The Qualified Solar Installer by Imarcsgroup.com, LLC

solar training and credentialing

At least a dozen states have created regulations to govern solar installations. With a few exceptions, these states have independently addressed solar thermal installations under the plumbing or mechanical trades and PV system installations under the electrical trade rules.

By James Dunlop, P.E.

The Jim Dunlop is a private consultant, serving the solar industry in the areas of workforce development and systems engineering for more than 25 years. Author of the popular textbook Photovoltaic Systems, he has conducted hundreds of training programs for diverse industry stakeholders. From 2006â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2008 he worked for the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, developing curriculum on photovoltaic (PV) systems. Previously he was a principal engineer at the Florida Solar Energy Center for 21 years. He chairs the PV Technical Committee for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Access jimdunlopsolar.com.

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Sustaining an expert workforce depends on strong local standards and, above all, a properly trained and credentialed practitioner.

rowing support for renewable energy, favorable legislation and generous public funding for installation incentives and workforce development are positioning the solar energy industry for dynamic growth. As these and other factors translate to more jobs and business opportunities, numerous organizations and individuals seek to join the industry. Many see solar energy system installations, the lifeblood of the industry, as particularly promising. The opportunities are tremendous but so are the risks. Many recall the inauspicious beginnings of the solar industry, when incentives were created amidst the first energy crises, only to be undermined by quality issues, poor installations and overblown promises. Fortunately, a lot has changed in the past generation. Product testing and approval has yielded significant improvements in hardware safety, lifetime and performance. Systems design and integration practices have been refined and standardized. Installation and building codes have established the requirements for safe and reliable installations. Practitioner certification, contractor licensing and installer training programs have emerged to support the need for competent installers. One area, however, remains a challenge: developing and sustaining a qualified workforce. Due to the public safety issues at stake, states and localities are challenged with setting rigorous qualifications for solar energy system installers. Regulators, licensing boards, code officials and incentive program administrators need to carefully consider the requirements for installation companies and individuals, based on safety considerations and local construction codes. For their part, installers are obliged to know the applicable local codes and regulations and meet the licensing requirements where they work. Let’s examine these requirements and what’s involved in fulfilling them.

Knowing the Stakeholders, How They Interact Solar energy systems are generally classified as either (1) solar thermal systems that heat fluids for domestic hot water, pools or space conditioning, or (2) solar electric, or photovoltaic (PV), systems that generate electricity to supply dedicated loads or interface with other

electrical systems. Most solar installations are considered distributed-energy systems, in that they are primarily intended to support on-site electrical or thermal loads and are governed by the applicable building codes. Solar thermal and PV systems are very different types of energy systems, each requiring different skills to design and install. Solar thermal systems require plumbing skills and are regulated by plumbing and mechanical codes, while PV systems require electrical and wireman skills and are governed by electrical codes. General building construction skills are required for the structural installation of either solar thermal collectors or PV arrays. Where systems are installed on buildings and rooftops, roofing construction and weathersealing skills are also required. To avoid safety issues, structural damage and system underperformance, solar energy systems should be installed only by properly trained and qualified, licensed professionals. The solar industry has evolved from a collection of small businesses to one involving diverse trades and professions, each having specific roles and interactions. This is particularly true in the commercial construction industry, where sales and marketing teams develop customers and projects, business and finance

In the case of PV systems, nearly all aspects of the equipment and installations are governed by the electrical safety system — a coordinated system of standards, product approvals, installation codes and enforcement. In the PV industry, the IEEE (ieee.org) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (iec.ch) develop consensus standards. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration nationally recognized testing laboratory conducts product testing, listing and certification in accordance with the standards. Approved products are then installed according to the requirements of the National Electrical Code, which is adopted by most local building codes. The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for building code enforcement oversees the process of plan review, permitting and inspection and, in many cases, also is responsible for verifying qualifications and licensure of the contractor. Upon approval by the AHJ, the local electric utility then grants system interconnection approvals in accordance with state utility commission policies and regulations.

Understanding Installer Credentials Often misunderstood, certification and licensing are different types of credentials awarded to individuals and businesses (as

Due to the public safety issues at stake, states and localities are challenged with setting rigorous qualifications for solar energy system installers. Installers are obliged to know the applicable local codes and regulations and meet the licensing requirements where they work. experts establish the project proposal and value propositions, engineers conduct site surveys and create project specifications and designs, and contractors install the systems according to the designs. The more specialized solar professions, including the electrical and mechanical trades, distinguish between commercial and residential work in terms of the credentials required. That is primarily due to commercial projects’ increased costs, safety hazards, risks and liabilities, as well as the broader knowledge and competencies required of the workers.

opposed to products or equipment). In the developing solar industry, the lines between personal certification and licensing are often blurred. That’s especially true where the relevant trades and skill sets have not been clearly established and local jurisdictions have not specifically addressed licensing for solar installers. Certification is typically a voluntary credential awarded by an industry or independent stakeholder group, whereas licensing, granted by government agencies, is a legal requirement solartoday.org SOLAR TODAY September/October 2009

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solar training and credentialing

Credentialing: What’s in a Name? A Lot. By Jane M. Weissman

ertification, certificate, accreditation, licensing — they’re all terms we hear and use in the renewable energy industry. However, each one is different, conveying that a different set of criteria, requirements and achievements have been met. Confusion about these designations abounds, as they are used interchangeably and often incorrectly. First, credentialing is a general term that includes certification, certificate, accreditation and licensure. Professional certification is a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental agency or association awards recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined requirements and qualifications specified by that agency or association.* Recipients are required to demonstrate competence according to professional standards. The key words are voluntary (unlike mandatory government licensing), individual (certification is not for a company or an educational program) and professional standards. Certification can also apply to a product. Certification is usually not awarded indefinitely. A person is awarded the credential for a certain period of time — a year, two, three or more. Assessment is ongoing. There are additional requirements to become recertified, usually including professional development such as continuing education courses, proof of continued practice in the field and, in some cases, a recertification exam. The certifying body can suspend or revoke the award if there are infringements of policies or ethics. Now, let’s take a look at a certificate. A certificate is issued after an individual completes something such as a class or series of courses. There are certificates of attendance or participation or curriculum-based certificates. An assessment-based certificate demonstrates accomplishment of intended learning outcomes. A “certificate” is a one-time statement about an individual, a snapshot defining an accomplishment. It does not follow the person through his or her career. There is no tracking or additional requirements to meet. When someone receives a certificate, it does not mean they are certified. One who is awarded professional certification status is known as a certificant. One who completes a certificate program is known as a certificate holder. One way of distinguishing between the two is that a certificate holder has demonstrated specific knowledge learned in a course; a certificant has demonstrated knowledge and skill from experience. Now enters accreditation. This is also a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental agency grants time-limited recognition to an institution (such as a school or college), laboratory, organization, business or other entity after verifying that it has met predetermined qualifications standards. Accreditation is not for an individual. Licensure refers to a mandatory system of standards, usually controlled by state government, to which a practitioner must conform in order to practice a given profession. Within the renewable energy community, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners offers two professional certifications and also a photovoltaic entry-level Certificate of Knowledge (nabcep.org). The Interstate Renewable Energy Council is the North American licensee for the Institute for Sustainable Power Quality Standard for Accreditation & Certification of renewable energy training programs and instructors (ispqusa.org). Others offer certification and certificate programs. Remember, being awarded a professional certification or successfully completing a certificate program does not replace any local or state licensing or other requirements. Jane M. Weissman (jane@irecusa.org) is executive director of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. Access irecusa.org.

*Source: The NOCA Guide to Understanding Credentialing Concepts

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to practice in a trade or profession. See “Credentialing: What’s in a Name? A Lot,” left. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP, at nabcep. org) offers voluntary, independent certifications for both PV and solar thermal system installers. Candidates qualify based on documented systems installation experience and training. To become certified, individuals must pass a written examination, sign a code of ethics and maintain a minimum level of practice and continuing education for recertification every three years. While NABCEP certification is neither a license nor official endorsement to engage in practice of the trade, it is increasingly popular among incentive program administrators as a qualification to take part in the local industry. Some states have permitted otherwise qualified electrical or plumbing contractors to participate in these incentive programs on a provisional basis, requiring them to attain NACBEP certification to remain eligible program participants. At least a dozen states — including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Utah — have created regulations to govern solar installations. (Find details at dsireusa.org.) With a few exceptions, these states have independently addressed solar thermal installations under the plumbing or mechanical trades and PV system installations under the electrical trade rules. For PV systems, some states have established regulations for installations under the responsibility of electrical contractors through board rules or legislative actions; others have created limited licenses. For example, Connecticut offers a PV-1 limited solar electric

CLICK for More Resources Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, state rules, regulations and policies: dsireusa.org/ summarytables The Interstate Renewable Energy Council Training Catalog: irecusa.org/ trainingCatalog National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee: njatc.org North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: nabcep.org

ers work on both solar thermal and PV systems. California’s C-10 electrical contractor and Florida’s EC electrical contractor licenses also cover PV installations without limitations.

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Finding Training and a Career Path

While NABCEP certification is neither a license nor official endorsement to engage in practice of the trade, it is increasingly popular among incentive program administrators as a qualification to take part in the local industry.

Traditionally, training programs for solar installers have been short-term courses ranging from a few days to a couple weeks, with few, if any, prerequisites. These programs are beneficial for those who have a good basis of knowledge. But for entry-level learners, short-term training offers limited opportunities for self study, practice and subject matter retention. Many installer candidates need significant foundational education and bridge training, such as basic construction and safety practices and math skills. Like any trade practitioners, competent solar installers require a strong foundation in many areas that can’t be acquired through a one-week crash course.

To avoid safety issues, structural damage and

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system underperformance,

contractor license for work only on PV systems, and a PV-2 limited solar electric journeyperson license that must be employed by a licensed electrical contractor. In Hawaii, a C-60 solar power systems contractor may assemble and install PV panels, batteries, controls and related low-voltage DC wiring. However, Hawaii requires an electrical contractor (C-13) license to install PV systems employing other than low-voltage DC wiring. Nevada requires solar electric systems to be installed by an electrical contractor. The state offers a limited license that permits the installation, alteration and repair of PV cells, batteries and inverters, but it requires an electrical contractor for work beyond the service panel. In Oregon, PV systems may be installed by a full journeyman electrician and electrical contractor with no limitations, while holders

of a limited residential electrical license may install PV systems as large as 25 kilowatts (kW). Oregon also offers a limited license for those working on systems 25 kW and smaller; these licensees must employ a licensed electrician to make any output connections to other services or building wiring systems. Similarly, in Utah, the S202 solar PV contractor license allows the fabrication, construction, installation and repair of PV panels and related components excluding work on any AC system component. An electrical contractor must perform that work. Two states offer solar contractor licenses enabling their holders to install either solar thermal or PV systems. In Florida, the CV solar contractor is permitted to do minor electrical, mechanical, plumbing or roofing work without subcontracting, but only for residential installations. The Florida solar contractor can do only incidental electrical work for residential PV installations, and he or she must always use an electrical contractor to connect PV systems to other electrical systems and equipment. California’s C-46 solar contractor license also cov-

solar energy systems should be installed only by properly trained and qualified, licensed professionals. More vocational and community colleges and apprenticeship programs offer solar energy systems training and content. For example, the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) has developed a core curriculum on solar PV systems for its electrical apprenticeship program. It offers training and instructional resources to some 300 JATCs across North America, as well as for electrical journeymen and contractors. Several community colleges have also incorporated solar energy systems training into their programs. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council offers a training directory at irecusa. org/trainingCatalog. ST solartoday.org SOLAR TODAY September/October 2009