Green Solar Academy: GREEN eLearning Courses (Principles of PV Systems)

• Duration: 32 hours (Free Online Course)
• Qualification: Certificate (Accredited)

Course content

• The different types of renewable energy available and the advantages and disadvantages of each
• How renewable energy is used in your country and elsewhere in the world
• The basic operating principles of photovoltaics
• The definition of electrical terms relevant to PV solar
• The difference between AC and DC power, and the pros and cons of each
• The components that make up an off-grid PV system and their functions
• The difference between lead acid and lithium-ion batteries
• How to identify different PV system configurations, including AC- and DC-coupled

Career Opportunities

Solar PV System Designer

• Solar System Designer: Work with clients to design customized PV systems based on their energy needs. This role involves selecting the appropriate components (solar panels, inverters, batteries) and ensuring that the design maximizes energy output and efficiency.
• PV System Design Engineer: Design and plan PV installations, taking into account site conditions, solar exposure, and optimal system configurations to ensure maximum energy generation.

Solar Installation Technician

• Solar Installer: Install solar PV systems for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Technicians ensure that all components are correctly installed, connected, and functioning as per design specifications.
• Field Technician: Provide on-site installation and maintenance of solar panels, inverters, and other PV system components, ensuring that installations are safe, efficient, and meet local regulations.

Solar Project Manager

• Project Manager (Solar PV): Manage solar PV installation projects, from the initial design phase to the final installation. This includes coordinating teams, managing timelines, budgeting, and ensuring the project meets all regulatory standards and client requirements.
• Project Coordinator: Assist in overseeing solar projects, ensuring that all stages are executed according to the plan, and resolving any issues that arise during the implementation phase.

Renewable Energy Consultant

• Solar Energy Consultant: Provide expert advice to businesses or homeowners looking to switch to solar energy. Help them understand how PV systems work, assess their energy needs, and recommend the best system configurations.
• Sustainability Consultant: Advise organizations on how to incorporate solar energy solutions into their sustainability strategy, ensuring that the PV systems are optimized for energy savings and environmental benefits.

Solar System Maintenance Specialist

• Solar Maintenance Technician: Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of solar PV systems to ensure they continue to operate efficiently. This includes cleaning panels, checking system components, and replacing faulty parts.
• Preventative Maintenance Specialist: Develop and implement maintenance schedules to ensure that solar PV systems are functioning at peak performance over their lifespan.

Solar Energy Auditor

• Solar Performance Auditor: Conduct assessments of existing PV systems to evaluate their efficiency, energy output, and compliance with industry standards. Provide clients with reports on how to optimize their systems for better performance.
• Energy Auditor: Evaluate the overall energy usage and performance of buildings or industrial sites, providing recommendations for incorporating solar PV systems and optimizing energy consumption.

Solar Equipment Sales Specialist

• Sales Representative (Solar Industry): Sell solar PV systems, components, and services to residential, commercial, or industrial clients. Provide clients with information on system capabilities and benefits.
• Business Development Manager: Develop new business opportunities in the solar industry by identifying potential clients and building relationships with key stakeholders to promote PV system sales.

Solar Policy Advisor/Advocate

• Renewable Energy Policy Analyst: Research and advise on policies related to solar energy, helping shape regulations that impact the PV industry. This could involve working with government bodies, non-profits, or private organizations.
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Ensure that solar companies comply with local and national regulations. Advise on the legal requirements for PV installations, including zoning laws, building codes, and energy tariffs.

Solar Training Instructor

• Solar PV Trainer: Teach others about the principles of PV systems, including installation, maintenance, and design. Work with training centers, technical colleges, or companies offering in-house training programs.
• Technical Instructor (Solar Energy): Provide hands-on training to individuals pursuing careers in solar energy, covering the practical aspects of solar installation and maintenance.

Solar Research and Development Specialist

• R&D Engineer (Solar PV): Work with research teams to develop new solar technologies, improve existing products, and innovate in areas such as solar panel efficiency, storage solutions, and system integration.
• Product Development Specialist: Focus on creating new PV products, from panels to inverters, that are more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable.

Environmental Sustainability Manager

• Sustainability Manager: Oversee the integration of renewable energy solutions like solar PV into corporate sustainability strategies. Ensure that solar projects align with environmental goals and help companies reduce their carbon footprint.
• Environmental Consultant: Provide advisory services to companies looking to integrate solar energy as part of their sustainability and environmental compliance efforts.

Solar Financing and Investment Specialist

• Solar Finance Consultant: Assist businesses or individuals in securing financing for solar projects. Provide advice on the financial benefits of investing in solar energy, including cost savings, tax incentives, and return on investment.
• Investment Analyst (Renewable Energy): Analyze the financial viability of solar PV projects and recommend investment strategies for private or institutional investors.

International Career Opportunities

• Global Solar Consultant: Work internationally to help organizations design, install, and maintain solar PV systems. Provide expert advice on integrating solar solutions into regions with varying energy needs and regulatory frameworks.
• International Project Manager (Solar): Manage solar energy projects abroad, dealing with challenges related to different climates, regulations, and market conditions.

The Principles of PV Systems course from Green Solar Academy serves as an excellent introduction to the solar energy sector, providing a strong technical foundation that can open doors to numerous roles within the renewable energy and solar industries. Whether focusing on installation, design, sales, or consulting, students will find a wide array of career paths available to them as the global demand for solar energy continues to grow.