named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Company Accreditation Program
Accreditation for PV installation companies that meet NABCEP's benchmark requirements for staffing, policies, and installation quality.
Energy Storage Installation Professional Certification
Certification program for professionals installing battery storage systems integrated with renewable energy.
NABCEP Digital Badges
Portable, verified digital credentials issued through Credly that represent NABCEP certifications and include labor market insights.
PV Installation Professional Certification
NABCEP's flagship certification for solar photovoltaic installers, first offered in 2003 and accredited to ISO/IEC 17024 standards.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 2 activities
- Enhances workforce development through continuing education and recertification requirementsStrengthens professional competency by requiring 30 hours of continuing education for most certifications during recertification and mandating employer-verified documentation of ongoing industry involvement to maintain credentials.
- Operates company accreditation program for photovoltaic installation businessesAccredits photovoltaic installation companies based on industry best practices, staffing standards, and successful completion of at least three random inspections of installed systems. This program ensures quality and professionalism among certified firms.
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Nonprofit Sector Research & Data Analysis 1 activity
- Conducts and publishes solar industry researchReleases the annual Solar Industry Survey Report in collaboration with SolarReviews, providing data-driven insights into workforce trends, compensation, and business conditions in the U.S. solar sector.
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Professional Ethics & Dispute Resolution 1 activity
- Maintains certification integrity through ethics, appeals, and grievance processesOperates formal procedures to uphold professional standards, including an ethics complaint process for certified professionals, an appeals policy for disputes over certification decisions, and a grievance policy to address concerns about NABCEP’s internal operations.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Publishes newsletters with industry updates and technical informationProduces and distributes a bi-monthly and quarterly electronic newsletter featuring industry news, technical updates, and accomplishments of NABCEP-certified professionals to keep stakeholders informed.
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Clean Energy Workforce Training 1 activity
- Supports job seekers and employers in the renewable energy sectorProvides job seeker account features, career research tools, job search tips, salary negotiation guidance, and interview best practices for employers to support employment connections within the renewable energy industry.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Administers certification programs for renewable energy practitionersDevelops and administers rigorous certification exams and credentialing programs in photovoltaics, solar heating, small wind technologies, and other renewable energy fields; has launched 8 board certification programs and 3 associate credentials since administering its first solar PV installer exam in 2003. The organization issues certification marks and digital badges to individuals who pass examinations, requiring adherence to mark use policies and ongoing compliance.
- Issues digital credentials and labor market insights via Credly platformIssues digital badges to recognize skills in system design, installation, inspection, and other areas tied to NABCEP certifications, and leverages the Credly Platform to provide labor market insights—such as hiring employers, job titles, and salary ranges—based on live job requisitions matched to badge holders’ competencies.
- Provides certification pathways recognized by regulatory jurisdictionsOffers certification pathways that meet legal or regulatory requirements in specific regions, including Illinois for distributed generation installers and through partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region via collaboration with Excellent for Renewable Energy. Also registered its first training provider in Latin America (LATAM).
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$2.59M
Contributions & grants$125K5%
Program service revenue$2.46M95%
Investment income$7K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.10M
Program expenses69%
Admin / overhead31%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$779K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.11M
Cash$1.48M
Investments$0
Liabilities$854K
Net assets$1.26M
Liquid reserves8.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +16.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHAWN O'BRIEN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 38 | $162K |
| ROBERT DONALD | CONTROLLER | 38 | $97K |
board members · 14
- ANDREW TRUITT — BOARD MEMBER
- BOB HATTIER — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID RUSCH — BOARD MEMBER
- DELL JONES — BOARD MEMBER
- DON WARFIELD — BOARD MEMBER (CHAIR)
- ED MURRAY — BOARD MEMBER (TREASURER)
- EMMITT MUCKLES — BOARD MEMBER
- GEOFF GREENFIELD — BOARD MEMBER (VICE CHAIR)
- JEFF SPIES — BOARD MEMBER (SECRETARY)
- JOSEPH SARUBBI — BOARD MEMBER
- KARO FERNANDEZ — BOARD MEMBER
- REBEKAH HREN — BOARD MEMBER
- ROY BUTLER — BOARD MEMBER
- WARD BOWER — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- A1A Solar Contracting, Inc. Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Jacksonville, FL
- American National Standards Institute Government — Accredits NABCEP's PV Installation Professional certification to the ISO/IEC 17024 standard
- Araybeam Corp. Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Indian Head, MD
- Bob Heinmiller Air Conditioning, Inc. Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Orlando, FL
- Credly Partner — Platform partner for issuing and managing NABCEP digital badges, formerly known as Acclaim.
- Erco Der Services Partner — Employer of a certified PV Installation Professional.
- Eric Filante Partner — NABCEP Project Coordinator responsible for managing newsletter comments and advertising inquiries.
- Excellent for Renewable Energy Partner — Partnership to offer NABCEP certification exams in the MENA region.
- Illinois Commerce Commission Government — Recognizes NABCEP board certification as a pathway to state distributed generation installer certification.
- Lumina Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Baltimore, MD
- MaxSolar Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Edison, NJ
- NOVA Solar Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Falls Church, VA
- Northwest Solar and Electric Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Kenmore, WA
- Power Northwest Partner — Employer of a certified PV Installation Professional.
- Renova Energy Corp. Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Palm Desert, CA
- Rhino Renewables Solar & Electric Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Asheville, NC
- Solar Energy Industries Association Partner — Refers consumers to local SEIA chapters for support in cases of unfair treatment during renewable energy installations.
- SolarReviews Partner — Partnered with NABCEP to compile and release the 2024 Solar Industry Survey Report.
- Sunshine Renewable Solutions Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Houston, TX
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Partner — Cited as a source of labor market data to inform job seekers.
- Yes Solar Solutions Partner — NABCEP-accredited PV installation company in Cary, NC
- info@nabcep.org Partner — Point of contact for written requests to use NABCEP marks.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Certification Enables Entrepreneurship and Regulatory Compliance 61 orgsmethodology: certification_for_entrepreneurshipBy providing board certification that supports state licensing requirements and signals technical competence, the organization enables certified professionals to start businesses and operate legally, because credentials reduce regulatory and market entry barriers for entrepreneurs in the clean energy sector.shared approach: Professional Standardization Through Certification and Peer Validation →
- Industry-Recognized Certification Drives Employment and Advancement 61 orgsmethodology: credentialing-for-employmentBy offering certifications that are recognized by employers as essential in hiring decisions, the organization increases professional credibility and employability, and enhances earning potential, because these credentials signal verified expertise and alignment with industry standards.shared approach: Professional Standardization Through Certification and Peer Validation →
- Practitioner-Led Certification Ensures Relevance and Quality 61 orgsmethodology: practitioner_led_certificationBy developing certification programs through collaboration with volunteer subject matter experts and using job task analyses, the organization ensures certifications reflect real-world practice and industry evolution, because programs created by practitioners for practitioners are more likely to validate applicable, high-quality skills.shared approach: Professional Standardization Through Certification and Peer Validation →
- Enforceable Ethics and Audits Build Consumer Trust 39 orgsmethodology: ethics_and_audits_for_trustBy requiring adherence to an enforceable code of ethics and conducting random audits of installations, the organization protects consumers and ensures service quality, because accountability mechanisms deter misconduct and verify ongoing compliance with technical and professional standards.shared approach: Standards-Based Trust Building →
- Digital and Portable Credentials Improve Labor Market Alignmentmethodology: digital_credentialingBy issuing digital badges and maintaining career center platforms, the organization improves alignment between skilled professionals and employers, because portable, verifiable credentials make it easier for job seekers to demonstrate qualifications and for employers to identify qualified candidates.