NABCEP PV Associate Credential

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. Learners will determine the solar resource for their area and review mounting options for optimal system performance and energy production. The course ends with a summary of the costs and incentive programs associated with PV, as well as the environmental and other non-financial benefits of renewable energy.  

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. Online tools and calculators will be used to calculate an appropriate PV system size and estimate its annual production, and emphasis will be placed on financing terms and concepts so students can assess total system costs, convey incentive opportunities, and perform a cash flow analysis. 

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.