At Everblue, we make online learning easy. This post will tell you what you can expect your online solar course experience to be like.
Our aim with all of our training is to help you find success. Whether that’s learning a new skill, getting a job, getting promoted, or growing a business, we aim to provide you the best professional development you’ve ever experienced. To that end, we are always innovating and improving our offerings to help make you as successful as possible.
Accessing Your Online Solar Course
First, gaining access is easy. Logging in takes you directly to your course dashboard.
The interface is super simple to use and accessible on any device, anywhere in the world.
We have designed the entire experience to be simple and straightforward. Here is a preview of the interface:
Getting Started With Your Online Solar Training Course
Each course features a welcome message and an introduction. If needed, our staff is here to help you to ensure that get the most out of your learning experience.
Take Your Solar Training One Module at a Time
Each course is composed of distinct modules that make the experience more digestible. You will complete one module at a time.
Each module shows you how long it is, what the activities included look like, and whether or not that module is completed.
Some modules have practice exercises, quiz questions, documents to review, etc.
The course clearly lays out what is expected and as students provide feedback, we are constantly tweaking the courses to keep them current and to provide for the best possible experience.
What a Solar PV Installation Module Looks Like
Within each online solar course module is typically a video, practical exercises, and a set of review questions immediately following:
On the left hand side, the course modules are listed out individually. You simply work through each module to complete the course.
How Do I Track My Progress?
Within your online solar course is a progress bar to help you track your completion status.
What If You Need Help?
If you run into trouble or have questions, our team is here to help ensure your success.
If you have any questions or hesitations, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) has announced its plans to offer live online proctoring for the entry-level NABCEP PV Associate exam.
What is the NABCEP PV Associate Exam?
The NABCEP PV Associate exam is the first-level credentialing exam for aspiring solar professionals.
This method of online exam proctoring means that candidates can now earn the NABCEP Associate credential on their own computer and without having to leave their home.
The benefits of live online proctoring include:
Reduced costs associated with traveling to testing sites
Reduced safety concerns
Reduced carbon footprint
Greater accessibility
When will Live Online Proctoring be available?
Eligible candidates can schedule to take the NABCEP PV Associate exam by way of live online proctoring right now.
To qualify for the NABCEP PV Associate exam, a candidate must satisfy one of these prerequisite pathways:
Complete an approved training program (such as our NABCEP PV Associate course) or
Document 6 months of work experience in a solar PV field
If you are qualifying through the education pathway, you will be asked to complete a Candidate Eligibility Form that we provide as part of our program. After you return the completed form to us, we will verify that you completed the program and then upload the application to your myNABCEP account and pay your NABCEP PV Associate exam fee. You will then log into your myNABCEP account and sign up for live online proctoring (LOP).
Candidates may schedule to take their exam through LOP now, but live online proctored exam sessions will only begin on May 1, 2020.
What are the technical requirements for the NABCEP LOP exam?
To take your NABCEP PV Associate exam in a live online proctored environment, your computer must meet the following system requirements:
A well-working computer with 1 GB of RAM or higher
An Internet speed of at least 2 Mbps upload and 2 Mbps download.
A webcam with 640×480 video pixel resolution
Working speakers connected to the computer
A microphone connected to the computer
Browser compatibility: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari
A laptop with built-in webcam and built-in microphone is best.
What if I’ve already taken the NABCEP PV Associate exam?
Great! Now you can start preparing for NABCEP’s advanced certifications – what they call the Board Certifications.
NABCEP is actively working on converting its Board Certifications to be offered on the LOP platform and will announce those scheduling and launch dates soon.
In the mean time, make sure that you’ve satisfied all of the educational / training prerequisites. Check out our solar training courses to best prepare for certification exams like NABCEP PV Design Specialist and NABCEP PV Installation Professional.
Here at Everblue, we offer high-quality, accredited solar training courses to help you break into a new career, start a new business, and earn NABCEP certification. Start today!
When we first started Everblue, I always felt a little guilty that solar and other forms of renewables couldn’t survive without a state or federal energy subsidy. It went against the free market, right?
But over time, I realized that we give far more subsidy to
other forms of energy. Anyone downwind of a coal plant, downriver of a coal
mine, or with drinking water near coal ash storage suffers health and
environmental effects ranging from asthma to cancer. What’s the cost of this
hidden subsidy?
We’ve spent $7 trillion in the Middle East since 9/11,
mostly fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Do you know why we care about the
Mideast? Because it sits on top of a lot of oil. Sure, the U.S. produces about
10-11 million barrels of oil per day, but we consume twice that amount and
import the shortfall. Have you ever noticed how the U.S. doesn’t really care
what happens in places that don’t have big oil reserves? For $7 trillion, we
could have an entirely carbon-free economy, cured cancer, and a colony on Mars
with money left over.
This past week, President Trump worked with Russia and Saudi Arabia to coordinate a reduction in global oil output by about 10 million barrels a day in response to the Coronavirus. While I am happy to see less oil getting burned, the president’s motivation was ostensibly to prop up U.S. oil producers. U.S. consumers will now spend an extra $200 billion per year in the form of higher gas prices. That’s a federal energy subsidy, folks.
Imagine what could happen if we stopped subsidizing forms of
energy that are killing us? Just remember this next time someone complains to
you about tax credits for wind, solar, or electric vehicle batteries.
COVID-19 has dramatically shifted the workforce and the economy everywhere. Here’s what you should know during these changing times. These recommendations will help you both mentally and professionally.
Practice Extreme Self-Care
In times of high stress like these, we recommend that everyone practice extreme self-care. This is more an art than a science but here are some great examples:
Sleep – Anxiety and stress right now might be keeping you from getting enough high quality sleep. How may of us are wide awake with thoughts and worries in the middle of the night? Now is the perfect time to adopt some of the following strategies:
Go to bed earlier
Cut out tech 1 hour before bed
Keep a consistent bedtime
Darken your room
Use a white noise machine
Cut back on caffeine
Make time for exercise during the day
Avoid sleep aids
Eating – Try to eat healthier. When we are stressed, we tend to turn to junk food which depletes us and depresses our immune systems. Now could be a great time to start new habits like starting the day with fruit or fasting.
Exercise – It doesn’t have to be extreme. A simple walk outside in the fresh air can be a great reset.
These are just a few ideas, but the bottom line is that you need to take better care of yourself more than ever.
Take Time Off
With so many people working from home, endless news stories available on our phones, and the addictive nature of social media, everyone is having a hard time simply turning it off. Limit your expose to the news. Try checking in once in the morning and knowing that while it is important to stay informed, you are doing so each day.
Everyone should take some time off to reset. Maybe it is a just an afternoon, but this time off should involve totally unplugging from technology. Disconnect for your own mental sanity. Give yourself the time and space to relax and decompress and destress.
Find Available Resources
Sick Leave Policies – First, if you are sick or caring for someone sick, you may get up to two week’s paid sick leave under a newly proposed law that has passed Congress.
Laid Off? If you’re laid off temporarily, if your job is eliminated, or if your hours are substantially reduced due to a slow-down, you could be eligible for state unemployment. These benefits provide partial wage replacement to workers who lose their jobs or have their hours reduced through no fault of their own.
Invest in Yourself – Now is the time to focus and invest in your career. Learn a new skill, earn a new certification. Commit yourself to coming out of this crisis better than before. If you do this, you’ll come back to work stronger with a more employable, dynamic skill set.
The Solar Energy Industries Association has announced that along with their members and allies in the solar industry, they have set a goal that 20% of all U.S electricity will be generated by solar energy by 2030.
How Everblue’s Solar Training Helps The Cause
A strong, growing solar economy and an ever-increasing opportunity to land a job in the solar field. Our classes can help prepare and train candidates looking to enter the solar industry.
In order to reach this goal, sustainable energy industries must collaborate and work together to shape the future of energy systems in America. Each year, an average of 39 gigawatts must be installed to meet the growth rate of 18% necessary to reach this goal.
Generating 39 gigawatts of solar energy will create hundreds of thousands of new U.S. based solar jobs. These jobs will be in manufacturing, distribution, sales, design, and solar installer positions. Project managers, supervisors, and more will offer professional growth opportunities. And how many people will be inspired to start a new solar businesses?
The Coming Solar Paradigm Shift
“The Solar+ Decade represents opportunity and a paradigm shift as we transform energy use in America,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA.“When we hit this goal, by 2030 we will more than double our workforce and add $345 billion in private investment, all while offsetting electricity sector emissions by 35%. But we can’t get there on momentum alone. We’ll need policies, alliances, and action from every member of the industry to make these goals a reality,” she continued.
Ultimately, with the ambitions and aggressive goals set for the next decade, we can reduce carbon emissions by hundreds of millions of tons and replace more than 150 polluting power plants. This will create economic opportunity for so many Americans as well as clean energy for our communities.
Learn more about this ambitious goal on the SEIA website.
Won’t you join us and help make this goal a reality?
BPI Certification is valid for three years. The Building Performance Institute (BPI) has a 15-page document outlining their policies for BPI Certification Renewal, but we’re going to make this very simple. By all means, please take the time to read the document so that you understand fully, but for most people, you have 2 recertification options: complete BPI continuing education or retake the BPI exam.
I know the second option sounds intense, but I’m going to explain to you why that option is your best bet – it all comes down to time and money.
Quick Summary of BPI Recertification Requirements
Remember when you passed the written exam and the field exam when you initially earned BPI Certification? Yes, you need to meet requirements for both components during the BPI recertification process.
(1) Written Exam: Must have 30 or more BPI CEUs to bypass the written exam.
Number of CEUs
Requirement
30+
No written exam required
10-29
Must successfully complete a 50-question online exam for each BPI certification
0-9
Must successfully complete a 100-question online exam
(2) Field exam: Must show proof of 3,000 hours of relevant work experience in the last 3 years to bypass the field exam (except IDL credential holders only need 1,000 hours)
BPI Continuing Education Packages Take So Much Time to Finish
Imagine that it took 30 hours to get 30 BPI CEUs. Compare that to the 2 hours that you get for taking the BPI written exam. Retaking the exam would already save you 28 hours.
I say “would” because BPI does not count 1 classroom hour equal to 1 BPI CEU. We’ve submitted our courses to BPI for CEU approval, and we’ve noticed that they often award only half the number of CEUs relative to classroom hours.
So this means that you’d have to pay for and complete multiple courses to reach 30 BPI CEUs. And at the end of the day, you’re taking way more than 30 hours worth of training.
The BPI Continuing Education Pathway Costs More
Let’s use the same example courses from above:
BPI Multifamily Building Analyst = $999
Commercial Building Energy Auditor = $599
NATE Certification Training = $99
HEP Energy Auditor Training = $2,499
RESNET HERS Rater Training = $1,899
With the exception of NATE, each of those courses on their own costs more than retaking the BPI written exam ($300 value).
For fun, let’s add up the course prices that would get us to 30 BPI CEUs.
Commercial Building Energy Auditor ($599) knocks out a big chunk of those hours, at 19. Now we’re looking for 11 BPI CEUs.
NATE Certification Training is most affordable at $99, so I’ll take those 4 CEUs. Now I’m looking for 7 CEUs.
Let’s go with HEP Energy Auditor ($2,499) at 9 CEUs so I don’t have to take any more training.
So now you’ve spent $3,197 and 82 hours to get to 30 BPI CEUs – not including the time it took to figure this out!
For the BPI Written Exam Requirement, Just Retake the Exam!
If the BPI continuing education time and money calculations above didn’t persuade you, think about this:
You are seeking recertification because clearly you’ve found value in having a BPI Certification. You must be using this knowledge every day on the job. So when you think about retaking the exam, what are you afraid of? You know how to do this stuff! Be confident in your skills.
Yes, you may want a refresher to make sure that you are 100% on the same page with BPI as far as specific numbers, thresholds, and reference standards. But you really do understand the concepts, and you should have that trust in yourself.
For the BPI Field Exam Requirement, Do What’s Best for You.
Can you show 3,000 hours of relevant work experience? If you’ve been offering home energy audits as part of your core business services, then it’s likely that you do have this experience from the last three years to help you get out of taking the field exam.
But just like we said in the written exam section above, if you offer home energy audits regularly, what are you afraid of if you have to take the field exam again?
I think the difference between the written exam requirement and the field exam requirement is the money aspect.
With the BPI written exam, both qualifying categories require you to spend money. It just so happens that retaking the written exam is cheaper.
With the BPI field exam, you can show proof of relevant work experience without having to pay anything. Retaking the field exam, however, is a $600 value.
Plan Ahead for How You’re Going to Maintain Your BPI Certification
If you recently earned your BPI Certification, my recommendation to you would be to get your ducks in a row now and be sure to document all of your relevant work experience over the next three years. That way, the BPI field exam requirement will be a no-brainer for you later!
If you need to recertify quickly, let us help! Everblue is an approved BPI Test Center, meaning that we administer and proctor written and field exams for candidates across the country. Start now with our BPI Recertification options, which give you the choice of retaking the written and/or field exams.
Looking for a refresher course? Simply give us a call at 800-460-2575 and we can work together on the best solution for you. We want you to feel confident and be successful, and we will help you get there!
BPI training and testing is now available from your home. And you may be wondering, how do I complete the field exam? How do I buy blower door equipment?
You have two options:
Register for Everblue BPI Training and save on equipment
Since you’ll need equipment for your field exam (and for working in this industry), we have partnerships with the leading manufacturers who offer our students discounts on equipment.
When you buy equipment, or anything, from eBay, you run the risk that the equipment may or may not be in the best shape.
And the field has been growing so much that used equipment is actually still expensive. In some cases, it’s the same price as buying new equipment with the previously mentioned discount.
How much is blower door equipment? You should expect to spend between $5,000 and $6,000 on brand new blower door and duct testing equipment. So think about it. Those exclusive discounts from the manufacturers will be really helpful.
Don’t let equipment be the barrier between you and your goals. We’re here to help!
Sign up for one of our BPI Certification courses and use the special equipment ordering form inside the course to get your discount!
How will the Coronavirus and the crash in oil prices affect the home energy performance industry? These are certainly trying times for many, many businesses. I have listed below the short and, likely, long term impacts of these two crises.
Coronavirus & Oil Prices
Almost everyone is impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, which has led to half the globe undergoing strict stay at home orders.
What many people are not aware of is the oil price crisis that is also happening. By itself, the crash in oil prices would be major news and significantly affect businesses around the world. Without going into too much detail, oil has crashed from near $63/barrel to $25/barrel with concern it may drop to single digit pricing. Wow!
Energy Auditing Short Term Impacts
Layoffs. The big immediate news is that most home energy auditing has simply stopped. Since most home energy contracting companies only get paid for each audit completed, most workers have been furloughed. This is not good for our workforce.
Worries about workforce retention. The utilities and major companies are worried about keeping their skilled workforce once this crisis ends. There was already a shortage of workers AND the industry has had to work hard to train thousands of auditors nationwide. Now all of that progress is at risk.
Focus on Training & Certification. Eversource, a large Northeast utility, and other areas want to focus on BPI training & certification as a way to keep the workforce engaged. The Building Performance Institute (BPI), which manages the certifications, is using this time to innovate. Here at Everblue, we now allow anyone, anywhere to get BPI certified through remote train and testing.
Less Demand for Energy Efficiency. In the very near term with low gas and energy prices, demand for energy efficiency will go down.
Energy Auditing Long Term Impacts
Turning Point. This crisis is likely a turning point in both the global warming AND the renewable energy debates (See related post). The massive drop in oil and gas prices, along with the massive drops in consumer demand, are going to make new investments in expensive long term projects for oil exploration AND large power plants much riskier. That increased risk will mean fewer projects, which will mean higher prices in the long term.
Environmental Awareness. Have you seen the images of Venice, Italy’s clear canals? How about those stunning images of atmospheric pollution reduction? Many, many people have. I hope that we come out of this crisis with a renewed sense of environmental awareness!
Federal Infrastructure Investment. When the federal government decides to invest in infrastructure as a way out of this crisis, energy efficiency will benefit.
More Demand for Energy Efficiency. The combined effects of increased environmental awareness and more expensive capital requirements for oil & energy projects means energy efficiency will win. It’s way cheaper to conserve energy than it is to spend billions generating it! Yay for home performance.
What do you think? What impacts have you seen or experienced? What is the long term prognosis? Comment below.
With the combination of online NABCEP Certification training and live online exam proctoring, you can indeed get NABCEP Certified from any location – including your home – simply by using your personal computer.
Here at Everblue, we offer NABCEP-approved and IREC-accredited solar training courses to help you qualify for a number of professional solar certifications, including:
If you’re new to solar, start with NABCEP PV Associate.
This is the entry-level credential where you can highlight that you understand how solar energy works.
There are no work experience requirements prior to sitting for this exam. In fact, once you earn the NABCEP PV Associate, you’ll have a much stronger chance of getting a solar job.
And we include the exam fee in our training package so you can fast-track to your end goal. Become a NABCEP PV Associate
If you have solar work experience, choose a specialty certification.
With the exception of NABCEP PV Associate and NABCEP PV System Inspector, all of the other certifications require that you’ve taken approved training AND completed a level of work experience before you can even sit for the certification exam.
At this point in your career, you should have a good understanding of where you want to specialize in solar – design, installation, commissioning, system inspection, sales, etc. And you’ll notice that NABCEP offers certifications that focus on these specialties!
Enjoy the convenience of taking your NABCEP Exam at home.
After providing proof of your training and work experience to NABCEP, you’ll be able to purchase your certification exam directly from the NABCEP organization.
Until recently, NABCEP staff would then connect you with their test proctoring partner, Scantron, to schedule a date and time for your NABCEP exam appointment.
NABCEP came up with a back-up plan to offer its certification exams through live online proctoring. They are working on converting the exams to this Internet-based form of assessment, which ultimately allows YOU to get NABCEP certified from home on your personal computer.
Live online exam proctoring comes with many benefits.
It seems that COVID-19 forced NABCEP’s hand to move in this direction, but there are several added benefits to remotely proctored exams, including:
Reducing the costs associated with traveling to testing sites
Making the exams more accessible to economically and geographically disadvantaged individuals
Decreasing our collective carbon footprint
Increasing candidate safety, comfort, and health
Double-check that you have the right technology to move forward.
TO COMPLETE EVERBLUE SOLAR TRAINING
Our solar training courses are accessible from any desktop computer, laptop, or mobile device. You’ll gain instant access to the online, on-demand video content after you register.
Simply log into our online training portal using the username and password provided to you, and you’ll be ready to go!
Please just make sure that you have the latest versions of your Internet browser, Flash, and Java to ensure that all videos and activities load as designed.
TO GET NABCEP CERTIFIED FROM HOME
To take a live online proctored exam, your computer must meet the following system requirements:
Desktop computer or laptop (tablets, Chromebooks, and cell phones do not meet NABCEP’s requirements)
A working built-in or external webcam and microphone
Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Hot spots are not recommended.
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Are you ready to get NABCEP Certified?
Start today with an online solar course. If you have any questions, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.
I woke up this morning to the following public safety alert. I’ve already been quarantined for 12 days, and the days are starting to blur together.
We recognize that many people have either not experienced online learning, remain skeptical, or simple are unsure how to fit it into what can be a chaotic schedule.
Here’s how we recommend finding success.
Step 1 – Choose what you want to learn. Register for the course or certification. Seriously, this little act of momentum is exciting. Let’s use that.
Step 2 – Write down your why. Write down why you want the training and what your hopes are for the future. Doing so will help provide motivation as you go through the process.
Step 3 – Find a consistent time each day. For me, it’s first thing in the morning. This is before my kids wake up. All is quiet. I get very few notifications, and I can simply focus.
Step 4 – Shut down distractions. Seriously, turn off your phone or put it in Do Not Disturb mode. Close social media, Slack, email, and anything else that will distract you. I know it is addicting, but your future self will thank you for your discipline. Personally, this is why I find early morning to be the easiest.
Bonus Tip: Schedule it on your calendar. Use “Focused Learning” and block it out so no one else encroaches on your turf.
Step 5 – Enlist a coach. Find someone to hold you accountable. Tell them your goal.
