How To Get A Job In The Solar Industry

Solar Energy 101 Preview 03:04

What is solar energy? In this lecture, we'll cover the three main solar technologies covered later in this section.

Solar PV Preview 02:12

Ever wondered how solar panels worked? You're in luck, because in this lecture, I'll break down the technology so you have a complete understanding.

Concentrated Solar Power Preview 02:07

Learn about the enormous solar power plants in the desert that can soon be the backbone of our future energy system.

Solar Thermal Preview 01:32

Although not as important as the first two technologies, solar thermal is a pretty nifty way of using solar in a passive way to save big.

Other Terminology Preview 02:45

Net-meter, inverter, kwh are important concepts to grasp if you want to get a job in the solar field.

Solar Technology Quiz

Industry Trends Preview 02:48

In this lecture, we'll talk about where the industry is heading, where the jobs can be found, and why the technology is improving faster and faster.

Utility Preview 01:31

If you want to work on the biggest solar projects in the world, then this lecture will give you all the information you need on utility scale solar projects.

Commercial Preview 02:14

Some of the biggest corporations in the world are introducing solar to their locations. Learn why in this lecture and see how you can position yourself for success.

Residential Preview 02:46

You've probably seen solar panels on roofs of homes in your area. Residential solar is where you want to be if your goal is to provide solar power for everyone.

Solar Market Quiz

So Many Opportunities Preview 01:33

Today, in 2015, the solar industry employs nearly 200,000 Americans and pumps more than $15 billion a year into the U.S. economy. In this section, we'll go over each category of role types, what they do day to day, and what salary you can expect.

Sales Preview 01:20

One of the most popular roles, solar sales is a great way to get your foot in the industry. This lecture will cover everything you need to know about this position.

Installer Preview 01:44

Another role that is hiring like crazy, being a solar installer is a great choice if you like to work with your hands in your career. Learn in this lecture what it takes to be an installer.

Engineer Preview 02:06

For those with engineering backgrounds, being a solar engineer is a great way to use your skills in making more efficient and cheaper solar panels. This lecture will cover what experience you need if you want a role as a solar engineer.

Surveyor Preview 01:08

Another great entry career to get yourself into the solar industry, being a solar surveyor makes sure houses are qualified to have solar panels placed on them. Watch this lecture to see how this position has changed over the years.

Other Roles Preview 01:42

Have years of experience in a role such as a lawyer, marketing specialist, or management. There are tons of open positions for people just like you in the growing solar job market.

Who’s Hiring? Preview 01:35

There are several different organization types hiring in the solar industry. In this section, we'll cover each of them: nonprofits / advocacy groups, government agencies, academic and private research labs, solar panel manufacturers, solar providers and installers, and solar financial institutions.

Nonprofits / Advocacy Preview 02:00

Entering the solar industry because you want to make the planet a more sustainable world for future generations? Then nonprofits and advocacy groups may be for you. This lecture will cover some of the largest solar nonprofit agencies that might consider applying to.

Government Preview 02:04

Working for the government is a great place for long term career stability and an opportunity to work on legislation that might affect millions of people. In this lecture, we'll cover what agencies and departments in the government are focusing on the solar industry.

Academic / Private Research Preview 02:14

For those who enjoyed writing research papers and who have a knack for quantitative analysis, there are tons of opportunities in academic and private research labs. This lecture will cover some of the most prominent research labs in the country.

Manufacturers Preview 01:37

The companies directly making the solar panels are incredibly important in making panels that are efficient, economic, and aesthetically pleasing. A very competitive market, a lot of this companies will become billion dollar companies while others will sink. Learn in this lecture, some of the best performing solar manufacturers.

Solar Providers Preview 01:37

One of the most popular categories for solar careers, solar providers like SolarCity are becoming household names and providing solar panels to millions of households. Learn about this industry and what companies are thriving in the space.

Solar Financial Institutions Preview 01:36

Novel financial schemes have been a tremendous help to solar adoption and many firms specialize in creative financing for households and businesses go solar. For those with a finance or accounting background, this can be a great industry for you.

What I’ve Learned Preview 01:16

I've had the privilege of studying renewable energy at Boston University and working at companies like SolarCity and Solar Mosaic and I can't wait to share everything I learned with you.

Niching Preview 02:59

In this lecture, we'll go over why focusing intently on a few companies and a few roles, instead of shotgunning your application all over the place is the best strategy to get your dream job.

3 Roles Exercise Preview 01:19

3 Roles Exercise

10 Companies Exercise Preview 00:37

List 10 Companies Exercise

Using Your Network Preview 02:06

According to a report from ABC News, 80% of today’s jobs are landed through networking. In this lecture, I'll tell you how to utilize LinkedIn to reconnect with old contacts and find new ones that work at the companies that you want to join.

Making a Career Change Preview 01:49

This lecture is dedicated to those with 5 years or more of work experience that want to transition to the solar industry. In this lecture, we'll go over what opportunities and challenges you may face when making a career change.

Volunteering Preview 01:41

This lecture is focused for students and recent graduates with no work experience and seek to improve their chances for a paid role, by taking on an internship. This lecture will cover how to best utilize an internship to learn about the role you might be studying for.

Location, Location, Location Preview 01:47

While solar companies can be found in places around the U.S. and the world, the highest concentration of them are in the Bay Area, California. This lecture will talk about why that is and reasons why you might want to move there if you want a job in the industry.

Relevant Certifications Preview 02:28

Lucky for all of us, the solar industry is young that there is very little in certifications and accreditation, but if you want to have a step up from the other candidates, this lecture will cover the two certifications worth looking into.

Solar Community Preview 02:46

Getting involved in the solar community is going to be critical if you want to build relationships with those already working at the solar companies you want to work for. This lecture will cover some of the communities you can join and don't forget you can always start your own in your area.

Tips on Landing your Dream Job Preview 03:37

In the past 3 years, I've had more than 6 different job and in that experience, I've mastered what it takes to land any job I want. In this lecture, I'm going to share with you my tips and tricks how to write a thoughtful resume and cover letter and how to nail the interview.

Job Plan Exercise Preview 00:30

Job Plan Exercise

What to Do Once You’re Hired? Preview 02:06

Now that the easy part is over, it's time for the real work to begin. This lecture covers what you need to do to become a top performer at your company. At some point, you're going to want a raise, a promotion, or to move to another company. This lecture will cover everything you need to know how to position yourself for success once you've landed the job.

Last Quiz

Thank you Preview 01:20

Congrats! You've finished the course. Great job watching all the lectures and if you haven't yet, do forget to work through the quizzes.

If you’ve enjoyed the course - it would mean a lot to me if you could give it a 5-star rating and leave a review.

Sharing it on twitter or facebook would be incredible - the more people that learn about how to get a job in the solar field - the more of us will be pushing for a sustainable future.

Thank you!

Resources Preview 03:51

In this lecture, I'll go over resources to help you land a job in the solar industry such websites with dedicated solar job, organizations to join, and conferences to attend.

Now that you've gone through the course and have all these resources, put everything you've learned to work and land your dream job in the solar industry.

We need people just like you to bring our energy infrastructure into the 21st century.