Certification or Licensing
Many solar energy installation managers are licensed as general contractors. They may also receive voluntary certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The National Roofing Contractors’ Association’s Roof Integrated Solar Energy program certifies photovoltaic installers. The Electronics Technicians Association offers three career-track certification pathways in renewable energy technology: installer, integrator, and maintainer. The NABCEP offers certification to photovoltaic technical sales professionals.
Installation managers may also be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies. To become certified, candidates must meet work experience requirements and pass an examination.
The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that some states require specific licenses to perform solar work. A solar certification typically is a specialty area for a general plumbing or electrical license. Some atmospheric and environmental scientists may need to be licensed. Those who are employed in positions that may affect the power grid must be certified by the North American Energy Reliability Corporation.
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Fuel Cell Technology Workers
- Futurists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Green Builders
- Green Transportation Careers
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Solar Energy Industry Workers
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Engineers
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Industry Workers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers