NABCEP PV Associate

We offer a free 35-question practice exam to help prepare you to pass the NABCEP PV Associate Exam. See which questions you got wrong and get detailed feedback on areas for improvement. Re-take the practice exam as many times as you want.

The NABCEP PV Associate Job Task Analysis (JTA) outlines the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for individuals seeking to pass the NABCEP PV Associate exam. The JTA serves as a guide for the PVA exam and is divided into the following domains, tasks and knowledge points:

Domain V: Installation - 18% of exam questions

• Task 1: Mounting Structure Types and Installation Considerations
  • Types of mounting structure and components (e.g., flat roof, pitched roof, ground mount)
  • Manufacturer manuals and specifications (e.g., installation manuals, site engineered plans)
  • Roof considerations (e.g., type, pitch, warranty)
  • Structural considerations (e.g., rafter, truss, stud, decking, beams, purlins, span, cantilever)
  • Fastener types and sizes (e.g., metal, wood, concrete fasteners; material - stainless steel/galvanized; grade, strength markings, compatibility of metals/materials)
  • Grounding and bonding methods (e.g., integrated grounding, listed grounding components, star washers)
  • Common power and hand tools
• Task 2: Electrical Equipment Installation Considerations
  • Manufacturer manuals and specifications (e.g., termination torque specifications, NEMA ratings, sunlight exposure)
  • Working clearances
  • Common electrical fittings and uses (e.g., connectors, couplings, grounding bushings, strain reliefs, raceway)
  • Labeling and marking requirements (e.g., code requirements, durability)
  • Wiring best practices (e.g., PV connector compatibility, drip loops, service loops, minimum bend radius, support, exposure to damage)
  • Material compatibility (e.g., conductor type, terminations, splices)
• Task 3: Energy Storage Installation Considerations
  • Common types of energy storage (e.g., lithium batteries, lead acid batteries)
  • Manufacturer manuals and specifications (e.g., installation manuals, system programming and controls, product safety guidelines)
  • Labeling and marking requirements (e.g., code requirements)
• Task 4: System Commissioning
  • Visual inspection (e.g., Quality Assurance Quality Control [QAQC], installation checklists)
  • Testing (e.g., thermography, string voltage, polarity)
  • Proper operation of equipment (e.g., inverter operation, monitoring/communication, disconnects)
  • Documentation (e.g., commissioning forms, manufacturer checklists, photo checklists, permission to operate [PTO])
  • Owner/operator orientation (e.g., walk-through, training, monitoring, expected operations and maintenance, emergency response)

Domain II: Core Knowledge - 20% of exam questions

• Task 1: Types of PV Systems
  • PV Direct
  • Stand-alone
  • Grid-tied
  • Multimode (e.g., grid-tied with energy storage)
• Task 2: Applications and Features of PV Systems
  • Energy security (e.g., reliability, resiliency)
  • Predictable electricity costs
  • Environmental impact
  • Economic benefits
  • Distributed generation
• Task 3: Components of PV Systems and Functionality
  • PV modules
  • Mounting structures
  • Inverters (e.g., string, micro, multimode, central)
  • Power electronics (e.g., rapid shutdown devices, DC-to-DC converter)
  • Energy storage
  • Load control
  • Balance of system (BOS) components (e.g., panelboard and disconnects, raceways and conduit, wire and conductors, overcurrent protection devices)
  • Monitoring equipment
  • Grounding and bonding elements (e.g., equipment grounding conductor, grounding electrode conductor, grounding electrode, bonding jumper)
• Task 4: Electrical Concepts
  • Photovoltaic effect
  • Ohm's law
  • Power and energy (e.g., watts verses watt-hours)
  • Electrical measurements (e.g., voltage, current, impedance, resistance)
  • Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC)
  • Single-phase, split-phase, and three-phase circuits
  • Series and parallel circuits
  • Grounding and bonding (e.g., system and equipment)

Domain IV: Design - 18% of exam questions

• Task 1: Equipment Specifications
  • PV module specifications (e.g., Standard Test Conditions [STC], open circuit voltage, short circuit current)
  • Manufacturer documentation (e.g., datasheets, installation manuals)
  • Inverter specifications (e.g., voltage, current, frequency, surge)
  • Existing service and/or equipment (e.g., voltage, current, phase)
  • Energy Storage Systems (e.g., type, capacity, voltage)
  • National recognized testing labs [NRTL]
  • Product safety standards (e.g., IEEE standards, UL, national standards)
  • Location conditions (e.g., wind, snow, seismic activity)
• Task 2: Codes and Standards
  • Electrical codes (e.g., national, state, local)
  • Building codes (e.g., national, state, local)
  • Fire codes (e.g., national, state, and local)
  • Workplace safety standards (e.g., OSHA, ANSI, NFPA)
  • Permitting, utility, and inspection requirements (e.g., authorities having jurisdiction [AHJ])
• Task 3: Factors Impacting Design and Performance
  • Local conditions (e.g., weather, soiling)
  • Peak sun hours
  • Shading analysis (e.g., current and future)
  • Array orientation (e.g., tilt, azimuth)
• Task 4: PV System Sizing
  • Derating factors
  • System losses (e.g., DC losses, AC losses)
  • Power rating
  • Energy production
  • Energy efficiency
  • Electric service infrastructure
  • Interconnection requirements
  • Load analysis
  • System modeling tools
  • String configuration
  • Inverter compatibility (e.g., inverter types, ratings, DC:AC ratio)
• Task 5: PV System Plan Sets
  • Site plan and array layout
  • Electrical diagrams (e.g., one-line or three-line diagrams, wiring diagram, string diagram)
  • Conductor properties (e.g., temperature ratings, ampacity ratings, UV resistance, moisture rating)
  • Electrical and plan set symbols
  • Electrical equipment (e.g., wire, conduits, raceways, disconnects)
  • Equipment data sheets and installation instructions
  • Details (e.g., structural, electrical, grounding, labeling)
  • Permit documents
• Task 6: Structural Considerations
  • Static and dynamic loads (e.g., wind, snow, seismic)
  • Mounting systems (e.g., ground mount, roof mount, canopy)
  • Roofing systems (e.g., rafter, trusses, membranes)

Domain 6: Operations and Maintenance - 13% of exam questions

• Task 1: Electrical Test Equipment and Application
  • Multimeters (e.g., current, voltage, resistance, continuity)
  • Insulation testing devices (e.g., megohmmeter)
  • IV curve tracer
  • Infrared thermometer
  • Irradiance meter
  • Battery capacity testing devices (e.g., load tester)
  • Hydrometer
  • Refractometer
  • Thermal camera
• Task 2: Performance Parameters
  • Temperature effects (e.g., cell temperature, ambient temperature)
  • Wind speed effects
  • IV curve characteristics (e.g., short circuit, open circuit, maximum power point [MPP])
  • Irradiance effects
  • Inverter AC and DC voltage (e.g., operating voltage, maximum power point tracker [MPPT] range)
  • Utility voltage and frequency
  • Battery voltage
  • Battery state of charge (SOC)
• Task 3: System Monitoring Equipment and Applications
  • Monitoring methods (e.g., app- and web-based, on-site)
  • Data acquisition and control (e.g., DAS, SCADA)
  • Instrumentation transformers (e.g., current transformers [CT], potential transformer [PT])
  • Revenue grade meter
  • Weather monitoring systems (e.g., albedometer, pyranometer, anemometer, thermometer)
  • Battery temperature sensors
  • Amp hour meter
• Task 4: Deviations from Expected Performance
  • Test conditions (e.g., Standard Test Conditions [STC], nominal operating cell temperature [NOCT])
  • Installation deficiencies
  • Electrical faults (e.g., arc fault, ground fault)
  • Production enhancements and their causes (e.g., albedo, edge of cloud, low temperature, high altitude)
  • Production losses and their causes (e.g., weather, pollution, shading, animals, soiling, system degradation)
  • System curtailment (e.g., export limitation, load control)
• Task 5: Maintenance of PV Systems
  • Record keeping (e.g., system logging, data sheets, user manuals, as-built plan set, maintenance plan, photography)
  • Visual inspection
  • Equipment replacement (e.g., installation practices, lockout/tagout, service life)
  • Equipment-specific maintenance requirements (e.g., lockout/tagout, torque requirements, cleaning)

Domain III: Sales and Economics - 10% of exam questions

• Task 4: Financing Options
  • Cash purchase
  • Lease
  • Power purchase agreement (PPA)
  • Loan (e.g., Property Assessed Clean Energy [PACE], line of credit, home equity)
• Task 5: Maintenance Costs
  • Service contracts (e.g., preventative and reactive maintenance, inspections, cleaning, vegetation management, remote monitoring)
  • Equipment replacement costs
  • Roofing replacement
• Task 1: Critical Information to Qualify a Customer
  • Contact information and physical location
  • Utility information (e.g., utility bill)
  • Property ownership
  • Motivations (e.g., financial, environmental and health, energy choice)
• Task 2: Preliminary System Estimate
  • Customer energy usage (e.g., current and anticipated)
  • Customer usage profile (e.g., daily patterns, seasonal patterns)
  • Utility rate structure (e.g., net metering, time of use, demand charges)
  • Energy storage requirements (e.g., backup load, days of autonomy, self-consumption, load shifting)
  • Site information (e.g., shading factors, roof type and age, orientation, pitch)
  • Utility interconnection requirements
• Task 3: Factors that Impact the Economics of PV Systems
  • PV markets (e.g., residential, commercial, non-profit, utility-scale PV)
  • System price (e.g., equipment, labor, permitting, administrative)
  • Types of incentives (e.g., tax credits, rebates, low-interest loans)
  • Cost to finance (e.g., interest rates)
  • Cost of electricity from utility (e.g., rate structure, inflation)
  • Revenue opportunities (e.g., net metering, virtual power plant, Solar Renewable Energy Certificates)
  • Energy storage (e.g., avoided costs, load shifting, self-consumption, peak load reduction)
  • System performance (e.g., efficiencies of equipment, expected production output)
  • Environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, weather patterns, solar resources)
  • Equipment degradation (e.g., modules) and/or replacement (e.g., power electronics)
  • Warranty limitations (e.g., company stability, existing roof, equipment, workmanship)

Domain I: Safety - 20% of exam questions

• Task 1: Hazard Identification and Controls
  • Hierarchy of Controls (e.g., elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administration controls, and PPE)
  • Fall hazards (e.g., leading edge, roof openings)
  • Environmental hazards (e.g., extreme temperature, inclement weather, animal encounters)
  • Hazardous materials (e.g., chemical, physical)
  • Digging hazards (e.g., trenching, ground mount systems, underground utilities, soil contamination)
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, ear protection, arc and fire rated clothing, footwear)
• Task 2: Safe Work Practices
  • Ergonomics (e.g., manual handling, body positioning, lifting)
  • Safe use of hand and power tools
  • Equipment inspections
  • Vehicle safety and equipment transport (e.g., heavy equipment)
• Task 3: Safety Plan
  • Safety regulations (e.g., OSHA, NFPA)
  • Equipment staging (e.g., roof load distribution)
  • Access control (e.g., fence, screening)
  • Emergency response plan (e.g., first aid, hazardous materials, fire, fall rescue)
  • Safety meetings
  • Required on-site documentation (e.g., injury and illness prevention program, safety data sheets)
• Task 4: Electrical Safety
  • Electrical hazards and control methods (e.g., DC/AC, electrical shock, arc flash, de-energization plan, lockout/tagout, working clearance, ground fault)
  • Safe use of electrical testing equipment
  • Risk in working with energized and/or faulty equipment (e.g., rapid shutdown)
  • Battery safety (e.g., insulated tools, face guard, chemical goggles, eye wash, gloves, aprons)
• Task 5: Working at Height
  • Protection systems (e.g., harness, personal fall arrest systems, guardrails, scaffolding, skylight guards)
  • Equipment handling techniques (e.g., hoisting and rigging methods, tool tethering)
  • Ladder safety (e.g., selection, use)