| State | Installing Solar Legally | Incentive Qualification |
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Alaska requires a Residential or Non-Residential license. NOTE: Residential Contractors must complete the Alaska Craftsman Home Program (ACHP), or a post-secondary course in Arctic engineering or its equivalent. You have to complete the course within two years before you apply for the license. National Contractor License Service |
You don’t have to be currently producing energy to be an eligible applicant for a grant, but to qualify as an Independent Power Producer (IPP) you will need to meet the 50% requirement and all other program requirements. AEA - Alaska Energy Authority |
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The Arizona Registrar of Contractors does not offer a general solar contractor license, but the state's C11/L11 electrical license covers solar electric installations. C11 licenses are required for electrical work on residential property and L11 licenses apply to commercial installations.Contractors can also acquire a K11 license to work on both residential and commercial installations. DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable & EfficiencyNo statewide code. Most municipalities and Coconimo, Maricopa, and Pima counties adopt the National Electrical Code. Residential, commercial, and industrial work must be performed in accordance with the FHA Minimum Property Standards and Manual of Acceptable Practices. Check with your local municipality. NEIS – National Electrical Installation Standards |
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Arkansas requires a Commercial or Residential Contractor License. Arkansas will not accept a notarized statement over 90 days old. To bid and work on construction projects in Arkansas that cost $20,000 or more, you must have a contractor's license. National Contractor License Service |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Contractors, electricians and journeymen must be licensed by the Electrical Contractors’ State Licensing Board. NEIS – National Electrical Installation StandardsThe California Contractors State License Board administers contractor licenses. The C-46 Solar Contractor license covers active solar water and space heating systems, solar pool heating systems, and photovoltaic systems. C-46 requirements include four years of experience and passing the business and law exam and the trade exam. Independent license schools offer courses to prepare for license exams. Other contractor licenses for solar include: A. General Engineering B. General Building C-4. Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting (for solar thermal systems) C-10. Electrical (for photovoltaics only) C-20. Warm-Air, HVAC (HVAC systems that utilize solar energy) C-36. Plumbing (solar thermal systems) C-53. Swimming Pool (for solar pool heating). DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency |
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All contractors and electricians must be registered or licensed by the State Electrical Board. NEIS – National Electrical Installation StandardsAlthough PV Solar Electric Installers are not regulated in Colorado, some stakeholders argue that PV solar electric system installation falls under the electricians scope of practice. Thus, these stakeholders see no need for new regulation. In order to understand the relationship between PV solar electric system installation and the work of licensed electricians, a summary of the licensing requirements and the scope of practice of licensed electricians in Colorado follows. Electricians are regulated by the State Electrical Board (Board). The Board is made up of nine members consisting of two electrical contractors who have master’s licenses; two master or journeyman electricians who are not electrical contractors; two representatives of private, municipal, or cooperative electrical utilities rendering electric service to the public; one building official from a political subdivision of the state that performs electrical inspections; one general contractor from the building industry; and one public member. The Board is located in the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Registrations. DORA – Department of Regulatory Agencies |
There are no statewide incentives. Here are a couple of utilities that offer rebates:
- Xcel Energy ($3.50 per DC Watt)
- Aquila ($4.50 per DC Watt)
- Colorado Springs Utilities ($3.75 per AC Watt)
- United Power ($2 per DC Watt, $4,000 Maximum)
- Check with your utility.
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Electrical contractors and journeyman electricians must be licensed by the Electrical Board of Occupational Licensing. All electrical work must be performed by licensed electricians or registered apprentices. NEIS – National Electrical Installation StandardsA person who holds a PV-1 Limited Solar Electric Contractor license may perform only work limited to solar-electric systems (and wind-energy systems). The requirements to qualify for this license examination are two years as a solar journeyperson or equivalent experience and training. A person who holds the PV-2 Limited Solar Electric Journeyperson license may perform solar-electric work (including wind-energy work) only while in the employ of a licensed electrical contractor. The requirements to qualify for this license examination are the completion of a registered apprenticeship program or one year equivalent experience and training. DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency |
Installation must comply with all federal, state, and local codes; Must be grid-connected and installed by a pre-approved contractor; Installation must be in service territory of United Illuminating Company or Connecticut Light & Power. Connecticut Clean Energy Fund |
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Florida
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All electrical contractors must be registered with the state unless they are certified. NEIS – National Electrical Installation StandardsThe new solar contractor license defines a broader scope of work. With the new license, solar contractors have the authority to install, maintain and repair solar hot water systems, solar pool heating systems and photovoltaic systems in residential, commercial and industrial facilities for compensation. To qualify for a license, installers must have four years of experience, which may include both installation and education and at least one year of experience must be in a supervisory role. An individual must also pass an examination to become certified as a solar contractor. DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency |
Photovoltaic systems must be installed by a licensed master electrician or state-licensed electrical or solar contractor. Solar water and pool heaters must be installed by a state-licensed solar or plumbing contractor or a roofing contractor installing standing seam hybrid thermal roofs. Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Hawaii offers the following specialty licenses for solar contractors through Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: 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). These licenses require business and trade exams plus four years of experience. An Electrical Contractor (C-13) license is required to install photovoltaic systems other than low voltage DC wiring and it includes the work of the C-60 solar power systems contractor. Note that a Solar Contractor’s license alone does not permit a contractor to install a complete solar energy system and may require that he or she subcontract with Electrical and/or Plumbing Contractors. For Photovoltaic (PV) systems other than low voltage DC wiring, a licensed electrician must certify that the system and its connections have been properly installed. DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Alternative energy systems that utilize the following technologies/resources to produce electricity and/or thermal energy are eligible for grant funding:
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The law requires that all individual contractors and businesses performing “construction” work within Iowa be registered with the Division of Labor if they earn at least $2,000 a year from that work. Individuals or businesses making less than $2,000 a year on “construction” work, or who work only on their own real estate or property, are not required to register. Iowa Labor Services |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Louisiana
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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PV installers must have a master electrician's license or license number; NABCEP PV Installer certification must be issued to the installer or a person working in conjunction with the installer. Solar water-heating systems installers must be certified by the PUC and must hold a state license as a master plumber, a master oil burner technician, or a propane and natural gas technician, or who is U.S. EPA-approved as a Type II, Type III or universal HVAC technician. Solar-thermal systems that heat potable water must be installed by a master plumber or a person working in conjunction with a master plumber. Efficiency Maine – Renewable Energy |
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Both on-grid and off-grid PV systems are eligible;70% of the annual solar path’s area must be shade-free throughout the year. Maryland Energy Administration |
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Must be grid-connected and comply with all federal, state and local codes, and NEC standards. Projectmust be pre-approved, but there is no list of pre-approved contractors. Energy audit required. Small Renewables Initiative |
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Installation must comply with all federal, state and local codes; must be grid-connected; and must be installed by a qualified professional. Installations must comply with detailed siting criteria specified in program guidelines. Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program |
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Nevada law requires that solar energy system installers be licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board. Contractors may be licensed under License Classification C-37 (solar contracting), or perform solar work under License Classification C-1 (plumbing and heating) for solar thermal installations. Contractors installing and maintaining photovoltaic systems should be licensed under Classification C-2 (electrical contracting), until new rules come into effect in 2007. To apply for a license, a PV installer will need to submit an application to the Division, pass an exam administered or approved by the Division, and pay a fee. If the person is a contractor, they must provide proof to the Division that they have been issued a license of the appropriate classification by the State Contractors’ Board, pursuant to Chapter 624 of Nevada Administrative Code. DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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All electrical installations made for compensation must be performed by persons licensed by the Electrician’s Examining Board, except persons under the jurisdiction of the State Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, or the Interstate Commerce Commission, and electrical work on the property of industrial and manufacturing plants which is done under the supervision of an electrical engineer in the employ of such plants. NEIS – National Electrical Installation Standards |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Photovoltaic systems must be grid-connected; Copy of current Electrical Contractors license issued by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, OR a copy of a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Solar PV Installer Certification.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Oregon requires trade licenses for people installing solar energy equipment, and contractor licenses for the companies that do construction. Individuals doing installations must hold a trade license. Solar electric installers must either hold an Electrical Journeyman's License or a Limited Renewable Energy License (LRT). General Journeymen can do all aspects of solar electric work, whereas the LRT license is limited to the DC side of systems under 25kW. The Journeyman's license requires 8,000 hours of OJT whereas the LRT requires only 4,000 hours of OJT. DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency |
Installations must comply with all federal, state, and local codes and meet detailed siting criteria;Systems must be grid-connected, net-metered, pre-approved and installed by a qualified Energy Trust solar contractor. Energy Trust of Oregon |
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Pennsylvania does not issue Contractors License at the state level. Please check with your local municipality to see if a license is required. National Contractor License Service |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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If you build, repair, or remodel one to four-family dwellings in Rhode Island, you must register with the Registration Board. Some specialty trades must be licensed. Anyone who demolishes or moves a residential structure must register. National Contractor License Service |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Persons who perform electrical work must be licensed. Electrical work means any labor or material used in installing, maintaining or extending an electrical wiring system and the appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection with the use of electrical energy in, on, outside, or attached to a building, residence, structure, property, or premises. The term includes service entrance conductors as defined by the National Electrical Code. Also, electrical contractors, electrical sign contractors, and residential appliance installer contractors must be licensed. Electrician Licensing Frequently Asked Questions |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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All contractors and electricians must be licensedby the Department of Commerce. NEIS – National Electrical Installation StandardsUtah's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing requires installers of solar energy systems to be licensed contractors. The Division has established the contractor’s license classifications S202 - Solar Photovoltaic Contractor, and S215 - Solar Thermal Systems Contractor. A Solar Photovoltaic Contractor is licensed for the fabrication, construction, installation, and repair of photovoltaic cell panels and related components including battery storage systems, distribution panels, switch gear, electrical wires, inverters, and other electrical apparatus for solar photovoltaic systems. A Solar Thermal Systems Contractor is licensed for the construction, repair and/or installation of solar thermal systems up to the system shut off valve or where the system interfaces with any other plumbing system. To become either a S202 or S215 contractor, one must have within the past 10 years a minimum of two years of experience as an employee of a contractor licensed in the license classification applied for, or the substantial equivalent of a contractor licensed in that license classification. Additionally, Solar Photovoltaic Contractors must hold a current certificate by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners ( NABCEP). DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency |
No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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Photovoltaic systems must be new, grid connected; modules must be UL 1703 listed; inverters must be UL 1741-listed or listed by another nationally recognized testing laboratory. Solar water heating systems must be new equipment; collectors must have an OG-100 output rating from SRCC or an equivalent organization. Both have a 5-year warranty requirement on major system components and installation; with the exception of batteries, for which a 2-year warranty is required. Vermont Solar & Small Wind Incentive Program |
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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No statewide incentives. Check with your utility.
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All systems must comply with all federal, state and local codes; Renewable electricity systems must be grid-tied; Photovoltaic system, solar hot water and windinstallers must be “Focus on Energy” full service installers. Renewable Energy Incentives & Grants |
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All contractors and electricians must be licensed by the State Electrical Board.
NEIS – National Electrical Installation Standards |
Can be either grid-tied or off-grid.
Wyoming Business Council |