Page 1 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 447
BY SENATOR MORRELL
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 37:2156.3, relative to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors; to2
provide relative to solar energy equipment and systems; to provide for examinations;3
to provide for procedures, terms, and conditions; to provide for the adoption of rules;4
and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 37:2156.3 is hereby enacted to read as follows:7
ยง2156.3. Installation of solar energy equipment and systems8
A. No licensed contractor shall install solar energy equipment or solar9
energy systems on or after February 1, 2015, unless he is in compliance with the10
provisions of this Section and any rules adopted by the board in accordance11
with the provisions of this Section.12
B.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no later than13
January 1, 2015, the board shall adopt rules in accordance with the14
Administrative Procedure Act regulating the installation of solar energy15
equipment or solar energy systems by licensed contractors. Such rules shall, at16
a minimum, include the requirement of passage of a separate written17
examination that evidences the contractor's knowledge and understanding of18
best practices as related to the installation and maintenance of solar energy19
equipment or solar energy systems by any contractor who does not hold a20
current Solar PV Installer certification for solar electric systems, or a current21
Solar Heating Installer certification for solar thermal hot water systems as22
issued by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.23
(2) Any contractor licensed in this state as of August 1, 2014, holding24
ACT No. 862 SB NO. 447 ENROLLED
Page 2 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
the major classification of Building Construction, Electrical Work (Statewide),1
or Mechanical Work (Statewide), shall be deemed to have met the examination2
requirement pursuant to this Subsection.3
C. Contractors applying for the classification of Solar Energy4
Equipment, shall, in addition to all other application or licensing requirements,5
meet the following requirements prior to issuance of this classification:6
(1) Hold one or more of the following major classifications:7
(a) Building Construction.8
(b) Electrical Work.9
(c) Mechanical Work. 10
(d) Residential Building Contractor.11
(2) Complete training in the design of solar energy systems by an entity12
and course approved by the board.13
D. Any work performed to connect wiring or hookups for any14
photovoltaic panel or system wherein the panel or system is of a value, including15
labor, materials, rentals, and all direct and indirect project expenses, of ten16
thousand dollars or more shall be performed only by a contractor or17
subcontractor who holds the classification of Electrical Work or who may18
perform electrical work pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 37:2156.2(B).19
E. Any work performed to connect piping or equipment for any solar20
thermal system wherein the system is of a value, including labor, materials,21
rentals, and all direct and indirect project expenses, of ten thousand dollars or22
more shall be performed only by a contractor or subcontractor who holds the23
classification of Mechanical Work or who may perform mechanical work24
pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 37:2156.2(B).25
F. The provisions of this Section shall be applicable to entities engaging26
in the business of selling, leasing, installing, servicing, or monitoring solar27
energy equipment. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to impose civil or28
criminal liability on homeowners or on any third party whose involvement is29
financing to the homeowner, financing for installation, or purchasing the tax30 SB NO. 447 ENROLLED
Page 3 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
credits described in this Section from any homeowner or contractor. Entities1
engaged in the business of arranging agreements for the lease or sale of solar2
energy systems or acquiring customers for financing entities shall not be exempt3
from the provisions of this Section.4
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: