Candidate Selection Underway for SEI’s Solar Professionals Certificate
Posted by: chris
August 29, 2013
With the 2014 SEI training schedule soon to be released, many students are wanting to know what prerequisite online or classroom courses they should be taking now in order to be ready for in-person labs in the Fall of 2013 or the Spring of 2014.
As we draw closer to the end of the summer and the end of the SEI Lab training season, we are getting more and more applicants for the SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program (SPCP). This selective admissions program admits only the most qualified candidates for SEI’s most rigorous training path.
Christopher Turek, Director of Online and Student Services said, “SPCP is for the serious career focused student who wants to enter the solar workforce or is already in the solar industry and wants that competitive edge. We have thousands of students go through our online courses and in-person labs every year, but there is a select few of our students that have applied for and have been chosen to complete our entire program of technical training. We make these selections based on the applicant’s aptitudes, transferable skills, career interests, and stated dedication to completing this full technical training program.”
“Any SPCP path is at least 160 training hours, but could be many more hours depending on how many certificate tracks they wish to pursue. Many of our certificate program students are also past SEI Alumni that want to apply their previous SEI training towards completion of a certificate path, which they are allowed to do and we welcome.”
SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Options
- Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems Certificate
Required Courses (4) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101 > PV201L > PV202 or PVOL202> Plus one PV elective (Either PVOL203 or PVOL206)
Program Tuition: $ 3,795 or $ 3,395 with tuition incentive
This certificate path covers a comprehensive spectrum of grid-direct residential and commercial photovoltaic design and installation applications. Applying the National Electric Code and job-site safety considerations will be strongly emphasized in this certificate program. The technical concepts needed as a solar professional, whether you’re working on single family homes to commercial projects to utility scale systems, will be covered in this program.
- Battery-Based Photovoltaic Systems Certificate
Required Courses (4) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101 > PVOL203 > PV201L > PV301L
Program Tuition: $ 4,495 or $ 4,095 with tuition incentive
Even though the vast majority of solar photovoltaic applications are now grid-direct, there are homes and industries that need battery-based photovoltaic systems. Through this certificate program you will be trained on the technical application of solar photovoltaic battery-based systems to serve many different areas such as the telecommunications industry, agricultural applications, off-grid homes and other remote applications, and grid-connected battery back-up systems.
- Solar Business and Technical Sales Certificate
Required Courses (3) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101> PV201L > PVOL206
Program Tuition: $ 2,995 or $ 2,695 with tuition incentive
This certificate path is perfect for an individual who is seeking a sales or product representative position in the solar industry or is considering starting their own business. A solid focus on the technical, economic, and financial aspects of the solar industry are covered in this program to prepare you for the fast paced and highly dynamic solar industry. In addition to understanding all the financial incentives and sales techniques, being technically competent in the application and installation of photovoltaic systems will make you a better sales professional. This certificate program will give you the confidence needed when talking with potential customers about this highly technical field.
- International and Developing World Applications Certificate
Required Courses (4) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101> PVOL203 > PV301L > RD101 (or any RD coded course or workshop)
Program Tuition: $ 3,595 or $ 3,195 with tuition incentive
Not all solar professionals are on a roof in the United States installing photovoltaic systems. Some of the most rewarding and meaningful work can be found in the developing world. Solar professionals can be found working for government aid agencies and other non-profit organizations who are training local communities to become self sustaining. This work is often accomplished through application of renewable energy technologies in some of the most remote areas of of the world. This certificate program will take you through the common battery-based photovoltaic technologies and other developing world topics to prepare you for a rewarding career in helping the world realize the hope provided by renewable energy.
* In-person destination International training can be used in lieu of RD101, but a tuition difference may apply. Examples: Nicaragua and Costa Rica training locations - Renewable Energy Applications Certificate
Required Courses (3) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101> plus two elective courses in Wind, Solar Thermal, Micro-hydro or any RD coded workshop.
Program Tuition: $ 2,195 or $ 1,895 with tuition incentive
This certificate program will expose you to other renewable energy technologies and is often a good “add-on” certificate path for a solar professional who has completed one of the other certificate programs. When talking with home or business owners you may be asked your professional opinion about all the options in the renewable energy sector and which technology will best suit their energy needs and location. In order to explain these technologies with utmost confidence, it is best to get hands-on experience in other renewable energy technologies in addition to photovoltaic systems.
* In-person destination International training can be used in lieu of RD101, but a tuition difference may apply. Examples: Nicaragua and Costa Rica training locations - Solar Professionals Trainer of Trainers Certificate**
Required Courses (6) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101> PV201L > PV202 or PVOL202> PVOL203 > PV301L > PV206
Program Tuition: $ 5,995 or $ 5,395 with tuition incentive
Hundreds of solar training programs are sprouting up all over, and gaining the knowledge of how to deliver a world class training program can be difficult and daunting. With over 20 years of hands-on and classroom instruction, the SEI curriculum and overall program is the gold standard for solar training and we want to share that knowledge with you. This certificate program will expose you to SEI’s best classroom curriculum and lab training experience for you and your instructional staff to get first hand experience in what it takes to put on a full solar training program at your school or training organization.
*This certificate program only introduces best teaching practices through the actual experience of taking these courses from SEI Instructors. It is designed for current instructors in a related field or people with a strong background in the PV industry who are seeking an instructional role. SEI recommends that an individual receive additional classroom instruction and classroom management training, if not currently an instructor.
**For the Train the Trainers Certificate you must currently be a college or vocational school instructor in a related field.
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