Author Richard Lawrence, executive director at NABCEP and SPW contributor
A variety of credentials are available to solar professionals. Some are required by law to do certain jobs in some jurisdictions, while others are needed to gain access to financial incentives in certain states or utility territories. Clients may also stipulate various credentials in bid specifications.
Some certificates are not worth much more than the paper on which they are printed. Anyone can make up a certificate, define requirements to receive it, and charge something for the service. With so many certifications, licenses, certificates, and accreditations, the world of credentials can be confusing — not to mention complicated and costly, in both time and money. It is essential to understand the importance, value, and limitations of any credential before investing valuable resources to obtain it.
Degrees
Most people are familiar with the different types and levels of college degrees. Within any particular field of study, one can usually find two-year associate degrees, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and higher-level master’s degrees and doctorate programs.
Degrees such as electrical engineering, business administration, and physics are well defined, universally recognized, and have clear applicability to certain jobs in solar. But newer programs, such as appropriate technology, renewable energy, and green building science, may or may not be applicable to certain career tracks in solar. They will likely need more explanation on a resume or during an interview to make the case for their relevance for a particular position.
Licenses
Licenses are required to perform work in certain jurisdictions. Performing the work without a license can result in fines and even jail time. A business license is required to do business in some areas, a contractor’s license is required to perform general home improvements, and an electrical license is required to perform electrical work.
Some states have licenses specifically for solar installations. Licensing is almost always required for professional engineering services. Licensing requirements vary from state to state and sometimes from town to town. Some licenses, such as a general contractor licenses, may only require proof of insurance and a small registration fee, while others, like an electrical license, require substantial education, work experience, and examination.
Work can often be performed by non-licensed personnel if they are being directly supervised by a licensed contractor through a formal apprenticeship. While licenses are required to perform or supervise certain jobs, licenses do not guarantee that someone has any solar-specific education or experience. A licensed electrical engineer or electrician may or may not have completed any PV system work.
Certificates
Certificates are used to recognize completion of an educational course or training program. College certificate programs generally require substantially less coursework than a degree program and are designed to prepare someone for a specific career or job function. Certificates are also offered by private for-profit training centers and non-profit organizations. Certificates vary greatly in their quality and depth of training.
Some only require a single course, while others approach the requirements of an associate degree. A more thorough certificate program can serve as a stand-alone education for an entry-level position, while those that require only one or two courses are more appropriate for someone who already has another credential, like an electrical license or business degree.
Certifications
The primary purpose of a certification is to provide consumers with a way to identify individuals who have met certain education, experience, and competency standards. Like other credentials, there are a variety of certifications available in solar, and a bit of homework is necessary to understand what exactly a certification means.
Equipment manufacturers often issue certifications to people who complete one or more of their product training courses, so one can become a “certified XYZ solar module installer.” Some larger installation companies have developed detailed internal training and certification programs, so one could be an “ABC solar company certified installer.”
These are known as second-party certifications because of the relationship that the certificate issuer has to the certified individual. These certifications are used primarily for internal purposes, such as access to products and services or considerations for raises and promotions, and usually do not have much recognition outside of that organization.
Several third-party certifications are also available for solar professionals, such as those administered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Third-party certifications provide a more independent assessment of an individual’s competence, since there is no other relationship between the certification body and the person tested, other than the certification itself.
Certifications in solar are all voluntary and not required by law to perform the work. However, acting as smart consumers, a growing number of state and utility programs are using third-party certifications as criteria for gaining access to financial incentives. Those who are not certified may be able to perform the work, but their customers may not be eligible for rebates or loan offerings.
Other stakeholders that recognize the value of certification include employers who may require certification for certain positions or provide raises and promotions to those who are certified, and program administrators for other financial investment tools like PACE programs, leasing contracts, and other third-party ownership structures.
Accreditation
The most credible degree, certificate, and certification programs are those that are accredited by a reputable third-party to an industry-recognized standard. The U.S. Department of Education (DoED) maintains a list of accredited colleges, universities, and training schools. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) accredits renewable energy training providers that may or may not be accredited by a program recognized by the DoED. IREC has partnered with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to offer an accreditation for renewable energy and energy efficiency certificate programs.
Anyone seeking quality solar energy education should look for degree or certificate programs from an accredited school or program. ANSI also accredits personnel certification programs to the ISO/IEC 17024 standard, which defines best practices for administering professional certifications.
By Richard Lawrence / Executive Director at NABCEP/ SPW Contributor
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