Senate Bill 2788

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM INSTALLING SOLAR ENERGY EQUIPMENT OR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS ON ANOTHER PERSON'S RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS UNLESS HE IS AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, OR UNDER THE ACTIVE SUPERVISION THEREOF, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION AND ANY RULES ADOPTED BY THE STATE BOARD OF CONTRACTORS; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL CONTRACTORS INSTALLING SOLAR ENERGY EQUIPMENT OR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS MUST POSSESS A CERTAIN CERTIFICATION OR TRAINING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) No person shall install solar energy equipment or solar energy systems on another person's residence or business on or after July 1, 2016, unless he is an electrical contractor in compliance with the provisions of this section and any rules adopted by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors in accordance with the provisions of this section, or is an electrician working under the active supervision of an electrical contractor in compliance with the provisions of this section and any rules adopted by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(2) All contractors installing solar energy equipment or solar energy systems must possess one (1) of the following:

(a) A Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installation Professional Certification for solar electric systems issued by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners,

(b) A United Laboratories (UL) Photovoltaic (PV) System Installation Certification, or

(c) Completion of the electrical training ALLIANCE curriculum for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers-National Electrical Contractors Association (IBEW-NECA) Journeyman and Apprentice Training Requirements for solar.

(3) Any work performed therein to connect wiring or hookups for any photovoltaic panel or system shall be performed only by a contractor or subcontractor who holds the classification of Electrical Work.

(4) Any work performed therein to connect piping or equipment for any solar thermal system shall be performed only by a contractor or subcontractor who holds the classification of Mechanical Work.

(5) Any other specialty work performed therein which requires a license must be performed by a person licensed to perform that work.

(6) The provisions of this section shall be applicable to entities engaging in the business of selling, leasing, installing, servicing, or monitoring solar energy equipment. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose civil or criminal liability on homeowners or on any third party whose involvement is financing to the homeowner, financing for installation, or purchasing the tax credits described in this section from any homeowner or contractor. Entities engaged in the business of arranging agreements for the lease or sale of solar energy systems or acquiring customers for financing entities shall not be exempt from the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.