Green Collar Jobs

Surge in solar hiring fuels training needs from the San Jose Biz Journal.

It's saying it takes about a year to train an installer for solar.

Some guesses why:

1. Solar installations combine Electrical and Structural. Usually you have one skill or the other, not both.
2. Regulations needed to work with the local power company.
3. Ability to work through the needed permits (probably varies city by city).
4. Solar is not made yet for easy installation due to local code issues and solar is still a relatively uncommon installation (which is changing). Every site is a bit custom.

So what's the solution?

1. Standardization of building codes for solar installations.
2. Focus by manufacturers on making solar easier to install.
3. Adding solar installations as part of the requirement to be a licensed electrician.
4. Making the hook up process with the local power company easier.
5. Increasing volume of solar installations (which is happening).