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Solar and wind technician training in California

13 solar and wind programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

11 schools offer these solar and wind programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Solar photovoltaic installers assemble, set up and maintain rooftop and other systems that turn sunlight into energy. They typically need a high school diploma, some take courses at a technical school or community college, and most learn on the job for up to a year.1

In California, 4 of the 13 programs take students without a high school diploma, 7 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 13 programs here are solar installer course (10 programs), wind turbine technician training (2 programs) and renewable energy certificate (1 program).

See the 13 programs

How much does solar and wind technician training cost in California?

$991 to $2,605 is what most solar and wind programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 11 programs with a price. All of them: $199 to $16,500

In the typical program

Finished the program
75%
Working 6 months later
65%
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
4 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
6 to 18 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer solar and wind technician training. How these figures are made

Is there free solar and wind technician training in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 13 solar and wind programs in California approved for WIOA funding

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How to show the list

13 programs

  • Solar installer courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Residential Solar Certificate

    College Of The Desert

    Palm Desert

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College Of The Desert, Palm DesertSolar installer course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$920
    Program website, Residential Solar Certificate at College Of The Desert
    More details about Residential Solar Certificate at College Of The Desert
    Finished
    88%
    Working at 6 months
    4%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $66
    Students counted
    8,692
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $920
    Program website, Residential Solar Certificate at College Of The Desert

  • Solar installer courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Photovoltaic Installer

    East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD

    Los Angeles

    High school diploma or equivalent

    East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD, Los AngelesSolar installer courseIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$48,500
    Price if you pay yourself$1,260
    Program website, Photovoltaic Installer at East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD
    More details about Photovoltaic Installer at East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD
    Finished
    61%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,119
    Length
    12 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $901
    Students counted
    555
    Earned a year, estimated
    $48,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,260
    Program website, Photovoltaic Installer at East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD

  • Wind turbine technician trainingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Renewable Energy & Communications Tower Technician Program

    Airstreams Renewables, Inc.

    Tehachapi

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Airstreams Renewables, Inc., TehachapiWind turbine technician training · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$41,600
    Price if you pay yourself$16,500

    142 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Renewable Energy & Communications Tower Technician Program at Airstreams Renewables, Inc.
    More details about Renewable Energy & Communications Tower Technician Program at Airstreams Renewables, Inc.
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    45%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,400
    Length
    6 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    462
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,500
    students trained with WIOA funding
    142
    Program website, Renewable Energy & Communications Tower Technician Program at Airstreams Renewables, Inc.

  • Solar installer courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Solar Thermal Technician

    East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD

    Los Angeles

    High school diploma or equivalent

    East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD, Los AngelesSolar installer courseIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$61,500
    Price if you pay yourself$735
    Program website, Solar Thermal Technician at East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD
    More details about Solar Thermal Technician at East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,387
    Length
    13 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $755
    Students counted
    166
    Earned a year, estimated
    $61,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $735
    Program website, Solar Thermal Technician at East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD

  • Solar installer courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Photovoltaic Installer

    Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD

    Los Angeles

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD, Los AngelesSolar installer courseIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$48,500
    Price if you pay yourself$1,260
    Program website, Photovoltaic Installer at Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD
    More details about Photovoltaic Installer at Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD
    Finished
    66%
    Working at 6 months
    65%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,119
    Length
    18 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,264
    Students counted
    163
    Earned a year, estimated
    $48,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,260
    Program website, Photovoltaic Installer at Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD

  • Renewable energy certificateIn personNo diploma needed

    Alternative Energy Technology Certificate

    Rio Hondo College

    Whittier

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Rio Hondo College, WhittierRenewable energy certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,062
    School website, Alternative Energy Technology Certificate at Rio Hondo College
    More details about Alternative Energy Technology Certificate at Rio Hondo College
    Finished
    83%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $500
    Students counted
    35
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,062
    School website, Alternative Energy Technology Certificate at Rio Hondo College

  • Solar installer courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Solar Panel

    Mt. San Antonio College

    Walnut

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Mt. San Antonio College, WalnutSolar installer course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    School website, Solar Panel at Mt. San Antonio College
    More details about Solar Panel at Mt. San Antonio College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    5 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    School website, Solar Panel at Mt. San Antonio College

  • Solar installer courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Solar Installation Certificate

    West Los Angeles College

    Culver City

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    West Los Angeles College, Culver CitySolar installer course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$199
    School website, Solar Installation Certificate at West Los Angeles College
    More details about Solar Installation Certificate at West Los Angeles College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $85
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $199
    School website, Solar Installation Certificate at West Los Angeles College

  • Solar installer courseIn personEducation and courses

    Solar PV Practical Electronic Assembly

    San Antonio ROP

    Pomona

    Education and courses

    San Antonio ROP, PomonaSolar installer courseIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,450
    School website, Solar PV Practical Electronic Assembly at San Antonio ROP
    More details about Solar PV Practical Electronic Assembly at San Antonio ROP
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    8 weeks, 5 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,060
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,450
    School website, Solar PV Practical Electronic Assembly at San Antonio ROP

  • Solar installer courseIn personEducation and courses

    CLGP Solar PV Installer

    San Antonio ROP

    Pomona

    Education and courses

    San Antonio ROP, PomonaSolar installer courseIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,850
    School website, CLGP Solar PV Installer at San Antonio ROP
    More details about CLGP Solar PV Installer at San Antonio ROP
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    8 weeks, 5 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,192
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,850
    School website, CLGP Solar PV Installer at San Antonio ROP

  • Solar installer courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Solar Photovoltaic Installer

    Kern Community College District

    Bakersfield

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Kern Community College District, BakersfieldSolar installer courseIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,360
    Program website, Solar Photovoltaic Installer at Kern Community College District
    More details about Solar Photovoltaic Installer at Kern Community College District
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    7 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,360
    Program website, Solar Photovoltaic Installer at Kern Community College District

  • Wind turbine technician trainingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Wind Turbine Technician Apprenticeship

    Tower Training Academy, Inc.

    Las Vegas, NV

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Tower Training Academy, Inc., Las Vegas, NVWind turbine technician trainingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside California; California approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$16,000
    Program website, Wind Turbine Technician Apprenticeship at Tower Training Academy, Inc.
    More details about Wind Turbine Technician Apprenticeship at Tower Training Academy, Inc.
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,000
    Program website, Wind Turbine Technician Apprenticeship at Tower Training Academy, Inc.

  • Solar installer courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Solar Installation

    Merced Adult School

    Merced

    No diploma needed

    Merced Adult School, MercedSolar installer courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Solar Installation at Merced Adult School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    26 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported

How to pay for solar and wind technician training in California

WIOA funding can pay for solar and wind technician training in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for solar and wind technician training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for solar and wind technician training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Solar and wind technician training in California

programs with a price cost under $1,000
3 of 11
most solar and wind programs of any state, after Colorado and Texas
3rd

State comparisons use the same figures as the solar and wind technician training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Solar and wind technician training in Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Riverside and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in California

How solar and wind technician training compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in California

Where the California solar and wind program numbers come from

Which California solar and wind programs are on this list?

These are the solar and wind programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California solar and wind programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about solar and wind technician training in California

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Solar Photovoltaic Installers
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List