The Solar Photovoltaic Installation program and certificate provides students a basic understanding of electrical theory, wiring to proper code requirements, proper safety and panel mounting, panel positioning and tie-in to the commercial grid. Students will have the skills necessary to enter the workforce as a solar panel installer and prepares them to sit for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Entry Level Examination.
Graduates of the solar installation program or certificate will learn a wide range of skills and gain industry specific experience in:
- measuring voltage, current, and resistance.
- the purpose and rating process of over current protection devices.
- preparing cable ends for terminations and splices and connect cables using lugs or connectors.
- electrical loads, solar radiation and operating temperature affect the electrical output of a PV device.
- the purposes and functions of the major components in PV systems.
- the basic types of inverters used in PV systems.
- differentiating between the approaches and methodologies for sizing different types of PV systems.
Programs
AAS in Solar Photovoltaic Installation
Recommended Program Map / Program Requirements
The recommended plan below meets the requirements to complete this program. For official requirements, visit the AWC Catalog. If the recommended classes listed below don’t fit your schedule or interests, you can take alternate classes.
To get started on your personalized Academic Plan, visit the Academic Planning page or schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor.
First Semester: Fall
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEC 100 | Core Curriculum Introductory Craft Skills | 5 | Major Requirement |
| ECT 105 | Basic Electricity | 3 | Major Requirement |
| ECT 110 | AC/DC Circuits | 4 | Major Requiremen |
|
ENG 100 or ENG 101 or ENG 107 |
Introduction to Composition or Freshman Composition 1/GE |
3 | GE- Composition |
| 15 |
Second Semester: Spring
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECT 115 | National Electrical Code | 3 | Major Requirement |
| ECT 205 | Fixtures and Installation | 4 | Departmental Requirement |
| ECT 210 | Control Circuits | 4 | Departmental Requirement |
| ENG 101 or ENG 107 | Freshman Composition 1/GE | 3 | GE- Composition |
| or | |||
| ENG 102 | Freshman Composition 2/GE | ||
| MAT 105 | Mathematics for Applied Sciences or higher level approved math | 3 | GE- Mathematics |
| 17 |
Third Semester: Fall
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECT 220 | Electrical Installation | 5 | Major Requirement |
| ECT 225 | Load Calculation | 3 | Major Requirement |
| TEC 140 | Roofing Construction & Safety | 2 | Major Requirement |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology/GE (recommended) | 3 | GE- Social and Behavioral Science |
| ENV 101 | Environmental Science (recommended) | 4 | GE- Physical and Biological Sciences |
| 17 |
Fourth Semester: Spring
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLR 105 | Intro to Solar Photovoltaics 1 | 3 | Major Requirement |
| SLR 110 | Intro to Solar Photovoltaics 2 | 3 | Major Requirement |
| MFG 195 | Materials Science and Metallurgy | 3 | Departmental Requirement |
| CIS 120 | Introduction to Computer Information Systems/GE (recommended) | 3 | GE- Additional Courses |
| PHI 105 | Ethics/GE | 3 | GE- Humanities |
| 15 |
Solar Panel Installation Level 1 Certificate
Recommended Program Map / Program Requirements
The recommended plan below meets the requirements to complete this program. For official requirements, visit the AWC Catalog. If the recommended classes listed below don’t fit your schedule or interests, you can take alternate classes.
To get started on your personalized Academic Plan, visit the Academic Planning page or schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor.
First Semester: Fall
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECT 100 | Core Curriculum Introductory Craft Skills | 5 | Major Requirement |
| ECT 105 | Basic Electricity | 3 | Major Requirement |
| ECT 110 | AC/DC Circuits | 4 | Major Requirement |
| 12 |
Second Semester: Spring
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECT 115 | National Electrical Code | 3 | Major Requirement |
| SLR 105 | Intro to Solar Photovoltaics 1 | 3 | Major Requirement |
| SLR 110 | Intro to Solar Photovoltaics 2 | 3 | Major Requirement |
| 9 |
Third Semester: Fall
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECT 220 | Electrical Installation | 5 | Major Requirement |
| ECT 225 | Load Calculation | 3 | Major Requirement |
| TEC 140 | Roofing Construction & Safety | 2 | Major Requirement |
| 10 |
Career Overview & Job Outlook
Successful completion of the solar installation program or certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations and annual median wages*.
| Solar Photovoltaic Installers Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, also known as PV installers, assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy. |
$44,890 |
Contact Information
Bruce Carroll
Professor of Electrical and Solar Technologies
(928) 317-7623
Kenia Lopez
Senior Secretary, Construction and Technology Programs
(928) 344-7752
Pasquale Lamaestra
Director of Construction and Technology Programs
(928) 317-6005