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.
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).
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.
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 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!
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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:
