You asked for a survey of state laws concerning the licensure of contractors performing solar work.

SUMMARY

There are eight states that require solar contractors to obtain a state credential, according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE): Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, Nevada, and Utah.

The term “solar work systems” can refer to work on systems that use (1) solar energy to heat liquids for various purposes and (2) photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. The first type of system, sometimes referred to as thermal systems, requires the skills of a plumber to install. The second type, referred to as photovoltaic, requires the skills of an electrician.

The solar work licensing laws in these states reflect this dichotomy. In all, licensed plumbers may install thermal systems and licensed electricians may install photovoltaic systems. Each has also created limited license categories for solar work.

California and Florida also have licenses enabling their holders to install either type of solar system.

DSIRE is administered by the North Carolina State University under contract with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the federal Department of Energy (www. dsireusa. org).

SOLAR WORK CONTRACTORS

There are two types of solar work, thermal and photovoltaic. “Thermal” describes liquid-based systems. They may use solar energy to heat such things as potable hot water, homes, or pools. In all seven states, individuals holding a plumbing license may lawfully install thermal systems. “Photovoltaic” systems, on the other hand, require an electrician's skills. These systems use photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. All allow a licensed electrician to install photovoltaic systems.

Each of these states generally require licensed tradesmen to pass an examination to be licensed and to qualify to take the examination by meeting education and experience requirements.

ARIZONA

Arizona requires solar contractors to obtain either an electrician's or a plumber's license. For hot water installations, the law defines “solar devices” as a devices to use solar energy, including: boilers, steam fitting devices, and process piping; plumbing; air conditioning or comfort heating and cooling systems; hot water systems for residences and swimming pools; and solar day lighting devices (ARS § 32-1170). In addition to the general plumbing examination, the examinations for limited plumbing licenses include sections on solar work: air conditioning and refrigeration, boiler work, steam fitting and process piping, and swimming pools. An electrician's license allows its holder to install photovoltaic systems.

CALIFORNIA

California issues a wide variety of construction trades licenses. The solar specialty license allows its holder to work on both thermal (fluid) systems and photovoltaic (electrical) systems. A solar specialty contractor installs, modifies, maintains, and repairs active solar energy systems. An active solar energy system consists of components which are thermally isolated from the living space for collection of solar energy and transfer of thermal energy to provide electricity, heating, or both and air or water cooling. Active solar energy systems include, but are not limited to,

forced air systems, forced circulation water systems, thermo-siphon systems, integral collector and storage systems, radiant systems, evaporative cooling systems with collectors, regenerative rockbed cooling systems, photovoltaic cells, and solar assisted absorption cooling systems (Cal. Code of Regulations, Div. 8, T. 16, Art. 3).

Certain general construction licenses, such as engineering (Type A) and building (Type B), also make their holders eligible to perform solar work. Further, the following limited licenses allow their holders to perform different types solar work: boiler, hot water heating, and steam fitting for solar thermal systems (C-4); plumbing for solar thermal systems (C-36); and swimming pool contractor for solar pool heating (C-53).

CONNECTICUT

Contractors holding unlimited plumbing and electrician licenses may perform solar work in their trade. In addition, there is a limited plumbing license for solar thermal work. The license was established in 1984 and its requirements were updated in 2005 (PA 05-211). The law defines “solar thermal work” as the installation, erection, repair, replacement, alteration, or maintenance of active, passive, and hybrid solar systems that directly convert ambient energy into heat or convey, store, or distribute the ambient energy. It defines “active solar system” as one that uses an external source of energy to power a motor-driven fan or pump to force the circulation of fluid through solar heat collectors and that takes the heat from the collectors and carries it to where it may be used or stored. It defines a “passive solar system” as one that can collect or store the sun's energy as heat without using a motor-driven fan or pump. A hybrid system is one that has parts of each system.

Further, the 2005 legislation requires the Electrical Work Examining Board to adopt regulations establishing a limited electrical license for solar electrical work. It defines “solar electricity work” as the installation, erection, repair, replacement, alteration, or maintenance of photovoltaic or wind generation equipment used to distribute or store ambient energy for heat, light, power, or other purposes to a point immediately inside a structure or next to an end use. The act requires the commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) to adopt the recommended regulations.

The department has drafted the required regulations and the board has approved them. DCP must now submit them to the attorney general's office for approval as to their legal sufficiency. Once approved, the must be submitted to the Legislative Regulations Review Committee for its approval before they can take effect.

FLORIDA

Under Florida law, contractors may hold a solar license allowing them to perform thermal or photovoltaic work. Specifically, a “solar contractor” may install and repair solar panels for potable solar water heating systems, swimming pool solar heating systems, and photovoltaic systems and any connected equipment. Further, certain other licensed tradesmen may perform solar work because the law does not require them to become certified or registered as solar contractors if they are working within the scope of their licenses (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 489. 105). For example, an electrical contractor could install a photovoltaic system, but not a solar water heating system.

HAWAII

Hawaii has four different specialty licenses allowing their holders to install thermal systems. They are: solar power systems contractor (C-60), solar energy systems contractor (C-61), solar hot water systems contractor (C-61a), and solar heating and cooling systems contractor (C-61b). A solar power systems contractor may assemble and install photovoltaic panels, batteries, controls, and related low voltage D. C. wiring. A solar energy systems contractor may install hot water and heating and cooling systems. A solar hot water systems contractor may install collectors, storage vessels, controls, pumps, and related pipes. A solar heating and cooling systems contractor may install the systems as long as work requiring a license is performed by tradesmen holding the appropriate license.

Licensed electricians (C-13) and plumbers (C-37) may perform solar work if they work within the scope of their licenses (Hawaii Administrative Rules T. 16, Ch. 77).

MICHIGAN

Michigan's Department of labor and Economic Growth issues a solar specialty license to heating and cooling contractors.

NEVADA

Nevada requires solar energy systems installers to be licensed. Licensees may hold either general plumbing or electrical licenses or limited licenses for solar work or photovoltaic systems. The solar work license (C-37) allows its holder to design and install solar energy systems for: potable water, space heating, air conditioning, and pool heating. The photovoltaic installer license (undesignated) allows its holder to install photovoltaic systems that use solar energy to generate electricity.

UTAH

Utah requires solar energy system installers to be licensed. Contractors receive an “S215” license, a subcategory of a plumber's license. It is established by state regulation (Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Rule R156-55a-301). Successful license applicants must pass examinations on Utah trade, business, and law after qualifying to take the tests by having two years of full-time experience with a licensed solar contractor.

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