PVIP encompasses PV design, installation, operations, commissioning, and maintenance.
Prerequisites: PV 101, 201 & 202 (or equivalent training) or NABCEP PV Associate credential
Training Pathways
These course pathways each provide 40 hours of advanced PV training, as outlined in section 3.5.2 of the NABCEP Certification Handbook.
Please note that these training pathways do NOT cover every task step identified in NABCEP’s PVIP 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 PVIP exam. This is not an “exam prep” course package.
NEW PVIP Board “Eligible”
NABCEP has introduced exciting changes to the PV Installation Professional (PVIP) certification process. Now, applicants have one year or four attempts after completing the required training to pass the PVIP exam. Even better, “Board Eligible Professionals” will have three years after passing the exam to fulfill the experience requirements and achieve full certification.
PATHWAY 1: Courses Included in this pathway.
In-Person Training Preferred: This pathway includes 1 online course and 3 in-person courses.
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.
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.
Navigating the NEC (G 110)
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.
Off-Grid PV System Load Analysis & Design (PV 420)
This four-hour course covers battery-based PV system components – from modules and array configurations to batteries, charge controllers, and inverters.
PV System O&M Fundamentals (PV 425)
This four-hour course is designed to provide current and aspiring solar energy technicians an understanding of the periodic maintenance required to ensure optimal energy production over the lifetime of a photovoltaic (PV) system.
Intro to System Advisor Model [SAM] (PV 430)
This five-hour course introduces participants to the System Advisor Model (SAM). SAM is a free software for techno-economic modeling of renewable energy projects provided by the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Inspecting PV Systems (PV 604)
This four-hour course reviews National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, paying particular attention to Articles 690 and 705.
Fire Code Regulations for PV Systems (PV 620)
This course is not required but recommended.
This is a 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
Pathway 2: Courses Included in this pathway
Online Training Preferred: You will be taking 6 online courses and 1 in-person course.
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 DetailsPV System O&M Fundamentals (PV 425)
This four-hour course is designed to provide current and aspiring solar energy technicians an understanding of the periodic maintenance required to ensure optimal energy production over the lifetime of a photovoltaic (PV) system.
Intro to System Advisor Model [SAM] (PV 430)
This five-hour course introduces participants to the System Advisor Model (SAM). SAM is a free software for techno-economic modeling of renewable energy projects provided by the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
PV Sales & Finance (PV 435)
Participants in this eight-hour course will develop skills relating to photovoltaic (PV) sales and project financing, and learn how to use MREA’s free PV finance modeling tools to calculate system economics for residential and commercial-scale PV projects, through either direct ownership or third-party financing.
Inspecting PV Systems (PV 604)
This four-hour course reviews National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, paying particular attention to Articles 690 and 705.
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.
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 but recommended.
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 DetailsPATHWAY 3: Courses Included in this pathway
Hybrid Training Preferred: You will be taking 4 online courses and 2 in-person courses.
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 DetailsPV System O&M Fundamentals (PV 425)
This four-hour course is designed to provide current and aspiring solar energy technicians an understanding of the periodic maintenance required to ensure optimal energy production over the lifetime of a photovoltaic (PV) system.
Inspecting PV Systems (PV 604)
This four-hour course reviews National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, paying particular attention to Articles 690 and 705.
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).
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 but recommended.
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 Installation Professional?
A PV Installation Professional (PVIP) is an individual who has achieved NABCEP Board Certification in the renewable energy industry, specifically in the field of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The PVIP NABCEP Board Certification validates your competence to perform in the role of PV Installation Professional, which encompasses PV design, installation, operations, commissioning, and maintenance.
