Renewable Energy Site Assessors

High School

Recommended high school classes include mathematics, physics, earth science, social studies, and computer science. Since site assessors must be excellent communicators—including being able to explain complex technology and installation steps in easy-to-understand terms—it’s a good idea to take as many English, speech, and writing courses as possible. Taking a foreign language—such as Spanish—will help you to communicate more effectively with customers who do not speak English fluently.

Postsecondary Education

Some employers hire candidates with only a high school diploma and then provide on-the-job training. This approach is most common for a site assessor who works for a company that installs residential solar or wind power systems, rather than for those who work in large-scale industrial or commercial settings. Others enter the field after earning a degree or certificate at a community college or four-year school. There is no degree available in site assessment, but students typically pursue degrees in renewable energy or specialized areas (e.g., wind power, solar power), which include classwork in how to gauge the feasibility of renewable energy generation, estimate costs, and determine which products to use. Some site assessors receive training via informal or formal apprenticeships.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents surveyed by O*NET OnLine, an information resource from the U.S. Department of Labor, said that solar sales representatives and assessors need some college, but no degree, to work in these fields; 9 percent said that an associate’s degree is required; and 35 percent reported that a bachelor’s degree is needed.

Certification

There are many certificate programs in renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean energy specialties (e.g., solar, wind), and related areas that provide a useful introduction to topics in the field, including site assessment. A few colleges and universities offer certificates in site assessment. For example, North Carolina State University offers an undergraduate certificate in renewable energy assessment and development. Visit https://online-distance.ncsu.edu/programs to learn more.

Other Education or Training

Colleges and universities, professional associations, energy companies, and for-profit, online learning platforms offer in-person and web-based continuing education classes that focus on renewable energy, site assessment, cost estimation, and related topics. For example, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association offers Photovoltaic Site Assessment, an eight-hour course that covers topics such as load analysis and consumption history, mounting options, balance of system location requirements, shade analysis, system sizing, and financial analysis and options. Other classes include Introduction to Wind Energy Systems, Small Wind Site Assessment, and Basic Photovoltaics.