Getting into Solar Installations
yojimbo2
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Anyone know if it is possible to get into installing solar panels on homes if you are not a licensed electrician. I saw a seminar, offered by “Boots on the Roof”, where they offered there 6 day intensive course to GC’s as well as licensed electricians.
Are you basically boxed out of getting into solar, I mean apart from being an entry level installer, unless you are a licensed electrician.
Replies
You might be boxing yourself out, there are a lot of areas that still have no rules or regulations, check into it.
In general electricians don't like roofs. But most PV systems will need an electrician to install mainly due to the grounding requirements of the racking system (typically aluminum).
Best option is to team up with an electrician to offer the service. You'll definately need an electrician who knows what he's doing when it comes to tying the PV lead into the inverter / disconnect / panel-grid.
It's likely that pv panel systems will be developed over the next few years that contractors can install and wire up on the roof w/out an electrician. Then the electrician will only be needed for the inverter.... connection.
The real trick to getting into the business is sourcing equipment. You can't yet go to an electric supply house or lumber dealer and buy PV equipment. It's still a niche when it comes to residential. Established PV installers have factory direct buying relationships that you and I can't get. They can install PV cheaper than we can buy it.
There are lots of PV installer courses popping up through distributors and community colleges - take one if you can to understand more about it. It's a bit more complicated than I expected when I thought of getting into the business..