Many people believe that California is a leader in renewable energy generation, particularly solar energy, because of its largely sunny weather. While that’s true, there are additional factors that have enabled the state to lead in this sector. Let’s take a moment to explore the California renewable energy policies that have helped the state succeed.
For starters, California is the world’s sixth-largest economy, with a GDP larger than that of countries like France and India, so it has the money required for renewable energy investments. In fact, as of Q2 2018, California boasted $44,124.40 million in total solar investments. And with the price of renewables constantly decreasing, California is further empowered to lead the world toward a renewable future.
In any list relating to renewable energy generation, you’ll likely see California near – or at – the top. With 2,063 solar companies, over 86,000 solar jobs, and close to 6 million homes powered by solar, the state is a hotbed of activity. Let’s review some of California’s greatest successes in the renewable energy industry…
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Timeline of Renewable Energy Policies in California
How did we get here?
In addition to its geographic and economic conditions, California’s state policies have long supported the transition to renewable energy.
2007
Million Solar Roofs Legislation. The California Solar Initiative was introduced, with the intent of installing solar panels on an additional million rooftops of homes and businesses in California by 2018.
2008
Feed-in Tariff. California offered long-term contracts to renewable energy producers as a way of accelerating and ensuring investment in renewable energy.
PACE Financing. City of Berkeley pioneered the model for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, which lent money to a homeowner for a solar system and required repayment via an additional tax assessment on the property for 20 years.
2013
Municipal Rooftop Solar Requirement. Lancaster, CA became the first U.S. city to mandate the inclusion of solar panels on new homes, requiring that “every new housing development must average 1 kilowatt per house.” Sebastopol, San Francisco, Santa Monica, and San Mateo later followed.
2015
50% Renewable Energy Goal. Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring California’s utilities to obtain 50% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by the end of 2030.
2018
State Rooftop Solar Requirement. The commissioners of the California Energy Commission voted unanimously to require that nearly all new homes in the state be built with solar panels.
100% Renewable Energy Goal. State Senate Leader Kevin de Leon’s plan to require California to produce all of its energy from renewable sources by 2045 passed.
With its geographic, economic, and legislative conditions, California is in a favorable place to continue growing the renewable energy industry. The state is already on track to meet its 2045 goals and will need a trained workforce to support its efforts.
If you’re interested in joining the solar workforce, call us at (800) 460-2575. Our solar training courses will give you the knowledge and technical skills to join the industry in no time!
In a world that is constantly evolving, one of the hallmarks of the LEED green building rating system is “continuous improvement.” The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), who created the LEED standards, debuts a new version of the standards every few years to reflect where the building industry has grown and to explain best practices for continuing to move the needle. We are currently operating on LEED Version 4, but there has been much talk of an updated version called LEED v4.1.
Is LEED v4.1 available now for accreditation? No, but LEED v4 is! Get training now
Why should you care? Because it’s the future of green building. Keep reading!
If you’re new to LEED and want to get caught up on this topic, please take a moment to visit our Getting Started With LEED overview series, where we’ll define LEED, explain how it’s used, identify who uses it, and the benefits of earning a LEED professional credential. But for now, we’re going to discuss the future of LEED and what we can look forward to in LEED Version 4.1.
With each new version, LEED raises the bar to increase the impact on our built environment. USGBC has also been working to ensure that LEED not only meets different geographic market needs but also that the rating system accelerates the speed with which that market moves.
This incremental step from LEED v4 to LEED v4.1 is key in achieving the goal of green buildings and communities for all within a generation and is built on the concept of “all buildings in.” With that guiding mantra, USGBC has decided to focus its LEED v4.1 efforts on one particular building sector to begin with. They have decided to start with the existing buildings market—those buildings that are occupied and in use right now, already impacting the lives of many people.
For existing buildings, LEED v4.1 will be new, improved and agile to make it easier for every type of existing building to achieve LEED certification or be on a path to do so.
How is LEED v4.1 Different from LEED v4?
Unlike LEED Version 4, which completely updated the LEED rating system in 2014 compared to 2009 levels, LEED v4.1 is not a full version change. Instead, it is the next evolution for the rating system, using the existing credit requirements as a foundation.
LEED v4.1 is an update focused on the implementation, applicability, and agility of LEED. As a consensus-based system, the new LEED version largely is a result of feedback provided by construction stakeholders and green building project teams.
The goals of this update are to:
Address market barriers and lessons learned from LEED v4 project teams.
Update performance thresholds and reference standards to ensure LEED remains the global leadership standard for green buildings.
Expand the marketplace for LEED.
Improve performance throughout the life of buildings.
Reward leaders based on their performance and incorporate performance reporting to enable building owners to track progress toward environmental, social, and governance goals.
What’s New in LEED v4.1?
In LEED v4.1, the rating system is simplified. The scorecard and requirements are streamlined, and new methodologies for tracking and rating performance are integrated directly into the rating system, providing a clear framework for achieving LEED certification, not just for entire buildings, but for spaces within buildings as well.
Here’s a quick summary of updates:
Performance will be integrated and will use the performance score on the Arc platform.
Prerequisites will be streamlined for energy, water, indoor air quality, and basic policies (site, purchasing and smoking).
International standards will be added or updated wherever appropriate.
Strategies will be linked to the performance indicators they improve.
Language will be added to LEED O+M to address interiors spaces.
With LEED v4.1 O+M, an initial certification will be awarded to projects based on the implementation of sustainable operational strategies and performance score achievement in LEED Online.
The resulting points for performance will translate into a LEED certification level.
When is LEED v4.1 Coming?
Despite USGBC’s messaging that “LEED v4.1 is here,” good things take time. Here’s a quick overview of the action:
Nov. 2017 – Attendees of the Greenbuild Conference & Expo got an introduction to LEED v4.1.
Jan. 2018 – USGBC announced its LEED v4.1 goals and expectations for each rating system.
Mar. 2018 – USGBC made the beta guide, credit library, scorecards, and summary of changes available.
In a recent email dated 9/24/18, USGBC shared that an official roll out date for LEED v4.1 has not yet been determined. The standard is currently in beta, which means that project teams can review the changes and try them out on their projects. During this time, LEED v4 is open for use by all projects. By slowly introducing LEED v4.1 concepts, USGBC can encourage engagement with the rating system and get feedback from stakeholders.
The standard will likely go through the official process of public commenting in the first quarter of 2019. This timeframe is subject to change. The v4.1 standard will also go through a ballot process before the final version can come out.
It remains to be seen whether LEED O+M v4.1 will roll out on its own or in conjunction with 4.1 versions of all the LEED rating systems.
Which LEED Exam Should I Take?
It’s important to note that, as of this post’s publication, the LEED v4.1 standard only affects LEED Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance and would therefore potentially only impact the LEED AP O+M exam. However…
Please note that all LEED exam candidates are required to first take and pass the LEED Green Associate exam before they can pursue the advanced LEED AP O+M exam. The LEED Green Associate exam is still operating under LEED v4 and is currently available, so there is nothing stopping you from satisfying this prerequisite now. To educate yourself on the exam concepts, you should enroll in a LEED Green Associate Exam Prep course and spend 2-3 weeks studying the course materials and practice questions.
After you’ve passed the LEED Green Associate exam, you can start thinking about the LEED AP O+M exam.
The LEED AP O+M exam won’t change until the v4.1 rating system is officially released, which has a to-be-determined date.
Should you wait to take the LEED AP O+M exam? Not at all! There are thousands of old buildings in need of modern sustainability retrofits, and there is nothing stopping you from putting yourself on the path to improving those buildings.
Here’s what we recommend that you do now:
Study & sit for the LEED Green Associate v4 exam
Study & sit for the LEED AP O+M v4 exam
Gain LEED project experience and familiarize yourself with some of the new LEED v4.1 requirements
Consider researching LEED v4.1 or enrolling in a course about LEED v4.1 and count those hours toward your mandatory LEED Credential Maintenance training!
For more information about how you or your building projects will be impacted by LEED v4.1, please give us a call at (800) 460-2575.
Solar energy is arguably the fastest-growing sector of our decade. As such, professionals from many different backgrounds are starting to look to solar as a new career. Money is usually one of the first considerations someone has when thinking about switching careers. And with solar installation being the most newsworthy occupation, you’re probably wondering about solar installer salary.
While this shouldn’t be the #1 reason to start a new career, there’s no denying that it’s a factor, so let’s look into it. First, let’s get on the same page about what a solar installer job entails.
Solar Installer Job Overview
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installers assemble, install, and maintain solar panel systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. This may include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. They may also perform minor electrical work, such as checking currents.
Other names for this job might include Apprentice, Electro-Mechanical Solar Technician, Installer, Journeyman Electrician PV Installer, Lead Installer, Photovoltaic Fabrication and Testing Technician (PV Fabrication and Testing Technician), Photovoltaic Fabrication Technician (PV Fabrication Technician), Photovoltaic Installation Technician (PV Installation Technician), Photovoltaic Installer (PV Installer), Photovoltaic Panel Installer (PV Panel Installer).
Solar Panel Installer Pay
A solar installer’s salary will vary slightly depending on which research you look at, but the overall consensus is that a solar installer will make $35,000 – $45,000 each year.
Numbers falling within this range are mentioned on at least 8 different salary-related websites. This estimated solar installer salary range falls in line with Indeed.com’s research, which evaluated 1,837 employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months (last updated 7/12/21). Indeed.com found an average salary in the U.S. of $21.31/hour.
These numbers may change depending on:
Education
Work Experience
Certifications/licensure
Location
We’ll dive into each factor below.
It’s important to note that, as with any occupation, minimum wage may differ by jurisdiction and wages and benefits vary by employer. You should consult your prospective employer for actual salary figures.
Education
Most solar panel installers receive training at a community college or technical school, like Everblue. Many take solar training courses to learn about electricity, safety, panel configuration and design, and solar installation technique.
Installers trained as electricians or those that are licensed as general contractors can make significantly more money than career-switching newcomers.
Work Experience
OwlGuru.com explains that a solar installer’s salary can be as low as $32,590 if you’re still a newbie with no experience, to over $64,600 if you have a ton of experience under your belt.
Similarly, the typical hourly pay is $23 and can range from $16 to $31, again depending on if you are new to solar or a seasoned professional.
According to Payscale.com, experience strongly influences income for this job. Most people move on to other jobs if they have more than 10 years’ experience in this field.
Certifications/Licensure
Solar installer licensure and certification requirements vary by state. More and more locations are starting to require a passing score on a state licensure exam and/or for individuals to obtain third-party solar certification.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that certification by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is required for many jobs, particularly large commercial installations and residential installations.
Location
A 2019 article from money.usnews.com shared solar installer salary statistics by region.
The best paying cities for solar PV installers were:
Santa Cruz, CA: $72,300
San Francisco, CA: $58,650
Urban Honolulu, HI: $58,630
Visalia, CA: $58,590
Kahului, HI: $55,450
Note – in the 2016 version of this article, Kahului was again listed but with a salary approximately $10K less than the 2019 figure. In fact, all of the cities in the 2016 salary were lower than the 2019 figures. This shows that salaries are continuing to rise for solar installers.
The best paying states were:
Oregon: $58,180
Hawaii: $56,920
Texas: $53,700
Massachusetts: $53,180
Arizona: $51,840
According to Recruiter.com (date of article unknown), solar PV installers obtain the highest salaries in New York, which has an average pay rate close to $71,030 per year. Here is the Recruiter.com list of best paying states for its year of research:
In addition to the base salary figures presented above, Payscale.com shares that the average additional compensation for this job includes $1,900 in bonuses and $400 in profit sharing.
A good rule of thumb is to demonstrate to prospective employers that you are hard-working, reliable, and educated. If you come into a job with electrical know-how and NABCEP Certification, you’re getting things started on the right foot. If you stay at the job for more than a year, you’ll demonstrate your loyalty and commitment to the company and potentially gain bonuses, salary increases, and promotions.
To get started, call Everblue at (800) 460-2575 to discuss your goals or visit our Solar Training page to review course options.
We recently received a phone call from a contractor in Collier County, FL about the blower door test requirement in his state. We’ve been covering this topic for a while, with the previous update coming from the Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF). At that time, BOAF had made a statement that individuals possessing a BPI Certification would be deemed qualified to perform blower door testing per the state energy code requirement.
As with many things related to code enforcement, the question asked to BOAF, the BOAF answer, and the relevant code references are all somewhat vague and left open to interpretation.
Larry Zarker had submitted three questions to BOAF centered on whether an individual possessing “a relevant certification from the Building Performance Institute, Inc.” would qualify a person to meet Florida’s code requirement for blower door testing from a certified third party.
Let’s take a moment to note that the Building Performance Institute (BPI) offers multiple certifications.
In fact, the BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage Certification was created in 2014 to address air leakage testing in new construction homes and was broadly intended to satisfy up-and-coming state code requirements on this topic. That said, a similar BPI certification is BPI Building Analyst, which also addresses blower door testing but does NOT address duct testing.
The BPI Program is a national program that includes classroom and field training and examination.
The program to become a BPI rater has prerequisites before one is permitted to take the training.
BPI partners with the USDOE on rating existing homes.
BPI certified raters are subject to a quality control program.
The raters may only operate on code related items with the approval of the code official.
There is no requirement for a local jurisdiction to accept reports it does not believe are correct.
The program is an additional resource for departments that may not have the expertise to conduct increasingly complicated energy audits for new or existing construction.”
Let’s also note that while there was a definitive YES answer, BOAF did not explicitly state which BPI designation would be accepted. If anything, these responses show support for BPI’s quality and places responsibility on the local code official to make the final determination of what’s acceptable.
We have been telling individuals coming to us for Florida blower door test certification to first check with their local code official to see what is accepted. Unfortunately, in most scenarios, the code official is also seeking clarification on what exactly the code is requiring and generally approves the certification that most translates to a blower door testing certification. In that case, one might think that the BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage Certification was indeed the correct certification, because it focuses exclusively on blower door testing and results in a blower door testing certification.
Our Collier County phone caller that we originally spoke of, however, informed us that his local code enforcement official would not accept the BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage Certification. Instead, his code official was suggesting BPI Building Analyst or RESNET HERS Rater.
Having trained hundreds of contractors throughout Florida on blower door testing, this is the first instance where a code official has had specific demands on a qualifying certification.
We’re not sure what necessitates the Collier County blower door testing requirement to be different from the rest of the state, other than simple code official preference.
“R402.4.1.2 Testing. The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate of not exceeding 7 air changes per hour in Climate Zones 1 and 2, 3 air changes per hour in Climate Zones 3 through 8. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. (50 Pascals). Testing shall be conducted by either individuals as defined in Section 553.993(5) or (7), F.S. or individuals licensed as set forth in Section 489.105(3)(f), (g), or (i) or an approved third party. A written report of the results of the test shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the code official. Testing shall be performed at any time after creation of all penetrations of the building thermal envelope.”
Bullet point 8 lists that “Blower Door Testing must be conducted by an Approved 3rd Party Certified Individual” which includes the following:
Design Professional
RESNET / BPI Certified Energy Auditor or Rater
Individuals licensed under FS 489.105(3) (f), (g), or (i) as
Class A Air Conditioning Contractor
Class B Air Conditioning Contractor
Mechanical Contractor
Alternative equivalent certifications will require pre-approval.**
**To obtain pre-approval, submit the proposal, including the certification curriculum, by email with the subject line “Pre-Approval” and send to [email protected]
The company performing the Blower Door Test MUST be registered with the Growth Management Department, showing proof of licensure and/or certification, proof of liability insurance, workman’s compensation, and business tax receipt.
If you’re looking for more information about these occupational roles, see these definitions as outlined in FS 489.105(3) and FS 553.993 (5) and (7).
Approved 3rd Party Roles
And this is where things get a little bit dense…
FS 489.105(3) (f) “Class A air-conditioning contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system if such duct work is performed by the contractor as necessary to complete an air-distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, and any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling of the system; to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, piping, insulation of pipes, vessels and ducts, pressure and process piping, and pneumatic control piping; to replace, disconnect, or reconnect power wiring on the load side of the dedicated existing electrical disconnect switch; to install, disconnect, and reconnect low voltage heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air-conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system. The scope of work for such contractor also includes any excavation work incidental thereto, but does not include any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, except for disconnecting or reconnecting changeouts of liquefied petroleum or natural gas appliances within buildings; potable water lines or connections thereto; sanitary sewer lines; swimming pool piping and filters; or electrical power wiring. A Class A air-conditioning contractor may test and evaluate central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work; however, a mandatory licensing requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services.
FS 489.105(3) (g) “Class B air-conditioning contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system only to the extent such duct work is performed by the contractor as necessary to complete an air-distribution system being installed under this classification, and any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling of the system; to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, piping and insulation of pipes, vessels, and ducts; to replace, disconnect, or reconnect power wiring on the load side of the dedicated existing electrical disconnect switch; to install, disconnect, and reconnect low voltage heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air-conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system. The scope of work for such contractor also includes any excavation work incidental thereto, but does not include any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, except for disconnecting or reconnecting changeouts of liquefied petroleum or natural gas appliances within buildings; potable water lines or connections thereto; sanitary sewer lines; swimming pool piping and filters; or electrical power wiring. A Class B air-conditioning contractor may test and evaluate central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work; however, a mandatory licensing requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services.
FS 489.105(3) (i) “Mechanical contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system if such duct work is performed by the contractor as necessary to complete an air-distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, lift station equipment and piping, and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, and any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling of the system; to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, piping, insulation of pipes, vessels and ducts, pressure and process piping, pneumatic control piping, gasoline tanks and pump installations and piping for same, standpipes, air piping, vacuum line piping, oxygen lines, nitrous oxide piping, ink and chemical lines, fuel transmission lines, liquefied petroleum gas lines within buildings, and natural gas fuel lines within buildings; to replace, disconnect, or reconnect power wiring on the load side of the dedicated existing electrical disconnect switch; to install, disconnect, and reconnect low voltage heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air-conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system. The scope of work for such contractor also includes any excavation work incidental thereto, but does not include any work such as potable water lines or connections thereto, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping and filters, or electrical power wiring. A mechanical contractor may test and evaluate central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work; however, a mandatory licensing requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services.
FS 553.993(5) “Energy auditor” means a trained and certified professional who conducts energy evaluations of an existing building and uses tools to identify the building’s current energy usage and the condition of the building and equipment.
FS 553.993(7) “Energy rater” means an individual certified by a building energy-efficiency rating system to perform building energy-efficiency ratings for the building type and in the rating class for which the rater is certified.
In short, the Florida energy code generally fails to name a specific certification. It lists and defines occupations and throws around words like “approved” and “certified.”
Summary of Collier County Blower Door Testing Requirement
Thankfully, the Collier County blower door forms at least name one certification (RESNET). It sounds as though our phone caller had to dig a little deeper on the “BPI Certified Energy Auditor” title to hear that that phrase, in Collier County, refers to BPI Building Analyst, not BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage.
After reading the thorough explanations above of these job roles and finding that you still need to be certified in blower door testing, contact Everblue. We offer the following training and certification courses to help you meet Florida energy code:
When applying for jobs, candidates are often asked to submit supporting documentation to prove their academic degree, course completion, and/or other honors. Those who possess a professional credential in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) have two official resources for advertising their LEED professional status. And employers, if you’re reading this, please use these tools to verify LEED accreditation for your job candidates.
Verify LEED Accreditation with these tools
When you sign up to take the LEED exam, you will create an account with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) at www.usgbc.org. You will use this account to submit continuing education hours, sign up for additional LEED exams, and to utilize the two resources we are about to talk about – downloading your LEED credential certificate and getting listed in the USGBC Directory.
1. LEED Certificate
After you log into your USGBC Account, navigate to the left sidebar menu and choose the menu item labeled Credentials. From there, choose Overview.
On this page, you will see details about your LEED Accreditation status. Midway down the page, there is a section for “Download certificates.” You will see the names of the credentials for which you have passed exams. When you click the Download link, your official LEED certificate will immediately download to your computer.
The official LEED Accreditation certificate lists your name, credential, date issued, and expiration date.
As you’re applying for LEED jobs, be sure to include a digital attachment of this certificate to show proof of your LEED Accreditation. You may also print the certificate to include with hard-copy application materials. As a last resort, you can request for a printed certificate to be mailed to you for $25.
It’s important to maintain a copy of your LEED certificate so that you can provide third-party verification to anyone who may ask. While it’s great to list your LEED Accreditation on your LinkedIn profile, business card, and email signature for marketability purposes, the LEED certificate serves as a stamp of approval from USGBC.
On a given profile, you may find the following information:
Name
Occupation
Company
Location
Headshot
Email address
Earned LEED credentials
Bio
Badges
If you are applying for a LEED job, your prospective employer will likely utilize the USGBC Directory to verify your LEED accreditation, so it’s important that you opt into being shown.
Once again, log into your USGBC account and navigate to the left sidebar menu. Choose the Personal Profile menu item. You’ll see a bluish box at the top that explains the option to appear in the “Public directory listing.” You can toggle between two options: Visible and Hidden.
Regardless of whether you are currently seeking a LEED job, it’s in your best interest to appear in the USGBC Directory. Make sure that the “Visible” option is selected. On this same page, you can populate the information that will appear on your public directory listing.
And voila! You should now appear in the USGBC Directory for friends, colleagues, and prospective employers to see. The USGBC Directory is the best place for third parties to do a LEED license verification and check your status.
If you’re ready to add a LEED professional credential to your resume and skill set, start with Everblue’s LEED Green Associate Exam Prep training. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to pass the first-level LEED exam. From there, you’ll be all set to begin working in the LEED industry! For more information, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.
Previously, the coveted NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification – which is the most sought-after solar designation – was only available in the United States and Canada. But as interest and demand for solar energy increases around the world, so too must the certification program that enables solar contractors to demonstrate their knowledge and credibility.
NABCEP, the nonprofit certifying body, dipped its toes into the international waters in October 2017 when it expanded the entry-level PV Associate exam into its global exam territories. While this was a much-appreciated move, many still pined for the advanced PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification in their location. And NABCEP listened.
“Global deployment of residential, C&I, and utility-scale PV systems is growing at an incredible rate,” said Shawn O’Brien, NABCEP’s Executive Director. “From the Middle East to Asia to our own rooftops, solar power is quickly becoming a dominant source of energy. The importance of having uniform standards of practice within the industry as it grows comes into keener focus in the age of globalization, and NABCEP will continue to update and maintain uniform standards of practice as NABCEP’s Board Certifications become the global standard for professionals in the renewable energy industry.”
The computerized PVIP exam will be available in English and offered in countries like China, India, Jordan, and many others. The international exam is the same as the one offered in North America, so no matter where a candidate is located, he/she will be tested and measured against the same concepts and standards.
The NABCEP Certification exams are administered by Scantron (formerly called Castle Worldwide), a third-party test-proctoring company with testing centers in 97 countries. International test-takers will be required to pay an additional $75 exam fee on top of the regular NABCEP exam fee, per the Scantron testing protocol.
Come, one and all! If you’re interested in earning a solar certification, check out Everblue’s NABCEP PV Installation Professional training package, which will help qualify you for the NABCEP PV Associate, NABCEP PV Installation Professional, and NABCEP PV Technical Sales exams. The training can be completed 100% online or in a blended format (meaning that you complete 66 hours of training online and then show up in person for hands-on solar installation training). We look forward to helping you gain the skills of the future and to advertise yourself as a solar professional!
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. By the name and acronym alone, it might be unclear as to what kind of knowledge individuals are expected to have to pass the LEED exam, but hopefully we can shed some light on this below with our LEED exam outline information.
Before you can even start thinking about the LEED exam, you first have to ask, “Can LEED help my career? If so, how?”
To answer that question, you have to have a basic understanding of what LEED represents, specifically the knowledge areas and skills that are expected of LEED professionals. Take a moment to review our New to LEED? Start Here! series for more information about LEED.
An Introduction to the LEED Exam
A high-level outline of LEED knowledge areas is available in the Candidate Handbook published by the U.S. Green Building Council (the creators of LEED). While this information is relatively helpful to people who are new to LEED, you’ll see that the “Knowledge Domains” in the handbook are formatted very much like bullet points. In other words, you have to obtain knowledge in 9 categories and then know what the 8-9 terms in each category mean. Unless you have work experience on LEED building projects, the categories and concepts will likely look like gibberish to you.
For this reason, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed a network of Education Partners. As a USGBC Education Partner, Everblue’s curriculum team gains exclusive access to the LEED exam specifications so that we can create LEED Exam Prep training programs that are helpful, informative, and accurate to the exam. Thus, candidates are not left to their own devices when studying for the LEED exam; they can follow along with tried-and-true curriculum that will teach them the concepts and explain the value and application of each LEED knowledge area.
Before we really get into the LEED Knowledge Domains, let’s briefly understand how the LEED exam is formatted.
Overview of LEED Exam Format
Each LEED exam contains 100 randomly generated multiple-choice questions. Because these questions are pulled from a pool of 1000+ questions, no two candidates will have the exact same exam. Candidates will have 2 hours to answer their unique 100-question exam.
According to the USGBC Candidate Handbook, the LEED credentialing exams assess a candidate’s abilities at three cognitive levels: Recall, Application, and Analysis.
Recall Questions: These questions assess a candidate’s ability to recall factual material, such as numerical thresholds and precedent-setting standards.
Application Questions: These questions provide the candidate with a novel problem or scenario that the candidate can solve using familiar principles or procedures.
Analysis Questions: These questions assess a candidate’s ability to break the problem down into its components to create a solution. The candidate must not only recognize the different elements of the problem but must also evaluate the relationship or interactions of these elements.
The exams are computer-based and administered by Prometric, a third-party test-proctoring company with testing centers in nearly every major city in the world. Because the exam is digital, candidates will know their score immediately after they submit their responses.
The exam has both scored and unscored questions. Unscored questions are used to gather performance data to inform whether the question should be scored on future exams.
LEED Knowledge Domains
The LEED Knowledge Domains outlined in the Candidate Handbook are the main criteria that make up our LEED exam outline and are meant to provide a general overview of the exam content areas. They are organized by LEED Credit Category.
Regardless of which LEED exam you are pursuing – LEED Green Associate or LEED AP – you will be tested on your knowledge of the LEED Credit Categories. The difference is how the questions are weighted by category and the extent to which you must possess knowledge and technical skills.
Below you’ll see the breakdown of the three most popular LEED exams:
Knowledge Domains
# of Questions on Exam per Category
LEED GA
LEED AP BD+C
LEED AP O+M
LEED Process
16
8
12
Integrative Strategies
8
9
Location and Transportation
7
9
5
Sustainable Sites
7
9
9
Water Efficiency
9
9
13
Energy and Atmosphere
10
14
21
Materials and Resources
9
12
10
Indoor Environmental Quality
8
11
15
Project Surroundings & Public Outreach
11
4
Unscored Questions
15
15
15
On the LEED Green Associate exam, candidates are asked the most questions about the LEED Process. This makes sense, given that LEED Green Associate is the entry-level credential for LEED professionals. As a LEED Green Associate, it’s important to understand the process and how different design, construction, and operations activities interact.
On the LEED AP Building Design + Construction (BD+C) exam, candidates are asked the most questions about Energy and Atmosphere. Concepts like building orientation, passive design, and space usage are most crucial at the new construction phase. The next most important category for LEED AP BD+C credential holders is Materials and Resources, which again makes sense when you’re thinking about building and material reuse.
On the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (O+M) exam, candidates are asked the most questions about Energy and Atmosphere. Concepts like commissioning, demand response, renewable energy, energy metering, and benchmarking are directly applicable to the successful operations and maintenance of existing buildings. There are no questions on the LEED AP O+M exam on Integrative Strategies or Public Surroundings and Outreach, which is interesting since collaborative teamwork, interrelated systems, and codes are important to any building project.
If you’re looking for greater detail on what’s covered on the LEED exam, you should enroll in a LEED course. Start today with Everblue’s LEED Green Associate Exam Prep where we’ll take a deep dive into each of the LEED Credit Categories and sub-topics. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to pass the LEED Green Associate exam on your first try – guaranteed!
The NC Energy Rating Index option means that homebuilders can work with a certified RESNET HERS Rater to evaluate the proposed energy use of a new home and use the resulting energy score (determined by the HERS Rater) to demonstrate that the home meets or exceeds minimum energy code requirements.
Previously, homebuilders were forced to choose between a prescriptive path or performance path as a way of complying with the state’s mandatory code requirements. This took a lot of time and knowledge of the building code requirements. Now, with the acceptance of the ERI pathway, builders can hire a certified RESNET HERS Rater to show reduced energy efficiency and improved cost-effectiveness of their housing stock. The third-party HERS Rater performs the home energy assessment and provides the ERI documentation to the local code official for approval, offering a quick and easy solution for the builder!
Who Benefits from the Energy Rating Index?
Not only are builders required to meet code requirements, but it’s advantageous for them to show prospective homeowners that their homes are energy-efficient; homeowners inherently desire savings, and they can save a lot of money by cutting energy use. Using the ERI performance path is one way to achieve this goal and has proven to be cost-effective. RESNET contracted with the Florida Solar Energy Center to conduct cost-effectiveness analyses of new homes configured to comply with the ERI performance path provisions compared to homes configured to comply with an older building code.
“The ERI provides an easy, expedited and cost-effective performance-based compliance path that further adds to the many benefits of HERS ratings,” said Ryan Miller, NCBPA‘s Executive Director. “Builders will save time and money, code officials will spend less time on the job, and consumers will benefit from the third-party energy efficiency verification process.”
The Energy Rating Index option became available on July 1, 2018 for new home permits ahead of the full transition to the new NC energy code on January 1, 2019. The new residential energy code will be in effect through 2024, with opportunities to make incremental changes during the term. Therefore, builders, contractors, homeowners, and state legislators will be taking special notice of home energy efficiency issues for at least the next 5 years.
There are several other interesting facts about the new North Carolina energy code:
This is the first time that the state code references the use of on-site renewable energy systems and takes their presence into account for evaluating a home’s overall energy use and efficiency.
NC has a strong energy efficiency “backstop,” which means that a home must meet minimum energy efficiency requirements in order to comply with the state code. In other words, a home may not meet code with solar PV or other renewable energy systems alone.
NCBPA was one of several energy efficiency advocates to champion members of the Energy Ad Hoc Committee and the NC Building Code Council to include the ERI option in the new code. NCBPA seeks to make the ERI option a requirement after 2-3 successful years of use across the state.
According to NCBPA, North Carolina produces the fourth most HERS Ratings in the country, with more than 30% of new single and multifamily homes being rated annually.
In 2017, there were 15,545 homes HERS rated in North Carolina. The average HERS Index Scores of homes rated in the state (in 2017) was 67. As we saw in the above chart, the goal scores will be slightly lower because the lower the number, the more energy-efficient the home is.
Earlier in 2018, NCBPA identified a 9.5% sale price premium for homes with HERS ratings and certifications for energy-efficient, green and high performance certifications. NCBPA’s Miller said that he expects HERS rating companies to increase hiring in 2019 to meet increased demand from builders looking to save time and money by using the ERI option.
If you think you might be interested in joining the residential energy efficiency industry, you can learn more about RESNET HERS Rater Certification on our New to RESNET? Start Here page. You can also call us at (800) 460-2575 to learn more about the occupation and the certification process.
The NABCEP PV Technical Sales JTA, or Job Task Analysis, explains the tasks and knowledge areas that are expected of certified solar sales professionals. NABCEP recently reviewed the JTA and updated the information to reflect this fast-growing industry.
The previous version of the NABCEP Sales Certification JTA has been in effect since 2013, so you can only imagine how much has changed in the last five years.
This is also important because the JTA serves as the basis for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification exam. NABCEP recently announced the update to the JTA but will not implement the changes until April 2019.
So what will change?
The major differences between the 2018 JTA and the 2013 JTA are as follows:
2018 consolidates the Financial Costs, Incentives, Savings, and Returns into one section instead of 3
Therefore, percentages have increased in each of the testable categories
2018 consolidates “tasks” and “knowledge areas” in each category and considers them the same thing
2018 Site Analysis adds “visual inspection and site walkthrough” and “review site analysis with appropriate stakeholders to establish buy-in and consensus”
2018 Conceptual Design adds “potential sites for energy storage systems” and considers “roof obstructions” and “vent pipe or vent stack rerouting”
2018 replaced “geometry” and “computer skills” with “design software”
2018 Performance Analysis considers “environmental issues” and “monitoring systems”
2018 Financial category offers more tariff options: time-of-use, tiered-rate-structure, flat-rate, and value-of-solar (but less info about government tax credits, rebates, and exemptions)
2018 Financial category adds “job creation benefits, benefits from building sustainable communities, and marketing/PR benefits” to non-financial benefits
Arguably the two biggest changes refer to energy storage systems and tariff options, likely because both were less prevalent in 2013.
A more detailed breakdown of the 2018 vs. 2013 JTA categories is shown below:
This update comes on the heels of another NABCEP change regarding continuing education requirements. Although the two announcements are not related, it’s clear that NABCEP is keeping an eye on the industry, listening to the feedback they’re receiving, and acting quickly to maintain their position as the top organization for solar certification.
If you’re interested in joining the solar workforce and earning a NABCEP Certification, give us a call at (800) 460-2575. Everblue is an approved NABCEP Training Provider with IREC-Accredited curriculum. We will not only teach you the solar skills that you need to get a job, but we can also help you qualify for NABCEP Certification. Contact us today!
The Pennsylvania residential energy code has been updated from the 2009 version to the 2015 version. The new state code represents at least a 28% efficiency improvement. This change brings Pennsylvania up to modern homebuilding standards, which now include blower door and duct leakage testing. Another change is the PA Energy Rating Index option.
Introduces PA Energy Rating Index for Code Compliance
Specifically, the state has opted to allow builders to meet the new code by using the PA Energy Rating Index (ERI). This option sets minimum thresholds for a home’s presumed energy consumption and is often met by the evaluation of a RESNET HERS Rater.
In other words, builders choosing the ERI option hire a certified RESNET HERS Rater to perform energy audit testing on a new home. The HERS Rater will ultimately give the home an energy efficiency score. The ERI option identifies which score is acceptable for meeting the building code. In addition, the ERI option requires that minimum envelope requirements and other mandatory measures are met.
The state of Pennsylvania modified the Energy Rating Index scores to reflect the 2018 version of the IECC. Pennsylvania score thresholds are as follows:
In 2017, there were 4,608 homes HERS rated in Pennsylvania. The average HERS Index Scores of homes rated in the state in 2017 was 60. This means that the state’s builders who have their homes HERS rated are meeting the Energy Rating Index option in the new state code.
Pennsylvania builders must meet the provisions of the new energy code on October 1, 2018.
Case Study: Philadelphia to Override State Code Requirement
Unfortunately to some, code rulings are not wholly determined at the federal or state level. Cities and municipalities can override their state’s decision and choose a more strict of the state code (they can’t go backward toward leniency). This recently happened in Pennsylvania.
While the state will adopt the 2015 IECC code, its largest city, Philadelphia, has opted to adopt the newer 2018 IECC standard. Philadelphia is one of the first jurisdictions to move to the latest code.
The new code includes several provisions that impact lighting, such as a requirement for windows and skylights to have automatic daylight-responsive controls and an automatic lighting shut-off provision that requires the use of occupancy sensors in 12 building space types.
This is just one instance of a city overriding its state decision, but it happens everywhere. Therefore, if you’re a builder or contractor looking to be compliant in your area, your best course of action is to contact your local building department, code official, or Authority Having Jurisdiction about exactly what the code requires in your location.
Overview of ERI Code Compliance Nationwide
There are now a total of fourteen states that have adopted the Energy Rating Index option as a compliance option to their state energy code. The states that have incorporated the Energy Rating Index into their energy code are:
Alabama
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Get Involved!
If you are a home performance contractor or home inspector looking to gain new business as a result of the Pennsylvania energy code change, consider becoming a certified RESNET HERS Rater. At Everblue, we train professionals just like you on home energy auditing standards, blower door and duct leakage testing, and HERS Rater Certification skills.
For more information about how RESNET HERS Raters play into energy code compliance, check out this 2-minute video:
If you’d like to learn more about earning the RESNT HERS Rater Certification, give us a call at (800) 460-2575 or visit our RESNET HERS Rater training page.
