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Solar PV References

The primary reference for the NABCEP® PV installer certification exam is the 2011 National Electrical Code®, NFPA 70 (NEC®). This is the only reference permitted in NABCEP® examinations and is supplied by test administrators.

The purpose of the Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. The NEC® establishes the installation requirements for PV systems and other electrical equipment, and is adopted into law by most local jurisdictions throughout the United States for electrical systems safety and code compliance. The NEC® is widely available for purchase on-line and locally at electrical supply houses and construction book stores. The associated 2011 National Electrical Code® Handbook contains the complete text of NFPA 70, and in addition includes supplemental commentary and illustrations that provide useful and clarifying information; however this material is not officially part of the Code.

Additionally, a list of supplemental references is provided. These resources include the NACBEP® PV installer task analysis, OSHA Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, textbooks, guidelines, websites and other relevant materials. These references are highly recommended for study and preparation for the NABCEP® examination, and for use in development of curriculum for education and training programs.

PRIMARY REFERENCES:

2011 National Electrical Code® (NEC®), NFPA 70 or 2011 National Electrical Code® Handbook, National Fire Protection Association®, www.nfpa.org

A Guide to Photovoltaic System Design and Installation, by Bill Brooks. California Energy Commission Consultant Report 500-01-020, June 2001: www.energy.ca.gov/reports/2001-09-04_500-01-020.PDF

Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 29 Part 1926 – Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, Occupational Safety and Health Administration,  www.osha.gov

Electrical Safety in the Workplace, NFPA 70E, 2012. National Fire Protection Association, www.nfpa.org

National Design Standard for Wood Construction, 2005.  American Wood Council, www.awc.org

Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Resource Guide, 2011, version 5.1, by William Brooks and James Dunlop, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), www.nabcep.org

Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, 2007. ISBN 978-0-86571-520-2, Solar Energy International, www.solarenergy.org

Photovoltaic Power Systems and the 2005 National Electrical Code: Suggested Practices, Latest Version, by John Wiles, New Mexico State University/Southwest Technology Development Institute, www.nmsu.edu/~tdi/Photovoltaics/Codes-Stds/Codes-Stds.html

Photovoltaic Systems, 2010, by Jim Dunlop. ISBN 978-0-8269-1287-9, National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee and American Technical Publishers, www.jimdunlopsolar.com

Understanding NEC Requirements for Solar Photovoltaic Systems, 2011, by Mike Holt. ISBN 978-1-932685-54-1, Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc, www.mikeholt.com

SUPPLEMENTAL REFERENCES:

AVAILABLE FROM NABCEP:

Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Resource Guide

Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Resource Guide 2011 (Revised December 2011, version 5.1)

The PV Resource Guide is an excellent resource for those planning to take the NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification Exam. Please note that the Solar PV Installer Job Task Analysis (JTA) was revised in October 2011 and it does reflect this new JTA.

While it remains a useful study resource it, as always, is NOT the definitive guide to the exam. Also, we would like to remind readers that unlike the exam questions in the NABCEP Certified PV Installer Exam, sample questions in this guide were not written under the supervision of a professional psychometrician.

2010 Field Inspection Guidelines for PV Systems

In July 2010, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)  released the 2010 edition of its highly regarded and valuable Field Inspection Guidelines for PV Systems, authored by Bill Brooks.  This report is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. The intent of the 2010 Guidelines is to consolidate the most import aspects of a field inspection into a simple process that can be performed in as little as 15 minutes. Explanation and illustrative pictures are provided to instruct the inspector on the specific details of each step. Click here for the full IREC press release.

Inspector Guidelines for PV Systems

This work, Inspector Guidelines for PV Systems (v. 2.1, March 2006) is part of the Renewable Energy Technology Analysis Project of the Pace Law School Energy Project and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, was prepared by Endecon Engineering. These guidelines provide a framework for the permitting and inspection of safe PV systems at a minimum of cost and effort for the inspector and the installer. The guidelines were written from the viewpoint that all PV systems installed for residential or commercial use should fundamentally include proper documentation, proper structural attachments, and proper wiring methods. These guidelines were developed using the practical experience of many quality installers and inspectors throughout California and the rest of the nation.

Solar Heating References

Solar Heating Study Guide

The NABCEP Solar Heating Study Guide is currently being revised.  Please check back for the updated version in April, 2012.

The Solar Heating Study Guide presents some of the basic cognitive material that individuals who install and maintain Solar Heating systems should know and understand to prepare for the NABCEP solar heating installer examination. It does not provide all of the materials needed for completing the certification examination. Knowledge of the information presented, knowledge of pertinent sections of the International Plumbing Code, and appropriate experience and qualifications are generally required of those applying for and completing the NABCEP certification process. The Study Guide, based on a task analysis for the solar heating system installer, includes the eight major job/task areas for installing solar water heating and solar pool heating systems, and also contains sample exam questions with an answer key.

PRIMARY REFERENCES:

The following reference list identifies training materials, reports, and codes and standards associated with the design and installation of solar heating systems. Studying these training materials will help prepare candidates for the Solar Heating Installer Certification exam.  Please refer to the NABCEP Solar Heating Study Guide for additional direction on preparing for the NABCEP examination.

Active Solar Preheat Systems: Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC 3-440-01.pdf), 2007, U.S. Department of Defense, www.wbdg.org

Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 29 Part 1926 – Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, Occupational Safety and Health Administration,  www.osha.gov

The Copper Tube Handbook, Copper Development Association, www.copper.org

Planning and Installing Solar Thermal Systems: A guide for installers, architects and engineers (2nd Edition), 2010, by Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Sonnenenergie. ISBN 978-1-84407-760-1, James & James (Science Publishers) Ltd., www.earthscan.co.uk

Solar Water and Pool Heating Manual: Design and Installation & Repair and Maintenance, January, 2006. Florida Solar Energy Center, www.fsec.ucf.edu

SRCC Document OG 300, Operating Guidelines and Minimum Standards for Certifying Solar Water Heating Systems, 2010, Solar Rating and Certification Corporation,  www.solar-rating.org

Uniform Plumbing Code, 2009. International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials, http://www.iapmo.org

Uniform Solar Energy Code, 2009. International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials, http://www.iapmo.org

SUPPLEMENTAL REFERENCES:

  • Roofing Construction and Estimating, 2006, by Daniel Atcheson. ISBN 1-57218-007-2, Cratftsman Book Co.,  http://craftsman-book.com
  • Solar Domestic Water Heating, 2010, by Chris Laughton. ISBN ISBN 978-1-84407-736-6, James & James (Science Publishers) Ltd., www.earthscan.co.uk
  • Solar Hot Water Systems Lessons Learned 1977 to Today, 2004. Tom Lane Energy Conservation Services,  www.ecs-solar.com/lessons_learned.htm
  • Solar Thermal Systems, Successful Planning and Construction, 2002, by  Felix A. Peuser, Karl-Heinz Remmers, Martin Schnauss. ISBN 1-902916-39-5, James & James (Science Publishers) Ltd., www.earthscan.co.uk
  • Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems, 2010, by Bob Ramlow with Benjamim Nusz. ISBN 978-0-86571-668-1, New Society Publishers, www.newsociety.com 

The examination reference list is updated periodically, and may include new editions, new references, or removal of references from prior lists. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the references effective for the examination date for which you are scheduled. The Board has approved these references for the examination, and answers to the questions are based on the editions listed.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners provides these resources for your use. Please contact us for further information on these topics, or to let us know about other resource information on these topics which you find beneficial.