With our increasing requirements for power and the accelerating adoption of renewable energy, it’s vital for electricians to be able to work with solar or photovoltaic systems. Working knowledge of these systems will not only open up career possibilities, but also ensure that you’ll be equipped to work with the electrical grids and systems of the future.
It’s estimated that 50% of the power consumed across Australia will be produced by renewable sources by 2030, and if you’re looking to keep up with that trend, you should consider a solar training course. In fact, this trend might come even sooner! As of 2020, the country produced more than a quarter of its power from renewable sources with most of it coming from the small-scale solar sector.
Top Technology Trends A Future Electrician Should Know
To succeed as an electrician in the ever-changing electrical industry, there are some technology trends that you should be aware of.
- Solar
In 2020, the small-scale solar sector in Australia added more than 3 GW of new electricity production capacity, while 32 large-scale projects were completed around the country to add almost 2 GW of new capacity.
Meanwhile, recent efficiency breakthroughs in perovskite solar cells, which are cheaper to produce than silicon cells, promise to propel the solar industry. The growth in floating solar farms also shows the opportunities available for electricians and engineers specialising in solar and renewable energy.
- AI
Artificial intelligence software will enable more efficient operations of complex solar farms and grids. It could also enable companies and small-scale sectors to manage their network of energy sources to minimise emissions and wastage.
- Digitisation
The use of software will be essential in controlling and automating not only an electrical grid but the devices connected to it. Software can be incorporated into an energy storage system (ESS) to manage the output of power both in front and behind the meter. This integration of software, ESS and DERMs (distributed energy resource management systems) will help solar to supply base-load power while being as reliable as base-load coal power.
- Smart Microgrids
Microgrids are decentralised power supply grids that can be used by organisations, communities and even individuals. A smart microgrid integrates computer technology into a standard grid, allowing data to be used for better management of renewable energy. This can result in reduced energy costs and power outages.
Current and future electricians can benefit from solar installation training courses. These courses will equip you with the proficiency to work with photovoltaic and battery storage systems which are vital in the renewable energy sector.
Top Courses for a Future Electrician
Are you an accredited electrician who is looking to upskill in solar energy training?
CET has two main solar training courses that will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to work on solar energy systems. Below is a breakdown of these courses.
- Design and Install Grid-Connected PV Systems
This solar installation course teaches you how to design and install solar photovoltaic systems and the associated equipment required for Clean Energy Council Accreditation. You’ll also learn how to set up, test, fault-find, repair and maintain a grid-connected photovoltaic system. With over 300,000 residential solar power systems in WA alone, the skills from this course have been shown to be valuable for any electrician.
- Battery Storage for Grid-Connected PV Systems
This battery storage solar course gives you the skills to design, install, fault-find and repair battery storage systems of grid-connected photovoltaic systems. As an essential item in storing the electricity generated from renewable energy sources, being able to install and repair them is an in-demand skill in the market.
Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Courses
If you are not an accredited electrician at this stage, that is okay! Taking a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship course would be the first step to start your electrical career. An electrical pre-apprenticeship course is available to high schoolers and allows you to acquire the knowledge and skills essential to build a strong foundation as an electrician. You’ll also be able to determine early on if this industry is right for you.
Once you’ve completed your pre-apprenticeship, you can move on to an
electrical apprenticeship where you’ll work with an employer as an apprentice electrician. At this stage, you can take an apprenticeship course which gives you a good mix of in-class and on-the-job training. Apprenticeship courses are designed to not only give you real-world work experience but still teach you important theoretical and practical skills.
Contact us to find out more about CET’s solar training courses and electrical apprenticeship pathways.