A certified site assessor provides independent, third-party evaluations and information to help residential, business and agricultural customers determine whether their properties would benefit from a renewable energy system.

Site assessors are certified by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), which provides each assessor with training, testing and assessment oversight. MREA-certified site assessors cover the following technologies:

• Solar electric
• Solar hot water
• Wind electric

During a site assessment, assessors will:

• Establish customer goals
• Quantify the site's energy consumption and resources
• Identify energy efficiency opportunities
• Recommend system size and location
• Estimate system size and cost
• Provide an overview of available incentives
• Detail the next steps to an installation

To maintain certification the assessor must:

• Perform and submit at least one site assessment each year
• Complete and document eight hours of continuing education each year
• Apply for recertification every three years

To learn more about becoming an MREA-certified site assessor, please visit the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.