Solar Energy Systems Program

What is Photovoltaic?

Solar energy (photovoltaic) is a clean, reliable, and affordable source of electricity. Photovoltaic technology makes use of the sun’s plentiful energy and has low impact on the environment and can be used in a wide range of products from small consumer items to large commercial solar electric systems.

The Program

Sierra College will develop curriculum, identify faculty, and work with partners to build lab training facilities. The program is under development and is planned to begin in the Fall 2009 semester at both the Rocklin and Nevada County Campuses. Students will learn essential safety skills, construction skills, and the fundamentals of photovoltaic system installation and maintenance. The training will qualify graduates for employment by the Sacramento area’s private photovoltaic companies, homebuilders, government, and electric utility companies. The program will address an immediate need for workers in response to recent legislation promoting residential solar installations, the growth in large commercial installations as renewable energy incentives, and the need for workers to maintain these systems over time. This program is only the beginning of a cluster of education and training programs to support the projected wide-range of the photovoltaic's industry occupations.

The Potential

The California Solar Initiative, approved on January 12, 2006, created a $3.3 billion ten-year program to put solar panels on a million roofs in the state. Local electric municipal utilities also offer rebates to encourage the installation of solar panels within the region. Based on both industry and academic research, employment in the solar installation industry must grow by thirty percent each year to meet California mandates and local building demands.

The Opportunity

Sierra College has been awarded $468,000 in Industry Driven Regional Collaboratives (IDRC) funding by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to develop a Solar Energy Technician program.

Sierra College will be the first community college in Northern California (and the second in the entire state of California) to offer a certificate program for Solar Energy Technician. This program will address both new construction and retrofit.

The grant required a dollar-for-dollar in-kind match in order to be eligible. The City of Roseville and the Nevada County Economic Resource Council will both provide locations to conduct hands-on training essential to the photovoltaic industry.