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 Safety & Hazard Control (PV 150) – 4hr course, 30 days to complete
- PV Site Assessment (PV 201) – 4hr course, 30 days to complete
- PV System Design (PV 202) – 8hr course, 30 days to complete
- PV System Installation (PV 215) – 8hr course, 30 days to complete
- PV Operations & Maintenance (PV 216) – 4hr course, 30 days to complete
- PV Costs & Economics (PV 217) – 4hr course, 30 days to complete
You can register for these courses individually a la 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!
The PV Exam Prep Course (PV 220) is not included in this package. It is an optional course that will prepare you to take the NABCEP PV Associate Exam, but not required to sit for it.
MREA’s NEW PV Associate Package
We’ve recently updated our PV Associate Package. Learn why and what this means for you:
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 7 online courses in sequential order. You will have 30 days to complete each course. 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 will study the fundamentals of electricity, learn how PV cells and modules work, explore different types of PV systems, review the benefits of renewable energy and distributed generation, discuss mounting options, and identify components and equipment used in PV installations.
Course Details
- (PV 150) 4 HR Course – 30 days to complete
Participants will learn how to identify job site hazards, assess risks, select appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and apply safe work practices when installing and maintaining PV systems.
Course Details
- (PV 201) 4 HR Course – 30 days to complete
Participants will learn how to perform a load analysis for grid-tied, stand-alone, and multimode PV systems, determine the best location for a PV array, and identify a suitable location for the balance of system (BOS) components. Emphasis is placed on accurately surveying the site’s solar resource to maximize energy production.
Course Details
- (PV 202) 8 HR Course – 60 days to complete
Participants will learn about system sizing strategies based on several variables including system type, mounting method, and applicable building, fire, and electrical codes. Students will determine appropriate equipment to use based on manufacturer specifications, explore PV array configurations, calculate energy production, and identify all of the documentation required for permit applications.
Course Details
- (PV 215) 8 HR Course – 30 days to complete
Building, electrical, and fire codes are addressed, with emphasis placed on the importance of following manufacturer specifications and instructions. Tools for the job, industry best practices, and safe work practices are reviewed while discussing topics like raceway installation, grounding, testing, and commissioning procedures and techniques.
Course Details
- (PV 216) 4 HR Course – 30 days to complete
Participants will learn how monitoring equipment and electrical test instruments are used to evaluate system performance, identify issues, and support safe, reliable operation.
Course Details
- (PV 217) 4 HR Course – 30 days to complete
Participants will explore and discuss all things financial when it comes to PV systems, from installation to end-of-life and everything in-between. Emphasis is placed on staying up-to-date on current policies and programs to determine available rebates, incentives, tax credits, and low interest loan opportunities.
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
- (PV 220) 4 HR Course – 30 days to complete
This four-hour course is designed for those who have completed their PV Associate training and are getting ready to take the NABCEP PV Associate exam or any entry-level exam in solar photovoltaics. Participants will review the logistics of the NABCEP exam, learn how standardized test questions are crafted, and explore general test-taking strategies. The course includes a 60 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
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.
