Standardizing Solar PV O&M Technician Levels and Training
In 2023, Amicus O&M Cooperative (AOMC) received a three-year, $1.5M grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office funding opportunity Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships to standardize, train, credential, and develop the solar PV O&M workforce. While the grant itself was unfortunately cut short, we have carried on the work to address these critical issues in the solar and BESS industry.
All of AOMC’s training programs align with the SEIA 301 ANSI standard, published in June 2025. This standard represents the industry’s first attempt to build consensus around O&M technician levels and training.
Training Programs Tailored to your Needs
Solar PV and BESS O&M Fundamentals
O&M Tech 1 – Accelerated
Solar PV and BESS O&M TEch 1
Ideal for: Office-based roles including sales, customer service, purchasing, and accounting. Great for onboarding and filling knowledge gaps.
Starting at
$350/trainee
Ideal for: Installers, electricians, and field personnel transitioning to O&M roles who already understand foundational topics.
Starting at
$595/trainee
Ideal for: Entry-level O&M field technicians new to solar and BESS field service. The most comprehensive program available.
Starting at
$795/trainee
Solar PV and BESS O&M Tech 2
Solar PV and BESS O&M TEch 3
Solar PV and BESS O&M TEch 4
Ideal for: O&M field technicians ready to progress in their training. Graduates will be well-rounded and competent in all standard preventative and most common corrective work.
Starting at
$895/trainee
Coming later in 2026
Coming in 2027
Ready to Enroll your Team
Contact us to discuss program options, group pricing, and enrollment. We’ll help you find the right fit for your team.
Program Outlines
Module 1 Foundations
- Introduction to Construction Safety
- Health, Safety, & Weather Threats
- How Electricity Works
Module 2 On-Site Safety
- Workplace PPE
- Working at Heights
Module 3 Basic Electrical Theory
- Alternating and Direct Current Electricity
- Circuits, Series, and Parallel Connections
Module 4 PV Fundamentals
- Basic Electrical System Components
- Introduction to Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Generation
- Racking, Cables, and Wire Management
Module 5 PV System Operation
- Disconnects, Combiners, and System Voltage
- PV System Operating States
- I-V Curves
Module 6 Plan Sets, Schematics, and Diagrams
- Technical Documentation
- Documenting Installations
Module 7 Intro to O&M
- Defining Operations and Maintenance
Module 8 Data Acquisition Systems (DAS)
- Intro to DAS
- Maintaining and Troubleshooting DAS
Module 9 Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Battery Energy Storage Systems
Module 1 PV System Operation
- Disconnects, Combiners, and System Voltage
- PV System Operating States
- I-V Curves
Module 2 Plan Sets, Schematics, and Diagrams
- Technical Documentation
- Documenting Installations
Module 3 Meter & Tool Selection, Use, and Safety
- Electrical Measurements
- Using Tools Safely
Module 4 Intro to O&M
- Defining Operations and Maintenance
- Codes: NFPA 70B, ANSI NETA MTS, IEC 62446
Module 5 O&M Tasks
- Lock out Tag Out
- Maintenance Procedures
Module 6 Data Acquisition Systems
- Intro to Data Acquisition Systems (DAS)
- Maintaining and Troubleshooting DAS
Module 7 Creating Good Documentation
- Documenting Maintenance Projects
Module 8 Market-Segment Units
- Residential / C&I
- Utility scale
- BESS
Module 1 Foundations
- Introduction to Construction Safety
- Health, Safety, & Weather Threats
- How Electricity Works
Module 2 On-Site Safety
- Workplace PPE
- Working at Heights
Module 3 Basic Electrical Theory
- Alternating and Direct Current Electricity
- Circuits, Series, and Parallel Connections
Module 4 PV Fundamentals
- Basic Electrical System Components
- Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Generation
- Racking, Cables, and Wire Management
Module 5 PV System Operation
- Disconnects, Combiners, and System Voltage
- PV System Operating States
- I-V Curves
Module 6 Plan Sets, Schematics, and Diagrams
- Technical Documentation
- Documenting Installations
Module 7 Meter & Tool Selection, Use, and Safety
- Electrical Measurements
- Using Tools Safely
Module 8 Intro to O&M
- Defining Operations and Maintenance
- Codes: NFPA 70B, ANSI NETA MTS, IEC 62446
Module 9 O&M Tasks
- Lock out Tag Out
- Maintenance Procedures
Module 10 Data Acquisition Systems
- Intro to Data Acquisition Systems (DAS)
- Maintaining and Troubleshooting DAS
Module 11 Creating Good Documentation
- Documenting Maintenance Projects
Module 12 Market-Segment Units
- Residential / C&I
- Utility scale
- BESS
Module 1 Safety
- Lockout/Tagout level 2
- Job Hazard Analysis level 2
- Working at Heights level 2
Module 2 Inspections and Preventative Maintenance
- Serviceable Components
- Maintenance Tasks and Scoping
- Remote Monitoring: DAS and SCADA
Module 3 Electrical and Photovoltaic Theory
- System Performance Part 1
- System Performance Part 2
- Overcurrent Protection Devices and Conductor Ampacity
Module 4 Measurements and Testing
- IV curve tracing
- Thermography
- Insulation Resistance Testing and Ground-Fault Troubleshooting
Module 5 Troubleshooting
- Arc Fault Identification
- Executing Solutions Based on Data
- Warranty Claims & Recommissioning
Module 6 Residential and C&I
- Working on residential roofs
- Protecting the public
Module 7 Utility Scale
- Inspecting HV components
- Transformer Maintenance
- Protective and temporary grounding
Module 8 BESS
- BESS Safety
- BESS LOTO and Maintenance
- Documenting BESS Malfunctions
Module 9 Cybersecurity
- Intro to Cybersecurity
- Physical security measures
- Identifying and responding to incidents
Benefits to your Company
HIRING:
How many times have you interviewed a technician without a way to objectively evaluate their skills? This framework will allow you to more fairly and accurately assess their title/role and pay scale according to their training and experience levels.
RETENTION:
Everyone wants to know that their company invests in employee growth and development. This framework and training plan provides a clear pathway for advancement. These tools can help inform job descriptions, pay scales, and performance reviews.
MATURATION of O&M INDUSTRY:
Following in the footsteps of many other industries, we have the opportunity to define tech levels and training in a way that will benefit our companies – not leaving the job to external players.
About the Solar Energy Technologies Office
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office accelerates the advancement and deployment of solar technology in support of an equitable transition to a decarbonized economy. Learn more at energy.gov/eere/solar.
