The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) has announced that it is offering three new “specialist” certifications for the solar power industry, as an expansion on its previous certifications:
Shawn O’Brien, NABCEP’s executive director, says that the new certifications are the result of maturation of the solar market:
The labor market in the PV industry has matured to the point where PV system design, commissioning, and maintenance aren’t just roles anymore, they’re career paths for individuals working in the industry.
Each position requires some volume of on the job experience, OSHA training, plus additional NABCEP training.
The PV Design Specialist requires experience on at at least four projects of 1 MW and up, or six projects 1-999 kW. The Design Specialist’s experience must include a record of permits being submitted and approved by local authorities. The designs must include standard aspects:
- System location
- Contractor name and phone number
- Applicant’s name listed under “Designed by” or “Drawn by”
- System size in kW
- Modules used (model number, quantity & rated output)
- Inverters used (model number, quantity & rated output)
- Maximum string size (if string inverters)
- Maximum branch size (if micro inverters)
- Plot Plan
- Single Line
- Structural details showing racking type & mounting
The PV Installer Specialist has to participate in at least two 1 MW+ projects or three 1-999 kW projects. The individual must have performed this work within the last two years, and have held some sort of ‘decision making role’ on said projects.
The PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist has to show four 1 MW projects or six 1-999 kW projects.
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Will the maintenance specialist certification include why to avoid kneeling on the modules (as seen in this article’s picture)?
I hope so! 😉