EET thinking of changing to Solar Electrician
TLDR, Title really says it all. I'm a Electronics Engineering Technologist (3 year, Americans call it an Associates Degree) I'm hearing about some opportunities in the field of Solar Electrician and considering filling the need.
Now in my job I do a lot of Electrical work. Electronics isn't very different than Electrical, especially since I do plenty with high voltage (28,000V) electronics. I work a lot with small scale solar (around 500W) all the time too, running small sensors and a cell phone from solar panels and batteries. I calculate the sun position regularly to find true directions, which should help with pointing panels and understanding solar angles, and I understand the physics of how solar works. Taking a course should be a breeze for me.
So I'm looking for training programs and see NABCEP. Is that the gold standard certification?
I'm also hearing about needing to be journeyman electrician. Can I catapult through that as well? Around these parts you don't need to be licensed to do electrical work, so long as it's inspected. I've wired panels, run wires to various loads from 15A plugs to 70A pin-and-sleeve connectors, followed code, and not only do I know what AWG of wires are needed and what's accepted, I know WHY that AWG is needed and why it's now allowed.
I've schooled one guy showing off his "masters electrician" certificate as they try to explain how gold wire is 'more conductive' than copper wire. (FYI, it isn't.) and stopped him from making some pretty rookie mistakes. Perhaps he JUST became a master electrician, or maybe he's an example of someone who came just over the bar, but I wasn't impressed with either his knowledge or experience.
So what do you suggest to be the best help to the solar installation industry? (and make the most money) What courses or program would be both challenging and helpful to the career?
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