Press release [RE-wrenches]

[Don Loweburg, Offline]

Wrenches FYI

I am putting this out simply as information. I do not want to stir the pot 
using this forum other than stating that I support voluntary NABCEP 
certification and am very glad to have Bob O join the board.
Best, Don Loweburg


NABCEP Press Release:
AstroPower, BP Solar, Shell Solar, and Independent Installer Join 
Certification Board 
September 20, 2002
Contact:  Les Nelson, NABCEP’s Chair, (949) 713-3500, <A HREF="mailto:lnelson at westernrenewables.com">
lnelson at westernrenewables.com</A> 


 The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) today 
announced that two new directors and two new alternates were voted onto the 
board on September 18th.  Board members and their alternates are chosen to 
represent various solar stakeholder groups in developing a national, 
voluntary certification program for photovoltaic (PV) installers.

 Marcus Roper of AstroPower and Ignacio Corral of Shell Solar were voted onto 
the board to fill the two PV Manufacturer stakeholder positions created last 
June.  Kal Johnson of BP Solar will act as their alternate board member, 
voting in their place if one is absent when a board action is taken.

 In addition, Bob-O Schultze, an independent solar business owner and 
practicing installer, was voted in as an alternate board member to Don 
Loweburg, who represents PV installers.

 Ignacio Corral, Product Manager for Shell Solar Industries, has been working 
in the solar field for the past six years.  Prior to his work with Shell, Mr. 
Ignacio earned  a mechanical engineering degree at UC Santa Barbara. He has 
been responsible for training installers of residential grid-connected 
systems, in addition to working in engineering, manufacturing, quality 
control, and marketing departments at Siemens and Shell Solar.

 Marc Roper, Manager of Residential Business for AstroPower, has over ten 
years of experience in the field of renewable energy, ranging from the design 
and installation of solar energy systems to renewable energy policy 
development. His work at AstroPower includes developing the domestic market 
for residential solar electric power systems, and the management of a 
nationwide network of dealer-installers. Prior to his work at AstroPower, 
Marc Roper was the manager for renewable energy programs in the Colorado 
Governor's Office of Energy Conservation.

 Kal Johnson, Global Director of Health, Environment, and Safety for BP 
Solar, has been in the renewable energy industry for many years.

 Bob-O Schultze has owned his own solar installation company, Electron 
Connection, since 1988 and has lived off-grid since 1973.  He holds Oregon 
renewable energy contractor and technician licenses and a California 
electrical contractor license.  Bob-O participated as an industry expert on 
the California State License Board. He is a former Home Power Hydroelectric 
Editor and is the author of many Home Power articles.

For a complete list of NABCEP board members, or for contact information, 
please contact Wendy Parker at (720) 344-0341.

About NABCEP  NABCEP is a representative board with involvement of the solar 
industry, independent installers, BOS manufacturers, labor, contractors, 
training organizations, educators, national laboratories, and government.  
NABCEP was organized in April 2001 with the goal of enhancing the growth of 
renewable energy industries by:

·         Encouraging safe and professional work practices;

·         Spurring lower installed system costs;

·         Increasing public acceptance of the solar industry and technology;

·         Preserving consumer choice by providing a quality seal for 
qualified practitioners;

·         Giving qualified practitioners a competitive edge;


Promulgating quality training guidelines available for use in curriculum 
development; and·         Encouraging increased availability of financing, 
incentives, and public funds.

 A national voluntary certification program will accomplish these goals by 
providing a means for skilled installers to differentiate themselves in the 
marketplace and by giving consumers and financing organizations a tool by 
which to choose qualified practitioners. Certification will reward those who 
seek quality training and maintain high standards of practice, thus 
protecting consumers. Consumer satisfaction is a key to promoting the growth 
of the industry in the U.S.

 NABCEP is using a consensus-building process to develop certification for PV 
installers, soliciting public comment and experts’ input into proposed 
standards, task analyses, and process documents.

 NABCEP welcomes comment at all times and encourages renewable energy 
professionals interested in being involved in the development process to 
contact NABCEP by email at wparker at nabcep.org or by phone at (720) 344-0341.




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