Solar contractor credentials
What credentials should I look for in a solar contractor?
Solar Certifications and Credentials
Solar credentials and certifications are not mandated in the solar industry, so if your solar contractor is not certified or credentialed, it does not mean that they are not qualified to install your PV or solar thermal system. However, certifications and credentials do indicate that a solar contractor has met a certain level of training, education and/or testing, which is a good sign.
1) The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) provides certification for PV Installers and Solar Heating System Installers. This is considered one of the hardest certifications for solar professionals to earn, so NABCEP certified solar contractors are usually a good bet.
2) The Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) provides training and certification for PV Installers. They offer three levels of certification: Apprentice, Specialist, and Technician.
3) Roof Integrated Solar Energy (RISE) offers a Certified Solar Roofing Professional (CSRP) credential for rooftop solar energy installation and maintenance.
I agree that certain credentials are helpful, but mostly I would talk to the person and ask for examples of projects he/she has done and for references. In the Northeast (NY/NJ/CT) I can personally recommend Dwayne Escola from Northeast Smart Energy (http://www.poplarnetwork.com/members/dwayne-escola). He's not only very knowledgeable and experienced on dozens of solar installations (PV and thermal) but also he's a great guy.
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