Requirements/Education

General Requirements for PV Technical Sales Certification

In order to be eligible for NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years of age;

2. Complete the OSHA 10 Hour Construction Training Course Class (a Certificate of course completion must be submitted with Application)

3. Satisfy at least one (1) of the qualifying certification eligibility categories (Qualifying Categories) identified below;

4. Complete the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification Examination Application (printed or online application);

5. Accept the NABCEP Code of Ethics & Standards of Conduct;

6. Pay applicable Application fees; and,

7. Achieve a passing score on the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification Examination.

For more information about this certification, please view the NABCEP Candidate Information Handbook for Computer-Based Exams.

PV Technical Sales Certification Eligibility Categories

The NABCEP Board of Directors and PV Technical Sales Technical Committee have established the following seven (7) Qualifying Categories for NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification. Applicants must satisfy at least one (1) of the following categories in order to qualify for certification.

Qualifying Category A

  • At least sixty (60) cumulative hours of training directly related to the subjects identified in the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis
  • Verifiable sales experience, including the completion of at least four (4) solar PV system sales proposals within the twelve (12) month period prior to applying for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification; and,
  • Achieve a passing score on the NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination.

Qualifying Category B

  • At least thirty-two (32) cumulative hours of training directly related to the subjects identified in the NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis;
  • Verifiable sales experience, including the completion of at least eight (8) solar PV system sales proposals within the twenty-four (24) month period prior to applying for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification; and,
  • Achieve a passing score on the NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination.

Qualifying Category C

  • Associates Degree from an accredited educational institution in renewable energy technology or related field of study;
  • Verifiable sales experience, including the completion of at least four (4) solar PV system sales proposals within the twelve (12) month period prior to applying for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification; and,
  • Achieve a passing score on the NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination.

Qualifying Category D

  • Bachelors Degree from an accredited educational institution; and,
  • Verifiable sales experience, including the completion of at least four (4) solar PV system sales proposals within the twelve (12) month period prior to applying for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification.

Qualifying Category E

  • Currently credentialed as a NABCEP PV Solar Installer in good standing; or
  • Currently recognized by NABCEP as a NABCEP Certified PV Solar Installer Emeritus.

NOTE:  A minimum of thirty (30) hours of additional training in non-installation aspects of the PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis is strongly recommended.

Qualifying Category F

  • Currently licensed as an electrician in the State in which the applicant performs his/her occupational activities; and
  • Achieve a passing score on the NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination.

NOTE:  A minimum of thirty (30) hours of additional training in all aspects of the PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis is strongly recommended.

Qualifying Category G

  • Verifiable sales experience, including the completion of at least twenty (20) solar PV system sales proposals within the sixty (60) month period prior to applying for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification; and,
  • At least five (5) years of cumulative, documented solar PV systems sales-related experience.

NOTE:  A minimum of thirty (30) hours of additional training in all aspects of the PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis is strongly recommended.

Verifiable Sales Experience/ Definitions and Documentation Supporting Experience

DEFINITIONS

Verifiable Sales Experience

Verifiable sales experience = Actively engaged in solar PV systems sales-related activities, including the completion of the number of solar PV system proposals required by the applicant’s Qualifying Category. See, Section II.

For each of the four (4) solar PV system proposals to be completed in each twelve (12) month period prior to applying for NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification, the following requirements apply:

  • At least two (2) must have resulted in completed sales and installation;
  • At least 2 must relate to systems 2kW DC (peak) or larger;
  • At least 1 of the installations must be a system that is grid connected; and,
  • No more than 1 proposal may be submitted to a relative or someone residing at the applicant’s address.  This proposal must have resulted in a completed sales and installation.

Examples of Appropriate Verifiable Sales Experience:

Qualifying Category A

Applicant must submit documentation showing at least 4 proposals completed in the 12-month period prior to applying for certification, including at least:  2 resulting in completed sales and installation; 2 that relate to systems 2kW (peak) or larger; and, 1 that is grid connected.

Qualifying Category G

Applicant must submit documentation showing at least 20 proposals completed in a 60-month period prior to applying for certification, including at least:  10 resulting in completed sales and installation; 10 that relate to systems larger than 2kW (peak); and, 5 that are grid connected.

Solar PV Systems Sales-Related Activities

Engaging in the sale and/or design of solar PV systems, including but not limited to, individuals employed as sales managers, site analysts, system designers, technical support personnel, and project finance analysts.

Solar PV Systems Sales Proposals

Sales proposals must include the following information:  proposed PV system size in kW; evidence of a shade analysis; the amount of kWh the PV system is expected to produce annually; the revenue that the electricity generated will produce; the total cost of the system; any incentive or tax benefits that may be applied to the total cost.  Additional information may include the internal rate of return (IRR), payback period, cash flow over the life of the system, non-financial benefits, and any income that will be gained from renewable energy credits.

DOCUMENTATION OF VERIFIABLE SALES EXPERIENCE

Proposal Documentation.  For each of the Qualifying Categories requiring verifiable sales experience, an applicant must submit the identified number of sales proposals for solar PV systems, consistent with the requirements of Section III.A.  All solar PV systems claimed must be accompanied by a complete and accurate copy of the original proposal.  See, definition of “proposal” in Section III.A.3.
If the applicant’s name is not identified on a proposal, then that proposal must be accompanied by a letter from the applicant’s employer or supervisor stating that the applicant was the person who performed a lead role in the development of the proposal, or held a position of responsibility in reviewing and approving the proposal developed by others. Please note: only one person can claim any proposal submitted on a NABCEP PV Technical Sales application. No duplicate proposals will be accepted.

Permits and Inspection Records.  If the solar PV system identified in a proposal has been installed, the applicant must submit electrical permits and inspection records.  If permits are not available, an applicant may submit:

  •  A signed letter from the customer stating that the purchased solar PV system met their expectations; or,
  •  A signed letter from the applicant’s employer or supervisor documenting the applicant’s roles and responsibilities in the sales process, along with the outcome of the sales process.

Customer Letters.  If the system has been sold but not installed, the applicant must submit a signed letter (emails will not be accepted) from the customer stating that he/she is satisfied with the sales process and the purchased solar PV system. If the system was proposed and NOT sold, the applicant must submit a signed letter (emails will not be accepted) from the customer stating that he/she is satisfied with the sales proposal and the reason why they did not purchase the system

Additional Information and Documentation.  Applicants may also attach photographs of the solar PV system as supplemental documentation.  All proposals and related proprietary information will be treated as confidential.

When completing the application, applicants will be asked to describe the scope of work he/she was responsible for on each installation.  NABCEP reserves the right to contact system owners/operators, permitting authorities, and responsible contractors to verify work listed in the Application.  The NABCEP Application Review Committee will make decisions regarding applicant eligibility based on the Application information and documentation submitted in support of the Application.

Training Requirement for the PV Technical Sales Certification

Applicants applying through Qualifying Categories A and B must submit documentation supporting the required cumulative hours of training directly related to the subjects identified in the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis.

ACCEPTABLE TRAINING.  NABCEP will accept training that meets the following requirements:

  • Formal Training Format.  The training program must have a formal training format, which includes a teacher-student structure, i.e., a student and an instructing source.  Acceptable training formats may include:
  1. In-person/classroom training courses led by an instructor and/or discussion leader; or,
  2. Activities in which a student is engaged in a planned learning event, receives feedback concerning his/her progress, and the student’s progress is monitored.  In some cases, such activities may be distance learning, i.e., the student is separated from faculty and other students.  Examples include computer-assisted instruction, interactive video/CD/DVD, and/or website learning.
  • Training Covers PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis Subjects.  The training must directly relate to the subjects identified in the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis.

ACCEPTABLE TRAINING PROVIDERS.  Acceptable training providers include, but are not limited to:

  1. An educational institution accredited by an accreditation organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., universities and community colleges) or a similar Canadian government agency;
  2. Independent renewable energy training programs.  NOTE:  NABCEP recommends that applicants consider training courses accredited by IREC under the ISPQ Standard, or taught by instructors certified by IREC.  Please visit www.IRECusa.org  for full course listings;
  3. Apprenticeship training programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor or equivalent programs, or those recognized by a Canadian government agency;
  4. Training programs approved by State or Provincial Contractor Licensing Boards; and,
  5. Vocational technical training programs.

Although additional training is not required for Qualifying Categories 3 through 7, NABCEP strongly encourages training in all aspects of the PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis.  Such training may assist applicants in achieving a passing score on the PV Technical Sales Certification Examination.

Documentation of Training, Education & Credentials

Following is a list of documents and materials that an applicant must submit with his/her PV Technical Sales certification Application:

  • Applicants applying under Qualifying Categories A and B
  1. Copies of certificates of completion for each training program and,
  2. If the title of the course does not specify a subject matter specifically related to the PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis, NABCEP requires a signed letter from the training program instructor(s) or educational program administrator(s) identifying the specific aspects of the PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis covered by the training and number of contacts hours spent covering those subjects.
  • Applicants applying under Qualifying Categories C and D
  1. A copy of the official diploma and academic transcript from an accredited educational institution.
  • Applicants applying under Qualifying Categories A, B, C, E, or F
  1. Applicants must identify the professional credential, certificate, and/or occupational license held as satisfying the applicable certification eligibility Qualifying Category.
  2. Copies of the credential certificate or license indicating current, active status as a credential holder or licensee in good standing.

About the NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination Requirement

Qualifying Categories A, B, C, and F require an applicant to successfully pass the NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination, which demonstrates a basic understanding of PV system design and installation.  The NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination is not a certification exam.

Training courses directly related to preparation for the NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination will not count towards the requisite cumulative training hours for Qualifying Categories A and B unless subjects identified in the PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis (JTA) are covered by such courses.  In order for such training coursework to be accepted by NABCEP, the applicant must submit documentation signed by the course instructor or program administrator detailing the material covered and time spent covering PV Technical Sales JTA subjects.  See, Section V.A.

For information concerning the NABCEP PV Entry Level Examination and for the complete list of all current, registered PV Entry Level Providers, please visit the NABCEP website, located at:  www.nabcep.org/entry-level-program-2/for-students.

Licensure Requirement

If a license is required in the jurisdiction in which the work is performed, candidates must submit their license number — or the license number under which the work was performed.