State & Stakeholder Newsletter, August 11, 2010

Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Volume #9, Issue #16
Editor: Jane Pulaski

The IREC State & Stakeholder Newsletter is a foremost resource for current information on green workforce training, credentialing programs, state activities and best practices on renewable energy and energy efficiency. This free newsletter is distributed semi-monthly to email subscribers and published on IREC’s website.  If you have comments or if you would like to submit a news item, email Jane Pulaski.  To subscribe to this newsletter, click here and follow the instructions.

If you want the best news about what’s going on in the states and cities, read the State & Stakeholder Newsletter (August 11, 2010)

From the editor:

Solar licensing, coming soon to a state near you?

Today, only 14 states have established specific solar license classifications, typically sub-classifications of electrical or plumbing licenses, specifically defined to limit the scope of work to direct solar installations and maintenance tasks.  But the robust, steady growth of the solar industry over the past several years has escalated and amplified the solar licensing conversation.  Why does it matter? Who cares?

“Safety and quality installations are of the highest importance,” said IREC’s Director of Operations, Pat Fox.  “One approach to promoting safety and quality is through licensure.”

Currently, the variety of regulations that exist can confuse contractors wishing to enter the solar industry, and consumers looking for guidance when contracting for safe, high quality installations that will meet performance expectations

Enter IREC.

Recognizing an information gap, IREC, supported by DOE funding, created a solar licensing database, intended as a resource for policy makers, practitioners, consumers, and anyone else who may be involved in solar installations.  The state-by-state database of licensing requirements offers a handy comparison for reviewing the different approaches across state lines, and identifies the various practices for regulating the burgeoning solar installation industry.

“As licensing requirements emerge and change in individual states, IREC felt that it could contribute to the conversation by providing this resource of existing requirements that can be used as a reference tool,” said Fox, who is the prime author of the database.  It’s been in the works for a while.    Don’t worry; as changes (inevitably) occur in the solar licensing space, IREC will update this document to keep pace with those changes.

P.S.  The Preliminary Agenda for IREC’s 2010 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles in October is here!  Find out who and what’s on it.  Will we see you there?

Read the State & Stakeholder Newsletter, August 11, 2010

Jane Pulaski