Installers Aren’t The Only Professionals In Demand In Renewable Energy
|
Posted On :
Sep-16-2011
| seen (1012) times |
Article Word Count :
580
|
|
Solar energy installers and wind turbine manufacturers aren’t the only positions available. Renewable Energy is big business now, and that means infrastructure. There are jobs available in financing, sales, administration, and distribution, not to mention clerical support positions that require little knowledge of the technical aspects of the industry.
|
If you’re planning on going to school for an education in renewable energy, make sure that you take a look at all your options before you make any decisions about your course of study. Solar energy installers and wind turbine manufacturers aren’t the only positions available. Renewable Energy is big business now, and that means infrastructure. There are jobs available in financing, sales, administration, and distribution, not to mention clerical support positions that require little knowledge of the technical aspects of the industry. An introductory online course, coupled with some more traditional education, could land you an entry-level job in your chosen field.
Starting your Own Renewable Energy Business
If you want to go into business as an independent contractor, sole proprietor, or corporation specializing in solar or wind energy, the first thing you should do is learn how to start a business. Before you need any technical knowledge of your field at all you need to know how to structure a company, raise capital, and manage your financials. Without all of that, you can have all the installation and manufacturing knowledge in the world and you’ll still fail. Begin your quest for a new career with some basic business knowledge, and then take some specialized courses on what you actually want to do.
If you’re going to do any installation or manufacturing you’ll also want to take a course on the national electric codes that apply to your products. These change form time to time, so you’ll need to stay current on them once you complete your initial training, but if you get a solid foundation in the basics early on your should be okay. There’s nothing more frustrating than installing a solar array or windmill and finding out later on that you have to take it apart and reconstruct it according to code. Worse yet, a state or federal inspector could levy a fine against you for doing it wrong or your client could take you to court for damages. Ignorance of the current code is not a defense you can use in court when they sue you.
Financing, Sales, Marketing, and Public Relations
How will you finance your new business venture? Even if you’re an independent installer you’ll still need to buy tools and insurance. Do you have the funds to do that? If not, perhaps you should take a course in financing, one that is specifically geared towards renewable energy start-ups. There are sources of funding open to you that might not be available to more traditional contractors. State and federal grant money may be on the table and so could subsidies from the local power company, if you’re doing installations on the grid for them. Check into all of these before you spend any of your own money.
Once you have the basic business education, knowledge of national electric codes, technical knowledge specific to your chosen field, and some financing to get your business off the ground, you can start marketing your services. Sales, marketing, and public relations for renewable energy are more complicated than they are for more traditional companies, even other energy companies. Solar panels and wind turbines have been around for a while, but they’re still an idea that needs to be sold to many who have gotten used to fossil fuel energy. Take a course in how to market and sell your product or service, It’s an investment, not an expense.
|
|
Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Installers Aren’t The Only Professionals In Demand In Renewable Energy_82539.aspx
|
Author Resource :
To know more about Solar Training and Online Solar Courses please visit solarenergy.org.
|
Keywords :
solar certification, solar installation training, Online Solar Training, Online Solar Courses, Online Solar Classes,
Category :
Reference and Education
:
Reference and Education
|
|
|