Hawaii Solar Power Systems Contractor (C-60) Exam Book Package

Hawaii Solar Power Systems Contractor (C-60) Exam Book Package

If you’re preparing for the Hawaii C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor trade exam, the fastest way to feel confident on test day is to study with the exact references the exam is built around. This book package is designed for candidates who want to prepare the right way—by learning how to find answers inside the code books, build strong photovoltaic fundamentals, and practice the kinds of calculations and design decisions that show up in real solar work.

The C-60 classification focuses on assembling and installing photovoltaic panels, batteries, controls, and related low-voltage DC wiring. That means your exam prep has to cover more than “solar theory.” You’ll need comfort with electrical interconnection concepts, grounding and bonding logic, conductor and equipment choices, PV components, installation best practices, basic design math, and safety expectations that match jobsite reality. This package brings together the key references commonly associated with Hawaii’s C-60 exam so you can study with a consistent, organized workflow.

Because Hawaii’s contractor exams are timed, strong candidates don’t just “read the books.” They build a repeatable method:

• Understand the topic (what the rule or requirement is trying to prevent).
• Know where to look (which chapter/article/table applies).
• Confirm the details (numbers, conditions, exceptions, definitions, and required language).
• Practice navigation under time pressure (so you can answer efficiently during the exam).

This book package supports that method. Use it to create tabbing strategies (where allowed for your personal study), build a personal index of commonly tested topics, and run practice scenarios that mirror the kinds of choices a solar contractor makes: selecting components, sizing conductors, interpreting safety rules, and planning installations that can pass inspection and interconnect properly.

What You Get

• National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 (book included in this package)
• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), 2017 (book included in this package)
• Ugly’s Electrical References (book included in this package)
• Photovoltaic Systems, 3rd Edition (book included in this package)

Note for exam-day planning: The Hawaii C-60 exam is an open-book examination and the reference material is provided in the testing center for use during the exam. Your personal set is still extremely valuable because it lets you study, practice navigation, and build speed well before you sit for the test.

Exam Details

Based on the published Hawaii contractor candidate information, the C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor trade examination is structured as follows:

• Number of Questions: 50
• Minimum Passing Score: 75%
• Time Allowed: 120 minutes

The exam content areas and approximate item distribution include:

• Photovoltaic Theory: 5 items
• Electrical Interconnection: 8 items
• Permitting, Inspection, and Utility Interconnections: 3 items
• Photovoltaic Components: 10 items
• Photovoltaic Installation: 7 items
• Estimating, Calculations, and Design: 12 items
• Safety (OSHA): 5 items

That mix matters for how you study. It tells you where most points live: components and estimating/calculations/design together make up a large share of the exam, and those areas reward candidates who can interpret information quickly and apply it correctly. A smart prep plan gives you both conceptual understanding (why a rule exists) and practical speed (how to find the rule fast).

Open Book Test

The Hawaii C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor exam is an OPEN BOOK exam. The reference material is provided in the testing center for candidate use, and no highlighting or notes may be made in the book during the exam.

Open-book does not mean easy. Timed open-book exams are designed to test whether you can:

• Recognize which reference applies to the question.
• Navigate to the right section quickly (articles, tables, definitions, and key diagrams).
• Apply the language correctly (conditions, exceptions, and required steps).
• Avoid common traps like mixing AC/DC concepts, missing an exception, or overlooking a definition.

Your goal in studying is to build book speed. The best way is repeated practice: choose an objective (like grounding/bonding logic, conductor selection, PV component requirements), find the rule, summarize it in your own words, then solve a few realistic scenarios. Over time, you’ll stop “searching” and start “going straight there,” which is exactly what timed open-book exams reward.

Licensing Steps

Licensing for Hawaii contractor classifications is administered through the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) division, Contractors License Board. While your specific documentation and qualification requirements depend on your situation and classification, the general pathway commonly follows this structure:

1. Choose the correct classification and confirm you are applying for C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor.
2. Submit a contractor license application to the DCCA PVL Contractors License Board using the current forms and instructions.
3. Wait for Board review and approval of your application. Candidates are not allowed to register for the examination until the Board approves the application and the candidate receives approval to test.
4. Schedule your exam with PSI after approval. Hawaii’s contractor examinations are administered by PSI, and scheduling can be completed through PSI’s system once you are eligible.
5. Take and pass the C-60 trade exam following PSI testing rules and the exam-day identification requirements.
6. Complete any remaining Board steps required to finalize licensure after passing (as directed by the Board based on your application type).

If you’re treating this as a career move, it helps to plan backward from your target start date. Build a timeline that includes: time to gather application materials, Board processing time, scheduling availability, study time for the trade exam, and any retesting buffer you’d like to keep for peace of mind.

State Requirements

Hawaii’s contractor licensing program is overseen by the DCCA PVL and the Contractors License Board. Contractor examinations are administered by PSI Services, LLC (effective January 2023 for the contractor examinations). Because licensing requirements can vary by applicant type and can change over time, you should rely on the official Hawaii forms and instructions for the most accurate, current requirement details for your application.

What you can do right now—while you’re studying—is get “application-ready” by organizing the information most applicants end up needing:

• Your work history summary (projects, scope, dates, supervisors/clients, and responsibilities).
• Any business entity planning (if applicable), including how you intend to operate and the name you plan to use.
• A clean record of contact details, identification, and any documentation you may need for name matching on exam day.
• A realistic exam plan: study schedule, practice goals, and your intended test window after Board approval.

Preparing both the exam and your paperwork in parallel reduces stress and helps you move quickly when you get the authorization to test.

Reference Books

This package includes the core references aligned with the Hawaii C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor exam. Here’s how each book supports your preparation and what it’s best used for during study:

• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020
  The NEC is a foundational electrical code reference used across electrical and PV-related work. For C-60 prep, focus on building a repeatable system for finding definitions, rules, and tables quickly. Practice common exam-style tasks such as interpreting requirements, identifying correct applications, and verifying details like conductor rules, grounding concepts, and equipment requirements.
• National Electrical Safety Code 2017
  The NESC emphasizes safety principles and practices used in electrical supply and communication systems. For solar contractors, it’s helpful for reinforcing safety-minded thinking and understanding broader electrical safety expectations. Use it to support study around safety concepts and how safety rules are framed and applied.
• Ugly's Electrical References
  This is a practical, jobsite-friendly reference that supports quick checks and commonly used electrical formulas and conversions. It’s especially useful for strengthening your day-to-day calculation confidence and reinforcing foundational electrical knowledge so you can move through estimating and design questions faster.
• Photovoltaic Systems, 3rd Edition
  This text supports photovoltaic-specific knowledge—components, system concepts, installation considerations, and practical design thinking. Use it to connect theory to field decisions: component selection, system layout, and the logic behind safe, code-aligned installation choices.

How to use this set effectively: Don’t try to read everything cover-to-cover first. Instead, rotate between “learn” and “find.” Learn the concept, then immediately practice locating the supporting rule, definition, or table. Over time, that approach builds the exact skill timed open-book exams measure: fast retrieval plus correct application.

Test Information and Study Materials

Because the C-60 exam includes a meaningful portion of questions in estimating, calculations, and design, your prep should include regular problem-solving practice—not just reading. Here are study activities that pair well with the reference books in this package:

• Timed code lookups: Choose a topic (like grounding/bonding logic, conductor selection, equipment requirements, or PV component rules). Set a timer for 2–3 minutes and practice finding the exact section you would need to answer a question.
• Definition drills: Many exam questions hinge on a single word. Build a list of definitions you frequently see and practice identifying where those definitions live so you can confirm language quickly.
• Calculation reps: Do small sets of calculations frequently, focusing on clarity and setup. Accuracy plus speed comes from repetition.
• Scenario practice: Create short job scenarios: “utility interconnection steps,” “inspection-ready installation choices,” “selecting components for a given design need,” and “safety steps for the task.” Then verify each decision using the references.
• Review and refine: Keep a running list of topics that slow you down. That list becomes your highest-value study plan because it’s based on your real performance, not guesswork.

Studying this way builds confidence because you’re not just memorizing—you’re training the same skill you’ll use on test day: identify, locate, verify, apply.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

At 1 Exam Prep, we focus on helping candidates prepare in a way that matches how trade exams actually work—especially timed, open-book exams where speed and accuracy depend on how well you can navigate your references. This book package supports a prep style that is organized, practical, and built around real trade knowledge.

Here’s how that support shows up in your preparation:

• Structured learning with the right references: Instead of bouncing between random resources, you can study consistently using the same books tied to the exam’s reference approach.
• Reference navigation habits: You develop a repeatable method for finding rules, definitions, and tables efficiently—so you’re not wasting time searching during practice or on exam day.
• Practice-oriented preparation: The package is ideal for turning study time into active reps: timed lookups, scenario questions, and calculation practice that strengthens confidence.
• Trade-focused understanding: Solar work blends theory, field installation, and safety. Studying with these books helps you connect the “why” behind rules to the “how” of installing and troubleshooting PV systems.
• Confidence through clarity: When you can verify answers in the reference quickly, you reduce second-guessing. That confidence helps you stay calm and consistent under a time limit.

We never promise outcomes—passing and licensing depend on your preparation and meeting state requirements—but we do aim to help you prepare with an approach that’s realistic, efficient, and aligned with the way contractor exams are designed.

FAQ

Is the Hawaii C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The Hawaii C-60 exam is an open-book exam, and the reference material is provided in the testing center for your use during the exam. You are not permitted to make highlighting or notes in the provided books during the exam.

How many questions are on the C-60 exam, and how much time do I get?

The C-60 trade exam is 50 questions with 120 minutes allowed, and the minimum passing score is 75%.

What topics should I focus on the most for C-60?

The exam includes multiple content areas, but a large share of questions commonly falls under photovoltaic components and estimating/calculations/design. A balanced plan also includes PV theory, electrical interconnection, permitting/inspection/utility interconnection concepts, and OSHA safety.

If the test is open book, do I still need my own copies of the books?

Having your own books is valuable for studying and building navigation speed. Even when references are provided at the test center, your personal set allows you to practice under timed conditions, learn where key information lives, and become comfortable with how the material is organized.

How should I study for a timed open-book contractor exam?

Study in two modes: learn the concept, then immediately practice finding and applying the supporting rule. Use timed lookups, short calculation sets, and scenario practice. Over time, you’ll develop speed and accuracy—two skills that open-book exams reward.

Do I register for the exam first or submit my license application first?

For Hawaii contractor exams, you are not allowed to register for the exam until the Board approves your application and you receive authorization to test. Plan to gather application materials early so you’re ready when it’s time to schedule.

Can I take the Hawaii contractor exam at a test center or online?

Hawaii’s contractor examinations are administered by PSI, and scheduling options may include test center and remote proctor formats depending on availability and PSI policies for your exam type. Always follow the current instructions provided when you schedule.