How to begin your solar career – NABCEP PV Associate Program
Earn your NABCEP PV Associate Credential ONLINE!
PVA Online Course Package
To earn your NABCEP PV Associate credential by using the MREA as your Education Provider, you must take four MREA courses, in sequential order:
- Basic Photovoltaics (PV 101) – 8hr course, 30 days to complete
- PV Site Assessment (PV 201) – 8hr course, 30 days to complete
- PV System Design (PV 202) – 16hr course, 30 days to complete
- PV Exam Prep (PV 220) – 4hr course, 30 days to complete
You can register for these courses individually ala carte, or register for them all at once. Upon completion of these three courses, you are eligible to sit for the NABCEP PV Associate Exam for one year. When you pass the exam, you are a solar professional!
We highly recommend using a textbook in addition to the materials provided in PV 202. Reading assignments are included within the curriculum, please use one (or both) of the following NABCEP PV Associate exam resources:
- Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd ed. Solar Energy International (SEI). ISBN 978-1-7363581-0-8. Available as soft-cover, ebook, English & Spanish.
- Photovoltaic Systems, 3rd ed. American Technical Publishers (ATP). James P. Dunlop. ISBN 978-1-935941-05-7
You are responsible for buying, renting, or borrowing your own book from a vendor of your choice.
Package Details
Courses Included in this Package
You will be taking 4 online courses in sequential order. You will have 30 days to complete PV 101, 30 days to complete PV 201, 60 days to complete PV 202, and 30 days to complete PV 220. The time limit will be initiated only once you begin working on the course, and your course end date will be updated in your student dashboard so you can monitor your progress.
- (PV 101) 8 HR Course – 30 days to complete
Participants in this eight-hour course will study the fundamentals of electricity, learn how photovoltaic (PV) cells and systems work, explore the different sizes and types of PV systems, and identify the components and equipment needed for each type of system.
Course Details
- (PV 201) 8 HR Course – 30 days to complete
This eight-hour course demonstrates how to perform a residential or small commercial PV site assessment. Participants will learn how to perform a load analysis and make energy efficiency recommendations, determine the best location for a PV array given the site’s solar resource and available mounting options, and identify a proper location for the balance of system components.
Course Details
- (PV 202) 16 HR Course – 60 days to complete
This 16-hour course teaches the step-by-step process of designing a PV system. Participants will learn about system sizing strategies based on a number of variables, selecting appropriate equipment for each system type, analyzing data from a site assessment in the design process, planning the physical layout of the array, choosing a mounting method, applying relevant building and electrical code requirements, and calculating electrical values of system voltage, current, power, and energy production
Course Details
- (PV 220) 4 HR Course – 30 days to complete
This four-hour course is designed for those who are preparing to take the NABCEP PV Associate exam. Beginning with a general explanation of how standardized test questions are created and written, participants will learn the logistics of the exam and know what to expect: format, number of questions, time limit, items allowed and not permitted, passing score, etc. Importance is placed on executing an effective study plan using NABCEP-recommended resources and the Job Task Analysis (JTA) as a guide. The course concludes with a 50-question practice exam.
Students can work through recorded presentations and exercises at their own pace. When the coursework is finished, a completion certificate is issued.
Course Details
Optional online courses to complement your PV Associate training and exam preparation:
- (G 108) 4 HR Course – 365 days to complete
This four-hour course provides participants with fundamental terms and concepts to better understand how electrical circuits work, and how to stay safe when working with or near electricity.
Course Details
Associate Renewal Information
To maintain your NABCEP PV Associate Credential, Associates must obtain 12 hours of continuing education (CE) completed during your 3-year credential period. Details can be found in section 10 of the NABCEP Associate Handbook. MREA offers a variety of courses approved for PV Associate Renewal continuing education.
Learn More / Renewal Info
What is the NABCEP PV Associate Credential?
The NABCEP PV Associate Program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation, and operation of Photovoltaic energy systems. Pursuing MREA’s entry-level solar training and obtaining your NABCEP PV Associate Credential opens doors to promising career opportunities in the rapidly growing solar industry while ensuring a recognized standard of expertise in renewable energy technologies. NABCEP’s Associate Program is beneficial for those new to the industry, installers, experienced workforce personnel, employers, and the public. Possessing a NABCEP Associate Credential signals your commitment to a career in renewables to potential employers.
