If you think online training has to be dry and boring, think again. Launched by the independent Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is an online interactive video solar training for local code officials, which developers say has a “This Old House” approach.
“There is a lot of information in this training, so we created it to be enjoyable, not just informative,” says Kristen Ferguson, IREC associate director of training.
The online viewer learns alongside IREC’s own Joe Sarubbi, an experienced technical education, training and workforce development specialist, as building and electrical inspectors guide him through five different solar inspections, each highlighting different types of systems and technologies.
“This is a learning opportunity for new and experienced code officials responsible for inspecting rooftop solar installations in local jurisdictions across the U.S.,” says IREC workforce development director Laure-Jeanne Davignon. “Presented in a video format that can be completed in a handful of lunch-hour sessions, the training is geared for inspectors and useful for PV installers,” adds Davignon. “This way, they are all on the same page with current building, safety and fire codes.”
This video offers a look at how the solar training for code officials looks and feels.
The course is updated to the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) and current international building, residential and fire codes.
“The PV Inspector Online Training course for code officials brings together a group of experienced PV system inspectors from across the country to present a variety of PV system types and technologies,” according to Rebekah Hren, a member of the NEC’s code making panel 4. “The videos, interspersed with key inspection takeaways and knowledge checks, make this training an accessible and enjoyable learning experience.”
The online training was developed by IREC in conjunction with the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) and International Code Council (ICC) with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.
CEUs are available from the IAEI, ICC and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).