Many community and technical colleges are looking to integrate solar photovoltaic (PV) site assessment and PV technical design and sales into their training programs as a response to the growing demand for jobs in the solar industry. Between November 2012 to September 2013, solar jobs in the U.S. increased nearly 20%.
The MREA offers two certificates that allow learners to gain the skills, abilities, and knowledge to compete in the rapidly growing clean energy economy. These certificate programs are designed to be stackable and are aligned to industry recognized job task analysis.
Community college and university instructors can earn one or both certificates and partner with MREA to offer the certificate(s) at their educational institution by becoming a Recognized Training Provider. We believe that through building partnerships we can accelerate market adoption of solar technologies and ensure that high-quality installations are standard creating sustainable jobs within the solar industry.
MREA Certificate Programs
Photovoltaic (PV) Site Assessment Certificate
The MREA PV Site Assessor Certificate program provides skills training needed by professionals engaging consumers in solar systems for their home and business. Site assessors evaluate the energy consumption of a household or business, as well as the solar resource at the location. They help clients understand system options and their benefits. They work with clients to recommend the site and size of the solar system. Site assessors also estimate system production and identify the cost, incentives, and financing options available.
Photovoltaic (PV) Design and Sales Certificate
The MREA PV Design and Sales Certificate program provides skill training in PV site analysis, system design, accurate analyses and projections of the energy, environmental and financial performance of PV systems, and ethical presentation. This program prepares learners for careers in sales, application engineering, and financial or performance analysis.
A Recognized Training Provider (RTP) for either the Site Assessment Certificate or PV Design and Sales Program is an instructor who receives MREA training and becomes approved to teach the Photovoltaic Site Assessment Certificate program or PV Design and Sales program at an educational institution.
Learn More!
Discover more about MREA’s Professional Certificate Programs. Learn how you can earn a PV Site Assessment and PV Design & Sales Certificate and become a Recognized Training Provider.
See What our Regional Training Partners are Doing!
Kankakee Community College (KCC), a Regional Training Partner in IL
- Take a tour of the Renewable Energy PV lab at Kankakee Community College.
- Watch KCC students install a ground mount solar system. Hear what they have to say about the KCC Electrical Technology, Renewable Energy track!
- Join the Solar Revolution! Watch a time lapse of KCC students installing a ground mount solar system at a local junior high school for their capstone project.