Installer Certification & Monster- Painful truth [RE-wrenches]

[Lynne A Carter]

TOM

We need to think long term,  good safe systems and to play ball on a level
field. What we have had in the past was a mess!!!!!! Just because you can
train a electrician to install solar in 8 hours does not mean they can
handle the questions that may come up.  I give Xantrex Technology Inc., new
Certified Dealer
Program a big hand of gratitude for stepping in.!!!!!!

By the way how is that GA inverter project of yours going?
PS. Your text came weird here the font was hard to see. Change the settings
so not to respond to Email the same as they come in.

solarvil at netpath.net
Solar Village Institute inc.
PO Box 14
Saxapahaw, NC  27340
Tel. 336-376-9530
Fax. 336-376-1809
www.solarvillage.com

----- Original Message -----
From: tom <tom at ecs-solar.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 7:23 PM
Subject: Installer Certification & Monster- Painful truth [RE-wrenches]


    Beware of crating a bureaucratic monster.  Bureaucracy likes to create
fiefdoms that make it harder not easier to get people into a rapidly
expanding field, like solar electric or solar thermal power.  No one likes
the painful truth- but roofing work is the most important part of being a
solar contractor when you put your work of art- the solar array on top of
someone's nest.  The number one concern of homeowners and business is that
they don't want to spread buckets around when it rains.  Any solar
contractor license- dog tag- or collar has to include roofing work, or have
a licensed roofer make the attachments.  I can train a licensed experienced
electrician in 8 hours how to install any type of light commercial or
residential commercially available solar electric equipment.  These carbon
based life forms called electricians are real smart bipeds or they get
zapped.  Government agencies or Energy Center can be helpful in training
however they can be a real bottle neck to getting enough belly buttons
through the certificate meter if they insist on weeklong training courses
like we have in Florida.
    A specific solar license would have to include roofing work, electrician
contracting and could include a course on solar site selection as per
shading.
    The manufacturer's Siemens, BP, Astropower- if they sell systems dealer
direct which the market place may force them too- instead of distributors
selling a magnetic of components- better have their own training and
certification due to liability.  Contracting is a business - in solar
electric contracting for a full service there is no distinct between
designing and contractor - except where you choose to get involve from
concept to completion of the contract.  We are happy to install other
people's equipment as long as the do it to code And our requirements for
excellence.  Wel will give them a shopping list by design and they can buy
from whomever.  We charge for time and knowledge.  The grid connect system
with no batteries require little knowledge and design as delivered by a
manufacturer.
    The Siemens EarthSafe System for example - I can train a good
electrician who wants and desires to learn in one hour all he needs to know
except roofing.
    Government Agencies outside  of state contracting licenseing boards
create fiefdoms and more hurdles to getting more warm bodies in this field
quicker.  Each state contactor association needs to offer training in their
fields - roofers in installing the equipment, electricians in wiring it.  A
solar contractor should have a speciality state license or a roofing and
electrician license if the solar license doesn't exist or you cannor offer
home owners completed operating insurance on what your license does not
qualify you to do.  Contracting involves permitting each state has its own
requirements each manufacturer of a somplete systems needs to authorize and
train their dealers- or they will find themselves in legal trouble.
Personally, I will not salute any government agency in providing training
and certification.  Private industry can do without crating another fiefdom.
The Solar Energy Industry Association can offer training.  Licensed
electrician contractors will pay you to show them the ropes as individuals
or as a group.  Experience is really what counts.  P.S. sorry if I went on
to long, its 105* i n the swamp and 90% humidity - and a racoon got one of
my chickens today at our office - a damn good layer.

                    -- Gator Tom


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