Federal cooperative agreement will enable updates the current NABCEP PV Installation Professional® Certification and development of three new solar personnel certifications.

CLIFTON PARK, NY (May 17, 2016) - The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), the leading provider of professional certification and company accreditation programs for the renewable energy industry, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $1.1 million cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. As one of the DOE Solar Training and Education for Professionals (STEP) awardees, NABCEP will update and expand upon its personnel certification programs to address the changing needs of solar professionals, their employers, and stakeholders.

A major portion of the project will be dedicated to updating the existing NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification, which has been recognized as the gold standard for solar professionals since 2003. While NABCEP updates examination questions on an ongoing basis, the foundational Job Task Analysis is revised through a comprehensive stakeholder input and industry validation process approximately every five years to ensure that the scope of the certification program remains relevant and in-line with current best practices.

"The competency and professionalism of solar workers is the foundation of a trusted, productive clean energy economy," said Richard Lawrence, Executive Director for NABCEP. "As the industry evolves, it is important that NABCEP's certification programs evolve as well. The Job Task Analysis is how we capture the skill sets and competencies required of solar workers who ensure the quality and performance of residential and commercial photovoltaic systems."

In 2017, NABCEP will launch three new certifications for individuals who have specialized in PV system design, installation, or maintenance. The new certification programs will help to define personnel standards for these growing sectors of the industry and fill a major gap in solar workforce standards. The certifications will be aligned with typical career paths that people take between entry level training and the many years of experience that are usually necessary to become a Certified PV Installation Professional.

About the SunShot Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national effort that aggressively drives innovation to make solar energy fully cost-competitive with traditional energy sources before the end of the decade. Through SunShot, the Energy Department supports efforts by private companies, universities, and national laboratories to drive down the cost of solar electricity to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour.

About NABCEP
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the most respected, well-established and widely recognized national certification organization for professionals in the field of renewable energy. NABCEP offers entry level knowledge assessment, professional certification, and company accreditation programs to renewable energy professionals throughout North America. NABCEP's mission is to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners by supporting and working closely with professionals and stakeholders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.