Archive for the ‘Solar Training’ Category

Training and Tradeshow Management Change

Monday, June 14th, 2010
James McCay the new Training and Tradeshow Manager

James McCay the new Training and Tradeshow Manager

We are saddened to announce that Jeff Spies has moved on to pursue other opportunities in the exciting solar industry.   Everyone who has met Jeff knows that he leaves very large shoes to fill. We wish him the best in all his endeavors!

James McCay will be assuming the role of Training and Tradeshow Manager for AEE Solar.  James continues the AEE policy of bringing a passion and vision to solar training. AEE Solar takes pride in stressing a quality approach to the installation of solar technology. The essential foundation for this reality relies upon high quality solar training of our installer community – something AEE is committed to delivering.

In the rapid growth of the solar market, staying current with technology and policy is critical, so you will find AEE Solar at the following events to continue to bring the best products and training to solar installers.

See us at these upcoming industry tradeshows:

June 18-20, Friday through Sunday
Midwest Renewable Energy Fair
Custer, WI

July 13-15, Tuesday through Thursday
Intersolar
San Francisco, CA

And here’s a great chance to get in-person SEI training, both beginner and advanced:

Jul 26-30, Monday through Friday
SEI PV 101: 5-day workshop
Portland, OR

Aug 2-6, Monday through Friday
SEI PV 202: 5-day workshop
Portland, OR

Flat vs. Tilted Arrays

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

flat array                      tilted array

One of the most unfortunate mistakes made in PV system design is the flat mounted array.  You should ALWAYS mount modules in a tilted configuration. Lets explore the benefits of the tilted array…

1) More power production results from better sun angle - Modules tilted up toward the southern horizon in the northern hemisphere (or towards the north in the southern hemisphere) will produce considerably more power than modules that are flat.

2) Sheeting of rain water promotes module cleaning - Tilting your array promotes sheeting of rain to clean the modules.  Flat modules are a wonderful catch basin and turn into a a shallow puddle every time it rains.  An even bigger problem can result  (more…)

Photovoltaic Training – Maintaining quality in a rapidly growing industry

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

This morning I had the honor of being an opening plenary speaker at the annual IREC conference in Albany NY.  My presentation on “Photovoltaic Training – Maintaining quality in a rapidly growing industry” was delivered to a group of 400+ top solar educators, community college professionals, and continuing education organizations from the US, Canada, Germany, and beyond.

The rapid growth of solar training organizations has been tremendous.  In less than 2 years, the number of solar training programs has expanded from under 10 to over 120 in the US.  (more…)

“Solar Training – Choosing a Program that Works “

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

0809coverrenewable-energy-world-logoRenewable Energy World has just posted an article titled  “Solar Training – Choosing a Program that Works”  that was published a few weeks ago in the August 2009 issue of “Electrical Product and Solutions” Magazine.  This article will help you make an informed decision when selecting a solar training program.  Click here for a PDF version.

AEE Solar a major presence at SPI 2009

Monday, October 26th, 2009

 solar-power-2009-logo

AEE Solar will be represented in a major way this week at the burgeoning Solar Power International (SPI) trade show and conference in Anaheim, CA. This is the industries largest North American solar trade show, and it promises to be a record setting event.

Two of the conference presentations at SPI feature David Katz – AEE Founder and CTO and Jeff Spies – AEE Solar Director of Training and NABCEP Board Member. (more…)

Solar scams abound

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Greetings to all legitimate solar enthusiasts :)

It’s been several weeks since my last post, and boy-oh-boy has it been busy.  We completed another very heavily attended trade show (Intersolar), and we conducted 2 more Solar Energy International PV training workshops.  I got my hernia successfully fixed up and I was appointed as a board member to NABCEP.  Very exciting times indeed.

The purpose of this post is to caution our dealers, solar advocates, and end customers about the numerous scams that have been popping up.  (more…)

Solar Living Institute “Green Career Conference” at UCLA

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Join us at the first Solar Living Institute Green Career Conference at UCLA in Los Angeles on Sunday June 7 at 8AM – 5PM.  Jeff Spies – AEE Solar Director of Training will participate in the “industry perspectives” panel discussion at 9AM and present the “Launch & Grow Your Solar Business” seminar at 1PM – 3PM. Entry to this event is $175, but you can save $25 if you pre-register at this link.  Pre-registration price for students is $75, but you must present a valid student ID at the door.

image_047img_5840June 8 UPDATE:  The Solar Living Institute Green Career Conference at UCLA was a tremendous success with over 200 participating in the event.  The presentations from industry leading experts were well received by the diverse audience.  Attendees ranged from UCLA students to experienced businessmen and women looking for career opportunities in renewable energy and green technology.

img_5837I especially enjoyed the fire alarm ending to my presentation.  Quite an exciting finale! ;)

Thanks to all those that attended the “Launch & Grow Your Solar Business” presentation.  You can download the presentation here, and I hope to see you all at an upcoming industry event.

Register now for SEI summer courses

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Good news. While most Solar Energy International hands-on PV training classes are full for the remainder of 2009, AEE Solar still has space remaining in our summer SEI hands-on PV training classes reserved exclusively for AEE Solar dealers.

sei-logoSolar Energy International is the top ranking solar training organization in North America. Their classes have acheived the prestigious IREC ISPQ certification . SEI has the best cirriculum, the best instructors, and the widest range of classes for solar and renewable energy. SEI has more ISPQ certified trainers than all other training organizations combined. In fact, 5 of the 7 ISPQ certified master trainers are from SEI. Most of the existing NABCEP certified PV installers have taken thier PV training from SEI.

(more…)

Which photovoltaic training programs are right for me?

Monday, May 18th, 2009

The Solar 2009 show in Buffalo was a great success and allowed me an opportunity to address the topic of quality solar photovoltaic training during the “Industry Leader Spotlight” opening session.  The following information should help newcomers (and even those with some experience) understand which solar training courses would be appropriate to take.

The PV Training Matrix 

  Intro Training Business Training IREC ISPQ Beginner PV Incentive training IREC ISPQ Advanced PV Mfgr product training NEC code training Safety training Install training
System Designers
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Installers
x
 
x
 
optional
x
x
x
x
Electricians
x
 
x
 
optional
x
x
x
x
Business Managers
x
x
x
x
 
 
 
x
 
Sales Reps
x
x
x
x
 
optional
 
 
 
Admin Staff
x
optional
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
Solar Brokers
x
x
x
x
optional
x
x
optional
x
Site Assessors
x
x
x
optional
optional
optional
x
optional
optional

For a complete description of the training options…. (more…)

Finding a quality solar training program

Friday, May 8th, 2009

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is “where should I get my solar pv training?”

 

We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of solar training organizations over the past year. Unfortunately, we have seen many examples of solar training programs with instructors that have little or no experience in pv system design/installation. Fortunately, there are 2 organizations that certify solar training courses. 

 

There are currently over 100 approved providers for the NABCEP PV Entry Level Certificate listed on the NABCEP website, however, not all these courses are intended to be a comprehensive course for pv system designers/installers.  They are all suitable for entry level training, but those that want to design or install systems should receive their system design and installation training from an IREC ISPQ certified and accredited training organization (more on this below)….

(more…)