NABCEP PV study materials
NABCEP PV study resources

NABCEP PV study plan

NABCEP PV · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Site Assessment

  • Compute solar noon altitude and azimuth for three U.S. latitudes at solstices and equinox

  • Convert a magnetic compass reading to true south using magnetic declination and set array azimuth/tilt

  • Quantify shading loss for a documented obstruction using a pathfinder-style sun chart

  • Derive maximum module count from a scaled roof plan in both portrait and landscape orientation

  • Determine maximum PV backfeed current allowed at a service panel from busbar rating and main breaker size

Your checkpoint

A mock site-survey packet for one residential property: dimensioned roof sketch, azimuth/tilt, shading-loss percentage with method shown, and a computed max backfeed calculation at the service panel.

Week 2

Site Assessment & System Design

  • Estimate annual kWh usage from 12 months of utility bills and set a target offset percentage

  • Size array and inverter to hit that offset after applying soiling, shading, mismatch, and temperature derates

  • Calculate string Voc at record-low cell temperature and Vmp at high cell temperature using module coefficients

  • Compare string-inverter, microinverter, and DC-optimizer architectures against three given site constraints

Your checkpoint

A sizing worksheet showing annual production estimate, chosen offset %, and the full string voltage window at -10 C and 70 C for the selected module and inverter.

Week 3

System Design

  • Size DC source/output conductors and AC conductors using 1.25 continuous-duty factors and terminal temperature ratings

  • Select source-circuit and inverter-output OCPDs and verify series rating and busbar interconnection rules

  • Calculate voltage drop on the longest DC and AC runs and upsize conductors to meet a 2%/3% target

  • Design a rapid-shutdown system and list required placards for the array and service equipment

  • Draw a complete one-line diagram including OCPDs, disconnects, and grounding electrode conductor connection

Your checkpoint

A full design package for a 10 kW residential rooftop system: one-line diagram, string schedule, conductor/OCPD table, voltage-drop calculations, and equipment list.

Week 4

System Design & Safety, Code Compliance, and Customer/Job Management

  • Map fifteen design decisions to their governing NEC article and section (690, 705, 250, 300, 338, 480)

  • Verify load-side and supply-side interconnection options against 705.12 requirements

  • Check array, racking, and equipment grounding/bonding for continuity back to the grounding electrode system

  • Complete 60 practice questions across Domains 1, 2, and 5 and log every miss by root cause

Your checkpoint

A code-compliance crosswalk citing article/section for 15 design decisions, plus an error log from 60 practice questions sorted by failure cause.

Week 5

Installation

  • Sequence a rooftop install from layout snap to handoff, naming each inspection hold point

  • Specify flashing and penetration methods for comp shingle, standing-seam metal, and tile roofs

  • Torque module clamps and lugs to manufacturer spec and record verified values on a QC sheet

  • Route conductors and size conduit using Chapter 9 fill tables and support-spacing rules

  • Write an equipment grounding and bonding plan covering array frames, racking splices, and enclosures

Your checkpoint

An installation QC checklist with 25 verifiable line items, plus torque and routing specifications for the three roof types.

Week 6

Commissioning, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting

  • Build a commissioning sequence: visual inspection, Voc/Isc, insulation resistance, ground continuity, IV curve trace, rapid-shutdown verification

  • Diagnose eight fault scenarios (ground fault, arc fault, string mismatch, inverter clipping, comm loss) from given field measurements

  • Interpret IV-curve deviations and correlate each shape with shading, soiling, or cell defects

  • Define monitoring alert thresholds and O&M service intervals for a commissioned system

Your checkpoint

A commissioning test plan with numeric pass/fail criteria plus a fault-diagnosis table matching eight symptoms to root causes and corrective actions.

Week 7

Safety, Code Compliance, and Customer/Job Management

  • Apply OSHA fall-protection, ladder, and DC electrical PPE requirements to a described job site

  • Assemble the permit submittal and inspection checklist for one chosen AHJ

  • Draft a customer proposal stating production estimate, assumptions, and warranty terms without overpromising

  • Walk through arc-flash and DC arc-fault hazard response steps for an energized array

Your checkpoint

A complete job packet for one project: permit/inspection checklist, job hazard analysis, and a one-page customer proposal with assumptions and disclaimers.

Week 8

Site Assessment & System Design & Installation & Commissioning, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting & Safety, Code Compliance, and Customer/Job Management

  • Take two full-length timed practice exams and score results by domain

  • Re-teach the three lowest-scoring subareas using self-written summary sheets

  • Re-drill every missed item until answered correctly twice without notes

  • Rebuild the key formula and table-value reference sheet from memory

Your checkpoint

Two scored full-length practice exams at or above 80% overall, plus a one-page formula/reference sheet reproduced from memory.

Milestones

Week 2: Explain and defend a completed string-voltage window calculation and a production estimate without notes.

Week 4: Score at least 75% on a 60-question timed set covering Domains 1, 2, and 5, with no repeated error cause in the log.

Week 6: Correctly match at least 7 of 8 fault symptoms to root cause and name the confirming field test for each.

Week 8: Score at least 80% overall on two timed full-length practice exams and at least 70% in every individual domain.