Midwest Renewable Energy Association offers Certifications and Training

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes renewable
energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and
demonstration. They are a non-profit 501(C)3 tax exempt organization.
The MREA's commitment to education includes offering over 100 workshops
a year, as well as certifiying Site Assessors in three technologies:
photovoltaics, wind (home sized systems), and solar domestic hot water.
Certified Site Assessors are renewable energy consultants who conduct
site visits, complete load analysis, recommend site-specific renewable
energy systems, and give clients a general cost estimate for renewable
energy systems in a written report format.

The MREA hosts a series of educational and hands-on workshops
throughout the year. These workshops vary in length from 1 day to 2
weeks. They are instructed by experienced renewable energy experts in
small classroom settings and on site installation locations. Workshop
participants come from varied backgrounds including homeowners,
builders, educators, architects, engineers, and others. Participants
can receive Continuing Education Units for attending workshops. Some
scholarships are available.

MREA certification as a Site Assessor requires the successful
completion of course work, skills testing, a written exam, and a
certification fee. They offer the following Site Assessor
certifications:

Photovoltaic Site Assessor

Solar Hot Water Site Assessor

Wind Site Assessor

Non-Residential Photovoltaic

Non-Residential Solar Hot Water Site Assessor

The above certifications do not require college degrees. All of the certfications require the following basic skills:

-  Writing - Clear and concise writing style to complete necessary reports.

-  Verbal Communication - Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts.

-  Time Management - Ability to manage multiple tasks, and complete reports on deadline.

-  Critical Thinking - Ability to "think on your feet" and solve complex problems.

-  Basic Mathematics - Understanding of basic math skills for
calculating electrical loads, sizing systems and invoicing customers.

- Computer Skills - Word processing, email, spreadsheets, and internet skills/access.

Photovoltaic Site Assessor Certification Requirements:

 Prerequisite Knowledge and Training

To take the MREA's PV Site Assessor training course, students must
demonstrate a basic understanding of how photovoltaic technology works.
This prerequisite can be fulfilled in one of three ways:

- Successful completion of the MREA's Basic Photovoltaics course, or

- Successful completion of Solar Energy International's on-line Photovoltaic System Design course, or

- Documented equivalent work or educational experience.

Steps to Certification

- Meet prerequisite skills requirements.

- Meet prerequisite knowledge and training requirement.

- Successful completion of the MREA's Photovoltaic Site Assessor
Training course ( including in-class exercises and hands-on activities.)

- Pass the PV Site Assessor written exam.

- Conduct and turn in two practice assessments to be reviewed by a Technology Mentor.

- Sign the PV Site Assessor Code of Ethics.

- Pay the $300 certification fee.

Solar Hot Water Site Assessor Certification Requirements

Prerequisite Knowledge and Training

To take the MREA's Solar Water Site Assessor training course, students must demonstrate a

basic understanding of how solar domestic hot water technology works. This prerequisite can be

fulfilled in one of two ways:

- Successful completion of the MREA's Solar Domestic Hot Water course, or

- Documented equivalent work or educational experience.

Steps to Certification

- Meet prerequisite skills requirements.

- Meet prerequisite knowledge and training requirement.

- Successful completion of the MREA's Solar Water Site Assessor Training course

  (including in-class exercises and hands-on activities).

- Pass the Solar Water Site Assessor written exam.

- Conduct and turn in two practice assessments to be reviewed by the Technology Mentor.

- Sign the Solar Water Site Assessor Code of Ethics.

- Pay the $300 certification fee.

 Wind Site Assessor Certification Requirements:

Prerequisite Knowledge and Training

- None

Steps to Certification

- Meet prerequisite skills requirements

- Successful completion of the MREA's Wind Site Assessor Training course (including inclass

exercises and hands-on activities)

- Successful completion of the MREA's Wind Turbine Design
Considerations course(including in-class and hands-on activities, Wind
Turbine Design    Considerations  course

can be taken before or after Wind Site Assessor Training course. WTDC
prerequisite isWind Site Assessor or Introduction to Wind course).

- Conduct and turn in two practice assessments to be reviewed by the Technology Mentor.

- Pass the Wind Site Assessor written exam.

- Pass the Wind Turbine Design Considerations written exam.

- Sign the Wind Site Assessor Code of Ethics.

- Pay the $300 certification fee.

Non-Residential Photovoltaic Site Assessor Certification Requirements:

Prerequisite Knowledge and Training

To take the MREA's Non-Residential PV Site Assessor training course, students must:

- Be an MREA Certified Residential PV Site Assessor in good standing

- Complete at least seven residential PV site assessments that are reviewed by the MREATechnology Mentor.

Steps to Certification

- Meet prerequisite skills requirements.

- Meet prerequisite knowledge and training requirement.

- Complete at least seven residential PV site assessments that are reviewed by the MREAtechnology mentor.

- Complete at least one non-residential PV site assessment reviewed by the MREA tech mentor.

- Successful completion the MREA's Non-Residential PV Site Assessor
Training Course(including in-class exercises and hand- on activities).

- Pass the Non-Residential PV Site Assessor written exam.

- Sign the Non-Residential PV Site Assessor Code of Ethics.

- Pay $300 certification fee.

Non-Residential Solar Hot Water Site Assessor Certification Requirements:

Prerequisite Knowledge and Training

To take the MREA's Non-Residential Solar Hot Water Site Assessor training course, students must:

- Be a MREA Certified Residential Solar Hot Water Site Assessor in good standing.

- Complete at least seven residential solar hot water site assessments that are reviewed by the MREA Technology Mentor.

Steps to Certification

- Meet prerequisite skills requirements.

- Meet prerequisite knowledge and training requirement.

- Complete at least seven residential solar hot water site assessments that are reviewed by the MREAt echnology mentor.

- Complete at least one non-residential solar hot water assessment reviewed by the MREA technologymentor.

- Successful completion the MREA's Non-Residential Solar Hot Water Site
Assessor Training Course (including in-class exercises and hand- on
activities).

- Pass the non-residential solar hot water site assessor written exam.

- Sign the MREA's Site Assessor Code of Ethics.

- Pay $300 certification fee.

The MREA currently has over 3200 active members from around the
world representing 39 states and 3 foreign countries. For further
information regarding MREA certifications and workshops please visit
their site at : http://www.the-mrea.org/mrea_info.php