PV Installer Certification Program [RE-wrenches]

[graham at solarexpert.com]

Wrenches,

I realize that my posting of the NABCEP solar installer certification 
program was not welcomed on this website for various reasons, some of 
which I do not understand.  As a full time installer of solar equipment 
I found this proposed certification program deserves immediate 
attention.  As contractors and installers I trust that we each know our 
limitations and only take on jobs that we are capable of completing 
successfully and professionally. I take a great deal of pride in my 
workmanship and some of the testimonials I get make me just as happy as 
getting paid.

Personally I think the last thing our industry needs is overbearing 
bureaucracy.  I hate to see solar pioneers getting arrows in their 
backs.

I have been sent information about the certification program from 
CALSEIA and it is their position that this is a matter of great 
importance for solar installers (wrenches).  They also stress that the 
certification program is still in draft stage and our input is needed 
now.  I have added additional information below.

Yours truly,

Graham Owen
GO Solar Company


PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. The North
America Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is in the 
process of creating a certification program for the installers of 
photovoltaic systems and requests stakeholder input. The NABCEP program 
is intended to be a voluntary national certification that
will be recognized throughout the United States. To become certified, 
NABCEP proposes that an applicant would need to accomplish the 
following:

 Meet prerequisites of related work experience and training
 Pass a written exam
 Pass a physical skills evaluation
 Provide documentation of work samples

NABCEP plans to develop separate certifications in the future for PV 
system designers and inspectors. In addition, NABCEP plans to develop 
similar certifications for solar thermal and small wind practitioners. 
NABCEP anticipates that the requirements for future programs will be 
similar to the requirements developed for PV.

NABCEP requests input on this certification process proposal from the 
public - including stakeholder groups such as existing installers, 
trades, industry, contractors, state and local officials, utilities, 
financial institutions, home builders and consumers. It is vital that
stakeholders, especially PV practitioners who will be candidates for 
certification, comment on these requirements while they are in draft 
stage. Additional information on

NABCEP and the certification program are available online at 
http://www.nabcep.org/
Listed below are some questions that NABCEP is particularly interested 
in exploring:

I. Entry Requirements

 Are the prerequisite education and experience requirements appropriate?
 What is the most appropriate way to document PV experience? By the 
number and size of installations? Kilowatt-hours? Etc.

II. Written Examination

 Is it reasonable to ask applicants to travel to available examination 
sites or should the test be administered online?

III. Physical Skills Evaluation

 Due to the complexity of the equipment and need for trained jurors, it 
is likely that these tests would be available on a limited basis - for 
example at regional energy fairs, at scheduled training institutes, and 
at the available traditional accredited training and testing facilities. 
Will this be accessible enough for
certification candidates?

IV. Maintaining Certification

 Are the requirements for maintaining certification appropriate?
 How narrow (or broad) should the list of allowable continuing education 
courses be?

Input should be sent to wparker at ispq.org or via mail to: NABCEP, POBox 
260095,
Highlands Ranch, CO 80163

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