According to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Solar Jobs Census, as of December 2022, there were over 263,000 solar workers in the United States. Across the solar industry, 34% of workers were in installation or repair, which equates to around 88,000 workers. In the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, it is estimated that employment of solar PV installers is projected to grow 22% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
That means we’re going to need to recruit, train, and retain many new solar installers in the coming years. While these may be experienced tradespeople coming from different industries, oftentimes, it’s folks totally new to construction.
When onboarding new installers and all solar company staff, safety should be a top priority. It can be helpful to have new solar professionals take coursework right as they’re getting started to gain the essential knowledge and skills to navigate the unique safety challenges inherent in solar construction projects. That’s why HeatSpring instructor Tripper Gawan created the new Solar Construction Safety course.
This comprehensive Solar Construction Safety course is specifically designed for individuals involved in various capacities within solar construction, ranging from project managers and engineers to technicians, installers, and safety officers. Aimed at fostering a safe work environment, this course goes beyond theoretical concepts, offering participants a practical approach to implementing safety measures effectively.
This course equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to build safety culture, mitigate potential hazards, and adhere to industry standards.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Introduction to the solar industry and construction safety
- Hazard identification
- Personal protective equipment
- Fire safety
- Equipment and tool usage safety
- Emergency response and first aid
- Environmental considerations
- Heat illnesses and cold stress
- Fall protection
- Electrical safety
- And more
About the Instructor
Tripper has been in the solar industry for over a decade, starting his career as a boots-on-the-ground solar installer. He has since held leadership roles as a Director, VP, Senior Executive, and COO. Tripper has deep experience establishing and refining processes in safety, service, and installation while working with companies in nearly all aspects of the industry. Check out this quick video below to meet Tripper!
Ready to get your team started? Learn more and enroll in the new Solar Construction Safety course today!
