Certification Programs / CEU's

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• Registration Policies
• MREA Instructors
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Our Mission:
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration.

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M-F 10am-4pm. Open to the public for tours daily at 2pm. To schedule other times or for more information, please click on "Visit" above.

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And the IBEW Wisconsin State Conference.

Certification Programs

MREA Site Assessor Certification Program

The MREA certifies renewable energy site assessors in three technologies: photovoltaics, wind (home sized systems), and solar domestic hot water. MREA Certified Site Assessors are renewable energy consultants who conduct site visits, complete load analysis, recommend site-specific renewable energy systems, and give clients a general cost estimate for renewable energy systems in a written report format.

For detailed information, please visit the Certified Site Assessor Resource at mreacsa.org There you will find the directory of MREA Certified Site Assessors, instructions on how to become certified, instructions on how to maintain certification and frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Certification Requirement Checklists
Click on the pdfs in blue below to see the Certification Requirement Checklists as a quick reference to the steps to certification.

Photovoltaic Site Assessor Certification Requirements
Solar Hot Water Site Assessor Certification Requirements
Wind Site Assessor Certification Requirements
Non-Residential Photovoltaic Site Assessor Certification Requirements
Non-Residential Solar Hot Water Site Assessor Certification Requirements
Standard Prerequisite Skills

For detailed information, please visit the Certified Site Assessor Resource at mreacsa.org There you will find the directory of MREA Certified site Assessors, instructions on how to become certified, instructions how to maintain certification and frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Becoming a Certified Installer

The MREA specializes in providing hands on renewable energy education. The MREA does not certify installers.

National PV Installer Certification Programs

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) administers a voluntary national certification program for PV system installers. Certification is designed to protect consumers and the profession. Each candidate must meet set experience prerequisites and pass a written exam to become certified. MREA has structured its photovoltaic courses to cover the material and skills needed to help students gain adequate educational experience necessary to apply for the NABCEP exam.

Courses:

• Basic Photovoltaic
• Photovoltaic Site Assessor Training
• Intermediate Photovoltaics
• PV Systems Design
• PV Design & Installation Lab
• Advanced Photovoltaics Installation
• PV Lead Installer Training

NABCEP Entry Level Certificate Program

The NABCEP Entry Level Certificate Program is designed for those individuals wanting to get into the solar field; it is a way for them to show they have achieved basic knowledge comprehension and application of key terms and concepts of photovoltaic (solar electric) system operations.

The certificate demonstrates that the student has passed an industry-designed exam based on learning objectives developed by subject matter experts.

As the market grows for photovoltaics, students holding this industry-sponsored Entry Level Certificate may find that their employment opportunities are enhanced by starting the job with an understanding of the basic terms and operational aspects of a PV system. However, the Certificate by itself does not qualify an individual to install PV systems.

MREA's Basic PV, Intermediate PV, and the PV Lab class are designed to give students the background knowledge to sit for the Entry Level Certificate.

Focus on Energy Full Service Installers

In Wisconsin, Focus on Energy maintains a Full Service Installer list and policy for installers who are not yet NABCEP certified.

Click here for the Focus on Energy's Full Service Installer Policies and list of Full Service Installers.

Full Service Installers page

MREA Workshop Schedule

MREA's current hands on lab and installation class schedule can be found here:

MREA Workshops

NABCEP exam dates posted on their calendar here:

NABCEP calendar page

Study Forum

The Site Assessor website mreacsa.org has a section for NABCEP Exam Study Group in our forum section. We invite you to post areas you would like to see addressed in an exam preparation class. Feel free to post about any other NABCEP study resources or prep classes.

mreacsa.org

Continuing Education Units:

Select MREA courses are recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce as continuing education for licensed professionals.

Courses:

• Intermediate Photovoltaics Training
  14 hours of credit
  Journeyman and Master Electricians Certification

• Advanced Photovoltaic Installation
  18 hours of credit
  Journeyman and Master Electricians Certification

• Utility Inter-tie Wind System Installation
  18 hours of credit
  Journeyman and Master Electricians Certification

Solar Domestic Hot Water Installation

• 14 hours of credit
  Journeyman Plumber License
  Journeyman Plumber - Restricted Appliance License
  Master Plumber License
  Master Plumber - Restricted Appliance License
  UDC-Plumbing Inspector Certification

• Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
  7 hours of credit
  Journeyman Plumber License
  Journeyman Plumber - Restricted Appliance License
  Master Plumber License
  Master Plumber - Restricted Appliance License