North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

Last updated

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a nonprofit professional certification and accreditation organization that offers both individual and company accreditation programs for photovoltaic system installers, solar heat installers, technical sales, and other renewable energy professionals throughout North America. [1] NABCEP was officially incorporated in 2002 and its mission is to raise standards while promoting consumer and other stakeholders' confidence within the renewable energy industry. [2]

NABCEP is a nationally recognized credentialing body formed to set competency standards for professional practitioners in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency. NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification (formerly NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification) has been accredited to the international ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard for personnel certification bodies since 2007, and the NABCEP Solar Heating Installer Certification became accredited in 2013. [3]

NABCEP has become the primary organization for solar energy professional certification in the United States and Canada. [4] NABCEP designed an Associate Program for individuals who are interested in learning about and finding jobs within the solar field; [5] the NABCEP PV Associate Exam allows candidates to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the fundamental principles related to PV systems and designs. NABCEP also offers certifications in:

As of February 1, 2018, only ten companies had earned NABCEP Company Accerditation. [7] They include:

  1. Advance Solar & Energy in Fort Myers, FL
  2. Apex Solar Power in Queensbury, NY
  3. Bob Heinmiller Air Conditioning, Inc.in Orlando, FL
  4. Pioneer Valley PhotoVoltaics Cooperative, Inc. (dba PV Squared) in Greenfield, MA
  5. Renova Energy Corp. in Palm Desert, CA
  6. Solar-Ray Inc. in Orlando, FL
  7. Sullivan Solar Power of California Inc. in San Diego, CA
  8. Synergy Solar and Electrical Systems, Inc. in Sebastopol, CA
  9. Technicians For Sustainability in Tucson, AZ
  10. Yes! Solar Solutions in Cary, NC

NABCEP Certification is either preferred or mandatory [8] for solar system installations to be eligible for incentive programs in several states. In order to be eligible for state rebate funds in Minnesota, Maine, and Wisconsin, PV solar systems must be installed by a NABCEP-certified professional. California, Massachusetts, and Delaware's [9] solar rebate programs prefer or recommend NABCEP-certified professionals. NABCEP-certification is a prerequisite for qualifying for a state solar contractor license in Utah. Specific policies and incentives can be found on DSIRE's [10] website.

NABCEP partners with Castle Worldwide to offer its associate and certification exams at multiple sites [11] in the United States and Canada.

NABCEP also approves training providers [12] that are IREC accredited. The process can be long and challenging but is meant to show companies that uphold a certain consistent set of quality standards. [13]

Related Research Articles

Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task. Not all certifications that use post-nominal letters are an acknowledgement of educational achievement, or an agency appointed to safeguard the public interest.

Solar power in the United States Overview of solar power in the United States of America

Solar power in the United States includes utility-scale solar power plants as well as local distributed generation, mostly from rooftop photovoltaics. As of the end of 2019, the United States had over 71.3 gigawatts (GW) of installed photovoltaic capacity. In 2018, utility scale solar power generated 66.6 terawatt-hours (TWh), 1.66% of total U.S. electricity. During the same time period total solar generation, including estimated small scale photovoltaic generation, was 96.1 TWh, 2.30% of total U.S. electricity. In terms of total cumulative installed capacity, by year end 2017 the United States ranked 2nd in the world behind China. In 2016, 39% of all new electricity generation capacity in the country came from solar, more than any other source and ahead of natural gas (29%). By 2015, solar employment had overtaken oil and gas as well as coal employment in the United States. In 2016, more than 260,000 Americans were employed in the solar industry.

Solar power in New Jersey Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of New Jersey

Solar power in New Jersey has grown significantly, increasing from less than 50 megawatts (MW) in 2007 to over 2,800 MW in 2018, such that solar power provided 4.17% of the state's electricity consumption. This is aided by a Renewable Portfolio Standard which requires that 22.5% of New Jersey's electricity come from renewable resources by 2021, and by one of the most favorable net metering standards in the country, along with Arizona, allowing unlimited customers of any size array to use net metering, although generation may not exceed annual demand. Best practices recommend limiting net metering only to the size of the customer’s service entrance capacity. As of 2018, New Jersey has the sixth-largest installed solar capacity of all U.S. states and the largest installed solar capacity of the Northeastern States.

Solar power in Arizona Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Arizona

Solar power in Arizona has the potential to, according to then-Governor Janet Napolitano, make Arizona "the Persian Gulf of solar energy". In 2012, Arizona had 1,106 MW of photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems, and 6 MW of concentrated solar power (CSP), bringing the total to over 1,112 megawatts (MW) of solar power. The Solana Generating Station is a 280 MW parabolic trough solar plant which is the largest plant of its type in the world. Solana includes 6 hours of power storage by molten salt. The plant will provide 5% of the power from Arizona Public Service, the state's largest utility.

Solar power in Turkey Heat and electrical energy from the sun in the Eurasian country

Turkey is located in an advantageous position in the Middle East and Southeast Europe for solar energy. Solar potential is very high in Turkey, especially in the South Eastern Anatolia and Mediterranean provinces. Compared to the rest of the region, insolation values are higher and conditions for solar power generation are comparable to Spain. 7.5 TWh was generated in 2018 which was 2.5% of Turkey's electricity. Installed capacity was 5GW, with the Energy Ministry planning to have another 10GW installed in the 2020s. However solar power in Turkey could increase far more quickly if subsidies for coal were abolished and the auction system was improved. Every gigawatt of solar power installed would save over 100 million USD on the gas bill.

Bombard Renewable Energy is an American provider of renewable energy services. Bombard's primary services include the design, financing, construction, installation, operations and maintenance of solar photovoltaic ("PV") energy systems. Additionally, Bombard also performs energy efficiency audits and designs and constructs mobile solar PV charging stations.

The North Carolina Solar Center is a resource center for sustainable energy programs located at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. When it was created in 1988, the center's focus was solar energy. The N.C. Solar Center now serves as a resource for innovative, clean energy technologies through demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. It also administers the Database of Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), a resource providing financial incentives and policies in the energy industry.

Solar power in Massachusetts Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Massachusetts

Solar power in Massachusetts has been increasing rapidly, due to Section 1603 grants for installations that began before December 31, 2011, and the sale of SRECs for $0.30/kWh, which allows payback for the system within 5 or 6 years, and generates income for the life of the system. For systems installed after December 31, 2011, and before December 31, 2016, the 30% tax grant becomes a 30% tax credit. There has been an appeal to the Congress to extend the 1603 program, the grant program, for an additional year.

Solar power in South Africa

Solar power in South Africa includes photovoltaics (PV) as well as concentrated solar power (CSP). In 2016, South Africa had 1,329 MW of installed solar power capacity. Installed capacity is expected to reach 8,400 MW by 2030.

Solar power in Louisiana Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Louisiana

Solar power in Louisiana is ranked 34th for installed solar PV capacity as of 2017 by the Solar Energy Industry Association. The state's "solar friendliness" according to Solar Power Rocks has fallen to 50th place for 2018 as the state credit program ends and full 1:1 retail net metering is being phased out. Taxpayers still benefit from federal incentive programs such as the 30 percent tax credit, which applies to business and residential solar photovoltaic and thermal energy systems of any size.

Solar power in West Virginia Electricity from sunlight in one U.S. state

Solar power in West Virginia on rooftops can provide 23% of all electricity used in West Virginia from 6,300 MW of solar panels, but West Virginia will be the last state in the United States to reach grid parity - the point where solar panels are cheaper than grid electricity - without incentives, due to the low cost of electricity - about $0.062/kWh. The point where grid parity is reached is a product of the average insolation and the average cost of electricity. At $0.062/kWh and 4.3 sun-hours/day, solar panels would need to come down to ~$1,850/kW installed to achieve grid parity. The first state in the US to achieve grid parity was Hawaii. Solar power's favorable carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels is a major motivation for expanding renewable energy in the state, especially when compared to coal to generate electrical power.

Solar power in Iowa is limited but growing, with 137 megawatt (MW) installed by the end of 2019 and 27 MW installed during that year, ranking the state 40th among U.S. states. Iowa also generated 0.23% of the state's total electricity production in 2019 from solar energy; an amount sufficient to power over 17,000 Iowa homes. The state's early position as a major wind-power provider may have limited early large-scale solar investment.

Solar power in Georgia on rooftops can provide 31% of all electricity used in Georgia.

Solar power in Illinois has been increasing, as the cost of photovoltaics has decreased. Illinois adopted a net metering rule which allows customers generating up to 40 kW to use net metering, with the kilowatt hour surplus rolled over each month, and lost at the end of either April or October, as selected by the customer. In 2011, the limit was raised to 2 MW, but is not net metering, as the term is commonly known, as it uses two meters for systems larger than 40 kW.

Solar power in Maryland Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Maryland

Solar power in Maryland is supported by the state's legislation regarding the Renewable Portfolio Standard and Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program. The target for renewable energy as of 2017 is 20% by 2020, including 2% from solar power.

Solar power in Missouri Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Missouri

Solar power in Missouri has been a growing industry since the early 2010s. Solar power is capable of generating 42.7% of the electricity used in Missouri from rooftop solar panels totaling 28,300 MW.

Solar power in New Hampshire Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of New Hampshire

Solar power in New Hampshire provides a small percentage of the state's electricity. State renewable requirements and declining prices have led to some installations. Photovoltaics on rooftops can provide 53.4% of all electricity used in New Hampshire, from 5,300 MW of solar panels, and 72% of the electricity used in Concord, New Hampshire. A 2016 estimate suggests that a typical 5 kW system costing $25,000 before credits and utility savings will pay for itself in 9 years, and generate a profit of $34,196 over the rest of its 25-year life. A loan or lease provides a net savings each year, including the first year. New Hampshire has a rebate program which pays $0.75/W for residential systems up to 5 kW, for up to 50% of the system cost, up to $3,750. However, New Hampshire's solar installation lagged behind nearby states such as Vermont and New York, which in 2013 had 10 times and 25 times more solar, respectively.

Solar power in Wisconsin Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Wisconsin

Solar power in Wisconsin on rooftops is estimated to be able to provide 40.1% of the electricity used in Wisconsin, using 23,600 MW of solar panels. Net metering is available for systems up to at least 20 kW, and excess generation is credited at retail rate to customers next bill. Some utilities allow net metering up to 100 kW. For Xcel customers, kilowatt credits are rolled over monthly and are reconciled annually at avoided cost. Best practices recommend no limits, either individually or aggregate, and perpetual roll over of kilowatt credits.

Solar power in Pennsylvania Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Louisiana

Solar power in Pennsylvania currently provides less than 1% of the state's electricity, but there are many policies in place to regulate and incentivize its use. Pennsylvania mandates the use of solar power through a renewable portfolio standard, which requires a percentage of electricity from each providers to come from solar, and net metering, which compensates small-scale solar generation through net metering. By 2021, Pennsylvania is required to have 0.5% of its electricity from solar. Solar power could theoretically provide over 30% of the state's electricity, but growth in solar generation has slowed due to a reduction in solar grants and the low price of solar energy credits.

Solar Academy International is a global Solar energy training school network. Solar Academy International's first training center, Ontario Solar Academy, was established in 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Entrepreneurs and founders of Solar Academy International, Jacob Travis and David Gower, created the training school in response to demands by solar companies experiencing a shortage in qualified workers within the solar industry, following the surge in interest in solar energy upon the passing of the Ontario Green Energy Act 2009 that led to the creation of the Feed-in Tariff Program. Today, Solar Academy International is the largest training school in Canada, having trained over 700 student graduates, with operations expanding overseas.

References

  1. ↑ "NABCEP | North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners". www.nabcep.org. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  2. ↑ "About Us | NABCEP". www.nabcep.org. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  3. ↑ "North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners". www.ansi.org. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  4. ↑ "What Is The Value of the NABCEP Certification? - HeatSpring Magazine". blog.heatspring.com. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  5. ↑ "NABCEP Certification - Solar Training - Solar Installer Training - Solar PV Installation Training - Solar Energy Courses - Renewable Energy Education - NABCEP - Solar Energy International (SEI)". Solar Training - Solar Installer Training - Solar PV Installation Training - Solar Energy Courses - Renewable Energy Education - NABCEP - Solar Energy International (SEI). Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  6. ↑ "NABCEP Announces PV System and Solar Heating Inspector Certifications - Solar Novus Today". www.solarnovus.com. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  7. ↑ "Company Accreditation | NABCEP". www.nabcep.org. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
  8. ↑ "State Licensing Requirements - Solar Training - Solar Installer Training - Solar PV Installation Training - Solar Energy Courses - Renewable Energy Education - NABCEP - Solar Energy International (SEI)". Solar Training - Solar Installer Training - Solar PV Installation Training - Solar Energy Courses - Renewable Energy Education - NABCEP - Solar Energy International (SEI). Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  9. ↑ "State Licensing Requirements - Solar Training - Solar Installer Training - Solar PV Installation Training - Solar Energy Courses - Renewable Energy Education - NABCEP - Solar Energy International (SEI)". Solar Training - Solar Installer Training - Solar PV Installation Training - Solar Energy Courses - Renewable Energy Education - NABCEP - Solar Energy International (SEI). Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  10. ↑ "Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency® - DSIRE". DSIRE. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  11. ↑ "North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners - Castle Worldwide". www.castleworldwide.com. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  12. ↑ "NABCEP Course Catalog". NABCEP. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  13. ↑ "Credential Holders". IREC. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.