solar installation technician? The energy industry reaches hundreds of millions of people every day. When a consumer flips their light switch, they fully expect the lights to come on. This is all thanks to the energy mix which generates electricity all over the country. A growing percentage of this electricity generation is coming from solar power. This is largely because of the growing environmental movement and the recognition that renewable energy resources must become a part of our future. Because of this, one of the most popular jobs available today is that of a solar installation technician. Without this important position, the energy grid would not have as much solar generated electricity flowing through it as it does today. So, what exactly does becoming a solar installation technician mean and what skills must you master to be hired in this field?
What Does a Solar Installation Technician Do?
The main role of a solar installation technician is to be on the job site of a solar array in order to help with the construction of various aspects of the structure. This can include things ranging from setting the posts that will hold the racking system that holds the solar modules to placing the solar panels into the racking unit. Other jobs of a solar installation technician include, but are not limited to, stringing wiring so that the electricity has somewhere to travel, installing inverters so that the electricity can switch from direct current (DC), which is the type of electricity that solar panels produce, to alternating current (AC), which is what homes and businesses utilize. Additionally, solar installation technicians may also be tasked with setting up monitoring systems which would allow the owner of the solar system to see exactly how much energy the system is producing at any given time, in addition to a variety of other solar metrics.
How Can a Trade School Help You Become a Solar Installation Technician?
Trade schools are one of the best places to receive the proper certifications necessary to become a solar installation technician. Not only are they great at training potential techs, but they also allow you to get your certifications in a fraction of the time of traditional four-year colleges. A trade school will focus on providing you with only the information you need, meaning every class and task will be useful in the field.
An Interest in Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is a fascinating topic but having an interest in it can certainly be beneficial in becoming a solar installation technician. Many solar installation technicians currently in the field keep track of how many Megawatts of solar they have installed and are proud to tell you how many homes that could power. By knowing that your career makes a real difference, this work can quickly become very rewarding. Finally, those who have an interest in following the legislative bills in various states which could potentially bolster additional solar development gives solar installation technicians something to look forward to as well as providing an encouraging outlook into where potential job demand may be the highest.
Attention to Detail
There are many different parts of a solar array, all of which must be closely accounted for in order to complete a sufficient solar array. This means that solar installation technicians must keep serious attention to detail while on the job. If even one small aspect of the array is installed incorrectly, it may cause a portion or all of the array to operate incorrectly. Additionally, close attention to detail allows a team to finish the job faster and adds to a higher level of customer satisfaction.
Critical Thinking Capabilities
As with other electrical components, a seemingly perfect system can sometimes fail to operate. This means that solar installation technicians will need to employ some serious critical thinking skills on the job. Solar installation technicians will be required to document their steps so that they can be retraced in the case of an error. Additionally, critical thinking capabilities will allow potential solar sites to be properly planned out well before any ground is broken.
Problem Solving Technique Development
Every solar installation site is slightly different from the next. Some are on flat ground while others may be on a slope. Some include very loose, easy to dig in soil while other may be built on hard and rocky earth. By developing a variety of problem-solving techniques, solar installation technicians can easily react to any challenge that may be thrown at them. Historically, one of the most difficult pieces of equipment are the electrical inverters. At times, they can have difficulty communicating with the monitoring system that ensures the solar array is operating properly. Being able to troubleshoot and fix these issues will quickly make you an invaluable asset to any installation team.
Final Thoughts
The renewable energy industry will continue to grow well into the future. This can be seen in the dozens of legislative actions being taken every year by states all around the country related to expanding renewable energy generation. As the demand for solar energy remains high, there will always be a need for talented students to become solar installation technicians.
Does becoming a solar panel installation technician interest you? Want to have the power of an entire nation at your fingertips? The Energy Technology Programs from MIAT College of Technology provide the hands-on training, practical experience and industry support it takes to pursue a rewarding technical career. The Energy Programs from MIAT College of Technology range from 7-16 months and provide the hands-on training, practical experience, and industry support it takes to pursue a rewarding technical career. Classes are interactive and led by industry professionals with years of experience working in the field. You will get personalized, hands-on instruction in whichever energy program you pursue.
MIAT’s goal is to produce graduates who are in the top echelon of their initial on-the-job training due to the foundational knowledge they receive at MIAT. To learn more about Energy Technology career training and to explore if MIAT is right for you, fill out the form on this page.
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