CALIFORNIA – San Jose
San Jose City College
2100 Moor Park Ave.
San Jose, CA 95128
Contact/Instructor(s): Matthew Welch
e-mail: mwelthyone@yahoo.com
Tele. (408) 288-3781
Solar 102: Introduction & Photovoltaic Installation: This course introduces the student to solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems and their installation. Upon successful completion the student will have a rudimentary knowledge for an entry level position in the field. The lab will provide hands-on experience with a variety of systems encountered in the industry. This course was developed at industry request as part of an IDRC grant collaborative. Homework will include conducting research on the Internet for solar equipment specifications. There will also be exercises requiring Internet-based solar industry calculators for determining solar electric system performance and for system design.

CALIFORNIA – San Mateo
College of San Mateo
1700 West Hillsdale Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94402
Contact/Instructor(s): Thomas Diskin
e-mail: diskin@smccd.edu
Tele. (650) 574-6133
Introduction to Alternative Energy Systems for Home and Business Applications: This course covers the basics of electricity, load analysis, system sizing, and the components involved in off-grid and utility inter-tie PV, wind generation and hydroelectric alternative energy systems. Included will be the wiring of a PV system and demonstration of wind generation and hydroelectric systems. Information will also be provided on the California rebate process and installer certification requirements for home-based alternative energy systems. Students will have the opportunity to design their own site-specific system.

CALIFORNIA – Santa Monica
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Contact/Instructor(s): Larry W. McLaughlin, Rod Bergen
e-mail: rodbergen@jps.net
Tele. (310) 434-4199
Introduction to Solar Energy Systems: Students will gain an understanding of the principles applied to solar photovoltaic and thermal systems. The basic electrical theory and calculations of electrical/capacity requirements for PV systems will be reviewed. Thermal properties, materials, and heat transfer strategies for thermal systems will also be reviewed. Topics will include materials and manufacturing, system components, codes and safe installation procedures. Students will examine the economic, regulatory and infrastructure issues affecting the adoption of solar technologies as well as their potential in solving energy and environmental problems.
Advanced Solar Photovoltaic Systems and Installation. This competency-based course will prepare students for entry-level employment in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry and for potential follow-on training in system design. Successful participants will also be qualified to take the NABCEP Entry level exam. Combining theory and hands-on application, this course will include basic electricity, electricity fundamentals in solar PV systems, PV safety, site analysis, PV system sizing and design, components and equipment, product installation, troubleshooting, net metering laws, local codes, and National Electrical Code (NEC) PV requirements.

CALIFORNIA – San Jose
Community Alliance for Career Training and Utility Solutions
1971 Fruitdale Ave.
San Jose, CA 95128
Contact: Derrick Chapman
E-mail: dc@GreenCactus.org
Tele: (818) 687-1323
Renewable Energy Technician: Renewable energy systems including solar, wind, PV. Blueprint reading, safety and accident prevention, wiring methods, electrical fundamentals and basic theory, AC/DC. Maintaining and troubleshooting a PV system.
Courses will be taught in a traditional classroom. Some courses will be offered online or simulcast. A course lab will also be offered off-site.

CALIFORNIA – San Francisco
City College of San Francisco
1400 Evans Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
Contact: Clifford M. Parsley
E-mail: cparsley@ccsf.edu
Tele: (415) 550-4449
Photovoltaic Installation, Entry Level: This course is an introduction to the planning, installation and maintenance of Solar Photovoltaic Systems. It includes hands-on installation of PV systems and associated safety issues. Traditional classroom instructions, 2 hours lectures and 3 hours lab per week for 17.5 weeks.

CALIFORNIA – San Bruno
Skyline College
3300 College Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
Contact: Mike Williamson Dean Science, Math and Technology Division
Email: williamsonm@smccd.edu
Tele. (650) 738-4221
ELEC 410 Introduction to Solar Installation and Integration: This is an introductory course targeted to junior-level photovoltaic installers to provide a foundation of skills necessary in solar installation. Topics include electrical theory and practice, PV theory and integration and building trades skills.
This course is composed of traditional classroom, electronics and solar labs. The college has a dedicated solar classroom with inverters, panels and roofs to teach installation techniques. Minimum 48 hrs lecture and 16 hrs lab work.

CALIFORNIA – Sacramento
American River College
Electronics Technology/Energy
4700 College Oak Drive
Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact/Instructor: Fred Evangelisti, Professor
E-mail: evangef@arc.losrios.edu
Tele. (916) 484-8675
Students will earn a Solar Photovoltaic Installation Certificate when they complete the five courses outlined below:
•Electronics 302: Principles of Electricity and Electronics (108 hrs)
•Energy 140/299: Electrical Applications for Solar Installers (108 hrs)
•Energy 141: Electrical & Mechanical Applications for Solar Installers (108 hrs)
•Energy 142: Review and Preparation for the NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam (32 hrs)
•Energy 143: Design, Installation and Troubleshooting of Solar PV Systems (108 hrs)
The sequence of classes is: Electronics 302, Energy 140/299, and then Energy 141 and 142 are taken concurrently. The students will be eligible to take the NABCEP C.O.K. exam after these four classes are completed. The capstone class for the entire certificate program is Energy 143 which includes advanced system design and troubleshooting.

CALIFORNIA – Pleasant Hill
Diablo Valley College
321 Golf Club Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Contact/Instructor(s): Tom Chatagnier
E-mail: tchatagnier@dvc.edu
Tele. (925) 685-1230, Ext. 2522
Photovoltaic System Design and Installation (AET 130): Course includes site evaluations using the solar pathfinder, photovoltaic module characteristics and specifications, inverter characteristics and specifications, design and installation methods, the NEC related to PV systems. The course includes many hands-on activities setting up Sunny Boy and Xantrex inverters and top-of-pole and tracker configurations. Includes off-grid systems.

CALIFORNIA – Pasadena
Pasadena City College
Engineering and Technology Division
1570 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91106
Contact/Instructor(s): Sam Abedzadeh
Email: sxabedzadeh@pasadena.edu
Tele. (626) 585-7274 / (626) 585-7267
Basic PV Design and Installation Program covers:
Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems: Intro to PV terminology, concepts, vocabulary, techniques and safety. Application and benefits of different PV systems. PV system sizing and cost estimating.
Photovoltaic Theory and Installation Techniques: Solar electricity fundamentals, PV safety, site analysis, PV system sizing and design. Product installation, troubleshooting, net metering laws and NEC requirements for PV systems.

CALIFORNIA – Oakland
Meritt College
4022 Piedmont Ave.
Oakland, CA 94611
Contact/Instructor(s):Dr. Sean White
Email: seantruce@yahoo.com
Tele. (925) 482-4176
Envmt 48NL: Photovoltaic Design & Installation: Introduction to PV design and installation: solar PV cells, modules and system components; electrical circuits; PV system design and sizing for use in homes; solar electric products and applications; energy conversion from sunlight to electricity.

CALIFORNIA – Novato
Marin Community College District –
College of Marin
1800 Ignacio Blvd.
Novato, CA 94949
Contact: Laurie Loeffler
Email: laurie.loeffler@marin.edu
Tele. (415) 457-8811 ext. 8108
ELEC 139 Solar Installation and Integration: This course is designed as an intro course targeted to entry-level installers with the intent to provide a foundation of skills in trades involved in solar installation. The course is separated into 3 distinct areas: Electrical Theory and Practice, Photovoltaic Theory and Integration, and Building Trade Skills. The program will be a balance of theory, practice and real world examples.

CALIFORNIA – Los Angeles
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
400 West Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Contact/Instructor(s): Dave Robinson, William Elarton
Email: robinsds@lattc.edu , elartowd@lattc.edu
Tele. (213) 763-3700
ECONMT 105: Fundamentals of Solar Electricity (Traditional classroom lecture with demonstrations)
ECONMT110: Renewable Energy Systems (Traditional classroom lecture with demonstrations)
ECONMT205: Solar Energy Installation & Maintenance (hands-on lab where students will install and troubleshoot operational systems)

CALIFORNIA – Los Angeles
East Los Angeles Skills Center
Los Angeles Unified School District
3921 Selig Place
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Contact/Instructor(s): Brian Hurd, Bob Bower
Email: bhhurd@sbcglobal.net
Tele. (323) 224-5970
Photovoltaic Installer: Certification Preparation: Participants will receive instruction in solar electrical theory, PV safety, related vocabulary and terminology, types of PV systems, basic load analysis, system sizing, components and hardware, code issues, rebates and incentives, basic cost estimating, net metering laws and employment opportunities in the industry.

CALIFORNIA – Huntington Beach
Golden West College
15744 Goldwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Contact/Instructor(s): Mr. Tom Hersh, Professor
e-mail : thersh@gwc.cccd.edu
Tele. (714) 895.8224
Engineering Tech / Env Studies 162 – Photovoltaic Systems (spring)
Engineering Tech / Env Studies 170 – Renewable Energy (fall)
The above two courses deal with solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems. They both contain theory and hands-on exercises and presentations. The courses cover installation procedures, local building permitting procedures, safety practices, National Electrical Code emphasis on Article 690, theory of PV devices, manufacturing, mechanical assembly and installation. Students participate in actual installation techniques on mock roofs, as well as field trips to actual installations of PV systems.

CALIFORNIA – Fremont
Boots on the Roof (a div. of Unitek Education)
4670 Auto Mall Pkwy
Fremont, CA 94538
Contact: Steve Watkins
email : stevew@bootsontheroof.com
Tele. (888) 893-0367
Boots on the Roof is the solar energy training division of Unitek Education, a long-time Learning Partner of national high-tech companies (having received the highest education honors awarded by Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix, & RedHat). Unitek is an authorized Prometric Sylvan and VUE Test Center, giving our students the option of learning, practicing, and taking certification tests all at the same location. We maintain relationships with solar industry experts like SolarTech.org, NABCEP, and others to deliver top-quality training for solar energy professionals. Our courses are run for a nationwide audience as short, full-time intensive boot camps on topics in Photovoltaic Installation & Design, and Solar Sales and Marketing. Please see our website for the current course listing, dates & locations.

CALIFORNIA – Carlsbad
Applied Professional Training, Inc.
5751 Palmer Way, Suite D.
Carlsbad, CA 92010
Contact: Burt Price, Director
e-mail: bprice@aptc.edu
Tele. 800.431.8488
Basic Photovoltaic Design and Installation: Our courses cover the basics of PV applications and markets, basic to advanced electricity theory, in depth NEC codes, standards, installation scenarios of various types and various roofing materials. The courses teach individuals all phases of PV usage as it relates to system design, electrical design, mechanical layout & design, reading of blueprints and equipment specs. They cover the various types of modules and inverters, their usages, how to perform site evaluation, how to troubleshoot a system, the maintenance of systems and the safety basics for the field and systems.

CALIFORNIA – Calexico
CCAC International Polytechnic Institute
2320 M.L. King
Calexico, CA 92231
Contact: Enrique G. Alvarado
e-mail : alvaradoeg@ccac-vtc.org
Tele. (760) 357-2995
Electrical – 900 hours
This 900 hour Electrical course has recently been upgraded to include all 10 skills sets identified on the NABCEP Learning Objectives. (PV markets & applications, PV system electrical design, mechanical design, etc. )

CALIFORNIA – Aptos
Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
Contact/Instructor(s): Chuck Mornard, Joe Jordan, Steve Murphy
e-mail: chmornar@cabrillo.edu
Tele. (831) 423-2824
Photovoltaic Design & Installation - CEM162PD. This is a “hands-on” course for training students and preparing them for field work.