NABCEP PV Associate

Individuals with a NABCEP Associate Credential significantly boost their job prospects and stand out to in the rapidly growing solar PV market. This credential assures employers of the individual's commitment to the PV profession and their grasp of the fundamental concepts and operational knowledge of PV systems. The NABCEP PV Associate exam certification allows an individual to work in roles related to the design, sale, installation, or maintenance of PV systems under supervision. The exam covers five key knowledge domains: Application, Sales and Economics, Design, Installation, and Operation and Maintenance.

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 III: Design - 25% of exam questions

• Task 1: Ensure equipment is appropriate for intended use
  • National recognized testing labs (e.g., Underwriters Laboratories, National Energy Testing Laboratory)
  • Product safety standards (e.g., IEEE standards, national standards)
  • Manufacturer instructions
  • Location conditions (e.g., wind, snow, seismic)
  • Electrical hazards
• Task 2: Identify relevant codes and requirements that impact PV design and installation
  • Electrical codes
  • Building codes
  • Fire safety codes
  • Workplace safety codes
  • Local permitting requirements
  • Local utility requirements
• Task 3: Recognize electrical concepts and terminology
  • Ohm's law
  • Power and energy
  • 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
  • Properties of common conductors (e.g., insulation types [PV wire, USE‐2, THWN‐2], sizes and ampacities, voltage ratings, color)
  • Types of common raceways (e.g., EMT, RMC, PVC, LFNC, LFMC, FMC)
  • Types of common multi‐conductor cables (e.g., Romex, MC, TC)
  • Grounding and bonding terminology (e.g., equipment grounding conductor, grounding electrode conductor, grounding electrode, bonding jumper)
• Task 4: Identify factors impacting solar resource on design and performance
  • Solar window
  • Local conditions (e.g., weather, soiling)
  • Peak sun hours
  • Shading analysis
  • Array orientation
• Task 5: Identify equipment specification data
  • PV module specifications (e.g., temperature coefficient, Standard Test Conditions [STC], irradiance impact on current)
  • Inverter specifications (e.g., voltage, current, surge)
  • Voltage and current ratings
  • Battery (e.g., capacity, max current)
• Task 6: Describe the function of typical components in PV systems
  • PV system configuration
  • PV modules
  • Inverters
  • Module‐level electronics (e.g., microinverter, PV optimizer)
  • Overcurrent protection devices
  • PV racking systems
  • Charge controllers
  • Batteries
  • Rapid shutdown equipment
  • Electrical materials (e.g., conduits, conductors, disconnects)
  • Point of interconnection (e.g., supply side, load side)
  • Monitoring equipment
  • General balance of system (e.g., combiner boxes, disconnects)
  • Grounding and bonding elements (e.g., equipment grounding conductor, grounding electrode conductor, grounding electrode, bonding jumper)
• Task 7: Explain PV system sizing considerations
  • Derating factors
  • System losses
  • Power rating
  • Energy production
  • Energy efficiency
  • Electric service infrastructure
  • Electrical codes
  • Interconnection requirements
  • Load analysis
  • Software sizing tools
  • String configuration
  • Inverter ratings
• Task 8: Read an electrical diagram of a PV system
  • Electrical symbols
  • Electrical equipment (e.g., wire, conduits, raceways, disconnects)
  • PV circuit terminology
  • String configuration
  • Inverter input window
  • Equipment nameplate ratings
  • Conductor properties (e.g., temperature ratings, ampacity ratings, UV resistance, moisture rating)
• Task 9: Recognize structural requirements of PV systems
  • Local building codes
  • Static and dynamic loads (e.g., wind)
  • Rooftop conditions (e.g., temperature, age, warranty)
  • Roofing systems (e.g., rafter, trusses, membranes)
  • Footing requirements
  • PV racking systems (e.g., ground mount, roof mount, pole mount)
  • Mechanical fasteners
  • Building‐integrated PV options

Domain I: Application - 15% of exam questions

• Task 1: Describe types of PV system applications
  • Grid‐interactive systems with and without storage
  • Stand‐alone systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications
  • Remote industrial systems
  • Specialty applications
  • Solar‐integrated products
• Task 2: Identify key features and benefits of specific types of PV systems
  • Energy security
  • Predictable electricity costs
  • Simplicity of design and installation
  • Environmental impact and social benefit
  • Economic benefits
  • Portability of system
  • System cost
  • Reliability of performance
• Task 3: List the key components of specific types of PV systems
  • Modules
  • Structural attachments (e.g., racking, mounting)
  • Power electronics (e.g., inverters, optimizers, charge controllers)
  • Switch gear
  • Balance of system components
  • Point of utility interconnection
  • Energy storage
  • Monitoring equipment
• Task 4: Understand the safety concerns associated with the different types of PV systems
  • Fall hazards
  • DC hazards (e.g., electrical arcing, fire)
  • AC hazards (e.g., arc flash)
  • Shock hazards
  • Environmental and jobsite hazards
  • Lifting
  • Hazardous materials
• Task 5: List the advantages and disadvantages of PV system compared to other electricity generation sources
  • Economics
  • Accessibility to the site
  • Reliability of the system
  • Maintenance
  • Environmental impact
  • Efficiency
  • Distributed generation

Domain IV: Installation - 29% of exam questions

• Task 1: Identify the elements of a complete site‐specific safety plan
  • Electrical hazards and control methods
  • Use of multimeter
  • Fall hazards and protection systems
  • Safe roof access
  • Proper lifting techniques
  • Vehicle safety and equipment transport
  • Equipment staging
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Environmental hazards
  • Digging hazards
  • Safe use of hand and power tools
  • Battery safety
  • Emergency response plan and accident reporting procedures
  • Required on-site documentation
  • Safety regulations
• Task 2: Identify the elements of the plan set
  • Site plan and array layout plan
  • Electrical diagrams
  • Equipment data sheets and installation instructions
  • Structural details
  • Permit documents
  • Site safety plan
• Task 3: Identify the elements of racking installation
  • Manufacturer manuals and specifications
  • Types of roofing materials
  • Fire classification of roofing materials
  • Roof and building construction vocabulary
  • Types of racking systems
  • Structural considerations
  • Fastener types and sizes
  • Components of different mounting systems
  • Bonding methods
  • Impact of standoff distance on energy performance
  • Waterproofing and weather sealing methods
  • Common power and hand tools
  • Potential impact of installation on roof warranties
• Task 4: Identify the elements of electrical component installation
  • Types of electrical components
  • Manufacturer manuals and specifications
  • Product intended use
  • Working clearances
  • Common electrical fittings
  • Labeling and marking requirements
  • Grounded vs. ungrounded system requirements
  • Spacing and materials of raceway support
  • Importance of managing wires off the roof and out of the sun
  • Wiring best practices
  • Corrosion of dissimilar metals and value of antioxidant
  • Documentation of module-level power electronics
  • Common power and hand tools
• Task 5: Identify the elements of energy storage component installation
  • Types of batteries
  • Types of charge controllers
  • Manufacturer manuals and specifications
  • Battery bank location and protection
  • Labeling requirements
  • Balance of system components
• Task 6: Identify the elements of the system commissioning procedure
  • Visual inspection
  • Measurement conditions
  • Relevant electrical measurements
  • Measured performance against expectations
  • Proper operation of all electrical equipment
  • Proper operation of monitoring equipment and performance metering
  • Documentation of testing/commissioning and inspection
  • Customer orientation

Domain II: Sales and Economics - 13% of exam questions

• Task 1: Determine necessary customer information to collect
  • Physical location
  • Credit strength (e.g., FICO score)
  • Utility information
  • Site information (e.g., shading factors, roof type, orientation, pitch, electrical service, local jurisdictions)
• Task 2: Identify the customer's motivations to install solar
  • Financial reasons
  • Environmental concerns
  • Energy independence
  • Energy security
  • Technology
  • Aesthetics
  • Health
  • Status
• Task 3: Estimate system size to meet the customer's financial objective
  • Customer energy usage
  • Utility rate structure
  • Available incentives
  • Customer budget
  • General system sizing (e.g., calculations)
• Task 4: Identify information from a client customer utility bill relevant to grid-interactive solar
  • Existing rate schedule and options
  • Customer usage profile (e.g., daily patterns, seasonal patterns)
  • Demand charges (e.g., peak load)
• Task 5: Identify information from the client on electricity usage relevant to stand-alone solar
  • Power and energy requirements (e.g., critical load)
  • Customer usage profile (e.g., daily patterns, seasonal patterns)
  • Days of autonomy
• Task 6: List key factors that impact the economics of solar
  • Incentives
  • Net energy metering
  • Environmental conditions
  • System price (e.g., equipment, labor, soft costs)
  • Cost of electricity from utility
  • Irradiation
  • Energy storage
  • Cost to finance
  • Equipment degradation (e.g., modules)
  • Operation and maintenance
• Task 7: Recognize how policies and available financial benefits affect different PV markets
  • PV markets (e.g., residential, commercial, non‐profit, utility scale PV)
  • Local policies (e.g., tax credits, local benefits, utility benefits, net energy metering, zero net export)
• Task 8: Identify financial risks associated with PV systems
  • Electricity rate fluctuation
  • System performance
  • Policy uncertainty
  • Warranty limitations (e.g., existing roof, PV system products, workmanship)
  • Maintenance costs
• Task 9: Identify common financing options
  • Cash purchase
  • Lease
  • Power purchase agreement (PPA)
  • Loan (e.g., Property Assessed Clean Energy [PACE], line of credit, home equity)
• Task 10: Identify predictable maintenance costs over the life of the system
  • Maintenance and equipment replacement costs (e.g., mechanical, batteries, inverters, service contracts)
  • Cleaning costs
  • Monitoring costs
  • Roofing replacement

Domain V: Maintenance and Operation - 18% of exam questions

• Task 1: Identify commonly used electrical test equipment and its purpose
  • Multimeters (e.g., current, voltage, resistance, continuity)
  • Insulation testing devices (e.g., megohmmeter)
  • IV curve tracer
  • Infrared thermometer (e.g., module, breaker, connection temperature measurement)
  • Irradiance meter
  • Battery capacity testing devices (e.g., load tester)
  • Hydrometer
• Task 2: Demonstrate the ability to analyze simple electrical circuits
  • Ohm's law
  • Power formulas (e.g., Watt's law)
• Task 3: Describe the effects of performance parameters that are commonly monitored for PV systems
  • Temperature
  • Wind speed
  • IV curve characteristics (e.g., short circuit, open circuit)
  • Irradiance
  • Inverter AC and DC voltage
  • Utility voltage and frequency
  • Battery voltage
• Task 4: Describe different types and elements of system performance monitoring equipment
  • Monitoring methods (e.g., web-based, on-site)
  • Current transformer
  • Voltage sense
  • Internet access (e.g., cellular, gateways, network hub)
  • Revenue grade meter
  • Power line adapters
  • Battery temperature sensor
  • Weather monitoring systems (e.g., pyranometer, anemometer, thermometer)
  • Emerging technology trends
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) (e.g., data logging)
• Task 5: Identify common factors that result in deviations from expected system performance
  • Test conditions (e.g., Standard Test Conditions [STC], PVUSA Test Conditions [PTC], nominal operating cell temperature [NOCT], California Energy Commission [CEC])
  • Installation practices
  • Electrical connection faults
  • Production losses and their causes (e.g., weather, pollution, shading, animals, soiling, system degradation)
  • Production enhancements and their causes (e.g., albedo, edge of cloud, low temperature, high altitude)
• Task 6: Describe typical maintenance requirements for PV systems
  • Record keeping (e.g., system logging, data sheets, user manuals, return merchandise authorization [RMA] process, maintenance plan)
  • Equipment replacement (e.g., installation practices, lockout/tagout, service life)
  • Equipment upkeep requirements (e.g., installation practices, lockout/tagout, torque requirements, module cleaning)
  • Visual inspection
• Task 7: Identify the safety requirements for operating and maintaining different types of PV systems
  • Electrical hazards and control methods (e.g., electrical shock, arc flash, de-energization plan, lockout/tagout, ground fault)
  • Use of multimeter
  • Fall hazards and protection systems (e.g., personal fall arrest systems, guardrails, scaffolding, skylight guards)
  • Safe roof access (e.g., use of ladders, equipment handling techniques, hoisting and rigging methods)
  • Proper lifting techniques
  • Equipment staging (e.g., roof load distribution)
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, ear protection, footwear)
  • Environmental hazards (e.g., heat illness, lightning, wind, animal encounters)
  • Safe use of hand and power tools
  • Battery safety (e.g., insulated tools, face guard, chemical goggles, eye wash, gloves, aprons)
  • Emergency response plan and accident reporting procedures
  • Required on-site documentation (e.g., injury and illness prevention program, safety data sheets)
  • Electric shock risk associated with washing PV modules
  • Risk in working with energized and/or faulty equipment
  • Safety regulations (e.g., OSHA 29 CFR 1926, NFPA 70E)