Solar Installer Starter

Understand solar systems well enough to join an install crew.

Start with Build Your First Solar Power System! Beginner Tutorial Easily Explained, Budget Friendly (11 min, Will Prowse), then DIY 400 Watt 12 volt Solar Power System Beginner Tutorial: Great for RV's and Vans! *Part 1* (33 min, Will Prowse). All 27 lessons in Solar Installer Starter are free. No degree. On-the-job training; NABCEP entry exam optional. A starter kit costs about $1045. About $51k a year (US median, solar PV installers).

To start: No degree. On-the-job training; NABCEP entry exam optional. Earning: About $51k a year (US median, solar PV installers).

1. How solar works

   Panels, inverters, batteries.

   • Build Your First Solar Power System! Beginner Tutorial Easily Explained, Budget Friendly (11 min, Will Prowse, Beginner)
   • DIY 400 Watt 12 volt Solar Power System Beginner Tutorial: Great for RV's and Vans! *Part 1* (33 min, Will Prowse, Beginner)
   • Inverter Generator Only Runs With Starting Fluid | Step By Step DIY Repair (17 min, Donyboy73, Beginner)
   • Toyota Prius Inverters and Converters (91 min, Weber Auto, Intermediate)
   • 2016 - 2022 Toyota Prius Inverter with Converter (40 min, Weber Auto, Intermediate)
   • MaXpeedingrods MXR 3500W Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator,Electric Start,Gas & Propane Review (15 min, Donyboy73, Intermediate)

2. Electrical basics

   Safety and wiring.

   • 5 Formulas Electricians Should Have Memorized! (17 min, Electrician U, Intermediate)
   • Episode 3 - How To Wire For and Install A Switch (28 min, Electrician U, Intermediate)
   • 2 Prong Receptacle Circuit Replaced by GFCI and Grounded Receptacles per 2020 NEC (21 min, Sparky Channel, Intermediate)
   • How To Wire a 3-Way Switch System (16 min, Sparky Channel, Intermediate)
   • Electrical Work Ep.97 (18 min, Essential Craftsman, Intermediate)
   • Electrical and Interior Finish: Shipping Container Office Build (16 min, Essential Craftsman, Intermediate)

3. Off-grid and batteries

   Design small systems.

   • Electricity Explained: Volts, Amps, Watts, Fuse Sizing, Wire Gauge, AC/DC, Solar Power and more! (26 min, Will Prowse, Intermediate)
   • Build a 5,000W Off-grid Solar System in 1 Hour (11 min, Will Prowse, Intermediate)
   • 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt Inverter (50 min, Weber Auto, Intermediate)
   • 2013-2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid Inverter (SOBDMC/TCM) (48 min, Weber Auto, Intermediate)
   • BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station | 2,000W 2,000Wh Review (15 min, Donyboy73, Intermediate)

4. Get hired

   A CV that gets read, interviews you are ready for, and the first offer negotiated.

   • Career Change to Code - The Complete Guide [Full Course for Aspiring Developers] (203 min, freeCodeCamp.org, Beginner)
   • If Your Job Interviewer Asks You THIS, BEWARE! (11 min, A Life After Layoff, Intermediate)
   • Write an Incredible Resume: 5 Golden Rules! (9 min, Jeff Su, Intermediate)
   • Can't Get A Job? You May Be On The "Do Not Hire" List! (18 min, A Life After Layoff, Intermediate)
   • Top 5 LinkedIn Profile Tips! (10 min, Jeff Su, Intermediate)
   • A Job Recruiter Critiques 5 Real Audience Resumes (23 min, The Financial Diet, Intermediate)

5. Money basics for your first pay

   Budget it, save it, and start investing early.

   • Investing 101 (20 min, Ben Felix, Beginner)
   • Using Your Money To Be Happier (21 min, Ben Felix, Intermediate)
   • 5 Things You Need To Do If You Make Less Than $100k (21 min, The Financial Diet, Intermediate)
   • 9 Things To Stop Spending On By 30 (26 min, The Financial Diet, Intermediate)