What Are The First Steps in My Solar Journey With Remote Energy?
By: Jessica Perrilliat Smith
We often have visions of things we want to accomplish but don’t always have a blueprint or support to get there. For those who have an interest in the solar field and/or believe renewable energy is a way to positively change the planet, a community, a home, and a person’s life, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with how to take that big picture passion and break it down into tangible steps. Well, Remote Energy hopes to put your mind at ease, as we have a roadmap to help you get there without the worry, the unanswered questions, and the feeling of doing it all alone.
We truly believe everyone should have access to high quality solar training, and we are committed to training and mentoring marginalized women and men globally to become solar technicians and educators. We have a large emphasis on mentorship, networking, as well as positive approaches and solutions for student success. So, let’s begin with what the first steps in your solar journey with us could look like.
ONE: Visit our website and learn about our mission. It’s important that you feel connected to who we are, what we have set out to do, and how we can be of service to you in your future with solar. Our multilingual team brings over 100+ years of combined experience in solar electric system design, installation, curriculum development, and instruction to the classroom. Through our mission and shared goal, we ensure that our team, partners, students, educators, and community are not only catalysts for change but globally work together to spread awareness, knowledge, and accessibility.
TWO: Determine the course(s) right for you. All of our students begin with our entry level Unit 1: Solar PV Direct Systems, Unit 2: Solar PV DC System Fundamentals course (available as a co-ed or women’s only option). You will learn about common solar applications and explore the physical and electrical characteristics of solar modules. You also explore the building blocks of a simple DC battery-based PV system and study the electrical parameters of the equipment, how to work safely with electrical systems, and best practices for the installation of small PV systems. After successful completion of U1/U2, you would move on to our Unit 3: Expanding DC Solar Systems with MPPT, Unit 4: AC System Fundamentals course, which will cover series and parallel PV wiring, more advanced battery topics, the use of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers, and introduction to inverters and AC wiring considerations. Lastly, is our Unit 5: Installation, Unit 6: Design course - more details about these two classes coming to the website soon. All courses receive 4 Live optional Zoom classes to review course materials with Remote Energy Instructors and network with other students!
THREE: Ensure you’re able to commit fully to the time allotted. Each course is different in reference to the time it takes to complete the course, and many factors contribute to your pace. For example, our U1/U2 course provides 4 weeks for you to complete 30 hours. You can move as fast or as slow as necessary as long as everything is submitted before the last day of class. Always reach out if you are unsure of the commitment or to determine if the coursework combined with your availability is feasible.
FOUR: Be on the lookout for a confirmation email and course details. Once you inquire through our website, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know we received your inquiry, and break down in a little more detail what the course you are interested in entails. We will also provide details on how to register and pay with an electronic step-by-step guide with graphics. A deadline will be set to ensure you do so with enough time to prepare for your first day of class.
FIVE: Register for the course by choosing the date that best fits your schedule. . Spots are limited, so ensure you mark your calendars once the dates become available through our website to register as soon as you are able to. Once you register for a course, you will receive an additional confirmation email with a reminder of the dates, a poll to find the best time for class zoom sessions, login details, a guide to utilizing our learning management platform, and a list of things that need to be completed before the course begins.
SIX: Contact us (FB Messenger, WhatsApp, Email) if you have any questions. We make ourselves available to answer any questions that you may have during the application and registration process. We respond within 48 hours and do our best to provide resources when necessary to assist you. Don’t ever hesitate to reach out. We want to be there for you.
SEVEN: Get excited and celebrate because you’ve just taken the biggest and most important steps. As the saying goes, “setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” What you envision is attainable, and you are now well on your way to accomplishing your goals. It’s okay to stop and take in the small wins along the way.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ below. And if you’re wondering the type of solar job opportunities available, we’ve got you covered. Check out our social media post featuring 8 solar jobs in the industry: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/remote-energy_solar-energy-education-activity-7036807571457892352-CeB-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Do I need an electrical background?
No, it can be helpful to have prior training, but it is not required. We start at the basics and help bring you up to speed.
Do I have to meet in person?
No, you can take our entry level course online, from the comfort of your home. We even have weekly zoom classes so you can network, get to know your fellow students/instructors, and ask any important questions you have.
Do I need internet access?
Yes, you do need an internet connection to submit work, but you can also use smartphone data to watch the videos and complete the coursework.
Will this take up a lot of my time?
It depends on your schedule and your understanding of the content. Most of our courses are four weeks long, and we estimate it will take about 5 - 10 hours to submit coursework per week. This is a flexible self-paced course so you can choose the times that work best for you to complete your coursework.
Do I receive a certificate for completing the class?
Yes! When you successfully complete the coursework with a 70% or better, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that can showcase your commitment, your knowledge in the subject, and your willingness to grow for your future solar employer.