Solar Thermal Training - Solar Heating Fundamentals - Online

The course will also examine the techniques and tools used for installing solar heating equipment. Finally, students will learn how to conduct site assessments, analyze hot water loads, develop accurate system sizing and project cost estimates, and identify the economic and non-economic benefits of a solar heating system. This course prepares students to be eligible to sit for the NABCEP Solar Heating Entry Level exam.

This course was developed by and is taught by two of the solar heating industry’s most respected leaders: Chuck Marken and Vaughan Woodruff.

Chuck Marken is an instructor for Solar Energy International and a licensed Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC-R contractor in NM. He started installing solar water heating systems in 1979 and PV systems in 1983. Chuck is also a technical editor for Home Power and SolarPro magazines and has authored more than 50 articles on solar topics. He has hands on experience selling, installing and servicing hundreds of solar energy systems of all types - including off grid and grid connected PV systems, hot water and swimming pool solar systems. After founding and owning AAA Solar for more than 25 years, he sold the company in 2010. He has, through contracts with Sandia National Laboratories supporting the US Department of Energy, served as a subject matter expert for the Solar Instructor Training Network and Solar America Cities program. He has also taught classes and workshops for numerous other educational and not for profit organizations in the US and is the co-author of the current NABCEP Solar Heating Resource Guide.

Vaughan Woodruff is owner of Insource Renewables, a solar design/build and consulting firm in Pittsfield, ME. A trained engineer and educator, Vaughan serves diverse roles in the solar heating industry. He is a NABCEP-Certified Solar Heating Installer, serves on committees for NABCEP, IAPMO, and IREC, and was the former lead solar thermal instructor for the Northeast and Northern Mid Atlantic regions of the Department of Energy’s Solar Instructor Training Network. Vaughan is the co-author of the NABCEP Solar Heating Installer Resource Guide, author of NYSERDA’s Field Inspection Guidelines for Solar Heating Systems, and has been published in Home Power and SolarPro magazines. In addition to his work with SEI, Vaughan provides training for a variety of schools and organizations.

Course Materials:

The Course will use the following materials:

•     Uniform Solar Energy Code, which will be shipped to you and is included in the price of tuition for this course.
•     NABCEP Solar Heating Resource Guide (downloadable for free or $34.95 in print through NABCEP.org)
•     Other publications such as the OSEIA Solar Construction Safety Manual will be referenced as necessary and appropriate.

 After successfully completing this course, you are eligible to sit for the NABCEP Solar Heating Entry Level Exam.  For information on NABCEP and signing up for the Entry Level Exam please click here.  Also visit www.nabcep.org for more on their recommendations.

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