I am going to become a solar power tech!

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I have been whining in several forums about my lack of business in my supposed (but in actuality nonexistent) PC repair business, and somebody suggested getting into "green energy", since that seems to be the big focus at the moment. I did some research and found that Sacramento, where I live, is #10 on the list of cities with most green jobs, AND that American River College just a few miles from me has a solar power technician certification program! So starting in January I will be working on my solar technician certification, and I should have it by January 2011. PC repair is a mature and declining business, and there are too many people for too little work, but entry level green jobs seems to be a wide open field-the cert program at the college just started up last summer, due to a federal grant from the Obama Administration. With my background education in computers and management, I might be able to go quite a ways. A lot of it is construction, and since there were so few programs the companies were hiring laid off construction guys off the street, but that's changing, and they're demanding educated and certified techs.

congratulations! i am happy for you that you found something cool.

Alright!

A most worthy occupation.

My hat is off to you, Sir!

That sounds excellent -- and fun, even. Congrats.

Sounds like a good deal to get entry into the electrical industry but, I would take some caution with pinning all your hopes on Solar Power. Historically alternative energy sources like Solar Power have only been viable because of government subsidies. Conventional methods of generating power are still vastly cheaper and more reliable then alternative energy sources. Government cannot afford to prop alternative energy sources forever.

I think the best course of action is to get you certification for Solar Power and, use your experience with that part of the industry to gain entry into a full Journey Wireman Apprenticeship. You can find these apprenticeships available at nearly every IBEW Local Union in your area (there are many in that area of California). Sign up for one (or more) of those apprenticeships as soon as you can as the waiting list can be quite long (particularly in this economy).

Also you might want to talk to some of those "construction guys" you mentioned about other opportunities in the construction trades. Getting a license for any of the many construction trades gives you a skill you can use nearly anywhere in the country. The great thing about construction apprenticeships is that you will be getting paid On the Job Training. Another great thing is that companies tend to hold on to their apprentices in tough times because they make less money then a full journeyman for the first few years. So there is a bit of job security there.

I researched it further, and I don't think I'm really cut out for construction. It's just not me. I'll find something to do with my life, eventually.

I have had to work construction in the past in order to make ends meet. It isn't that terrible. Especially, if as you mentioned, you would not be subordinate to the knuckle-draggers.

In fact, in the construction industry, and in fact for the population at large, electricians are considered as minor gods.

I would say that this is an industry that will likely expand. There are numerous innovations in solar cells that increase output and reduce pricing. They will likely become commercialized in the next several years.

Also, do not forget the opportunities for control systems for the solar charging/discharging. This can be computer orientated, and may allow you to innovate yourself.

> I researched it further, and I don't think I'm really cut out for construction. It's just not me.

I'm curious to know what about construction turns you off?

I would think solar would be an awesome choice for a private business.

I used to know an electrician and what he didn't like about his field was crawling around in little dirty holes quite often to do the work. Is it that kind of thing that bugs you?

It's all the walking on roofs, I had ear infections as a kid so my sense of balance is terrible, and I have a hard time handling power tools and lifting very heavy loads, and the construction business is impossible to get into here in California, the licensing requirements are so extreme that only people who have lots of money already can run construction firms, so I never would be able to go into business for myself. Electricians have practically been legislated out of existence here unless it's an already established, very LARGE, firm. There are simply no construction opportunities here, and solar seems dependent on further funding by Obama which will vanish if Republicans get control of Congress in 2010, all the websites I found pushing solar are run by the government. The rules for construction here are so extreme that unlicensed contractors are a serious problem, and subcontracting to unlicensed contractors and use of under the table labor.

Good that you found out the downsides before getting in with both feet. There must be other technical options out there where you can branch out from your computer hardware skills. Good luck with it.

So hard to find a good place in this changing world.

Most of the actual wiring for solar is considered low voltage (at least here in Canada). As such, one does not need to be an electrician to practice in said trade. Thus, you may find it much easier to break into it. It will likely be some time before legislation and requirements catch up to the currently practicing in such a field. Then, existing practitioners are generally grandfathered in.

In terms of the economic feasibility, as I mentioned previously, the price of solar cells is coming down rather rapidly, and will do so for some time.

If you are adverse to clambering about on roofs, there are other options...

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/cheap_3d_solar_cells_are_6x_more_efficient_work_underground.php

You might want to look into becoming a licensed "Low Voltage Technician" or "Sound and Communications Technician". These are the guys that deal with Control Wiring, Communications Racks and other sub 50 volt applications. Most of the time these guys come in during the middle to the end of a construction prodject. They usually get to work indoors. They don't work much with tools. It's a 2 year license. Again you can find out more info at your Local IBEW.

I have been in that position. It is not too bad (especially if you can convince them that you are intelligent enough that you should only be doing the final stages). In that case, it is mostly connecting connectors, and plugging in cables. A little intelligence goes a long way.

Another aspect to look into would be security systems. Small wires, interesting concepts (some thinking involved). Most of the drilling can be done with a small flexible drill bit. You may have to do a little crawling, but it shouldn't be too much. Best yet, there should next to no roof work.