What are the steps to becoming a registered/certified electrician?

A future goal of mine is to build my own solar panels and wind turbines, place them on my house or around my property, and connect them to the power grid. I’ve done a ton of research on both of them (especially solar power thanks to school) and have no doubt I could make either right now (if only I had a house or yard, lol). To connect them to the power grid though you need to be an electrician with certification or what not.

So to facilitate this goal (and give myself a nice fallback job) I though about the idea of becoming a certified electrician. I know they have trade schools and such that teach this, so I figured I would take that route. The only problem is I know just about nothing as to what is involved. How long are the programs to learn how to be an electrician? What type of certifications/registrations are required, etc, etc?

Does anyone know the answer to those questions?