1. Solar Thermal Technician Program 2010 SEET R. Decker, B. Hesher, W. Judycki, K. Klein

2. Technology and Applications What Do Solar Thermal Energy Systems Do? – They use the Sun to provide heat for Domestic Hot Water Swimming pools or other bulk water systems “Combi-Systems” that heat domestic water and supplement or provide space heating Passive Systems (air, surface heating) Solar Cooling Systems “in development” Water heating most often mentioned

3. Not Necessarily a “New Idea”! Invention in US in late 19 th Century Progress in 1930’s – 40’s Abandonment in 1960’s Resurgence in 1970’s Abandonment in 1980’s Resurgence NOW? http://www.californiasolarcenter.org/histo ry_solarthermal.html http://www.californiasolarcenter.org/histo ry_solarthermal.html

4. Solar Thermal Applications (2) Solar water heating systems are gaining popularity – Lower cost of implementation than PV – “Supplement” to existing domestic hot water system – An alternative to fossil fuel heating for swimming pools – Short payback periods relative to life expectancy of equipment

5. Obstacles in the Marketplace Although solar thermal is a mature technology, public awareness can be an issue 1.PV is heavily emphasized (and subsidized!) in some states, but solar thermal may not be 2.Public confusion on what the “solar panels” are doing 3.Lack of understanding of savings/benefits Installer/contractor requirements differ Licensing/Permitting

6. Programs to Increase Awareness DOE/EERE Energy Savers http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_h eating/index.cfm/mytopic=12860 Florida Solar Energy Center http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_hot_w ater/homes/q_and_a/ New York Solar Energy Industries Association http://nyseia.org/policy-initiatives/ny-solar- thermal.php

7. Need/Job Market for Solar Thermal Installation Technicians Currently, Solar Thermal Technician job classifications do not exist or are not well-defined – NYS Department of Labor classifies a solar thermal technician in the same group as plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters Good news: In NY, these occupations are in demand! Bad news: We can’t tell if they’re solar thermal or not! Misery loves company news: PV technicians are also not identified and may be lumped in with solar thermal! – Federal job classification systems have the title, but lump these individuals in the same grouping New Classification Systems are coming! – www.onetcenter.org www.onetcenter.org

8. Clean Energy Jobs Classification “NY State’s Clean Energy Jobs Report (2009) Labor Market and Workforce Intelligence http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforcenypartner s/PDFs/NYS%20Clean%20Energy%20Jobs%20Rep ort%20FINAL%2006-09-09.pdf http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforcenypartner s/PDFs/NYS%20Clean%20Energy%20Jobs%20Rep ort%20FINAL%2006-09-09.pdf – “Address full range of jobs in priority clean energy sectors identified by the Renewable Energy Task Force Report” (February, 2008) Includes Solar PV, Solar Thermal, Wind, Renewable Fuels, and Energy Efficiency/Weatherization – Noted training centers/programs inventory

9. California’s Solar Energy & Workforce Study Key Findings (2008) http://www.coeccc.net/documents/Solar_KeyF indings_CA.pdf http://www.coeccc.net/documents/Solar_KeyF indings_CA.pdf – Identified Solar Firms in Ca., geographic concentration, size of firms and major sectors – Identified key solar occupations that are most relevant to community colleges – Developed projections of future employment growth and identify employer challenges in recruiting, hiring, and retaining their workforce – Defined skill sets and educational requirements needed for the relevant solar occupations

10. CA Solar Thermal Study Findings Solar thermal occupations projected to grow at 71% rate 70% of employers expect difficulty in hiring workers 59% of employers prefer solar thermal employees with more hands-on experience 36% of employers reported “Very Interested” in certificate programs at Community Colleges, with 34% responding as “interested”.

11. Skills/Competencies Analysis NABCEP Task Analysis (2005) Solar Water and Pool Heating Systems Installation Contractor – http://www.nabcep.org/wp- content/uploads/2008/11/solarthermaltaskanalysisapr05.pdfhttp://www.nabcep.org/wp- content/uploads/2008/11/solarthermaltaskanalysisapr05.pdf – Certified Installer Exam exists, but no entry-level exam/40 hour class as for PV – Eligibility Requirements for exam include installation experience as well as relevant educational program completion or journeyman status DACUM Research Chart for Solar Thermal Installation Technician/Lead – Colorado Community College System – http://www.dtae.org/teched/standards/Dacum%20Charts/Solar %20Thermal%20Installation%20Technician.Lead.pdf http://www.dtae.org/teched/standards/Dacum%20Charts/Solar %20Thermal%20Installation%20Technician.Lead.pdf

12. Skills/Competencies Analysis (2) Experience with PV 40 hour course indicated some additional preparation may be required for entry-level students – PC Skills (application programs, browser, OS) – Basic Electricity (Ohm’s Law, Use of Multimeter, etc.) – Basic Math Skills (calculations, exponents, units) Other “soft skills” and business knowledge – Proposal Preparation – Identify what is to be done – Cost/Benefit Analysis – Customers want to know! – Profit/Loss – Will my business be as sustainable as the system I’m installing?

13. Existing Curriculum Models/Programs 2 Year AAS Degree Programs – Encompass Solar Thermal and include additional subject areas Red Rocks Community College (CO) – Solar Thermal Specialty AAS » Includes Energy Audit, Roofing, Framing, Piping, Science & General Education Mid-State Technical College (WI) – Renewable Thermal Energy Technician AAS » Includes additional topics such as biomass and geothermal » http://www.mstc.edu/renewablethermalenergytech/index.h tm http://www.mstc.edu/renewablethermalenergytech/index.h tm

14. Existing Curriculum Models/Programs Certificate Level Programs – Arapahoe Community College (CO) http://www.arapahoe.edu/departments-and-programs/a-z- programs/energy-technology/active-solar-thermal-systems-technician http://www.arapahoe.edu/departments-and-programs/a-z- programs/energy-technology/active-solar-thermal-systems-technician Active Solar Thermal Systems Technician Certificate – 19 Credit Hours – 1 Semester full-time – Material correlates to NABCEP Task Analysis – 2 Cr. Hr. Field Experience requires OSHA and Professional Liability Insurance – Red Rocks Community College (CO) http://www.rrcc.edu/catalogs/sheets/RenewableEnergyTechnology.pd f http://www.rrcc.edu/catalogs/sheets/RenewableEnergyTechnology.pd f – Solar Thermal Entry Level (18 Credit Hours) – Solar Thermal Installer (26 Credit Hours) – Solar Thermal Designer (30 Credit Hours) All of these Certificate programs share Intro to Renewable Energy, Basic Electricity, Solar System Installation, and OSHA Safety courses.

15. Proposal for Solar Thermal Technician Certificate Program Certificate program proposal addresses – Basic Computer Skills – Fundamental Math Skills – Electricity/Control Systems Fundamentals – Customer Service/Business Management Topics – Overview of Solar Energy Systems – NABCEP Solar Thermal Task Analysis – Carpentry/Roofing Topics

16. Proposed Curriculum Solar Thermal Certificate - 32 Credit Hours First Semester Basic PC Skills2 Cr. Hr Electricity Fundamentals 3 Cr. Hr Industrial Safety3 Cr. Hr Technical Math 1 4 Cr. Hr Alternative/Renewable Energy Technologies 3 Cr. Hr. Second Semester Electrical Controls4 Cr. Hr Carpentry/Roof Structures5 Cr. Hr Solar Thermal Systems and Installation5 Cr. Hr Renewable Energy Business Concepts3 Cr. Hr Note: Qualifications for eligibility to sit for the NABCEP Solar Thermal Installer Certification Examination require experience installing solar hot water or solar pool heating systems that cannot be met through academic instructional programs alone.

17. Multiple Entry-Point Strategy

18. Next Steps Further review of existing curriculum and regional industry/workforce needs – “Re-use and Recycle” existing courses from other related Technology and Trades programs – Consider modifications to some existing courses for all programs Renewable Energy Business Concepts expanded for other technology/trades programs Industrial Safety Course in place of current Physical Education/Health and Wellness requirements

19. Additional Considerations Non-credit offerings through Corporate and Community Education Programs – Faster Implementation/Offering Opportunities – Ability to gauge market and fine tune program – Targeted Deployment

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