Licensing and Certification for Solar Water Heating Installers. Les Nelson North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

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1 Licensing and Certification for Solar Water Heating Installers Les Nelson North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

2 Comparing Licensing and Certification Licensing: Mandatory in many US states, some countries; Usually insurance, business and construction knowledge, experience requirements; and In some locations, continuing education required. Certification: Usually voluntary, may be required by some US incentive programs, usually not available outside US; Usually much more difficult examination than licensing; Many certificants are also licensed contractors; and Continuing education required.

3 Contractor Licensing in the United States Contractor license mandatory in US states with SWH activity: California o C 46 Solar Specialty license required o License exam regularly updated o Includes solar heating and photovoltaics o Bond of $12,500 required o Asbestos exam required o License fee $450 for two years Hawaii o Specialty Solar Water Heating license required o Proof of workers compensation insurance o Proof of body injury liability insurance o Proof of property damage liability o License exam includes questions on business, law, and a trade o License fee $545 for two years

4 Contractor Licensing in the United States Contractor license mandatory in US states with SWH activity: Arizona o C 37R solar plumbing, liquid systems license required o Plumber s license includes solar o Separate licenses for residential and commercial work o Bond of $1,000 to $15,000 required (residential) o Bond of $5,000 to $90,000 required (commercial) o 4 years documented experience required o $645 for commercial license, $320 for residential license Florida o Specialty Solar Water Heating license required o Proof of workers compensation insurance o Proof of bodily injury liability insurance o Proof of property damage liability o 4 years documented experience required o License exam includes questions on business, law, and a trade o $544 license fee (including exam fee) o Business and trade exams required

5 California C 46 Solar License Examination Content A solar contractor installs, modifies, maintains, and repairs thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems. A licensee classified in this section shall not undertake or perform building or construction trades, crafts, or skills, except when required to install a thermal or photovoltaic solar energy system.

6 Personnel Certification North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

7 About NABCEP Non profit corporation founded in 2002 Develops and maintains voluntary personnel certification programs to: o Promote renewable energy o Provide value to solar installation professionals o Promote worker safety and skill o Promote consumer confidence Solar Heating Installer certifications began in 2006 Solar Heating Entry Level exams began in 2006 Accredited Personnel Certification Body to ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024

8 Voluntary Certification For solar installers: Promotes consumer confidence; Differentiates the certificate holder from competitors; Allows participation in incentive programs; Improves quality and public perception of the industry. For consumers: Provides a means to identify qualified installers, promoting confidence in the work performed; and Provides avenue for dispute resolution.

9 Job Description Given basic instructions, manufacturer installation manual, major components specifications, schematics and drawings, the installer is required to install a solar water heating system that meets the performance and reliability needs of customers by incorporating quality craftmanship while complying with all applicable codes and standards.

10 Solar Heating Entry Level Designed for anyone interested in solar heating; Demonstrates a basic knowledge of solar heating principles regarding design, installation, operation; Sets forth learning objectives that can be used to teach a solar heating entry level course; Once teaching course is complete, students take Entry Level Exam; Useful for new employees with no SWH experience, general public, schools; Not to be confused with SH Installer Certification

11 Learning Topics 1. Conducting a site analysis, 2. Identifying solar heating safety practices, standards and codes, 3. Identifying systems for specific climates and applications 4. Identifying proper installation and operation methods, 5. Identifying operation of components (pumps, valves, controls, tanks, etc.), 6. Identifying common maintenance items.

12 Summary Licensing is mandatory in some locations; Obtaining a license can be simple and inexpensive, or difficult and costly, depending on government goals; Certification is usually voluntary, but may be required by some governments; NABCEP certification requires significant knowledge and experience; Entry level education and testing programs may be useful in developing markets

13 Thank You! Les Nelson