Page 12 – Everblue Training

How Cities Are Becoming Resilient

In our previous post about resilient buildings, we talked about how the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recognized the importance of resilience during the design, construction, and operations of our building stock. They’ve also expanded this vision to cities, with initiatives that include the LEED for Cities Pilot and RELi.

Climate-related events not only affect our buildings; climate change can also impact the water, air, and health of our communities as a whole.

climate resilient cities image

Climate-resilient cities have become a focus for several major organizations. The National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) is another leader working diligently to help cities defend themselves.

The NRDC is working with the American Academy of Pediatricians, American Thoracic Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, and other partners to educate communities and government officials about how climate change impacts human health. For example, warmer temperatures lead to wildfires and worse smog, which can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory problems.

The NRDC’s main focus areas include:

Expanding green infrastructure financing
Improving climate change preparedness
Improving urban water management
Preparing for drought
Preparing for flood
Promoting urban water efficiency

Perhaps the most well-known initiative for community-wide climate resiliency is the 100 Resilient Cities program, which was pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation in 2013.

100 Resilient Cities (100RC) is dedicated to helping cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century. 100RC supports the adoption and incorporation of a view of resilience that includes not just the shocks—earthquakes, fires, floods, etc.—but also the stresses that weaken the fabric of a city on a day to day or cyclical basis.

Examples of these stresses include:

High unemployment
An overtaxed and inefficient public transportation system
Endemic violence
Chronic food and water shortages

By addressing both the shocks and the stresses, a city becomes more able to respond to adverse events, and is overall better able to deliver basic functions in both good times and bad, to all populations.

Cities in the 100RC network are provided with the following resources:

Financial and logistical guidance for establishing an innovative new position in city government, called a Chief Resilience Officer, who will lead the city’s resilience efforts
Expert support for development of a robust Resilience Strategy
Access to solutions, service providers, and partners from the private, public, and NGO sectors who can help them develop and implement their Resilience Strategies
Membership of a global network of member cities who can learn from and help each other

In late February 2019, the City of Chicago announced its participation with the 100 Resilient Cities coalition. As the first action in implementing Resilient Chicago, Mayor Emanuel shared Chicago’s aim to transition to 100% renewable energy in buildings community-wide by 2035 and to an electric CTA bus fleet by 2040 with the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign.

resilient chicago image

Developed by the City of Chicago in collaboration with 100RC, the city’s Resilience Strategy outlines 50 actionable initiatives which aim to reduce disparities between Chicago’s neighborhoods, address the root causes of crime and violence, ensure the provision of critical infrastructure, and promote engaged, prepared, and cohesive communities. Learn more online at the Resilient Chicago website.

With so much controversy concerning how we should tackle climate change, the 100 Resilient Cities initiative provides a tangible action plan for communities to take a step forward and work on resilience as a whole – whether that be related to climate, the economy, or something else. When a city is resilient, it’s more capable of reacting to, or managing, the impacts of any disaster. I look forward to seeing which other cities join the coalition and following their progress.

Resilient Building Strategies: Using LEED to Improve Infrastructure

In our previous post, we introduced the concept of resilience as it applies to infrastructure and disaster relief. To continue this theme, let’s look at what organizations are doing to encourage resilient building strategies.

LEED offers resilient building strategies

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the preeminent thought-leader on transforming the way buildings are designed, built, and operated. Their focus is to encourage green building practices at all stages of construction.

Resilience is a clear byproduct of this work. Green buildings drive resilience by including practices such as the use of durable materials, thoughtful site selection, rainwater collection, demand response, grid islanding, maximal energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy generation, and more.

Recognizing that natural and manmade hazards pose a threat to the safety of our buildings, the USGBC and its partners issued a statement in 2014, which was updated at the end of Jan. 2018, about what resilience means to them and how they will actively work toward building a more resilient infrastructure.

Specifically, USGBC outlined its commitment to resilience by way of these efforts:

Researching building materials, design techniques, and construction procedures that improve the standard of practice

Educating professionals with continuous learning

Advocating at all levels of government for effective land use policies, modern building codes, and smarter investment in the construction and maintenance of our nation’s buildings and infrastructure

Responding alongside professional emergency managers when disasters occur, including surveying damage, coordinating recovery efforts, and helping communities rebuild better and stronger than before

Planning for the future and proactively pursuing a more sustainable built environment

These activities are housed within USGBC’s Center for Resilience, which exists as a consolidated resource to explain resilience and identify related progress.

As noted in the statement, disasters are expensive to respond to, but much of the destruction can be prevented with cost-effective mitigating features and advanced planning.

USGBC is driving resilience, in more ways than one, by making buildings more sustainable, durable, and functional through the application of LEED. Through integrative design and key credits, LEED guides project teams to invest in climate adaptation strategies to enhance building and community resilience.

There are three pilot credits in the LEED Rating System about resilient design. They were first introduced in 2015 and were recently updated to enhance project resilience more than ever.

Assessment and Planning for Resilience (IPpc98): This credit encourages project teams to determine potential vulnerabilities at the project location. With recent revisions to the credit, risks that must be considered as part of this credit now include sea level rise, extreme heat and more intense winter storms. To earn the credit, project teams must identify risks related to the effects of climate change (this consideration was previously considered optional).

Designing for Enhanced Resilience (IPpc99): This credit ensures that the risk-related information collected as mandated by credit IPpc98 is taken into account via mitigation measures. Originally, this credit required the top three hazards to be addressed in turn for one point. The revised credit states that project teams must address either one or two of the top hazards, with one point available for each. This tiered approach allows teams to earn acknowledgement for mitigating multiple types of risks.

Passive Survivability and Back-Up Power During Disruptions (IPpc100):This credit centers around the concept that buildings should be able to safely shelter occupants during a power outage, as well as be able to provide back-up power. Originally, this credit also addressed access to potable water, but that path has been rewritten as an option for one of the compliance paths.

If you’re interested in learning more about resilient building strategies, consider enrolling in a LEED Green Associate training course.

The LEED Green Associate class is the first step toward learning about proactive building strategies that result in lowered energy use, water use, and construction costs.

With the natural connection between LEED and resilience, you can kill two birds with one stone and start improving buildings with a preventative and holistic approach.

BPI Energy Audits Can Save the Lives of Homeowners

During the winter months, it’s not uncommon to see articles about the benefits of BPI energy audits, especially as a solution to controlling energy bills while maintaining thermal comfort.

But BPI energy audits serve another purpose year-round: saving lives.

During a home energy audit, a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified professional uses building science principles and diagnostic testing to solve heating, cooling, and air leakage problems. Specifically, these professionals are looking for the root causes of high energy costs, poor indoor air quality, and reduced occupant comfort. They inspect the interior and exterior systems of the home, test air quality, and identify opportunities for improvement.

One of the most important components of BPI energy audits is combustion safety testing, which is where the auditor evaluates the performance of all combustion appliances in the home. That includes testing furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and gas kitchen appliances to ensure that they are working properly. If they’re not working properly, it’s possible for carbon monoxide (CO) to leak into the air. This colorless, odorless, tasteless gas is deadly, so by placing emphasis on combustion safety testing, home energy auditors are able to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning among homeowners and occupants.

BPI energy audits

Making a Difference with BPI Energy Audits

The home performance professionals who seek BPI Certification are generally aware of the “good” that their newfound skill set will offer, but a recent candidate for certification realized the impact much sooner than he had anticipated.

Matthew Greenawalt, of Milton, PA, received BPI Certification training through Everblue, an approved BPI Test Center. He chose to participate in Everblue’s online format of the training, which concludes with a remotely proctored written exam and field exam.

As part of the field exam, BPI candidates are required to walk through and narrate the steps of a home energy audit. They demonstrate their use of the diagnostic equipment and perform the air quality tests before a proctor.

On Feb. 15, Matthew scheduled his field exam with Everblue’s BPI exam proctor. Physically located in North Carolina, the proctor used Zoom video conferencing software to supervise Matthew’s exam. Matthew was prepared with all of his energy auditing equipment and had arranged to use a friend’s house in PA for his field exam.

Matthew started the exam with testing the carbon monoxide levels outside in order to set a baseline. He used his combustible gas leak detector to slowly measure air leakage from outdoor pipes. After he inspected the exterior of the home, he went inside for further testing. As advised during Everblue’s course, Matthew brought his ambient CO monitor with him during the interior walk-through and testing of the home.

While performing the combustion safety testing on his friend’s furnace, Matthew’s carbon monoxide monitor started beeping. He identified that the ambient CO got up to 50 parts per million (PPM) – a dangerous level. (For reference, at 70 PPM, a person would evacuate the home.)

Matthew’s response was exactly right; he turned off the furnace and ventilated the home. Once it was safe to continue, Matthew resumed the rest of the field exam.

Had it not been for this chance encounter, Matthew’s friend would never have known about the carbon monoxide issue in his home. Prior to even earning his BPI Certification, Matthew effectively saved his friend’s life.

As Matthew goes on in his career as a BPI-certified energy auditor, he’ll always remember the impact that he has when he goes into a client’s home.

After receiving a home energy audit, homeowners can expect to lower their energy usage, save money, and breathe cleaner air. Oftentimes, BPI energy auditors are also licensed trade professionals who can help a homeowner with making home energy improvements and retrofits. It’s a win-win for the homeowner and for the auditor.

Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life? Hire or become a BPI-certified home energy auditor today!

Everblue offers BPI training courses online and in select cities across the United States. The BPI Building Analyst course is most popular for becoming a certified home energy auditor; however, Everblue also offers advanced and specialized BPI certification classes too. For more information on earning a BPI Certification, call Everblue at (800) 460-2575.

Getting Your Energy Auditor License

As you embark on a new career path in the energy efficiency industry, you may begin your research with identifying the qualifications for an energy auditor license.

But, for the most part, an “Energy Auditor License” does not exist.

Energy Auditor License Application image

How can this be? How do you show that you’re a competent energy auditor? Keep reading.

If you work in a construction trade, such as HVAC, general contracting, or plumbing, you’re familiar with contractor licensing requirements in your state.

Because of the strong link between these trades and energy efficiency, you might want to upgrade your skills to become an energy auditor.

Rationally, you might assume that an energy auditor would also have to adhere to state contractor licensing, but that’s not exactly the case.

Instead, energy auditing is viewed more as a certifiable skill set than a licensed trade. In other words, it’s a set of skills that build on top of your existing occupation (known as a certification).

Many people confuse the terms license and certification, so let’s get that out of the way right now.

Licensure = mandated by the state to practice a profession or offer a service within that designated scope of practice

Certification = provided by a private organization comprised of trade-specific professionals who identify tasks and duties that best represent a competent professional in the industry

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some states require prospective energy auditors to take courses or earn certification.

Because energy auditor certification represents an individual’s superior level of knowledge and experience, an employer may choose to hire a candidate with a certification over someone without a certification.

Home energy auditor certification is available through:

the Building Performance Institute (BPI)
the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)

Commercial energy auditor certification is available through:

Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)

Do note that these organizations are known as the standards bodies, which means they define the knowledge, skills, and abilities held by competent energy auditors and create the technical guidelines that they must follow during their audits.

These organizations rely on a network of training providers (like Everblue) to actually administer the energy auditor training – and, in some cases, the certification exams.

So, to become an energy auditor, you should consider these steps:

Earn a state contractor license in your desired trade
Choose whether you want to pursue residential or commercial auditing
Determine which energy auditor certification you want to achieve
Enroll in energy auditor training
Pass your certification exam(s)

For more customized assistance choosing the right career path or energy auditing courses, call us at (800) 460-2575.

Footnote: The state of Nevada is, quite possibly, the only state with a specific process and application to legally perform work as an energy auditor. In other situations, such as the SFEnvironment program, a complementary state license with related work experience could qualify a person as an energy auditor. But, by and large, there is no nationwide license for energy auditors. That said, the energy auditor certifications available through BPI, RESNET, and AEE are recognized nationally (because, remember, these designations are not legally tied to a state, since they are marketable professional certifications).

Learn more about Everblue's RESNET HERS Rater Training

Getting Your Solar Installer License

Commercial and residential solar is growing exponentially in locations across the country, leaving states to play catch-up as far as rolling out contractor requirements and qualifications.

More and more jurisdictions have started to define what it means to be a practicing solar installation professional, however the definitions vary by state – and often county to county.

What’s often confused are the terms solar license and solar certification – and which is required?

Licensure = mandated by the state to practice a profession or offer a service within that designated scope of practice

Certification = provided by a private organization comprised of trade-specific professionals who identify tasks and duties that best represent a competent professional in the industry

How Solar Licensing Works

In general, there are three basic approaches for states to regulate solar installations, either through licensure or certification.

1. No specific solar license – must be a licensed electrician (to install solar panels) or a licensed plumber (to install solar thermal)

Down side: electricians and plumbers with no experience in solar can complete installations while installers with years of solar experience are barred from the trade. In other words, this option can be a barrier to entry-level contractors who want to install solar but are not licensed as an electrician or plumber.

2. Criteria for utility incentive programs – requires a solar installer to achieve professional certification as proof of their knowledge and skills

Plus side: this approach opens a career pathway for individuals who want to become solar installers but are not licensed tradespeople. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) worked with industry experts to create a “Job Task Analysis” that defines the knowledge and skills for a solar installation professional. After passing the NABCEP exam and earning the certification, an individual can effectively advertise their expertise in the solar industry.

3. Specific solar license – when states identify specific requirements for a contractor to earn a license specializing in solar

These licenses may be sub-classifications of an electrical or plumbing license and are typically defined to limit the scope of work to direct solar installations and maintenance tasks

As a general rule, if a state does not have specific licensing requirements for solar installers, then it would fall back to general licensing requirements that would apply to all electrical work.

Benefits of Licensure vs. Certification graphic

Do I Need a Solar License or a Solar Certification?

Contractor requirements depend on exactly which occupation you wish to pursue and which city you intend to work in.

For example, a solar contractor in…

State A may need an electrician’s license
State B may need an electrician’s license with a specialty license in solar
State C may need a general contractor’s license
State D may not need a license but may need a NABCEP Certification
State E may need a NABCEP Certification to qualify for the license

A short cut to a definitive answer is to call your local utility.

State-by-State Solar Licensing Requirements

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC), supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE), has created a Solar Licensing Database as a resource for policy makers, practitioners, consumers, and anyone else looking for solar licensing information in the U.S.

The state-by-state information offers a handy comparison for reviewing the different approaches across state lines and identifies various practices for regulating the solar installation industry.

What remains unclear is how recent the information was updated, so again, we suggest calling your local utility, researching your state contractor’s board, and comparing what you’ve learned to this handy guide to make sure that you have ALL the right information.

At the time of its publication, the IREC Solar Licensing Database identified 14 states with specific solar license classifications (usually sub-classifications of electrical or plumbing licenses).

States with a solar licensing requirement graphic

Regardless of whether you need a solar license or a solar certification, you’ll need to complete basic solar training in order to understand the tasks and responsibilities of being a solar installer.

This is where Everblue comes in. We’ll teach you the fundamental solar skills so you can feel confident moving forward – whether that means taking a licensing exam, getting a job, or pursuing a solar certification.

For more information about solar courses, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.

LEED Exam Difficulty: What to Expect & How to Prepare

Many people wonder, “How hard is the LEED exam?” Well, that’s a subjective question, isn’t it? Gauging LEED exam difficulty depends on your work experience and familiarity with the subject matter.

And yet, there are some facts about the LEED exam that make it inherently challenging, which we’ll get into below.

But a realistic answer from me to you about LEED exam difficulty, is this: You’ll get a different answer from each person you ask because the answer depends on…

a candidate’s level of experience
time spent studying
general confidence in test-taking

LEED exam wordle image

LEED Exam Pass Rate

And if you’re wondering about the pass rate for the LEED exam, unfortunately the U.S. Green Building Council (who created the LEED standards and exam) does not release official pass rates.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC, for short) likes to keep the exam a mystery, as in…

you have to score a 170 out of 200 to pass but questions are weighted differently, so there’s no magic number as to how many questions you have to answer correctly
there are 15 unscored questions on the exam (that USGBC will evaluate for experimental purposes), but you won’t know which questions are scored and which are unscored
there are 1000+ questions in the pool to form your 100-question exam, so no two exams will have the same questions in the same order.

Why It’s Challenging

I can tell you that the LEED exam is challenging from the standpoint that it forces candidates to balance:

subject-matter expertise (LEED)
time management skills
test-taking strategy

The most successful candidates are able to equally balance all three. So if you know that you’re weak in one of those areas, it’s important that you work on cultivating that skill set.

How To Be Successful

Our LEED Exam Prep training is designed to improve those skills; not only will we teach you everything you need to know to pass the LEED exam from a content standpoint, but we’ll also share best practices for managing your time and approaching the test questions.

And by the way, though a background in architecture or construction will certainly be helpful, do know that the LEED exam is NOT an occupational licensing exam (i.e., the ARE exam for architects or a PE exam for engineers).

This internationally-recognized exam is wholly devoted to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) concepts, such as:

the LEED building certification process
LEED rating system structure
LEED credit requirements, etc.

In other words, you need to learn the LEED terms and processes, regardless of your occupation, if you want to do well on the exam!

Candidates with backgrounds in Accounting, Political Science, and Marketing have taken our LEED Green Associate Exam Prep, followed our 30-day study pacing guide, and passed their exams on schedule. You can do it too!

Blower Door Testing Requirement Open to Interpretation

If you’ve browsed the list of BPI Certifications, you’re aware that several designations exist and cross-over on skills may cause you to question such things like Building Analyst vs. IDL. It can be difficult to determine which certification is right for your business. Specifically, blower door testing has grown in popularity due to the blower door testing requirement in many building codes across the country. And several of the BPI certifications address this skill set. So the question becomes, BPI Building Analyst vs. IDL – which do I need for blower door testing and code compliance?

Across the country, we’re seeing HVAC contractors and home performance professionals racing to get the BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage Certification in an attempt to satisfy their local building code requirements for blower door testing and/or duct leakage testing.

What is BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage?

The BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage Certification (BPI IDL, for short) was created in 2014 by the Building Performance Institute (BPI), a nonprofit organization devoted to energy efficiency-related standards development.

BPI IDL is a certification that focuses exclusively on setting up and operating air leakage equipment, specifically blower door and duct blaster equipment.

Modern building codes are starting to include a blower door testing requirement for new homes constructed in many jurisdictions.

energy auditor addressing the blower door testing requirement

Other BPI Certifications Exist, However…

BPI has created workforce standards for a variety of home energy skill sets, resulting in professional certifications for the individuals who work in those roles.

Prior to 2014, the most popular BPI Certification was BPI Building Analyst, which is known as the whole-house energy auditor certification. BPI Building Analyst professionals are skilled at evaluating energy efficiency points throughout a home, using interior and exterior home inspection, doing blower door tests, and combustion safety.

Since 2014, there’s been some confusion about which BPI certification to pursue – should I get BPI Building Analyst or BPI IDL? Enter the Building Analyst vs. IDL debate.

As you can imagine, this answer largely depends on what you’re trying to achieve, but let’s dive into the differences between the two certifications quickly.

BPI Building Analyst vs. IDL: The Differences

In the BPI IDL course, you learn how to use the air leakage equipment to meet the blower door testing requirement.

BPI Building Analyst, on the other hand, focuses more on building science principles and the “house-as-a-system” approach to home energy auditing. This approach considers the house as an energy system with interdependent parts, each of which affects the performance of the entire system. It also takes the occupants, site, and local climate into consideration.

BPI Certifications	IDL	BA
	*Energy Code Compliant*	*an Energy Auditor*
Blower Door Tests	X	X
Duct Leakage Tests	X
Building Science Analysis		X
Carbon Monoxide Tests		X
Gas Leak Tests		X
Combustion Safety Tests		X
Energy Modeling		X

BPI Building Analyst Focuses on the “Why”

What you’ll find when you research Building Analyst vs. IDL is that IDL shows you how to use the tools, but Building Analyst is going to teach you how to evaluate every single home – because literally, every home is so different.

Regardless of whether it’s a new construction project or an existing home retrofit, the “why” matters quite a bit.

Every home is designed a little bit differently. So a BPI Building Analyst professional has a keen understanding of why certain elements inside the home are acting as they are and how that impacts other elements in the home. BPI Building Analyst really gets into the why – why what you’re doing as a BPI IDL blower door technician actually matters.

types of houses

For this reason, building code officials may start to require the BPI Building Analyst Certification instead of, or in addition to, the BPI IDL Certification. They want a skilled workforce that can comprehend a wide variety of residential energy issues.

Putting It Into Practice

Because no two houses are exactly the same, a certified home energy auditor should be able to use his or her building science background to troubleshoot and brainstorm appropriate solutions.

The idea behind the Building Analyst is that you learn the science behind why different home elements matter (in the big picture) and how they interact with one another.

For example, in some cases, when doing a home energy audit, you might exclude the volume of a home’s attic, understanding how it affects the house and the impact it has on other elements in the home.

Is the attic an un-conditioned space that’s drawing in conditioned air?
Is it completely sealed and independent?
Or is it a conditioned space that should be included in the total house calculations?

It all depends on what you’re trying to measure, so you need to be well-versed in the overall building science to make those kinds of unique decisions.

Which BPI Certification Do You Need?

^ A question we are seeing more and more, as it relates to building code compliance!

As we mentioned before, many state building codes are starting to require blower door and/or duct leakage testing by a third party, certified professional. Beyond that, the building code typically does not go into any further detail about what’s required to satisfy this action item.

And because the state energy code is written using sometimes vague or broad language, it is open to interpretation by the building departments in each municipality.

This is the same in literally every state: it’s up to the local municipalities to set and enforce the rules (unless, on a rare occasion, the state forbids it). So that means neighboring municipalities can require two unique sets of rules. You have to be compliant wherever you are doing the work – whether that’s one jurisdiction or several.

Example of building code adoption by county in Missouri:

County building codes in Missouri

A municipality can also set a higher (or more strict) standard than the state! For example: Pennsylvania building code

Why the Building Code is Open to Interpretation

It’s been difficult for rule-making committees like BPI and the state level building codes to write good rules about home energy auditing. They’ve struggled over the last 20 years because every home is so different.

One thing we can say for a fact is that having a completely sealed building envelope is extremely important. But beyond that, there’s so much nuance in literally every home situation.

Having a one-size-fits-all approach can be difficult and even more difficult to write into code in a way that can be universally followed – and we haven’t even started talking about the specialized approaches you must have in different climate regions (homes in the Northeast vs. homes in Florida)!

For anyone who is particularly passionate about building science and state energy codes, you might consider volunteering either on the state level or at the BPI level to help write some of this code. It takes smart people in the field to be able to participate in that role. And especially if you’re the type of energy professional who desires uniformity, volunteering with these rule-making committees could be a good outlet and contribution to the industry.

It’s really hard to get uniformity – not just at the municipality level – but even in the interpretations of how to do some of the analysis.

To summarize…

every home is different
every climate has unique needs
no two municipalities will interpret the building code in the same way
building science will help you make informed decisions in any home

BPI is growing increasingly popular. Whether you currently work in a residential building trade or want to get into the energy efficiency industry, BPI Certification offers a strong skill set and nationally recognized certification for home energy auditing. With a BPI certification, you can add onto your existing business, offer code compliance testing services, and help homeowners reduce their energy use.

For more information, visit our New to BPI? Start Here section or call us at (800) 460-2575.

Learning Management Systems & LMS Hosting

A Learning Management System, LMS for short, is software used to help manage, deploy, and track learning and testing. Principally used for e-learning the best LMS systems are accessible online through any browser on any computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

LMS software is increasingly being used to manage and supplement traditional face to face learning as well. This is usually called blended learning, where the course of instruction might include both online content and live, in-person interactions.

Most of the major LMS systems now also include modules for multimedia content, badging students, quizzing, testing, and so on. Particularly for quizzing and testing, there are a dizzying array of options to choose from in regards to question formats, present of questions, question banks, answer requirements, and so one.

In the past 2 years or so, one of the newest trends is requirements for exam security and online proctoring. Mostly, these features are provided by 3rd party software, which is separate from the LMS itself. However, recent technological innovation has now led to combined software programs that include the test engine, test security, and online proctoring into one service offering. This can be included in an LMS hosting package.

If you are just learning about Learning Management Systems, then feel free to call us at (800) 460-2575 for a quick consultation about how we can help you get started.

Online Solar Training is Convenient & Flexible for All Users

When Everblue first opened its doors in 2008, we exclusively offered in-person classroom training in over 100 locations around the world.

But thanks to the rise of video services (like YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix, Hulu, and Facebook) and the accessibility of Internet-connected mobile devices, we noticed a shift toward online learning.

As more of you asked for online training courses, we started developing them! And now we offer 23 courses in 100% online formats!

Our top-rated course, for example, is PV101 Solar Associate, which is our prerequisite course to starting a career in solar. This 100% online program has helped thousands of people learn about solar energy.

Everblue online solar training image

Naturally, there will always be some people who say that they learn better in a hands-on environment, which is why we do still offer some live training in select locations across the country. But it’s also important that we share why you shouldn’t be afraid of online solar training.

Concern #1 – I’m not really tech-savvy.

Will I struggle with online solar training?

As long as you have a device that can connect to the Internet, you can participate in online solar training – and thrive!

(If you’re really that worried about being tech-savvy, I might recommend using a desktop computer as opposed to a phone, simply because the computer will give you a bigger screen, which might make it easier to see all the elements.)

The best part of our online solar training is how easy it is to follow along!

Register
Check your email for your username and password
Log in
Click on your course
Work your way down the page (top to bottom), viewing every section

We explain every step of the course. If you have ANY questions, you can always call or email us for assistance!

By the way, did you know that almost 22% of the energy industry’s workforce is 55 years of age or older?

A long-held misconception is that Baby Boomers are slow to pick up on technology, so you might be hesitant to pursue online solar training. But according to YouTube, this generation is one of the fastest growing demographics for online video consumption, with time spent by adults 55+ growing 80% faster than overall growth. So know that you’re NOT alone, and you CAN do it!

Concern #2 – I’m new to solar.

Can I confidently enter the solar workforce after online training?

Online solar training is a great way to start your journey. Here are a few reasons why:

Instant Access – you don’t have to wait to attend a class in the future; stop procrastinating!
Convenience – you can participate from home; no need to spend money on gas or lodging
Flexibility – you can log in as your schedule allows; digest minutes or hours of content at a time

Research from YouTube shows that the average mobile viewing session lasts more than 40 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time to knock out a lesson or two!

With online classes, you can watch the material as many times as you need, which is particularly great for beginners. Whether you’re preparing for a new career opportunity or freshening up on concepts during your first few weeks on the job, you can quickly turn to your online course to get the help you need.

If you worry about not having hands-on solar install training, consider this:

The solar industry is very much a technology industry, like a computer that you buy today would be obsolete 3-4 years from now. The materials that are used in the solar industry are evolving at the same rapid pace, so we’ve built our courses to focus on the fundamental concepts. That way, you understand how things fit together, not just how a particular piece of equipment works with another particular piece of equipment.

solar equipment brands image

For a lot of people, the hands-on class is a confidence-booster (“I touched it, I felt it myself, I put my hands on these things”), but at the end of the day, it’s more important to understand the concepts and how those go together.

Different companies use different brands, so just because you trained on one thing doesn’t mean you’ll actually use that specific brand at your job. As the industry evolves, the things you trained on today may not be the things you use on the job 2 years from now.

Solar is naturally technology-driven. Teaching the concepts is most important, and you can get that from the online class. This is especially why we list PV101 Solar Fundamentals as our first-level course.

We watch over 1 billion hours of online videos a day.

Online learning is a trend that continues to grow and has no end in sight, so it’s best that we embrace it as a reality and do what we can to be a responsible participant.

With 400 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, it’s impossible to cut through the crap and verify which users have credible experience.

This is why accredited training providers like Everblue exist. Our online solar courses will satisfy your need for “how-to” video content and:

are created by experienced electrical contractors and solar installers
are aligned with the internationally-recognized solar workforce standards created by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
are accredited by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council

If you plan on pursuing a career in the solar industry with a license or certification, wouldn’t you want to be sure that the video you watched came from a reputable source?

So take a chance on online solar training! If you’re serious about joining this industry, we can help you get there. You just have to make that first move, whether it’s registering for the PV101 course or calling us at (800) 460-2575 with your questions. Start today!

Image courtesy of solarcarib.com

Learn more about Everblue's PV101 Training

Is LEED Still Worth It? The Case for LEED Training & Certification

Aaron, construction project estimator, was debating whether to study for the LEED Green Associate exam. He asked me, “Is LEED still worth it?”

Is LEED Still Worth It? Your View vs. Your Boss’s View

A job recruiter recommended that Aaron get a LEED credential, as it will make him more valuable. The value is not just the knowledge he gains by studying, but the credential itself is a signal to employers that he is the type of person who pursues professional development opportunities.

However, Aaron’s boss didn’t think it was worth it. The boss’s primary concern was that his company was too busy to allow Aaron to take time off for studying or professional development.

I asked Aaron if his boss had any recommendations for professional development. He said “not really.” Unfortunately, this is very common. Some people worry that if their employees gain a new skill or certification that they might want more money or find new employment.

Aaron did volunteer that the company was very busy, but should that stop him from bettering himself?

I asked Aaron a few questions about his company and his career goals. He said that they were a non-union general construction company in the New York area. Their work is mostly with private developers who build and then sell their buildings.

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With that information as background, here are my thoughts:

LEED Matters if You Care About Sustainability

First, I asked him if he cared about the environment and the quality of their projects. Does he have professional pride? Yes about the environment and yes about professional pride. LEED training is not just about passing the Green Associate or Accredited Professional exams. It’s about new ways of thinking. It’s about becoming a voice for sustainability. It’s about doing your part to make our world a better place. My hope for any of my students in the LEED classes is that they leave inspired to go and implement what they learn on their project teams!

LEED Matters if You Work in Any Kind of Building Construction Role

Second, LEED is not just for contractors. LEED is for literally everyone in the building construction process. From manufacturers to estimators to architects, engineers, and contractors. Everyone can benefit from learning about the LEED principles. And ALL OF US benefit when we build buildings that are healthier and more sustainable.

LEED Matters to Building Occupants

Third, LEED is absolutely still relevant with anyone that builds and then operates a building. Government, Higher Ed, and Corporations all build LEED buildings because they build and then occupy the same building. They have a vested interest in looking at the entire lifecycle of their building. They don’t care about saving money on construction costs if it means spending way more money on utility bills or lost employee productive or higher maintenance costs. Unfortunately, that is not the case for a typical private sector developer who sells the building after construction. In that case the developer optimizes for minimum construction costs even if that means the future owner is less productive or has higher operating costs. That’s just the way our free market works.

Earning a LEED Credential Shows Your Openness to Growth

Fourth, the LEED credentials speak to a person’s commitment to personal growth and career development. This is true of any credential or advanced training. “Is LEED still worth it?” Why, yes, LEED happens to be a widely recognized standard, so it works great on a resume or on LinkedIn. It shows that someone cared enough about their career to take the time and spend the money for advanced training. That alone speaks volumes. Personally, having reviewed thousands of resumes and having hired hundreds of people, I like growth candidates.

Is LEED Still Worth It? Yes!

If you’re concerned about the future of our planet, now more than ever, we need to advocate for more sustainability. Not less!

So if you’re still asking, “Is LEED still worth it?” hopefully we’ve calmed your concerns and shown you why it’s important. And if you’re ready to get started, join us for LEED Green Associate Exam Prep – which can be taken in a live, instructor-led format or in an online (self-paced) format.

If you work in the building industry, there’s no excuse for not being aware of LEED and knowledgeable about its guiding principles. Start today!