December 17,2024

Camosun College Clean Energy Courses Teach Solar Panel Installation and Design

Share this story:

In January 2024, the BC Government announced an ambitious plan for a massive increase to the provincial power grid. BC Hydro's 10-Year Capital Plan is seeking to acquire new sources of clean, renewable electricity, including wind and solar. These capital projects are expected to create between 11,300 and 14,000 construction jobs annually, which in turn is driving a greater urgency to ensure that BC's trades professionals are ready, willing, and able to keep pace with rapidly changing market demands for their services.

In response to the clean energy mandate, Camosun College has developed a series of four short courses (also known as micro-credentials) focusing on photovoltaic (PV) installation and design. This training will be of interest to tradespeople, contractors, and business owners who want to learn how to apply solar energy systems to their building projects, and for those contemplating future employment in the solar industry.

The micro-credentials are:

CEEB 150V - Introduction to Clean Energy

CEEB 152V - Introduction to Photovoltaics

CEEB 153V - Photovoltaic (PV) Installation

CEEB 154V - Designing Photovoltaic Systems

More information on these Photovoltaic Installation & Design courses can be found here.

The program will provide you with foundational knowledge of the design and installation of PV systems, the variety of renewable energy sources, the terms used to describe power and energy, and how the sun's energy is captured and stored. You will learn the fundamental principles of state-of-the-art solar photovoltaics, including the application, sale, economics, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of PV systems. As you progress, you will obtain advanced skills in the design of PV systems, and gain a deeper understanding of codes, standards, permits, construction staging, snow and seismic loads, electrical design, interconnections, and storage systems.

Those who successfully complete the micro-credentials will be eligible to write the optional North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP) PV Associate Exam. NABCEP is a non-profit corporation with a mission "to support, and work with the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, professionals, and stakeholders to develop and implement quality credential and certification programs for practitioners."

These courses are meant to help people get net-zero energy ready in response to the BC Government's Energy Step Code with a program that would satisfy the new requirements well into the future. The BC Energy Step Code "provides an incremental approach to obtaining energy efficient buildings that go above the base requirements of the BC Building Code and a pathway to ensuring all buildings province-wide are Net-Zero Energy Ready by 2032."

Michelle Brown, Director of Professional Studies and Industry Training at Camosun College, believes it's important for BC tradespeople to position themselves as valuable assets in a competitive labour market by staying informed and certified in emerging areas, like clean energy.

"There is an increasing need for clean energy training across many industries and occupations, in addition to the growing number of businesses in BC opting to use clean energy sources. Helping tradespeople upskill to meet the ever-evolving requirement is our goal," explains Brown.

While keeping up with the collective impacts from environmental, technological, regulatory, and societal changes presents a real challenge for professional tradespersons, the resulting demand for new knowledge and its application to real-world situations is dynamic. For Ross Lyle, P. Eng., and Chair of Camosun's Mechanical Engineering Department, the pursuit of clean energy is a prime example.

"Clean energy education helps to foster economic growth, environmental sustainability and community empowerment.  It equips individuals with the skills to participate in the expanding renewable energy sector here on Vancouver Island, that both creates jobs opportunities and boosts energy independence," says Lyle.

Ross adds that learning about and applying sustainable practices and innovative technologies helps reduce carbon emissions, preserves natural resources, and supports global climate goals.

“Educated communities are better positioned to adopt renewable technologies and advocate for effective energy policies, leading to a more sustainable future.”

If you're thinking of a career change and want to make a positive contribution to environmental sustainability, Camosun College’s Clean Energy (PV) Specializations Program may be just what you're looking for.