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Best solar installer certifications
The best certifications for a solar installer are Photovoltaic System Installation Certification (PVSI), Solar PV Certification, and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).
Solar installer certifications demonstrate your competency as a solar installer to employers. However, not all solar installer certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best solar installer certifications. Obtaining a solar installer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for solar installers
| Rank | Solar installer certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photovoltaic System Installation Certification (PVSI) | UL |
| 2 | Solar PV Certification | Electrical Tr... |
| 3 | EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) | EPA |
| 4 | Solar Thermal Installer Certification | NABCEP |
| 5 | PV Installer Professional | NABCEP |
| 6 | Certified Installer (CI) | WQA |
6 best solar installer certifications
1. Photovoltaic System Installation Certification (PVSI)
The UL Certified PV Systems Installer program assesses the competence of personnel to safely install PV systems in compliance with national and local code requirements.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Solar PV Certification
To receive the PV System Installer Certification, an individual must pass one exam. The exam is intended to measure the necessary competencies for a qualified electrical professional with OSHA 30-hour safety training for construction and several years of hands-on experience in the field. Hands-on experience or equivalent knowledge including installing, building, repairing, troubleshooting, diagnosing, verifying and performing tasks involved in electrical work either residential or commercial.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
3. EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA)
A comprehensive, equipment specific safety program designed to provide operators and their employees with a thorough understanding of best risk management practices. Industry accidents, which serve to put a spotlight on potential issues, can often be avoided through the utilization of proper risk management techniques.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
4. Solar Thermal Installer Certification
The NABCEP solar thermal installer certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which solar thermal installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. Certification provides a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners. It is not intended to prevent qualified individuals from installing solar thermal systems nor to replace state licensure requirements. The target candidate for NABCEP certification is the person responsible for the system installation.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
5. PV Installer Professional
The target candidate for NABCEP certification is the person responsible for the system installation (e.g., contractor, foreman, supervisor, or journeyman).The NABCEP PV Installer Certification is not intended to prevent qualified individuals from installing PV systems nor to replace state licensure requirements. It is meant to provide a set of national standards by which PV installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves. Certification will provide an educational tool for consumers and may encourage increased financing and reduced insurance rates for PV projects. It will be available voluntarily to those PV installers who feel they will benefit from it.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
6. Certified Installer (CI)
Certified Installer (CI) certification is recommended for individuals responsible for planning, installing, and/or servicing water quality improvement products.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for a solar installer?
The best solar installer certification is Photovoltaic System Installation Certification (PVSI). The Photovoltaic System Installation Certification (PVSI) is awarded by the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. the advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this solar installer certification:
- To become a certified Photovoltaic System Installation Certification (PVSI), you don't need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What certifications can impact a solar installer career and salary?
The Solar Thermal Installer Certification certification will help you to secure a solar installer pv position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A solar installer pv's average salary is $40,276 whereas solar installers make an average salary of $37,239.
The most common combination of solar installer certifications include: Photovoltaic System Installation Certification (PVSI), Solar PV Certification, and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).
Online courses for solar installers to earn certifications
1. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors
This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...
2. Photovoltaic solar energy
The course is an introduction to the photovoltaic (PV) applications in the general mix energetic context dominated by climate warming mitigation. The various uses of solar energy are firstly presented before a short description of the principle of the direct solar photon conversion into electricity (PV). The various PV technologies are reviewed in the current context dominated by crystalline silicon cells. The perspectives of the various technologies are then analysed in terms of R&D...
3. Solar Energy beginner to advanced.SolarPV System Design 2023
2023 Learn solar energy, from the components to the design of a Solar PV System. Focused on both technical & commercial...
4. SOLAR ENERGY Design Course(With SketchUp & PVSYST)-PV system
PV system/Solar Energy deisgn Course. Components, Site survey, Design, SOFTWARES,Pricing ,Technical & finanical Reports...
5. The Science of the Solar System
Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be...
6. Solar Energy Codes, Permitting and Zoning
This course equips learners to identify national code and zoning rules specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as key design elements and points for inspection. Curriculum includes zoning variances, critical elements of the permitting process, planning documents necessary for PV system installation and recommendations for permitting offices to streamline the permit process. Learners gain a code inspector’s perspective in relation to building and electrical code requirements. This course...
7. The Complete 2022 PV Solar Energy PVsyst, Excel & AutoCAD
Your solar Energy guide to design any Grid-tie & Off-grid Photovoltaic Solar Energy with software , layouts & manuals...
8. The Ultimate OFF-GRID Solar Energy Course. Become a Pro 2023
Solar Off-Grid certificate: The only SOLAR OFF-GRID course you'll ever need!...
9. Physics of silicon solar cells
The first MOOC “Photovoltaic solar energy” is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors. It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on...
10. Hydro, Wind & Solar power: Resources, Variability & Forecast
The development of hydro, wind and solar power is growing strongly with as one objective to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All these renewable energies are intermittent with more or less strong variability. This course provides the basis for estimating the resource of these different modes of production and understanding the physical causes of intermittency and seasonal variability. The different modes of electricity production are detailed as well as the sensitivity induced by...
11. Complete Solar Energy Design Course From Zero To Hero
The Most Comprehensive and Detailed Course on Designing Off-grid, On-grid, and Solar Water Pumping Systems for Beginners...
12. The complete SOLAR ENERGY course. Beginner to advanced level
The only online course with everything you need to know on Solar Energy - 2023 Online CERTIFICATE - BEST SELLER!...
13. Photovoltaic Systems
This course offers you advanced knowledge within the field of photovoltaic system technology. We'll learn about the solar resource and how photovoltaic energy conversion is used to produce electric power. From this fundamental starting point we'll cover the design and fabrication of different solar cell and module technologies, the various photovoltaic system components, how to design a photovoltaic plant and carry out energy yield simulations, essentials in energy economics, O&M and...
14. Renewable Power and Electricity Systems
The energy revolution in underway. Renewable energy is growing at an astounding pace - notably in electricity. Wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems account for most new power plants built worldwide, and are essential to building a low-carbon and sustainable energy future. As a result, there are countless new opportunities in renewable electricity. This course provides a solid grounding in the basics of renewable electricity. We'll start with how electricity is measured, how...
15. SOLAR COURSE for Beginners of Solar Energy-
A perfect course with industry examples, tips, thumb rules& calculations for simplified learning, CERTIFICATECourse 2022...
16. Complete 2023 PV Solar Energy PVSol Premium,Excel,PVsyst
Only online course with everything you need to learn about Solar Energy on grid + off grid using 4 methods from scratch...
17. OFF-GRID Solar Energy Systems: Design and Operation - 2023
[HIGHEST RATED] Taught by an Energy Engineer - Online Certificate - The Latest Technologies - Design Examples & Diagrams...
18. Passive Solar Design Series - Understanding Sun
First step to designing passive solar buildings...
19. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind
Learn how build a financial model for solar plants and wind plants, and help seal renewable energy deals worldwide!...
20. Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example and On the Job
The Basic Fundamentals of Home Electrical Wiring, with Wiring Diagrams and Detailed Examples...