How to get a NABCEP PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge
If you are looking for a new career, take advantage of the rise in solar panel installations. As energy costs and needs continue to rise, so does the number of installations for solar energy. To enter the field of photovoltaics, it's a good idea to earn an entry level certificate from the North American Board of Certified Energy Providers for a beginning knowledge of the basic terms and operations of photovoltaic systems.
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Instructions
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Obtain a copy of the entry level candidate information sheet from the NABCEP website, located on the For Students page. Upon completion of the coursework, this form will be signed by your instructor. Your contact information, including your email address, will be used to send to you exam information. Search the NABCEP List of Registered Entry Level Providers for a program in your area. Like the information sheet, the list is located on the For Students page. A wide variety of programs are available. You can complete coursework full time in a few days, take night classes for a month or complete several courses at a technical college. The programs' fees vary widely, depending upon the institutions.
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According to the NABCEP, coursework will include skills in PV markets and applications, safety basics, electricity basics, solar energy fundamentals, PV module fundamentals, system components, PV system sizing principals, PV system electrical design, PV system mechanical design and performance analysis, maintenance and troubleshooting. Coursework includes both classroom and laboratory work.
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Register for the Entry Level Certification exam through your education provider. Information for taking the exam will be sent to the email address that you provided on the student information sheet. Exam locations depend upon where students completed their coursework with some providers giving the exams. Others require exams be taken through the Pearson Vue website. The exam fee is $75 for a paper exam and $95 for a computer-based exam as of 2011.
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Pass the exam by correctly answering at least 39 out of 60 multiple choice questions. Students are allowed to bring non-graphing calculators into the exams.
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Tips & Warnings
Students who will be taking computer-based exams must register with Pearson Vue by using their legal names as shown on their photo identifications.
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