Get paid for training with SOMAH. Gain hands-on experience in PV installation, project design and more. Paid job training opportunities start at 40 hours. You'll also have access to the SOMAH Job Training Portal, where you can apply for jobs, post your resume and access resources to support your professional development.

Solar job candidate participating in SOMAH PV installation projects

SOMAH job training tasks are aligned with solar industry standards. You can work under the supervision of a licensed contractor as a PV installer, a design specialist or in a project management capacity. See program eligibility requirements below.

PV installers

Install system components such as

  • Raceways
  • Electrical equipment
  • DC PV system conductors
  • AC PV system conductors
  • Grounding and bonding
  • System monitoring, control and hardware
  • Battery equipment
  • Ground-mounted structure
  • Building-mounted system
  • PV modules

Project designer

Perform tasks such as

  • Assessing project sites
  • Configuring mechanical design
  • Configuring electrical design
  • Configuring system monitoring, control and communications design
  • Preparing project documentation
  • Securing permits and approvals
  • Adapting system design

Project management team

Conduct activities such as

  • Reviewing or developing commissioning protocol
  • Completing visual and mechanical inspection
  • Conducting mechanical tests
  • Conducting electrical tests
  • Verifying system operation
  • Confirming project completion
  • Orienting end user to system
  • Verifying system operation and performance
  • Performing preventive maintenance
  • Performing corrective maintenance

In addition to being paid to gain experience in key solar industry skills, you will have access to the SOMAH resume bank where you can post resumes, directly apply for jobs on the SOMAH job board and access a directory of eligible job training organizations and other resources to support your job search and professional development.

Solar job trainees installing solar panels on a roof

To be a SOMAH job trainee, you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be currently enrolled in an eligible job training program
  • Have graduated from an eligible job training program within 12 months of the start date of your first SOMAH job training opportunity
  • Live in a property that is participating in SOMAH

Eligible Job Training Programs

Contractors must follow hiring requirements and are encouraged to source job seekers who are local and targeted hires.

Contractor Requirements

Solar educators providing hands-on training to potential job candidates

Once you are selected for a job, you will work directly with your hiring contractor to schedule workdays. The number of hours you will work will depend on the size of the solar PV system for the project, ranging from 40-80 hours or more.

All SOMAH job trainees will be paid at a rate consistent with the contractor’s entry level or temporary worker wage, or 1.4x the minimum wage of the city in which the SOMAH project is located—whichever is higher. You will receive payment within 30 days of doing the work.

Solar PV system size

Job trainee hours

< 100 kW

At least 40

100 kW and greater

At least 80

It’s easy to get started. Just follow these steps.

1

Complete the Job Trainee Intake Form to register for the SOMAH Job Training Portal

Job Trainee Intake Form

2

Visit the portal to find SOMAH projects near you

SOMAH Job Training Portal

3

Add your resume and apply for jobs that interest you

You are not required to use the SOMAH Job Training Portal, but you must submit a Job Trainee Intake Form to be eligible to work on SOMAH projects. Job trainees hired outside of the Job Training Portal will need to submit the form when they’re hired.

Note: Data from the Job Trainee Intake Form will be collected for public reporting purposes. This data will not be shared with the employers. The public reports will consist of aggregated data that does not contain individually identifying details, names or contact information. Reports will be added in 2019 after enough program data has been collected to protect the identities of participants.

Get listed in our job training organization directory and connect your students with SOMAH to gain valuable solar PV work experience.

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