2023 was a mixed bag for the Wisconsin solar energy industry in many ways. Utility-scale solar hit new heights, with multiple solar fields over 100MW being turned on across the state. At the same time, rooftop solar for homeowners and businesses was under threat from a challenge to net metering by several utilities that was ultimately rejected by the Public Service Commission.
2023 also saw the closing of several solar companies that operated in Wisconsin, such as Sun Badger and Moxie Solar. With so much going on in the local solar industry, it can be intimidating for an outsider to know where to start and who to trust; that’s where NABCEP comes in.
NABCEP, which stands for North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, is a non-profit organization that provides certification for individuals working in the field of solar energy. NABCEP certification is widely recognized and respected in the solar industry.
A few years ago, we wrote about why being NABCEP Certified matters for anyone considering solar. After a year of industry change, we think the NABCEP certification matters more than ever for home or business owners looking at the possibilities of solar energy.
3 Reasons Why NABCEP Certification Matters:
- Companies that take the time to invest in their employees are more likely to stick around. Getting to be NABCEP certified is not the easiest thing in the world, and for many companies, it just isn’t a priority. For solar installers who are in it for the long haul, investing in your staff is both a priority and a necessity. That’s why most of Wisconsin’s longest-operating solar companies (including Arch) have larger numbers of NABCEP-certified staff than companies that may be gone next year.
- Having solar professionals who have been certified by a 3rd party means your design and installation should be free of rookie mistakes or corner-cutting. Part of the process to be NABCEP certified involves learning what the industry standard is for safety and quality. To be certified, you must be able to identify and describe proper practices over improper ones. Companies with multiple NABCEP-credentialed individuals can hold each other accountable and maintain the standard that NABCEP is striving to benchmark across the nation.
- NABCEP professionals should be using the most updated techniques and technology, meaning that you are getting the best solution in an industry that changes fast. Most newcomers to the industry don’t have time or the desire to meticulously research every part of a solar energy system to make sure they are aware of the newest and greatest technology. Rather than trying to figure out if an IQ7 or IQ8 microinverter is the right fit for your roof, you can trust a NABCEP-certified professional to know the answer.
NABCEP-certified professionals are required to engage in ongoing education and training to maintain their certification. This ensures that they stay up-to-date with the latest developments and advancements in solar technology and industry standards.
