Tennessee Solar Panel Installation Specialty and Solar Thermal-Geothermal Licensing

Summary

In Tennessee, the Board for Licensing Contractors may assign the specialty license designation "S-Solar Panel Installations" to licensed contractors, plumbers, and electricians. A building contractor (license BC, BC-B) or a electrical contractor (license CE) may both receive this designation to install panels, but only a licensed electrical contractor may actually make the electrical connections. There is no specialty exam associated with this designation (which is added to the license), other than the "Business and Law" exam in addition to the relevant contract exam. Solar hot water installers with the plumber's license (CMC, CMC-A) will also receive the S-Solar Panel Installations specialty. Solar thermal or geothermal installers related to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) are required to have the CMC-C license. Geothermal contractors that drill wells will also need a Geothermal Well Driller License from the Department of Environment and Conservation.