Solar Training FAQs
Solar Training FAQs
Navigate the brief menu below to find the answers to your questions.
If you have any specific questions, please call us at (800) 460-2575.
What is your Solar question about?
General
What does it take to become a Solar PV Contractor?
Check with your local building department to see if there are any state or local laws that require you to be a licensed contractor.
From there, educate yourself on solar energy.
For more information, view our full article on How to Become a Solar Contractor.
How much do solar installers make?
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 $30,000 - $40,000 each year.
For more information, view our full article on How Much Do Solar Installers Make?
How long does it take to become a solar contractor?
You should plan to spend 3-6 months participating in education/training and hands-on apprenticeship. After 6 months, you should have the technical knowledge and work experience to make a living as a solar contractor.
For more information, view our full article on How to Become a Solar Contractor.
What are the total costs to become licensed/certified?
First, you need training, which can range from $699-$1999. NABCEP Certification ranges from $150-$500 per designation. Licensure costs (application, exam, additional fees) vary by state.
For more information, view our full article on How to Become a Solar Contractor.
Certification
Is certification for a person or a company?
NABCEP Certification is for qualified people who have passed a professional credentialing exam. NABCEP Accreditation is for companies that have met the guidelines identified in NABCEP’s Company Accreditation Handbook.
For more information, view our full article on How to Earn NABCEP Certification.
Which certification(s) should I get?
Each NABCEP certification is aligned with a solar job role, such as design, installation, or sales. If you’re new to solar or not sure which certification to get, you should start with the NABCEP Associate level. You may upgrade to a more specialized certification later.
For more information, view our full article on How to Earn NABCEP Certification.
Is NABCEP PV Associate a mandatory prerequisite for additional certifications?
NABCEP PV Associate is identified as a prerequisite for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification and the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification. There are alternative pathways to qualify for these certifications, but the most straightforward pathway involves earning the NABCEP PV Associate credential first.
For more information, view our full article on How to Earn NABCEP Certification.
Solar Training
How many courses do I have to take?
The minimum number of courses to take is one. You can take as many as you like, depending on your goal. You might be interested in our Bundles for specific career goals or to qualify for NABCEP Certification. For additional questions, please call us at 800-460-2575.
Which of your courses will prepare me for NABCEP Certification?
We offer specific training packages that help you qualify for NABCEP PV Associate, NABCEP PV Design Specialist, and NABCEP PV Installation Professional.
Do you offer courses on solar thermal?
No. Because the price of solar panels has dramatically decreased over the years, solar photovoltaics (PV) has surpassed solar thermal in application and demand.
Start now by browsing our selection of Solar Training Courses.
Will I receive a certificate from the class?
Yes. Upon completion of any Everblue course, you will receive a certificate of completion. This document represents the fact that you have participated in an accredited solar training program. Please note that the Everblue certificate of completion is different from the official certification from NABCEP.
Start now by browsing our selection of Solar Training Courses.
Can Everblue send an instructor to our office for a private corporate class?
Yes! Please visit our Corporate Training page to supply some basic information about your needs, and we will get back to you with a quote.
Are the NABCEP exam fees included in your training?
No. However, to qualify for the NABCEP PV Associate exam using the education pathway, you will need a NABCEP Training Partner (Everblue) to verify your completion of an approved training program and to assist you with setting up your PVA exam. For this step, we will collect your $299 PVA exam fee and submit that payment to NABCEP on your behalf, along with your eligibility documents. For the advanced NABCEP exams, you will pay NABCEP directly for your application and exam.
Exam Process
How much are the NABCEP Certification exams?
The NABCEP PV Associate exam is $299. The more advanced exams involve a $125 application and a $375 exam fee.
For more information, view our full article on How to Earn a NABCEP Certification.
When can I schedule my NABCEP exam?
For the NABCEP PV Associate level, you will need to complete a Candidate Eligibility Form. This will allow NABCEP to verify that you have met the education and/or work experience requirements. After they have confirmed your experience, they will assist you with scheduling the exam. The NABCEP PV Associate exam is computer-based and can be taken anytime.
For more information, view our full article on How to Earn a NABCEP Certification.
Where do I go for testing?
The NABCEP exams are administered by Scantron.
For more information, view our full article on How to Earn a NABCEP Certification.
Are there continuing education requirements?
Yes, please see NABCEP Recertification & Continuing Education.
Miscellaneous
Does Everblue sell equipment?
No, we only offer solar training. We will provide equipment during the training course so you can become familiar with inverters and panels, but we do not have a partnership with any equipment manufacturers.
Does Everblue offer job placement?
No, we are a training company only. We ask employers to email their job positions to info@everbluetraining.com and we will send the info to our students.