Charting Your Solar Course, in the April/May 2010 issue of Home Power Magazine, is a comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand article about renewable energy training opportunities in the U.S.

The article focuses on renewable energy installation and system design training offerings, from on site workshops and programs to online courses to training at energy fairs and conferences.  There’s an extensive table, alphabetical by state, of more than 150 solar education providers, ranging from renewable energy specific training centers to university programs.  Schools and training organizations that have NABCEP-certified installers—both PV and solar thermal, are included in the table, as are facilities that offer NABCEP’s Entry Level exam.

Read Charting Your Solar Course

The February-March 2010 issue of SolarPro Magazine features an interview with NABCEP’s Vice Chair, Jane Weissman, who talks with SolarPro’s Managing Editor, Kathryn Houser, about workforce development and quality training opportunities for individuals and for training programs.

Weissman is also Executive Director of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, a 28-year old non-profit organization instrumental in rulemaking for connecting distributed power to the utility grid, workforce development, consumer protection and stakeholder coordination.

Read the full interview about workforce development and quality training with Jane Weissman.  Scroll down to find the article.

The article, Cheap Hot Water? Just Add Sunshine, also has a three-minute video that shows the installation process.

Read the NABCEP News newsletter for January 2010 (in both Word and PDF formats).

In the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy credentials for installers and training organizations, knowledge is power.

In the February/March 2010 edition of Home Power Magazine, NABCEP’s Ezra Auerbach explains and demystifies the terms to help the consumer know what to look for when selecting a solar installer.  Typically, certification status is awarded to an individual, and NABCEP is the organization that certifies solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installers.

Accreditation, on the other hand, is a credential awarded to a program or an organization that has met rigorous standards.  The non-profit, Institute for Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ), develops and maintains international standards for renewable energy training providers.

Read the article in the February/March 2010 edition of Home Power Magazine.

The employee will become very knowledgeable about all of NABCEP’s program and policies and will answer phones, respond to inquiries, enter data and testing information, communicate regularly with stakeholders nationwide and staff working on NABCEP projects, process invoices and perform other book keeping and administrative duties .  The Administrative Assistant will report to the Operations Manager in the New York office.

The Administrative Assistant will spend 25% of his/her time supporting a similar organization independent from NABCEP which will require a hard-working and motivated individual. However, this position offers the unique opportunity to work and become familiar with both an established, nationally recognized, personnel credentialing organization (NABCEP) and a new renewable energy product certification organization.

In addition to possessing organizational skills and an ability to work well with others, the ideal candidate will need to be very comfortable over the phone, demonstrate exceptional time-management skills and have experience in book keeping and data entry, strong written and verbal skills, and an eye for detail. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of one year(s) work experience, and/or an educational background specific to this position and we strongly recommend at least 5 years experience. Interest in the renewable energy industry is recommended.

If you believe you can bring value to our team, please let us know.  We welcome resumes and cover letters from qualified individuals for a mid-January 2010 hire date at the latest. Benefits are included and please include salary requirements. Documentation should be submitted to the attention of Mr. Neron-Bancel at info@nabcep.org.  Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  Please do not call to review the status of your application.

Read the full article.

Ezra Auerbach, NABCEP’s Executive Director says, “Achieving this milestone is a huge validation of the work that NABCEP does. The ever-increasing number of people earning NABCEP Installer Certification reflects the healthy growth of our industry. There is an expanding pool of well-trained and experienced workers coming forward to become Certified PV and Solar Thermal Installers.”

The most recent round of NABCEP Installer Exams broke all previous records for test taker participants which saw a 26% increase in Candidates over the previous test administration. The number of successful candidates also broke records, with 216 new NABCEP Certified Installer designations awarded. Mr. Warfield continues, “The number of Certified Solar Installers has risen by 38% in the last year – over 22% just in this round of exams. Clearly these numbers reflect our industry’s appetite for experienced and well-trained solar professionals who have completed a rigorous application and examination process.”

Earlier this year, NABCEP announced that more than 3,000 individuals have passed the NABCEP Entry Level Photovoltaic Exam.  This entry level exam is for workers beginning their solar careers. Over 130 groups and organizations across the country have solar training programs that offer NABCEP’s PV Entry Level Exam.

California was the leading state with 71 people to take the exams. They were offered in 2 locations: the Bay Area (52) and Southern California (19). Texas, however, had the highest number of test-takers in any one site with 56, up from 22 in the Spring. New York also offered the exams in two locations: Farmingdale (34) and Rochester (10).

Here’s a rundown of the top states:

• California-71
• Texas–56
• Colorado–47
• New York–44
• North Carolina–36
• Minnesota–29
• Illinois-29
• New Jersey–28
• Massachusetts–25
• Ohio-23

According to NABCEP’s Rex Manchester, exam score reports will be completed and mailed prior to six weeks following the administration of the exam.

During August and September, the following providers were registered to offer NABCEP’s Entry Level Program:

• NECA-IBEW WI JATC, WI
• Milwaukee JATC, WI
• Infinite Solar, Inc., PA
• Louisville EJATC, KY
• Lanier Technical College, GA
• Bristol Community College, MA
• Santa Rosa Junior College, CA
• Northampton Community College, PA
• Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, MA
• California South Bay University, CA
• West Valley Occupational Center, CA
• Pellissippi State Community College, TN