Whether it’s climate change or electric vehicles driving the conversation, renewable energy sources are no longer a fringe topic to think about in the future. To the contrary, alternative energy is now mainstream and making an impact on our daily lives.
Unfortunately, our tendency to procrastinate and resist change now hampers our ability to fully embrace alternative energy when it’s needed more than ever. Today, solar power and battery storage are increasing exponentially, but they’re being hampered by a shortage of workers with critical solar skills.
In a recent Reuters article, author Neil Ford notes that, “[b]oosted by tax incentives, the U.S. installed over 40 GW of solar in 2023, but future growth will be constrained by ‘a lack of labor availability, high voltage equipment constraints and interconnection delays.’”
How serious is the solar labor shortage? Ford cites Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that indicate “[t]he number of solar installation workers in the U.S. will increase by 22% by 2033, far less than the 48% needed.”
Ford points out that “[t]he greatest labor shortages are being seen in project management roles, engineers, technicians, installers, electricians, system designers and operations managers.” Experts argue that “[t]he entire industry could use a 30% increase in head count to manage the current backlogs and current six to 12-month growth projections.”
Not surprisingly, solar industry leaders point out that “[t]here is a specific shortage of highly-skilled electrical technicians.” These shortages “are continuing to impact solar costs and delay some projects.” To increase the supply of solar workers, “[d]evelopers and construction groups are setting up apprenticeship programs to help alleviate shortages.”
Solar industry leaders are also partnering with a variety of educational institutions and workforce development entities to increase the availability of solar skills training. For example, “[u]nions and workforce organizations are offering more courses for solar workers. These include GRID Alternatives and IREC, local community colleges and professional training centers.”
Given the current skills gap issues creating a shortage of workers throughout industry, the number of new workers with solar skills will require both upskilling of current workers and training current students with the solar-specific skills they’ll need to be successful in the jobs on the horizon.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert at training to implement a new program. The experts at Amatrol have been working together with industry and educational institutions for years to design training programs featuring eLearning curriculum and hands-on experience with trainers equipped with industrial components workers will encounter on the job.
For example, check out the following solar training systems available from Amatrol:
- Alternative Energy Learning System – Solar (850-AES): Teaches aspiring solar technicians the knowledge and skills they need to prepare for portions of the solar certifications offered by such certifying groups as NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) and ETA (Electronics Technicians Association).
- Solar PV Installation Learning System (950-SPF1): Teaches students the installation and commissioning of grid interactive and stand-alone photovoltaic systems for commercial and residential applications. It also supports the learning necessary to prepare for portions of NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification and helps to prepare students for successful employment in the solar photovoltaic industry field.
- Solar PV Troubleshooting Learning Systems (950-SPT1): Allows students to develop the specialized skills and knowledge needed for working with the common types of PV systems. The 950-SPT1 teaches students connection, operation, programming, and troubleshooting of AC/DC and grid-connected systems.
- Solar Thermal Troubleshooting – Closed-Loop Learning System (950-STCL1): Allows learners to develop the specialized skills and knowledge needed for working with the two common types of thermal closed-loop systems: drainback and pressurized. Solar Thermal Troubleshooting teaches learners about connecting, operating, programming, and troubleshooting both drainback and pressurized systems.
- Solar Thermal Installation Learning System (950-STF1): Teaches students the installation and commissioning of closed loop and open loop solar thermal systems for commercial and residential applications. Students will learn how to install systems by selecting, preparing, mounting and connecting solar thermal components using copper tubing, PVC piping, and electrical wiring.
- Solar Thermal Troubleshooting – Open-Loop Learning System (950-STOL1): Examines how to connect, operate, program, and troubleshoot open-loop solar thermal systems. The combination of in-depth, multimedia curriculum with real-world equipment gives learners hands-on experience with both drainback and pressurized open-loop solar thermal systems.
For more information about how Amatrol can help you upskill your current workers, contact an expert at Amatrol today!
