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8 Best Solar Certifications of 2026
This list is for electricians, apprentices and installers who want a credential that proves solar skills. We compared documented requirements and published prices for eight options: three NABCEP credentials, an ETA International installer exam, three training packages that lead to the NABCEP PV Associate exam, and the OSHA 10 course NABCEP requires for PVIP. Scores weigh features at 40 percent and ease of use and value at 30 percent each. Prices were checked on vendor pages in November 2026. None of these credentials replaces a state electrical or contractor license.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 11, 2026 · 8 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 11, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
If you can only get one solar credential, make it NABCEP's PV Installation Professional: the fees total $500, the Board Eligible route lets you pass the exam before your project log is complete, and NABCEP has accredited it under ISO/IEC 17024 since 2007. If you are new to solar, start with the NABCEP PV Associate, which costs $150 in fees and needs no field experience when you take a registered course such as HeatSpring's boot camp, Everblue's package or MREA's PV 250. ETA's PVI1 is a sound low-cost exam for students in hands-on trade school programs, ESIP is the next step for PVIP holders who install batteries, and a $59 OSHA 10 card is the cheapest box to tick first.
Top picks
Best overall
NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP)
8.8 / 10
Electricians and lead installers who want the top solar credential
Read the review →Runner-up
NABCEP PV Associate (PVA)
8.6 / 10
New installers and career changers starting in solar
Read the review →Also great
HeatSpring Solar PV Boot Camp + NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep
8.3 / 10
Electricians who want online PVA training with exam support
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) | Electricians and lead installers who want the top solar credential | $125 application fee plus $375 exam fee ($500 total); $275 re-exam and $390 recertification | 8.8 |
| 2 | NABCEP PV Associate (PVA) | New installers and career changers starting in solar | $25 application fee plus $125 exam fee ($150 total); $150 renewal | 8.6 |
| 3 | HeatSpring Solar PV Boot Camp + NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep | Electricians who want online PVA training with exam support | $895 one-time for the course with one year of access; NABCEP's $150 exam fee is separate | 8.3 |
| 4 |  Everblue NABCEP PV Associate | Beginners who want the exam fee bundled into one price | $999 one-time, including the NABCEP PV Associate exam fee | 8.1 |
| 5 |  ETA Photovoltaic Installer Level 1 (PVI1) | Students in trade school or community college solar programs | $155 per exam, with one free retake within a year | 7.8 |
| 6 | NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) | Experienced installers adding battery storage work | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.7 |
| 7 |  MREA PV Associate Online Package (PV 250) | Learners who want PVA training from a nonprofit with an in-person campus | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.6 |
| 8 | OSHA 10-Hour Construction (HeatSpring) | Anyone who needs NABCEP's OSHA 10 requirement first | $59 one-time with one year of access | 7.5 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP)
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners' board certification for people who design, install, commission and maintain PV systems.
nabcep.org8.8
out of 10
Best for: Electricians and lead installers who want the top solar credential
PVIP is the credential most solar employers mean when they say NABCEP certified, and NABCEP itself calls it the gold standard for PV professionals. It covers the full installer role: design, installation, operations, commissioning and maintenance. For an electrician entering solar, the Board Eligible pathway removes the old catch of needing solar projects before you can test. You verify 58 hours of classroom learning, take the exam on your own computer, and then have three years after passing to log installations worth 6 project credits (a 1 to 999 kW system counts as 2 credits). NABCEP's candidate handbook also requires OSHA 10 construction training. Fees are $125 to apply and $375 for the exam, with $275 for a re-exam and $390 to recertify every three years. You do not get the digital badge or a directory listing until you finish the experience requirement, and the application fee cannot be refunded. The credential has been accredited under ISO/IEC 17024:2012 since 2007.
Standout feature
NABCEP PVIP is the best choice for electricians moving into solar because the Board Eligible route lets you pass the $375 exam before your project log is complete.
Use cases
Licensed electricians adding solar
Verify 58 classroom hours and pass the PVIP exam at home
Outcome: Board Eligible status while qualifying projects are completed
Solar crew leads
Document installations worth 6 project credits
Outcome: Full Board Certified status with a directory listing
Key features
- Board Eligible pathway: verify 58 hours of classroom learning and take the PVIP exam on your own computer
- Three years after passing the exam to finish the experience requirement and convert to Board Certified
- Accredited under ISO/IEC 17024:2012 since 2007, according to NABCEP
- Covers PV design, installation, operations, commissioning and maintenance
- Recertification every three years
Pros
- NABCEP calls PVIP the gold standard for PV professionals
- No extra fee to convert from Board Eligible to Board Certified
- Board Certified holders get a digital badge and a directory listing
Cons
- Full certification needs installation projects worth 6 project credits
- Requires OSHA 10 training on top of the 58 classroom hours
- Application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable
Rank 2 · Runner-up
NABCEP PV Associate (PVA)
NABCEP's entry-level credential showing knowledge of PV application, design, installation and operation.
nabcep.org8.6
out of 10
Best for: New installers and career changers starting in solar
The PV Associate is the usual first credential for someone with little or no solar experience, and NABCEP describes it as most often the first step toward a board certification. There are three ways in: complete a course with a NABCEP Associate Registered Training Provider, document at least six months of full-time PV work, or convert an older Entry Level award. On the Education Pathway your training provider registers you for the exam, so you do not apply to NABCEP directly. The exam was updated on April 7, 2026 with new safety and core knowledge domains, while keeping design, sales and economics, installation and O&M content. Fees total $150, which makes it the cheapest NABCEP credential, and renewal costs $150 with 12 hours of continuing education every three years. NABCEP says passing qualifies you to work in a supervised capacity. Associates appear in NABCEP's directory but do not get a digital badge.
Standout feature
The NABCEP PV Associate is the best choice for newcomers because the full fee is $150 and it is the usual first step toward PVIP.
Use cases
Career changers
Finish a registered course and pass the PVA exam
Outcome: A NABCEP credential to show employers for supervised installer roles
Apprentices on solar crews
Document six months of full-time PV work
Outcome: PVA credential through the Experience Pathway
Key features
- Three pathways: Education, Experience (six months of full-time PV work) or Entry Level conversion
- Exam updated on April 7, 2026 with new safety and core knowledge domains
- Testing in the U.S. and 97 other countries, plus online practice exams
- Listed in NABCEP's online Associate Directory
- Renewal needs 12 hours of continuing education in each three-year period
Pros
- Lowest-cost NABCEP credential at $150 in fees
- No field experience needed on the Education Pathway
- NABCEP says passing qualifies you to design, sell, install or maintain systems in a supervised capacity
Cons
- Associates do not receive a NABCEP digital badge
- Education Pathway requires a course with a registered training provider
- Not a board certification, so it does not replace PVIP
Rank 3 · Also great
HeatSpring Solar PV Boot Camp + NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep
A self-paced online course from a NABCEP Registered Provider that qualifies you to sit for the PV Associate exam.
heatspring.com8.3
out of 10
Best for: Electricians who want online PVA training with exam support
HeatSpring's boot camp is aimed squarely at electricians, contractors and career changers who want the NABCEP PV Associate. The course page lists 18 to 24 hours of work, 21:08 hours of video lectures and 5 practice exams, and finishing it makes you eligible to sit for the PVA exam, which you can take at home with live online proctoring. HeatSpring is a NABCEP Registered Provider and a PV Associate exam provider, and it offers a guarantee: fail the exam on your first attempt and it refunds $125 toward the retake. There is a second payoff for people aiming at PVIP: once you pass the PVA exam, the course counts for 18 hours of advanced NABCEP training. The course costs $895 one time with one year of access, and the NABCEP application and $150 exam fee are paid separately in the last module. The instructor's study guide book is also extra.
Standout feature
HeatSpring's boot camp is the best choice for self-paced PVA prep because it pairs 5 practice exams with a $125 refund if you fail the first attempt.
Use cases
Electricians studying around a full schedule
Work through 18 to 24 hours of self-paced lessons
Outcome: Eligibility to sit the PVA exam at home
Installers planning for PVIP
Pass the PVA after the course
Outcome: 18 hours credited toward the 58 PVIP training hours
Key features
- 18 to 24 hours to complete, with 21:08 hours of video lectures and 5 practice exams
- Makes you eligible to sit for the NABCEP PV Associate exam
- Exam can be taken at home through live online proctoring
- Refund of $125 toward the retake if you fail the PVA exam on the first attempt
- Counts for 18 advanced NABCEP training hours once you pass the PVA exam
Pros
- HeatSpring is a NABCEP Registered Provider and PV Associate exam provider
- Instructor answers questions on a discussion board
- Hours can count toward the 58 needed for PVIP
Cons
- NABCEP exam fee is not included
- Instructor's study guide book is a separate purchase
- Access lasts one year
Rank 4
Everblue NABCEP PV Associate
A 40-hour online training package that qualifies you for the NABCEP PV Associate exam and includes the exam fee.
everbluetraining.com8.1
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want the exam fee bundled into one price
Everblue sells its NABCEP PV Associate package as a single purchase: 40 hours of online training, a 70-question practice exam, the NABCEP candidate eligibility form and the PVA exam fee itself, all for $999. The course runs in 24 sections, each taking 30 minutes to 2 hours, and covers PV system types, sizing, basic electricity, components, codes, safety, maintenance, and sales and economics. Everblue says the program qualifies you to sit for the PVA exam, and the course includes instructions for signing up with NABCEP and scheduling the computer-based test. Access lasts six months, which suits people who want to finish quickly but is short if you study slowly. Compared with buying a course and paying NABCEP's $150 separately, the bundle is simpler but not cheaper than the alternatives here. Everblue also sells its PV101 course alone for $799 without the exam fee.
Standout feature
Everblue's package is the best choice for one-price training because $999 covers 40 hours of lessons and the NABCEP PVA exam fee.
Use cases
Career changers
Complete 40 hours online and register for the PVA
Outcome: Exam fee already covered at checkout
Employers training new hires
Buy a single package per trainee
Outcome: Predictable cost per person for the PVA credential
Key features
- 40 hours of online solar training in 24 sections
- Includes the NABCEP PVA exam fee
- Includes a 70-question NABCEP PV Associate practice exam
- Includes the NABCEP candidate eligibility form
- Six months of access and an Everblue certificate of completion
Pros
- One price covers training and the exam fee
- Self-paced and available 24/7 on PC, Mac or mobile
- Instructions inside the course walk you through exam sign-up
Cons
- Most expensive PVA route on this list at $999
- Course access ends after six months
- No hands-on lab component
Rank 5
ETA Photovoltaic Installer Level 1 (PVI1)
An ICAC-accredited installer certification from ETA International that requires hands-on training at an ETA-approved school.
etai.org7.8
out of 10
Best for: Students in trade school or community college solar programs
ETA International's Photovoltaic Installer Level 1 tests the basics of solar installation: solar resources and principles, component selection, installation sequence, performance and troubleshooting, permitting, safety and economics. It differs from NABCEP's credentials in one important way: candidates need hands-on training from an ETA-approved trainer or school, so it fits best inside a community college or trade school program. The exam has 75 questions, a 75% passing score and a 2-hour limit, and it costs $155 with one free retake within a year. The certification lasts four years with maintenance and is accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council. For people who want to keep going, the PV Installer/Designer (PV2) adds commercial-scale design, project management and permitting, and requires 60 verified hours of PVI training, OSHA 10 and ETA's Customer Service Specialist certification. ETA also points students to an online study course from its partner Solar PV Training.
Standout feature
ETA's PVI1 is the best choice for trade school students because the $155 exam includes one free retake and a clear path to PV2.
Use cases
Community college solar students
Finish hands-on training at an ETA-approved school
Outcome: A four-year installer certification for $155
Experienced installers
Add PV2 after PVI1 and OSHA 10
Outcome: A credential covering commercial design and project management
Key features
- 75-question exam with a 75% passing score and 2 hours to test
- Hands-on training from an ETA-approved school required
- Four-year certification term with maintenance
- One free retake within a year of the first exam
- Leads to the PV Installer/Designer (PV2) certification, also $155
Pros
- Low exam price at $155
- Accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council
- Clear step up to PV2 for commercial-scale design work
Cons
- Must be taken through an ETA certification administrator or approved school
- Hands-on training requirement adds cost and time
- Self-study alone does not qualify you for the exam
Rank 6
NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP)
NABCEP's board certification for technicians who design, install, commission and maintain battery energy storage systems.
nabcep.org7.7
out of 10
Best for: Experienced installers adding battery storage work
As more solar jobs include batteries, ESIP is the credential that proves storage skills. NABCEP built it with the CREATE Energy Center and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association under a National Science Foundation grant, and it covers storage design, installation, operations, commissioning and maintenance. The requirements are steep for someone just entering solar: OSHA 30 construction training, 58 hours of advanced energy storage training, proof of a decision-making role on storage projects, and projects worth 6 credits completed in the last two calendar years. Credits scale with size, from 1 credit for a 1 to 80 kWh system to 3 credits for 1 MWh and up. There is a shortcut for people who already hold PVIP: NABCEP grants 18 hours toward the 58. The exam is available in English and Spanish, and recertification needs 30 hours of continuing education. NABCEP's public fee table does not list ESIP, so check the cost when you apply.
Standout feature
ESIP is the best choice for experienced PV installers adding batteries because active PVIP holders get 18 of the 58 training hours credited.
Use cases
PVIP holders installing batteries
Add 40 more storage training hours and log storage projects
Outcome: A board certification covering energy storage
Storage crew leads
Document 6 project credits from the last two years
Outcome: Proof of storage installation competence for employers
Key features
- Requires OSHA 30 construction training
- Requires 58 hours of advanced energy storage training
- Requires 6 project credits from projects in the last 2 calendar years
- Active PVIP holders receive 18 hours toward the 58 required hours
- Exam offered in English and Spanish
Pros
- Covers ES design, installation, operations, commissioning and maintenance
- Developed with CREATE and MREA under a National Science Foundation grant
- PVIP holders get partial training credit
Cons
- Needs a decision-making role on storage projects before you apply
- OSHA 30 is a higher bar than PVIP's OSHA 10
- Fee is not listed in NABCEP's published fee table
Rank 7
MREA PV Associate Online Package (PV 250)
A seven-course online package from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association that makes you eligible for the NABCEP PV Associate exam.
midwestrenew.org7.6
out of 10
Best for: Learners who want PVA training from a nonprofit with an in-person campus
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association is a nonprofit that helped develop NABCEP's energy storage certification, and its PV Associate package is a structured route to the PVA exam. You take seven online courses in order: Basic Photovoltaics (8 hours), PV Safety and Hazard Control (4), Site Assessment (4), System Design (8), System Installation (8), Operations and Maintenance (4) and Costs and Economics (4). Each course has a 30-day window that starts when you open it, and finishing the set makes you eligible for the NABCEP PV Associate exam for one year. Electricians in Wisconsin get an extra benefit: MREA says PV 101 is approved for 8 credit hours toward several electrician licenses. The same package runs in person as PV 255 at MREA's campus in Custer, Wisconsin. The optional exam prep course and the NCCER textbook cost extra, and the package price did not load on the page we checked.
Standout feature
MREA's PV 250 is the best choice for structured study because its seven courses total 40 hours with a 30-day window for each.
Use cases
Wisconsin electricians
Take PV 101 for license continuing education
Outcome: 8 DSPS credit hours plus a start on PVA training
Newcomers who like deadlines
Complete seven courses at 30 days each
Outcome: One year of PVA exam eligibility
Key features
- Seven sequential online courses totaling 40 hours
- 30 days to complete each course, starting when you begin it
- Eligibility to sit the NABCEP PV Associate exam for one year after finishing
- In-person version (PV 255) at MREA's campus in Custer, Wisconsin
- Optional PV Exam Prep course (PV 220) with a 60-question practice exam
Pros
- Courses can be bought one at a time or as a package
- PV 101 is approved for 8 credit hours by Wisconsin DSPS for electrician licenses
- MREA members get 10% off their next course
Cons
- Exam prep course is not included in the package
- Recommended NCCER textbook is bought separately
- Each course has a 30-day completion window
Rank 8
OSHA 10-Hour Construction (HeatSpring)
An online OSHA Outreach course, delivered with the University of South Florida, that leads to a DOL/OSHA 10-Hour card.
heatspring.com7.5
out of 10
Best for: Anyone who needs NABCEP's OSHA 10 requirement first
This is not a solar credential, but it is often the first thing a solar candidate needs. NABCEP's candidate handbook requires at least 10 hours of OSHA Outreach construction training for PVIP, and ETA's PV2 also asks for OSHA 10. HeatSpring sells the course with the University of South Florida, an OSHA-authorized Outreach provider, and states that it meets NABCEP's OSHA 10 requirement. U.S. participants receive a Department of Labor OSHA 10-Hour card on completion. The 10 hours cover workers' rights, employer responsibilities, inspections, the Focus Four hazards (falls, electrocution, caught-in or between, struck-by), PPE, health hazards, material handling and tools. The price is $59 with one year of access. If you are heading for the energy storage credential, note that ESIP needs OSHA 30, which HeatSpring sells separately.
Standout feature
HeatSpring's OSHA 10 course is the best choice for a first step because it costs $59 and meets NABCEP's OSHA 10 requirement for PVIP.
Use cases
New solar hires
Complete 10 hours online
Outcome: A DOL/OSHA 10-Hour card for job sites
PVIP candidates
Document OSHA 10 training
Outcome: One NABCEP eligibility requirement met
Key features
- Self-paced, fully online, 10 hours to complete
- U.S. participants earn a Department of Labor OSHA 10-Hour card
- HeatSpring states it meets NABCEP eligibility requirements for OSHA 10
- Covers the Focus Four hazards, including electrocution and falls
- Delivered with the University of South Florida, an OSHA-authorized provider
Pros
- Cheapest item on this list at $59
- Ticks a box needed for PVIP and for ETA's PV2
- Short enough to finish in a few days
Cons
- A safety card, not a solar certification
- Does not cover PV-specific skills
- ESIP requires OSHA 30 instead
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best solar certification?
NABCEP's PV Installation Professional (PVIP) is the best solar certification for electricians and installers. It costs $125 to apply and $375 for the exam, and NABCEP has accredited it under ISO/IEC 17024 since 2007.
+What is the best certification for solar energy if I have no experience?
The NABCEP PV Associate is the best solar energy certification for beginners. It costs $150 in NABCEP fees, and the Education Pathway needs only a course with a registered provider such as HeatSpring, Everblue or MREA.
+How much does NABCEP certification cost?
NABCEP fees are $500 for PVIP ($125 application plus $375 exam) and $150 for the PV Associate ($25 application plus $125 exam). PVIP recertification costs $390 every three years, according to NABCEP's fee schedule.
+Can an electrician get NABCEP certified without solar experience?
Yes, an electrician can pass the PVIP exam first through NABCEP's Board Eligible pathway. You verify 58 hours of classroom learning, pass the exam, and then have three years to complete the installation projects for full certification.
+Is NABCEP or ETA better for solar installers?
NABCEP is the better fit for most installers because its exams can be taken online after self-paced training. ETA's PVI1 costs $155 but requires hands-on training at an ETA-approved school, which suits college and trade school students.
+Do I need OSHA 10 for solar certification?
Yes, NABCEP's candidate handbook requires at least 10 hours of OSHA construction training for PVIP. HeatSpring's online OSHA 10 course costs $59 and HeatSpring states it meets the NABCEP requirement.
About this list
Updated November 11, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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