The instruments solar workers need to succeed

As founder and CEO of Mark Snyder Electric, 43-year solar professional, and holder of eight (so far) patents and patents pending for new energy efficiency technologies, Master Electrician and Forensic Electrical Specialist Mark Snyder has seen the solar industry develop from a few panels on a handful of California homes to one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world.
 
He’s also seen the growing pains caused by solar’s explosive growth over the last decade: the immense demand for PV projects far outpaces the number of certified, experienced workers to handle them. And he has an idea of what solar workers need to take full advantage of this wealth of opportunities.

Mark’s Solar Industry Experience

43 years ago, before solar panels were more than a gleam in most people’s eyes, Mark became an early adopter of solar systems in the birthplace of the solar industry: sunny Southern California. His passion for sustainability led him to develop a breadth of experience in the solar industry, beginning when there was barely an industry to speak of.
 
Ultimately he founded and now runs his own renewable energy company: Mark Snyder Electric, which specializes in installation, service, maintenance, inspection and R&D. He and his team service wind, solar, inverters, battery storage, and other sustainable energy systems both on and off grid. The company’s projects include forensic PV analysis, government work, new installation, maintenance and emergency services for troubleshooting failing systems. They repair solar PV systems and inverters for the military, San Diego Public Utility, state park systems, and local and state governments. In fact, they’ve even provided consultation and equipment for the International Space Station.
 
With such mission-critical assignments, as in all others, Mark’s motto for his company is “High Quality, High Standards.”
 
“As solar installers, we have a critical mission,” says Mark. “We’re creating a new electrical infrastructure one PV system at a time, so we must be committed to building systems that will last 25-50 years. Unreliable systems fail prematurely, especially when battery storage is added to them.”
 
How can this challenge be addressed?

What the Solar Industry Needs: Better Tools and Better Training for Better, More Reliable Systems

High quality and standards are pivotal for success in all solar projects, but one of the solar industry's biggest challenges is finding enough tools and qualified technicians prepared to meet those requirements. As the industry grows, so does the need for experienced solar professionals to handle burgeoning project demand, and for reliable and accurate tools in solar construction.
 
But it can be hard to find the former.
 
“Many people in the solar industry are under-qualified through no fault of their own,” says Mark. “What the solar industry needs is more easily accessible, high-quality training programs that give solar technicians the real world skills, experience, and sense of mission needed for PV projects.”
 
“One consequence of so many untrained workers is that general trade technicians haven’t learned how to use solar-specific instruments properly. Also, when buying solar equipment, they don’t always know what to look for, so they don’t end up with the most accurate or user-friendly options. Then they have neither the tools, nor the industry knowledge, to address problems effectively.”
 
As a result, Mark has seen many solar businesses go under because their projects weren’t designed correctly and failed in the early stages of the systems’ lives.  
“Many solar industry providers, technicians, and technology companies boom and bust, leaving a trail of repairs and maintenance in their wake and adding to a reputation of loose industry standards,” he says. 
 
In Mark’s experience, tools and training are connected: the proper tools are essential to designing successful solar projects and should come with the proper training to use them effectively. Together, they form the key to a technician’s success in the solar industry.

What to Look for in a Solar Instrument - and Why Mark Uses Fluke

Mark has identified four essential characteristics of a good solar instrument for technicians of any skill level: ease of use, reliability, accuracy, and durability. These standards led him to use Fluke’s solar instruments, which he considers the best on the market and ideal for any solar technician.
 
“Across the entire electric industry, Fluke is the go-to for ease of use, reliability, accuracy, and durability,” he says. “I’ve used their solar instruments in my own projects and see the difference they make in designing, building, maintaining, and troubleshooting projects. They’re absolutely part of the key to my company’s success.
 
“For instance, ease of use is essential for efficient instrument setup, and makes it easier to read and understand your instrument - especially for new technicians.   Accuracy is key to calibrating PV systems, forensic reports, and evaluating PV module performance. My company often runs forensic studies on PV modules for intermittent faults that are difficult to diagnose; Fluke instruments have tight tolerances and accurate measurement capabilities that help us diagnose the fault. In my experience, Fluke is above and beyond in accuracy compared to other available products.”
 
This is often proven in the field. “We get into some complex situations where accurate recording of grid supply voltage is essential,” says Mark. “We needed tech assistance recently on capturing data, and Fluke supplied excellent rapid support to set up and calibrate the instrument. We recorded the essential data and were able to accurately show grid instability. This was repaired, and the PV system is now working properly.”
 
Reliability is crucial as well, particularly since Mark supports solar systems with emergency service. He and his team can depend on Fluke instruments’ reliability when every moment counts. “Nothing compares to the capability and reliability of Fluke instruments,” he says. “And in terms of durability, Fluke instruments are recyclable, repairable, and last a long time.
 
“They also perform better and are user-friendly; the SMFT-1000 even measures and records data to send for review in real-time. They have absolutely helped us improve our volume capacity. Compared to other tools we’ve used, Fluke is in a class of its own.”

Tools for Tomorrow’s Infrastructure and Today’s Solar Careers

The solar industry has come a long way from when Mark installed his first solar panels. This speedy growth, with its environmental and economical benefits, brings new challenges along with it. But the right tools and high-quality training make it possible for contractors to build thriving businesses with successful solar projects.
 
“Our motto of High Quality, High Standards goes for everything, including the equipment we use in the field,” concludes Mark. “Fluke won that heads and tails by providing reliable, quality, accurate, durable tools.”