Pima Community College is offering a weekend class for solar installers that will prepare those looking for a new trade to pass a national certification test, or simply give those thinking of solar more information about how it works.
Katherine Kent, owner of the Solar Store, says most of her customers, even though they've hired her firm to install a photovoltaic system, crave that sort of information.
"People want to know a lot more about how their solar system works than say, for instance, their air conditioner," she said.
Kent and others in the solar industry have pushed for years to get solar-installation classes in Tucson.
She said Thursday that she's no longer having trouble finding people capable of becoming installers because of the downturn in demand for skilled workers in the construction trades.
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But she still must train them in the specifics of solar installation. "The chance of getting anyone with any knowledge of solar, other than how you spell it, is slim," Kent said.
The Pima photovoltaic installer class is part lecture and part hands-on installation, said Lazaro Hong, chair of Pima's Electronics and Optical Systems Technology Department.
Hong said the class responds to a need for solar installers, which is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years.
The first class, however, hasn't filled, so he is inviting those interested to check it out this Saturday.
To enroll, students will have to register and pay class fees.
IF YOU GO
The photovoltaic installer class meets Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pima Community College West and runs for 16 weeks.
Class is held in the Tortolita building E104.
Regular class fees apply.
For more information: www.pima.edu or call 206-6603.
