Distance learning is becoming more mainstream thanks in large part to the traditionally brick and mortar colleges who have embraced the possibilities it offers. Even some Ivy League institutions now offer the opportunity to take some portion of a degree program’s curriculum online. Interactive multimedia materials and better access to faculty in years past combined with a highly computer literate population have made online learning popular with students from all walks of life. But what about after college, when it’s time to get a job? Does an online degree stack up to a campus based degree in the eyes of employers?

The answer, as one might guess, is both yes and no, or more aptly, “It depends on the situation.” Some employers from specific industries only care that you have a degree or meet the basic hiring criteria. Those industries are typically associated with jobs that are in demand or tied to technology in some way. Few human resource managers from an information technology based firm would scoff at an online degree because of the nature of their business. Likewise, few teaching positions at the grade school or high school level are off limits to the qualified regardless of where their degree came from as the position requires state certification and there is always a shortage of applicants.

For mid level managers of Fortune 500 companies, pedigree counts. Few hiring managers in the business world are going to be as impressed with a degree from University of Phoenix as they would be with a degree from San Jose State University, much less a school with a nationally recognized business program like Dartmouth or Northwestern. That’s not to say that a person with a degree from college or university typically associated with distance learning can’t find a great position in business, finance, banking or management, just that certain industries are going to be far more aware of their educational background than others.

For graduate level studies, an online degree fares better in most industries. Distance learning degrees tend to take on the same luster as those offered by state universities. You may not get top billing when going up against a master’s of business administration graduate who went to Harvard with an online MBA, but you can easily compete with someone who went to the University of Kentucky.

Regardless of whether a person has an online degree or one from a traditional campus based college, one thing is certain. Experience is the great equalizer. If you find employment in your field and do stellar work, the combination of any degree and your track record will eventually open doors.

Training And Certification Requirements For Careers In Solar Panel Installation

 

If you are looking to enter the field of solar panel installation, you would greatly benefit from being aware of the various training and certification requirements for the job. Obviously, extensive training is crucial if you are to have a certain degree of competency, however, certification is not necessarily an absolute requirement for solar panel installers in most states.

 

Obtaining certification from recognized solar energy regulatory organizations will likely have the effect of increasing your career opportunities and making your credentials more viable for a green job in the solar energy sector.

 

It is worth keeping in mind that different states may have different requirements with regard to licensing for solar panel installation professionals. These requirements typically fall under general contractor licenses or their equivalent, with some being more specifically categorized as electrical contractor licenses for PV, plumbing license for solar thermal systems, or solar contractor licenses.

 

You should also be aware that the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners or NABCEP specifically states that the certification which they offer is in no way intended to take the place of any licenses, credentials or certificates that may be required by local laws in the state wherein you plan to practice your trade. These solar certification and solar training courses are purely voluntary at present, although there is an increasing trend to support these and other similar solar certification programs by way of rebates and other incentives. Furthermore, the number of projects that require solar certification from the NABCEP certification is on the rise, and this will likely increase even further in the near future.

 

The solar certification program of the NABCEP specifies that solar PV installers should possess the skills and knowledge necessary to recommend solar electrical systems, configure and install these systems, inspect and maintain them in way that meets the customers’ satisfaction, and conform to current industry standards for the performance, safety and reliability of solar electrical systems.

 

To this end, the NABCEP has developed a system geared towards PV Task Analysis, which is comprised of several areas of discipline, including how to work safely with PV systems, conducting site assessment, the selection of proper solar design, how to adapt the mechanical and electrical design, installation of solar electrical subsystems and components on-site, system check and inspection, and solar electrical system troubleshooting and maintenance.

 

All of these are of course essential areas of knowledge for those who are seeking qualifications as solar energy industry practitioners. In a report published by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in 2003 detailing training and certification requirements for the photovoltaic industry, it stated that the training required for solar industry professionals goes well beyond that which is typical for other areas in the building and construction industries. The report goes on to list some of the training requirements specific to the field of photovoltaic installations, some of which are outlined below:

 



On-site evaluation with regard to system performance. This would include determining the effects of obstructions, angles, and so on.

Characteristics of photovoltaic cells and modules, particularly how they relate to the design and performance of solar electrical systems

System characteristics calculation–which includes aspects such as wire size–as a means of minimizing power loss and optimizing energy production

Current wiring methods

Mounting technology

Solar electrical system maintenance, as well as diagnostics and troubleshooting methods

Customer education



 

Aside from these training requirements, aspiring solar panel installation professionals should also receive instruction in basic electrical skills, possess knowledge of the electrical grid, and be well versed in various roof and ceiling applications.

 

The installation of solar hot water or pool heating systems has its own requirements with regards to training and certification, for which the NABCEP has also developed a separate task analysis. This analysis is intended specifically for solar thermal applications, and details knowledge and skill sets that are required of professionals in this area of specialization. Among the areas covered by the Solar Thermal Task Analysis of the NABCEP are:

 



Safe installation of solar powered hot water and pool heating systems

Systems and component identification

System design adaptation

Effective site assessment methods

Solar collector installation

Water heater and storage tank installation

Piping, insulation and connector installation

Mechanical and plumbing system and component installation

Electrical control system installation

Operation and identification tag installation

System checkout

Solar thermal system maintenance and troubleshooting



 

This set of tasks assumes that the solar thermal system installer utilizes an industry approved solar system design, along with the required components, installation instructions, schematics, and instructions for system assembly and troubleshooting. While the system itself is not necessarily designed by the solar electrical system provider, he or she must possess thorough knowledge about all aspects of the system, and in some cases may be called upon to modify the design depending on the application or customer requirement.