PV Design Specialists are competent in configuring the electrical design of a project.
Prerequisites: PV 101, 201 & 202 (or equivalent training) or NABCEP PV Associate credential
PVDS Course Packages
These course packages provide 18 hours of advanced PV training and 6 hours of NEC training, as outlined in section 4.5.2 of the NABCEP Certification Handbook.
Please note that these course packages do NOT cover every task step outlined in NABCEP’s PVDS Job Task Analysis, so additional experience, training, and/or independent study will be necessary to prepare you for every possible question you may see on the PVDS exam. This is not an “exam prep” course package.
There are two package options for this specialty:
Option 1:
PV Labs Emphasis
1 online course
2 hands-on PV lab courses
Option 2:
Solar Plus Storage Emphasis
2 online courses
1 in-person energy storage course
Package Details
OPTION 1: Courses Included in this Package
PV Labs Emphasis: You will be taking 1 online course and 2 hands-on lab courses. This course package will provide you with the 18 HOURS of advanced PV training and 6 HOURS of NEC training required to meet the educational requirements for the NABCEP PVDS exam, per section 4.5.2 of the NABCEP Board Certification Handbook.
This six-hour online course is designed for first-time users or those looking for a refresher on Code fundamentals, this course explains the layout, format, and language of the NEC and explores its contents of Chapters, Articles, and Tables.
Course Details
PV Labs & Design Scenarios (PV 304)
This one-day course demonstrates PV system design principles and proper installation practices through the construction of two PV systems using a portable lab assembled at ground level (no climbing required).
Participants will work from line diagrams, manufacturer data sheets, and the National Electrical Code (NEC) to build a grid-tied PV system and a battery-based PV system. Proper mechanical and electrical connections will be verified and tested to commission each system.
Roof-Mount PV System Design & Installation Lab (PV 312)
Participants in this 2-day course receive hands-on training and will install a roof-mounted PV system. Students will identify layout considerations, component specifications, mechanical integration best practices, and National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements related to the system. Voltage, current, and power calculations in the NEC will be covered in depth.
Fire Code Regulations for PV Systems (PV 620)
This course is not required.
This is a complementary 1-hour online course that you can start anytime, focused on providing essential PV safety information to inspectors, AHJs, and PV system designers and installers.
Course Details
OPTION 2: Courses Included in this Package
Energy Storage Emphasis: You will be taking 2 online courses and 1 in-person course. This course package will provide you with the 18 HOURS of advanced PV training and 6 HOURS of NEC training required to meet the educational requirements for the NABCEP PVDS exam, per section 4.5.2 of the NABCEP Board Certification Handbook.
This six-hour online course is designed for first-time users or those looking for a refresher on Code fundamentals, this course explains the layout, format, and language of the NEC and explores its contents of Chapters, Articles, and Tables.
Course DetailsThis four-hour course covers battery-based PV system components – from modules and array configurations to batteries, charge controllers, and inverters. Participants will review design principles for sizing battery-based PV systems, beginning with a thorough analysis of daily loads. Based on those load requirements, choices for system voltage and amp-hour capacity of the battery bank will be discussed and determined. Finally, participants will select appropriate system components and configure them to complete the stand-alone PV system.
Course Details
Solar Plus Storage Package (PV 450)
This is a two-day training that takes place at MREA’s Energy Storage System Tech Center and campus in Custer, WI. Students will cover Energy Storage Fundamentals and Designing Solar Plus Storage Systems in depth.
Fire Code Regulations for PV Systems (PV 620)
This course is not required.
This is a complementary 1-hour online course that you can start anytime, focused on providing essential PV safety information to inspectors, AHJs, and PV system designers and installers.
Course DetailsWhat is a PV Design Specialist?
The PV Design Specialist (PVDS) NABCEP Board Certification recognizes the advanced experience and skill of PV system designers. This NABCEP Board Certification demonstrates your proven ability to configure the mechanical and electrical design components of PV systems.
