Energy Storage Installation Professional

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is excited to announce that our collaborations with the CREATE Energy Center and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) to create an Energy Storage Certification have become a reality. With support from a grant issued by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the three entities have successfully partnered up to address the need for a commonly accepted standard of education and training for technicians working with battery energy storage systems technology.

The goal of the NSF Energy Storage Certification Project was to develop an industry-recognized Energy Storage Certification credential that is administered by an independent third party certification body (NABCEP) to advance industry standards, to provide a mechanism to document technician knowledge, skills and qualifications, and to promote a skilled energy workforce. We’re happy to say we’ve met that goal and are now prepared to launch the exam (see requirements below).

For NABCEP, that involved leading the certification exam development process to create a new Energy Storage Certification Credential, along with a Job task Analysis (JTA). Our partners at CREATE and MREA lead the task on development and refinement of energy storage lab infrastructure and instructional activities based on the energy storage curriculum.” This was made possible by National Science Foundation Grant #2000714

As a feature of our grant issued by the National Science Foundation, NABCEP (along with our excellent partners at the CREATE Energy Center and MREA) is allowing the first 200 approved applicants for our ESIP exam to have the opportunity to take it for FREE! 

ESIP Application Requirements 

1. Completion of a Minimum of OSHA 30 Outreach Training Program for the Construction Industry (or State or Provincial equivalent); AND
2. Completion of 58 hours of advanced energy storage training; AND
3. Proof of decision making role in projects involving energy storage; AND
4. Completion of project within the last 2 calendar years equaling 6 project credits. Project Credits are as follows
   1. 1. System size of 1 to 80kWh = 1 Project Credits
      2. System size of 81 to 999kWh = 2 Project Credits
      3. System size of 1MWh and up = 3 Project Credits

Current active PV Installation Professionals (PVIP) now receive 18 non-accredited hours towards the 58 required hours!!

ES Installation Professional (ESIP)(Total: 30 Hours)

• 6 hours specific to Electric (NEC) Codes
• 12 hours specific to the ESIP JTA
• 12 hours specific to Renewable Energy of which 2 hours must be Building and/or Fire Codes

Industry Involvement

NABCEP Board Certified Professionals are required to submit a letter on letterhead, signed by an employer stating the applicant is still actively involved in the renewable energy industry and describing the industry activity of the applicant.

• Industry activity must meet one (1) of the minimum requirements as described below.
• Alternative activities may be submitted for review and acceptance by NABCEP.
• The letter must include specific details as described below.

Minimum Industry Involvement Requirements

• The applicant had a decision-making role in the installation(s) of at least 3 completed installs within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Teacher/trainer/instructor who teaches at least 120 hours of an advanced PV* course(s) or a registered NABCEP PV Associate course within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Leadership role for at least one (1) year in a business or organization that trains students, customers, or clientele to design, install, commission, maintain, inspect or carry out other activities in the PV* market within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Leadership role for at least one (1) year in a business that designs, installs, sells, commissions, maintains, inspects, or finances PV* systems or manufactures solar industry equipment within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Leadership role relating to PV* within the renewable energy industry for at least 36 hours within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period (e.g. committee or board member in a renewable energy association or company).