0 to Solar Hero: 18-hour Advanced Solar PV and the NEC Training

About the Course

0 to Solar Hero Program - Join the Renewable Revolution
Get up to 100% Tuition Covered - Apply Now

This comprehensive course prepares you for a career in the rapidly growing solar energy industry through our 0 to Solar Hero training pathway. Whether you’re brand new to photovoltaics (PV) or looking to sharpen your skills, this program walks you through the core competencies needed for success in solar application, design, installation, and operations.

Course Status: Currently in development, join the waitlist to be the first to know when it launches.

Unit 1: Solar Application

Industry Standards. Intro to PV, What is Photovoltaics? PV History, Harvesting Energy from Sunlight, Solar Jobs, Environment, The Utility Grid. Sustainability, Solar Modules, Direct Current. Power, Energy. Basic PV designs. Best Practices. Day in the life of a solar installer.

Unit 2: Solar Design

PV System Types, PV Modules, Types of PV Modules. PV Components and balance of systems, Inverters, Micro-Inverters, Optimizers. Charge Controller, Solar + Storage. Solar Resource. Peak Sun Hours. Loads. Common PV measurements. Designing to meet customer expectations/requirements. General system sizing. Physical location. System configuration. Electric codes. Fire codes. Building codes. Series, parallel. Ohms law. AC vs DC. Single phase AC, multiple phase AC. System grounding. Roof mounts. Ground mounts. Inverter operation, inverter operating window.

Unit 3: Solar Installation

Ladder safety, PPE. Fall Safety. Wind loads, live loads, dead loads. Site hazards. Required Documentation, Site plan. One line diagram, Three Line Diagram. Permits. Permitting. Authority having jurisdiction. Equipment manuals. Waterproofing, flashing, weather sealing. National Electric Code. Working clearances. Labeling requirements. Battery types, battery chemistry. Structural considerations. Common hand tools. Standoffs. Wiring best practices. Commissioning.

Unit 4: Solar Sales, Operations & Maintenance

Solar Sales and Finance: Cost of Solar energy systems. Financial Benefits. Usable lifecycle. Levelized cost of Solar Energy. Solar Incentives and Grants. Utility rate structures. Energy Charges, Demand Charges, Basic Financial terms, Return On Investment, basic economic performance measurements. Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC), Solar lease, cash purchase. Warranties. Maintenance costs.

Maintenance and Operation: Solar Monitoring. Solar Metering. Test Conditions. Equipment upkeep, Equipment Replacement, Lock out / Tag out. Production losses. Typical faults. Multimeters, Electric shock, Inspection, Visual Inspection and documentation, safety regulations, OSHA, Irradiance Meter, OHM’s law, Batteries, Battery Voltage. Roof access. Equipment staging.

Instructor

Alexander Jarvis

IREC Certified Master Trainer

Alex has been working in the solar industry since 2006. He is an IREC Certified Master Trainer in Photovoltaic Technologies and a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional. He is a solar installer and is the founder of Solar Systems of Indiana and cofounder of Southern Indiana Renewable Energy Network. He served on the Board of Directors at MREA from 2018-2024.

+ read more

Frequently asked questions

Is the full course really free for Solar Hero applicants, do I have to pay for anything?

Yes the is free for approved Solar Hero applicants to take the full course and earn a certificate of completion. This excludes fees due to NABCEP for exams, or for 3rd party books and study materials.

Will this course prepare me for the NABCEP PV Exam?

Yes this course covers the NABCEP PV Job Task Analysis and is developed by IREC Certified Master Trainers in PV. It includes practice exams and is intended to help you pass the NABCEP PV Exam. Passing the exam requires a great deal of studying and preparation.

Are you and your program approved by NABCEP?

Yes, the Waivolt program by Rose City Robotics is approved as an accredited NABCEP training provider.

Why did you make it free for Solar Heros, what's the catch?

We believe that our future depends on the deployment of solar PV at scale as fast as possible. We aim to help by making high-quality technical solar training and certification available for everyone. There is no catch. If you like what we are doing and can afford to do so, we hope you will pay for your course and join as a Pro member to help our mission.

Is this course sponsored and are specific products endorsed?

While we do encourage corporate sponsorships, sponsors have zero influence on the content of our courses. The courses do not receive sponsorship in return for endorsing any specific products or manufacturers. All course materials are developed by IREC Certified Master Trainers in accordance with IREC's Code of Ethics. All course development to date has been funded by our founder, Duncan Miller, who has been working in the solar training industry since 2006.

Coming soon 0 to Solar Hero: 18-hour Advanced Solar PV and the NEC Training