SOLAR ENERGY INTERNATIONALSOLAR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL
While NABCEP certi;cation is neither a license
nor o;cial endorsement to engage in practice
of the trade, it is increasingly popular among
incentive program administrators as a quali;cation to take part in the local industry.
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 kilowa;s
(k W). Oregon also o;ers a limited license for
those working on systems 25 k W and smaller;
these licensees must employ a licensed electri-
cian 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, installa-
tion and repair of PV panels and related com-
ponents excluding work on any AC system
component. An electrical contractor must
perform that work.
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, ba;eries, 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. ;e state o;ers a limited license
that permits the installation, alteration and
repair of PV cells, ba;eries and inverters, but
it requires an electrical contractor for work
beyond the service panel.
Two states o;er solar contractor licenses
enabling their holders to install either solar
thermal or PV systems. In Florida, the CV solar
contractor is permi;ed to do minor electrical,
mechanical, plumbing or roo;ng work without
subcontracting, but only for residential installations. ;e 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-
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.
Finding Training
and a Career Path
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. ;ese programs are
bene;cial for those who have a good basis
of knowledge. But for entry-level learners,
short-term training o;ers limited opportunities for self study, practice and subject matter retention. Many installer candidates need
signi;cant 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
system underperformance,
solar energy systems
should be installed only
by properly trained and
quali;ed, licensed
professionals.
More vocational and community colleges
and apprenticeship programs o;er solar energy
systems training and content. For example, the
National Joint Apprenticeship and Training
Commi;ee (NJATC) has developed a core
curriculum on solar PV systems for its electrical apprenticeship program. It o;ers 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 o;ers a training directory at irecusa.
org/training Catalog. S T
