So, how do you learn things? Some learn by reading, some learn by doing, and some learn by a combination of the two. I believe quality training in the solar field requires a combination of the two, with a heavy dose of the hands on aspect. I mean, you can read what the proper torque rating for a specific fastener is in a book or manual, but actually cranking on that torque wrench while standing on a roof and feeling the “click” of that wrench when your bolt reaches the proper torque is a great way to learn the importance of that requirement.
Classroom and lecture have to be an integral part of any solar training due to the nature of the electrical requirements in designing and building safe and code compliant solar systems. However, a training program needs to have a good balance between lecture and lab in order to keep the students engaged and provide a well-rounded solar training and education experience.
The US Solar Institute offers such a training program. The instructors do a great job of presenting the lecture sessions in an easy to understand and logical manner that works great for all levels of students, whether beginner or advanced. The extensive hands-on lab training takes that lecture material and reinforces it by giving the students an opportunity to actually “build” systems and see how the components shown on a line drawing go together in real life.
The US Solar Institute lab gives the students the opportunity to actually layout and install working solar systems, starting with doing a site survey, installing the panel racking systems on several different mock roofs, mounting of full size solar panels, wiring of the array to the combiner box, wiring to the inverter, AC disconnect, and termination in the main service panel. All of this is done with special regard to proper safety practices. The instructor goes over the system with the students and walks them through a complete safety start up sequence, and then goes live with the system.
This is where the benefits of hands on lab really shine…seeing the “ah-ha” moments in the students’ eyes as a concept presented in lecture clicks into place after seeing it implemented in an actual system. And getting the chance to see the electric meter actually “spin backwards” as the system they helped build produces electricity from the sun!
So, are you ready to get your hands “dirty” working with some “clean” energy? Give us a call!
-This post was contributed by Marc Odden, former US Solar Institute student and now a member of our team!