Does anybody know if there are any courses for solar panel installation, and/or what trades you need for this position?
If you are in the UK, then the Centre for Alternative Technology courses (CAT in Wales) have had some great feedback.. .. A lot of companies are actively recruiting and offer training courses as part of their induction. Have a look at the bigger ones recruiting near you.
What you ought to recognize will depend on WHAT sort of installations you're going to be operating with. In regular, for business you wish to have fundamental mechanics and wiring. For house, you may additionally want a few carpentry, roofing, preserving structural integrity, plumbing, and so on. In side it additionally will depend on what sort of sun installations you're doing, (vigour, air warmers, water warmers, and so on.)
In Europe the governments offer an electrical buy back incentive of surplus solar electricity but to claim the income the solar panels must be installed by a registered installer who submits details of their skills. The skill to install requires some experience in building/roofing work for which there is no qualification and an electrician to wire up the components to the mains. Electrical engineering courses are available at local tech colleges. If you are just installing a 2/24 volt system you don't really need much experience, it is not syncing a full mains voltage in to the domestic mains! Installing thermal [water] solar uses similar building skills and requires he final fix to be performed by a heating engineer, again the course is available at tech colleges. both plumbing and electrical engineers need to be updated on changes and so there is ongoing education costs and licenses. If you can't afford college [two year +] try finding an employer who will let you work and study part time. There is a lot of demand here so few employers pay for the course but some do. go through your yellow pages and submit your cv to electricians/plumbers. Then when you get qualified learn about solar, and set up your own business. As a builder of sorts! Ive fitted systems and then found a electrician/plumber to do the final fix. You cant beat experience.
