Our labs are configured provide hands-on experience in a number of system configurations and enable tasks that provide real-world experience (pulling wire through conduit, making connections to actual product students will see in the field) that cannot be obtained through a traditional classroom training lab that incorporates connection jacks on a Plexiglas backing.

These labs are designed to provide hands on training in a classroom environment as students seek to achieve industry certification. Our program is approved by NABCEP as well as by ETA-I, the two industry-recognized solar certification programs accepted by nearly all Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) throughout North America. The lab tasks incorporated meet all the hands-on requirements established by the ETA-I (Electronic Technicians Association, International) PV Level 1 Certification.

Hands-on tasks included in the labs include:

  • using an irradiance meter to measure the energy in sunlight,
  • wiring and installing an Enphase micro inverter system,
  • wiring and installing a SolarEdge power optimizer system,
  • wiring and installing a string inverter system,
  • connecting and testing batteries in series and parallel
  • creating a simple circuit,
  • using a Solar Pathfinder to conduct shading analysis,
  • wiring and connecting a hybrid system that incorporates a wind turbine and load dump,
  • wiring and connecting a solar generator (small standalone system),
  • testing the output of a solar panel using meters under various conditions,
  • working with conduit (bending EMT, working with liquid tight),
  • terminating and connecting wire (including MC4 connectors), and more.

Students will work with the various components used in the filed, such as: racking (IronRidge), combiner boxes, junction boxes, AC disconnects, DC disconnects, surge suppressors, service panels, SolarEdge optimizer systems, Enphase micro inverter systems, and more.

Each mobile lab includes:

  • all equipment,
  • conduits and wires cut to length, fitted and
    labeled
  • Instructor guides (paper and video)
  • organized and labeled in totes (each lab is designed to be transported in a standard
    pickup truck or cargo van),
  • a five-class supply of consumable materials such as wire, connectors, etc.
  • tool kits for students to work on the labs
  • battery charging station (to keep batteries charged when not in use)

Mobile training lab:

If the project envisions training at a number of locations (both within and outside institutions) or within a classroom that is not dedicated solely to solar – then a mobile lab generally makes a great deal of sense. We currently offer training at a number of universities and community colleges, prisons and non-profit institutions in this manner, with the labs set up on folding tables during class, but stored and transported from place to place in large totes.

Fixed lab option:
If you wish to create a fixed lab in your classroom – we can
help with that as well. Fixed labs would be custom
designed for your space and priced based on the cost of
the mobile lab material plus time and materials to create
the fixed facility.

Training Overview:

We offer a number of products that can assist you in creating a complete industry-recognized solar PV workforce development program at a surprisingly affordable price. These include:

    • Student access to the 46-hour computer-based self-study program that incorporates
      narrated slides, videos, labs and quizzes that focus on the design and installation of
      residential-scale solar PV installations.
    • A 300-page textbook (both paper and electronic) that tracks with the computer-based
      training program. This textbook is updated regularly (current edition was published in 2024
      and is current with the 2023 NEC).
    • Instructor videos to assist you in conducting the hands-on tasks (an example can be view to the left).
    • Weekly Zoom sessions to assist students as they work through the online course.
    • Hands-on training conducted through the use of mobile or fixed labs.
    • Industry-recognized certification offered through either the Electronic Technicians Association, International and/or NABCEP. We can also assist in getting your training program certified with these organizations, as well as getting your folks accredited to offer the certification exam on site.
    • Certification exam preparation. The online program helps prepare for the industry certification, as do other tools such as Quizlet.

    Contact us for more information or to obtain a FREE desk copy of the textbook or to be provided access to the online training system for review.