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

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

Preparing for the Hawaii Solar Power Systems Contractor (C-60) trade exam takes more than general solar knowledge. It takes the ability to move quickly through the right references, confirm details under time pressure, and apply code language and PV concepts to real installation and design scenarios. This Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package is built for candidates who want a more efficient way to study—one that supports faster lookups, clearer organization, and stronger recall during practice.

The C-60 classification covers the work of assembling and installing photovoltaic panels, batteries, controls, and related low-voltage DC wiring. Your exam preparation should reflect that scope. You’ll want to be comfortable with PV system concepts, component selection, interconnection thinking, estimating and design calculations, and jobsite safety. Just as important, you’ll want to develop a repeatable “exam workflow” for handling questions:

• Identify the topic (theory, components, installation, calculations, interconnection, or safety).
• Decide which reference is most useful for study (PV fundamentals vs. code rules vs. quick math tools).
• Find the exact section (fast navigation is a skill you can train).
• Confirm the details (definitions, tables, requirements, and exceptions).
• Apply it to the question without second-guessing.

This package supports that workflow by combining the core references used to study for C-60 with highlighting and tabbing designed to make the material easier to navigate during preparation. Instead of spending extra time trying to remember where key topics live, you can focus your attention where it matters: understanding the concept, practicing lookups, and building confidence through repetition.

Important exam-day note: The C-60 exam is open book, but the testing center provides the National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 for use during the exam, and highlighting or notes may not be made in the provided book during the exam. Additional references such as the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), Ugly’s Electrical References, and Photovoltaic Systems (3rd Edition) are listed as not allowed in the examination center. This package is ideal for study and practice—helping you learn concepts and build speed—while keeping your exam-day expectations clear and accurate.

What You Get

• National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 — highlighted and tabbed for easier study navigation
• National Electrical Safety Code, 2017 — highlighted and tabbed for study support
• Ugly’s Electrical References — highlighted and tabbed for fast formula and conversion review
• Photovoltaic Systems, 3rd Edition (2011) — highlighted and tabbed to support PV understanding and practical application

This set is designed for candidates who prefer studying with physical references and want a more organized experience. Highlighting helps emphasize high-value rules, concepts, and “must-know” sections during review. Tabbing supports fast navigation during practice sessions—so you can train your speed before you sit for the exam.

Exam Details

The Hawaii C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor trade examination is structured as follows:

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

The exam content areas and item counts are:

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

Use this distribution to plan your study time. If you want the most efficient return on effort, give consistent attention to components and estimating/calculations/design because together they represent a large portion of the exam. At the same time, don’t ignore safety and interconnection topics—many candidates lose points there due to small misunderstandings or rushed assumptions.

Open Book Test

This examination is an OPEN BOOK exam. The National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 is provided in the testing center for your use during the exam, and no highlighting or notes may be made in the book during the exam.

It’s also important to understand what “open book” means here: open book does not automatically mean multiple books are allowed in the exam room. For the C-60 exam, the testing center provides the NEC, and other listed references are identified as not allowed in the examination center. That’s exactly why a highlighted and tabbed study set can be so useful: you can do deeper learning and faster practice at home, then show up on exam day ready to use the provided NEC efficiently.

To get the most out of an open-book format with a time limit, train these three skills during preparation:

• Navigation speed: locating articles, tables, and definitions fast.
• Accuracy under time pressure: verifying details instead of relying on memory.
• Application: using the language correctly when a question includes conditions, exceptions, or tricky wording.

Licensing Steps

Hawaii contractor licensing is handled through the State of Hawaii’s contractor licensing system under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) division, Contractors License Board. While the exact requirements can vary by applicant situation, the process commonly follows this pathway:

1. Confirm the classification you need (C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor).
2. Submit the contractor license application using the current forms and instructions required by the Board.
3. Receive approval to test from the Board. Applicants must be approved before they are allowed to register for the examination.
4. Register and schedule the exam through the testing provider once eligible.
5. Take and pass the C-60 trade exam within the eligibility window assigned to you.
6. Complete any remaining steps requested by the Board to finalize licensure.

A practical way to reduce stress is to prepare two tracks at the same time: (1) your study plan and (2) your paperwork readiness. That way, once you receive exam authorization, you can schedule quickly and keep momentum moving toward your license goal.

State Requirements

Because state licensing requirements can change and can depend on your specific situation, always rely on the current Hawaii Contractors License Board application instructions for your official requirements. What you can do now—while you’re studying—is make sure you’re building professional readiness alongside exam readiness:

• Work history organization: keep clear records of experience, responsibilities, and project scope.
• Study scheduling: pick a target test window and work backward into weekly milestones.
• Exam strategy: plan how you’ll use your time across content areas, especially calculations and design topics.
• Professional habits: focus on safety thinking, clean installation logic, and inspection-minded decision making.

When your paperwork and preparation move together, the path to testing tends to feel more controlled and less overwhelming.

Reference Books

This package includes the core references associated with C-60 study and preparation. Below is what each book is best for during your prep and how to use it effectively.

• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020
  This is the central code reference and the only reference provided in the testing center for the C-60 exam. During study, use the highlighted and tabbed organization to practice fast lookups: definitions, key requirements, and the tables that drive many exam questions. Your goal is to build a “map” of where common concepts live so you can confirm details quickly under a time limit.
• National Electrical Safety Code, 2017
  This book supports broader electrical safety understanding and safety-minded thinking. While it is not allowed in the examination center, it can be valuable during study for reinforcing the logic behind safe installation practices and improving your ability to recognize hazards and correct procedures in scenario-based questions.
• Ugly's Electrical References
  A practical, quick-reference guide used widely in the electrical trades. It supports fast review of common formulas, conversions, and electrical math concepts. While it is not allowed in the examination center, it can improve your calculation confidence—especially helpful for the estimating, calculations, and design portion of the C-60 exam.
• Photovoltaic Systems, 3rd Edition, 2011
  A PV-focused resource that supports understanding of photovoltaic components, installation thinking, and system concepts. Use it to strengthen your PV fundamentals and to connect “what the system does” with “how it is installed and integrated.” It is not allowed in the examination center, but it is a strong study companion for building real comprehension behind the exam topics.

Best practice for studying with this set: Avoid the trap of reading everything first and practicing later. Instead, work in short, repeatable cycles. Pick one topic, review the concept, then immediately practice applying it. That’s how you train both knowledge and speed.

Test Information and Study Materials

The C-60 exam tests a blend of knowledge: PV fundamentals, interconnection logic, real installation concerns, and math-driven design decisions. To prepare effectively, build your study sessions around active practice, not just reading.

Here are proven ways to turn your highlighted and tabbed books into a complete preparation routine:

• Timed navigation drills (NEC focus): Set a timer for two to four minutes and practice locating key sections and tables. The goal is to reduce “search time” so you can spend more of your exam time thinking and answering.
• Calculation reps: Do smaller sets frequently rather than long sets occasionally. Repetition builds accuracy and speed. Ugly’s can support your fundamentals, while the NEC reinforces code-driven decision points.
• Component scenario practice: Build mini-scenarios involving PV modules, conductors, controllers, and system choices. Use Photovoltaic Systems to understand how components work, then verify related requirements in the NEC when applicable.
• Interconnection and inspection thinking: Practice reading a question and identifying whether it’s testing an electrical interconnection concept, a permitting/inspection concept, or a design calculation. Labeling the question type is a simple skill that improves speed.
• Safety review: Treat safety as a “free points” category by learning the consistent principles and recognizing common jobsite hazards, required practices, and protective thinking.

Highlighted and tabbed references help because they reduce friction. When you don’t waste time flipping aimlessly, you can spend your energy practicing the skill that actually matters: locating and applying correct information quickly and consistently.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports candidates by focusing on preparation that matches how trade exams are built: organized learning, practical review, and confidence through repetition. This highlighted and tabbed book package is designed to help you study with purpose instead of guessing what to focus on next.

Here’s how this approach supports your progress:

• Trade-focused structure: You study with references tied to the C-60 scope—PV concepts, electrical safety thinking, and code navigation.
• Practice-oriented preparation: Highlighting and tabbing make it easier to turn reading into timed drills, scenario practice, and repeated lookups.
• Reference navigation training: Open-book exams reward candidates who can find information quickly. Consistent practice with a well-organized book set helps build that skill.
• Confidence-building study flow: When you can locate answers faster during practice, you reduce second-guessing and strengthen exam-day calm and focus.

Passing depends on your preparation and meeting Hawaii’s licensing requirements, and results can’t be guaranteed. What we can do is help you prepare with a realistic, trade-aligned study structure so you can walk into the exam with stronger confidence and better execution.

FAQ

Is the Hawaii C-60 exam open book?

Yes. The C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor exam is an open-book exam. The National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 is provided in the testing center for use during the exam, and highlighting or notes may not be made in the provided book during the exam.

Are all of these books allowed in the exam room?

No. For the C-60 exam, the NEC is provided in the testing center for your use during the exam. The National Electrical Safety Code (2017), Ugly’s Electrical References, and Photovoltaic Systems (3rd Edition) are listed as not allowed in the examination center. This package is intended for study and practice to build knowledge and navigation speed.

How many questions are on the C-60 exam and how long do I have?

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

What topics should I prioritize for the C-60 exam?

The exam covers photovoltaic theory, electrical interconnection, permitting/inspection/utility interconnections, photovoltaic components, photovoltaic installation, estimating/calculations/design, and safety. Many candidates benefit from prioritizing components and calculations/design because they represent a large portion of the exam, while still maintaining steady review of interconnection and safety topics.

How does a highlighted and tabbed set help if the testing center provides the NEC?

It helps during preparation. A highlighted and tabbed set supports faster learning, easier review, and more efficient timed practice. That practice is what builds your ability to use the provided NEC efficiently on exam day.

What is the best way to study for a timed open-book trade exam?

Study in short cycles: learn the concept, then practice finding the supporting information quickly. Use timed lookups, repeated calculation reps, and scenario-based practice. Open-book exams reward speed and accuracy, so the goal is to train navigation and application—not just memorization.

Do I have to be approved before scheduling the exam?

Yes. Applicants must be approved by the Board before they are allowed to register for the examination. Once approved, you receive information that indicates which exam(s) you are eligible to take and how to register.