NABCEP Announces New Level in PV Installer Certification Program

NABCEP’s newest credential will be for qualified electricians (journeyman/journeyperson) who work in non-supervisory roles on PV installation crews. This certification will focus on installing PV systems safely and will also cover the principals of the application, design and operation of grid-tie PV systems.

Ezra Auerbach, NABCEP’s Executive Director, says, “This new credential is being developed in recognition that the work of a PV installer has become multifaceted and more levels of certification have become necessary.” He says, “On many jobs, especially those with larger scope, the installer is a qualified electrician who is called upon to perform work that has already undergone engineering review and is on a job site that is readied for the electrical trades. This certification is aimed at those individuals.”

NABCEP Chairperson Don Warfield says, “Keeping pace with the evolution of job roles in the renewable sector is a priority for NABCEP. We are working closely with Certified PV Installers and electrical trades stakeholders on our Board, [the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors), NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association), NJATC (National Joint Apprenticeship Committee)], to ensure that the credential meets their stated needs.”

Auerbach says, “There is a ground swell of interest in PV practitioner training and strong demand for NABCEP’S credentialing programs. UL University’s (ULU) recent announcement that they are entering the business of offering PV training to qualified electricians is one more validation of the need for this level of certification. I encourage ULU to use the nationally recognized Task Analyses and practitioner credentialing programs developed by NABCEP for their training programs. We have no doubt that they will do an excellent job at ULU in their PV training and we would hope that their students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their educational successes by sitting for NABCEP’s professional credentialing exams.”

NABCEP’s flagship PV Installer Certification is open to individuals who have installation experience and advanced training. Passing the PV Installer Certification exam demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of the design, installation, commissioning and troubleshooting of grid-tie and stand-alone PV systems. This certification is widely held by personnel who lead PV installation crews.

About NABCEP:

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives that includes representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades. Each member of the board was chosen because of his or her experience and involvement in the solar energy industry. NABCEP’s mission – to support, and work with, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, professionals, and stakeholders – is intended to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners.

 About IBEW:

The IBEW is an international labor organization that represents approximately 725,000 workers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Republic of Panama. The IBEW has members in construction, utilities, manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government.

 About IEC:

Established in 1957, IEC is a trade association representing almost 3,500 members with 67 chapters nationwide. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., IEC is the nation’s premier trade association representing America’s independent electrical and systems contractors. IEC is seen as a leader in apprenticeship and training, contractor management education, codes and standards and promoting the merit shop philosophy on Capitol Hill.  Amongst its goals is to proved the industry with IEC National aggressively works with the industry to establish a competitive environment for the merit shop – a philosophy that promotes the concept of free enterprise, open competition and economic opportunity for all. 

 About NECA:

NECA is the voice of the $120 billion electrical construction industry responsible for bringing lighting, power, and communications to buildings and communities across the United States. NECA’s national office and local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development. For more information, visit www.necanet.org.

 About NJATC:

The NJATC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1941 by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The organization is committed to developing and standardizing education in the electrical industry to properly and effectively train members of NECA and the IBEW; providing the electrical construction industry with the most highly trained and skilled workforce possible. Since its inception, more than 325,000 apprentices have completed NJATC training programs and become competent Journeymen, making the organization one of the largest training and apprenticeship programs of its kind. For more information, go to www.njatc.org