Morrell (SB 447) Act No. 862
New law, relative to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, provides that no
licensed contractor shall install solar energy equipment or solar energy systems on or after
February 1, 2015, unless he is in compliance with new law and any rules adopted by the
board.
New law provides that notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no later than
January 1, 2015, the board shall adopt rules in accordance with the APA regulating the
installation of solar energy equipment or solar energy systems by licensed contractors. Such
rules shall, at a minimum, include the requirement of passage of a separate written
examination that evidences the contractor's knowledge and understanding of best practices
as related to the installation and maintenance of solar energy equipment or solar energy
systems by any contractor who does not hold a current Solar PV Installer certification for
solar electric systems, or a current Solar Heating Installer certification for solar thermal hot
water systems as issued by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
New law provides that a contractor licensed in this state as of August 1, 2014, holding the
major classification of Building Construction, Electrical Work (Statewide), or Mechanical
Work (Statewide), is deemed to have met the examination requirement of new law.
New law further provides that contractors applying for the classification of Solar Energy
Equipment, shall, in addition to all other application or licensing requirements, meet the
following requirements prior to issuance of this classification:
(1)Hold one or more of the following major classifications:
(a)Building Construction.
(b)Electrical Work.
(c)Mechanical Work.
(d)Residential Building Contractor.
(2)Complete training in the design of solar energy systems by an entity and course
approved by the board.
New law provides that any work performed to connect wiring or hookups for any
photovoltaic panel or system wherein the panel or system is of a value, including labor,
materials, rentals, and all direct and indirect project expenses, of $10,000 or more shall be
performed only by a contractor or subcontractor who holds the classification of Electrical
Work or who may perform electrical work under certain provisions of law.
New law provides that any work performed to connect piping or equipment for any solar
thermal system wherein the system is of a value, including labor, materials, rentals, and all
direct and indirect project expenses, of $10,000 or more shall be performed only by a
contractor or subcontractor who holds the classification of Mechanical Work or who may
perform mechanical work under certain provision of law.
New law shall be applicable to entities engaging in the business of selling, leasing, installing,
servicing, or monitoring solar energy equipment.
New law shall not 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 from any homeowner or contractor.
New law also provides that 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 new law.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Adds R.S. 37:2156.3)