Solar Instructor Series
The Southern Mid-Atlantic Provider of Solar Instructor Training (SMAPSIT) is a Train the Trainer program funded by the US Department of Energy and administered by the NC Solar Center at NC State University. Its mission is to establish an advanced training program for Local Education Institutions (LEI) to address a critical need for high-quality, local, and accessible training in solar electric system design, installation, sales, and inspection.
The Program encompasses five jurisdictions:
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
Recognizing the need for highly skilled and knowledgeable individuals to join the array of career paths in the solar workforce, the Solar Center is offering a variety of workshops and online tools to help K-12 teachers, community college instructors, college professors, and local inspectors incorporate solar fundamentals into the classroom.
Targeted teaching disciplines:
- Construction trades such as electrical and roofing
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
- Economics, Policy, Finance, and Marketing
- Authorities Having Jurisdiction- inspectors, code officials
Expected Outcomes*:
- Development of solar (PV) programs for either credit or non-credit courses
- Integration of solar topics into existing curricula
- An increase in the number of students in the classroom knowledgeable in solar topics
* We are required to collect measurable data on the types of classes and number of students taught by participants of our instructor series. A successful applicant must commit to providing us with this data in the form of several metrics instruments, developed by DOE.
Download and share the Solar Instructor Series Fact Sheet.
Workshops under the Solar Instructor Series
Click on the title to learn a little more about each workshop.
- REPV: Renewable Energy Generation with Photovoltaic Systems
- Two-day Hands-on Photovoltaic Installation
- Inspector Tours
- Certificate in Renewable Energy Management (CREM)
- Overview of Solar Policy and Financial Modeling
- Designing PV worksheets and activities: A workshop for STEM teachers and Technical Instructors
- NEC 2011 Code Updates- PV
- Integrating Solar in Existing Curricula
- How to Land Your Green Energy Dream Job
- Three-day Hands-on PV Labs in Maryland
To Apply to the Program:
Complete the online application process and sign this agreement.
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1. REPV: Renewable Energy Generation with Photovoltaic Systems
July 9 – 13, 2012
This week-long workshop, part of the Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma Series, covers solar fundamentals, load analysis, system siting, system components, types, and applications as well as best practices in installation, troubleshooting and maintenance of residential PV systems. Battery –based and grid-tied systems are explored. Successful applicants gain access to online tools to help develop and teach PV fundamentals. Click here to learn more.
- Solar Instructor Series Fee: $345
- Public Price : $969 (NC-residents)/ $1,669 (non-residents)
This two-day class covers installation of a grid-tie and battery-based residential PV system. It is intended for those who have already taken prior workshops in the design and installation of photovoltaic systems.
- Solar Instructor Series Fee: $150
- Public Price : $300
Summer/Fall 2012
This class is intended for AHJs – code officials and inspectors and instructors teaching inspectors and installers who need to familiarize themselves with code compliant photovoltaic systems. A PV Online Training (PVOT) course for inspectors is a prerequisite for this course.
- Fee: TBD
4. Certificate in Renewable Energy Management (CREM)
July – September 2012
This unique 40-hour workshop caters to the non-technical side of renewables. It offers an overview of renewable energy technologies, policy and finance and helps the individual navigate the often complicated waters of renewable energy project development. This is a hybrid onsite and online class offered from mid-July to end of September 2012. Instructors need to be present for the first two days and last day of class. The rest of the sessions are offered or available online. This course is intended for those in a position of policy, finance or project development or those involved in teaching policy, finance or project development. Click here to learn more.
- Solar Instructor Series Fee: $600
- Public Price : $1,998
5. Overview of Solar Policy and Financial Modeling
August 2,2012
Part of the Certificate in Renewable Energy Management but offered as a stand-alone, this 8 hour online/onsite class provides an overview of policies that create the renewable energy market as well as a comprehensive financial modeling tool that offers payback models on PV projects. Click here to learn more.
- Solar Instructor Series Fee: $75
- Public Price : $200
6. Designing PV worksheets and activities: A workshop for Technical Instructors and STEM Teachers.
July 17, 2012
This one-day facilitator led collaborative workshop will guide teachers, especially in the science and math disciplines, to design worksheets and activities that introduce their students to photovoltaic concepts through basics of electricity principles.
- Solar Instructor Series Fee: $75
- Public Price : $200
7. NEC ® 2011 Code Updates – PV
Fall 2012
Electrical and other technical instructors who teach photovoltaics will need to know the 2011 updates to the National Electrical Code as it pertains to PV systems. This workshop will cover these updates as found in Article 690 of the 2011 NEC ®. This one-day workshop is scheduled to take place in mid-September.
- Solar Instructor Series Fee: $125
- Public Price : $250
8. Integrating Solar in Existing Curricula
Summer 2012
This free webinar, presented by Andrew McMahan, North Carolina Director of the Energy CIP, will walk you through the process of how North Carolina is integrating alternative energy into curricula of existing degree programs.
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9. How to Land Your Green Energy Dream Job
Date: TBA
This free webinar and workshop will help you and your students understand where they might fit in this rapidly growing industry.
10. Three-day Hands-on PV Labs in Maryland
August 10,11,12, 2012 IEC Chesapeake 871 Freestate Drive Laurel, MD 20723
This lab is intended for technical instructors who have already successfully passed the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam. Offered in Laurel, MD, the course will cover the design and installation of photovoltaic systems.
To Apply to the Program:
Complete the online application process and sign this agreement.
For more information, contact Lyra Rakusin at lyra_rakusin@ncsu.edu or 919-513-7769 or Maria O’Farrell at maria_ofarrell@ncsu.edu or 919.538.8287.
Learn More
United States Department of Energy
Solar Instructor Series Program Fact Sheet