Certified Solar PV Professional (SPVP) Training Program | December 2026

Course Information

Pricing

Early Registration

Non-Member  | $2,345.00

AEE Member  |  $2,100.00 

Late Registration

Begins 12:00 AM EST 7 business days prior to training start.

Non-Member  | $2,445.00 

AEE Member  | $2,200.00 

Registration closes 2 business days prior to training start or if course reaches capacity.

Course Description

A virtual training program, held over 4 days, 32 total hours of instruction.

The Certified Solar PV Professional (SPVP) Training Program is designed to deepen participants' technical and financial understanding of photovoltaic (PV) systems. It covers the entire lifecycle of PV installations—from design and construction to maintenance and financial strategy—addressing both large utility-scale projects and small self-consumption systems. The program ensures participants are well-prepared to handle technical, financial, and regulatory challenges in the solar energy sector.

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for professionals in the energy sector or related fields, such as:

Energy Managers: Professionals responsible for overseeing energy strategies and seeking to integrate solar energy solutions into their operations.

Sales and Business Development Executives: Individuals involved in promoting solar energy solutions who need a deeper understanding of the technical aspects and financial returns of PV systems.

Technical Specialists: Engineers, designers, and project managers working on the installation, commissioning, and maintenance of PV systems, who aim to sharpen their skills in system design and performance optimization.

Financial Analysts and Investment Professionals: Those evaluating the financial viability of solar energy projects, from cost analysis to financing options, and who need to understand the lifecycle economics of solar installations.

Renewable Energy Enthusiasts and Entrepreneurs: Individuals or organizations looking to enter the solar energy market, seeking to build a solid foundation of knowledge to successfully launch or expand solar PV projects.

Participants should have a foundational understanding of energy systems and a strong desire to enhance their expertise in PV systems to improve the quality and financial viability of solar installations.

Schedule

Daily Breaks Days 1 - 4 : AM Break (15 min) | Lunch Break (1 hr) | PM Break (15 min)

Please see the "My Learning Schedule" tab for schedule information.

*Remote exams are scheduled on an individual basis. See Certification Program tab for additional instructions.

Workbook

Please verify accuracy of your shipping address during registration. Workbooks cannot be delivered to PO Boxes, and any changes to your address after your workbook has been shipped will have an associated fee attached. Shipping is only available within the 48 contiguous states (plus Washington DC), workbooks are expected to arrive at the address provided during registration within 14 days of the course start date. 

If you have already registered for this training and need to update your address, send an email to training@aeecenter.org with your revised address details.

Access to an electronic workbook will be granted up to 2 weeks before the training start date via SharePoint links.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course participants will:

• Gain the ability to design solar energy systems for both residential/commercial and utility-scale applications. This includes understanding support structures, electrical configurations, and how to optimize energy production through efficient design.
• Learn to accurately assess solar energy potential, considering atmospheric effects, tilt, orientation, and shading. You will also be proficient in using simulation tools to predict system performance.
• Develop the skills to conduct in-depth financial analyses, including calculating the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), managing cash flows, evaluating component costs, and understanding the financial tools required for PV projects such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts.
• Familiarize yourself with the latest advancements in photovoltaic modules, inverters, batteries, solar trackers, and alternative energy storage technologies. You will learn how to select and apply the right equipment for specific project needs.
• Gain insight into the legal frameworks, policies, and regulations that govern solar PV installations, ensuring compliance and optimizing project success.
• Acquire practical knowledge on maintaining PV systems for optimal performance. You will understand quality assurance processes, system testing, and the best practices in plant operations, monitoring, and safety protocols.
• From business planning to system commissioning, you will be equipped to manage large-scale solar installations, ensuring that all technical and financial aspects are thoroughly considered for long-term success.

Certification Program

This training program prepares attendees to take the Certified Solar PV Professional (SPVP) exam. Please review the requirements for certification on the Becoming a SPVP page. A separate certification and application fee applies.

Registering for the training does NOT register you for the certification exam. To take the exam, you must register for the exam and pay a separate fee. Attendees are encouraged to complete a certification application 4 weeks prior to taking the exam.

After you submit the certification application, you will receive an email confirmation letter from AEE within 4-weeks. Any additional questions about the exam, certification eligibility, scheduling, or the application process can be directed to our SPVP Certification Director, Michelle Zakin Leclerc, mzakin@aeecenter.org.

For additional information, visit the links below.

Reference Books 

The following books are suggested reference books and printed copies are available through the AEE Bookstore. AEE members receive an 15% discount on printed books. Reference books are not required and are intended to help prepare for a training course and exam. 

Digital copies of these books are available through the AEE eLibrary, which is a great resource for accessing searchable content as well as highlighting and taking notes. The eLibrary is available to AEE members for the low discounted price of $35 per year. Digital books cannot be printed or accessed during the certification exam.

If you’re an AEE member, add the eLibrary subscription to your membership here.

If you’re not a member, join AEE here and add the eLibrary subscription to your membership.

For Training

• Physical Workbook: Workbook will be delivered the week prior to training.
• Electronic Workbook: Access to an electronic workbook will be granted up to 2 weeks before the training start date via SharePoint links. Access will expire 6 months after the training start date.

For Exam

• Exam registrants are required to bring the following items: an HB #2 pencil, an eraser, a ruler, a sharpener, and a calculator.
• • Allowed Calculators: Any calculator is allowed as long as there is no internet or Bluetooth capabilities.
  • Prohibited Calculators: Smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, or laptop computers, including PDAs, electronic writing pads or pen-input devices, calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices.

AEE eLibrary

• AEE eLibrary: Technical reference books focused on energy management, energy efficiency, engineering, renewables, clean energy, and sustainability.

Public Training Program Participant Transfer & Cancellation Policy 

The following terms and conditions apply to Participants who register for training programs with the Association of Energy Engineers, Inc. (AEE).  All requests for transfers, substitutions, or cancellations must be submitted via email to the Training Department at training@aeecenter.org; by registering for a course, you agree to these terms and conditions.

Transfer Policy

In-Person OR Virtual OR Online

• Registration fees can be transferred to another public course offering, or
• Registration can be substituted with another person who is interested in taking the course; any cost increased differences plus associated transfer fees must be paid for by the registrant -- AEE will not refund fee transfer cost differentials.
• Transfer options expire one year from the original registration order date.
• Registrants who request a refund or transfer after the course start date must submit supporting documentation of extenuating circumstances preventing attendance – including first day no show.  All documentation will be evaluated and the decision will be communicated in writing.
• Registrants who fail to provide supporting documentation of extenuating circumstances preventing attendance, are ineligible for a refund or transfer.
• Registrants who request a refund or transfer before the course start date must submit email request at training@aeecenter.org 14 days before the course’s start date.
• There is a $200 transfer fee.

On-Demand

• Registrants who enroll in on-demand courses are not eligible to transfer out of the on-demand course and into another.
  

Cancellation Policy

In Person OR Virtual OR Online

• Registrants who cancel 21 days or more before the start date are eligible for a refund minus a $200 cancellation fee.
• Registrants who cancel 20 days or less before the start date, or who are no-shows are ineligible for a refund.

On-Demand

• Registrants who enroll in on-demand courses are ineligible to receive a refund or cancel their registration.
  

If there are changes to a training program that are outside of AEE’s control (including, but not limited to, instructor illness, acts of terrorism, acts of God, war, civil disturbances, declaration of national emergency, accidents or labor disputes, fire, flood, storms etc.), participants will be notified as soon as possible, and AEE’s liability will be limited to the reimbursement of the training program registration fee. 

Updated January 6, 2025