Solar Industry Training and Certification: Resources for Veterans

Veterans Pathways to NABCEP Certification

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a widely recognized certification body for renewable energy professionals. A NABCEP credential helps employers to identify top talent—it indicates commitment to the profession and demonstrates understanding of solar fundamentals. 

Spanning installation, design, technical sales, and other solar career pathways, NABCEP Associate-level credentials and board certifications can boost your earning potential and help you to be well qualified for jobs that match your career goals. The most common NABCEP credential, the PV Associate (PVA), prepares individuals for a variety of career options in the solar industry, and is often a first step toward more advanced and specialized board certifications. 

The value of NABCEP certification at a glance: 

• 60% of EPCs consider NABCEP Board Certification “essential” or “very important” when hiring employees 
• $11k is the average salary increase after earning NABCEP Board Certification

26% of NABCEP Board Certified Professionals end up starting their own business. 
Recognizing the valuable skills and experience gained through military service, the Solar Ready Vets (SRV) Network led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) partnered with NABCEP to develop streamlined Veterans Pathways to certification, making it easier for veterans to advance their solar careers. Solar companies across the country are looking to veterans to fill their hiring needs. The Veterans Pathways to certification help veterans distinguish themselves in this growing industry. 

For the PV Associate credential, non-veteran candidates qualify to sit for the exam through either an Education Pathway (taking a course from a NABCEP-registered training provider) or an Experience Pathway (by demonstrating at least six months of relevant work experience). Veterans can choose to follow either of these two pathways, or the new Veterans Pathway which allows them to submit their Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) code and justify at least six months of military experience relevant to the PVA Job Task Analysis.

Similar Veterans Pathways are available for Board Certifications including: 

• PV Installation Professional
• PV Installer Specialist
• PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist
• PV Technical Sales

GI Bill for NABCEP Certification and Solar Training

In 2020, the Solar Ready Vets team secured approvals from the Department of Veterans Affairs for costs associated with all solar PV Board Certifications and Associate Credentials to be reimbursable through the GI BIll. (Military personnel transitioning to the civilian workforce can begin the process of applying to qualify, but must acquire their DD-214 form to gain approval.) 

The NABCEP Board Certifications and Associate Credential exams that can be reimbursed by the GI Bill include: 

• PV Associate Credential
• PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Board Certification
• PV Installer Specialist (PVIS) Board Certification
• PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Board Certification
• PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Board Certification
• PV System Inspector (PVSI) Board Certification
• Solar Heating Installer (SHI) Board Certification
• Solar Heating  System Inspector (SHSI) Board Certification

Opportunities for Skilled Trades & Technical Roles

Airstreams Renewables and the Home Builders Institute Military Program are two training providers that offer valuable hands-on construction and electrical training, preparing service members and veterans for careers as solar installers, technicians, and more. Each of these programs has locations across the country.  The Solar Ready Vets program has facilitated solar employer referrals that have yielded over 400 hires and counting of veteran graduates from these programs. 

Home Builders Institute Military Program

HBI offers pre-apprenticeship training programs in construction located at 10 of the largest military installations. Transitioning service members participate in this free 12-week training program in the construction trades before they complete their military service. During the program, service members spend 75% of their time in hands-on training, earn professional certifications, and receive job placement support.

Airstreams Renewables

Airstreams provides six-week hands-on technical training to military veterans and transitioning service members on fundamental safety requirements and technical skills relevant to renewable energy, including OSHA 10, electrical safety and troubleshooting, schematic and blueprint reading, mechanical knowledge, experience with hand tools, and climbing and safety training. Trainees are also provided with career and job placement services.