For those not necessarily interested in dealing in the more theoretical areas of solar technology requiring some sort of 4-year engineering degree, solar electricity training is likely to consist of the design, installation and repair of solar-based systems to provide electrical generation, heating, and the ability to heat water for use in private and commercial buildings. This training may not need a university degree, but could, instead consist of a combination of training that can last as little as a few weeks, plus hands-on experience gained through working on the job.

Solar electricity training actually begins by getting a good grounding in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), plumbing and/or electrical installation. People who have training in these areas usually take training through vocational schools and find work in the construction industry. Electrical professionals are responsible for wiring a residence or commercial buildings in a way that makes it pass local safety regulations to provide optimum power usage. Those experienced in plumbing are responsible for putting in water systems adhering to regional building codes so that they provide optimum water system performance while meeting water usage requirements for the municipal pumping and sewage utilities. HVAC professionals are responsible for designing the systems used to appropriately heat or cool a structure in the most efficient methods possible.

Once having gotten the necessary local certification, licenses and on-the-job experience in these areas, it is possible to find solar panel installation training which leads to certification in designing and putting in solar systems in commercial and residential properties. Training for solar energy may be found through classes offered by various solar panel and solar system manufacturers interested in training contractors in the proper installation of their particular brand or product.

Many of these solar generation and heating systems are a new enough technology that requires the ability to wire them to the existing electrical system in such a way as to allow the consumer to best utilize the electricity generated. If what is generated is in excess of what is needed for use by the homeowner for his own personal requirements, the installer must have the skill to add a meter that can run backwards as it sells back any overage and channels the excess wattage into the local power grid. Likewise, knowledgeable technicians are needed who can add in the plumbing necessary to install the piping and connect a solar water heating unit to the existing plumbing to heat water and provide warmth to the structure from the radiant solar heat collected by the solar panels.

An additional benefit provided by getting solar electricity training or solar panel installation training is that the person can now work as a qualified repairman on existing solar panel electrical generation or heating systems. Even though the person might not have installed the original solar panel system, he can troubleshoot it and make any necessary repairs up to and including the replacement of any malfunctioning parts.