PV Specific

Q. How do I know which PV workshop is right for me?

To figure out which PV workshop is right for you, visit our PV workshop overview page. If you have questions regarding NABCEP and/or ISPQ please visit our accreditation and certification page.

A. All PV101 workshops, either online or in-person, require no previous experience or knowledge.  We start with the very basics. However, the PV202, PV203, 201L and 301L workshops all require previous workshop attendance.  Please see the respective workshop pages for information.

Q. How do I sign up for PV 101 PREP?

A. When you register for any PV101 or PVOL101 course, you are automatically registered for PV 101 PREP.  The prep course is included in the cost of PV101 or PVOL101.  After registering, you will receive further instructions regarding logging on to the online instructorless PV101 PREP component.

Q. Is the Women’s PV workshop easier than the coed class?

A.  No, it covers the same material as the coed workshop.  Participants have included licensed electricians, engineers, teachers, students and homemakers. 

Q. Why a women’s-only workshop?

A.  Many women have little or no hands-on electrical experience, and may be wary of attending a coed course with men who have grown up using power tools.  Our women’s only workshops are intended to provide women with a supportive learning atmosphere.  Even women with hands-on experience already working in technical fields find it helpful and rewarding to network with other women who are interested in and/or working in renewable energy.

Q. Does SEI offer the NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practioners) entry-level certificate exam at the end of photovoltaic related online courses?

A. No. SEI is not offering the NABCEP entry level exam during or after online PV courses.  However, upon successfully completing PV101, you are eligible to take this exam. SEI recommends that you also take PV203 before taking the entry-level exam.  Please refer to NABCEP’s ‘Approved Providers List’ (www.nabcep.org) to find proctors near you, or contact SEI to find out when and where their exam is offered next.

Q. What online courses do I need to take to qualify for the NABCEP PV installer certification exam?

A. Once you have successfully completed both PV 101, and PV202 or PV203, you will have met the educational requirements to sit for the NABCEP installers exam. You will still need to acquire practical installation experience to qualify to sit for the exam. For more information, please visit www.nabcep.org.

Q. Is there a course map that illustrates the order in which PV workshops should be taken at SEI?

A. Yes, our PV Course Map below (click on link below to view pdf) shows that a minimum of PV101: Solar Electric Fundamentals and Grid-Direct Design, or equivalent training as approved by SEI staff, should be completed before moving on to PV 200-level courses.  The PV101 workshop includes a mandatory web-based on-demand component, PV101 PREP. This prerequisite is available to students upon registration.