NABCEP Call for comments [RE-wrenches]

Fri Oct 25 08:09:08 PDT 2002

Hi Bill,

My two cents. Where does the blame for these bad systems really lie?

There is this whole department called inspectors.  Every city, county area have
them.  They are the last line of defense.  Would it be wise to help educate them
instead of putting huge requirements on the installer?

It seems to me that a good system is a good system, doesn't matter who installs
it.

Jay

Peltz power

Bill Brooks wrote:

> John and Graham,
>
> I am afraid bad installations are becoming commonplace. There are far too
> many people doing installs that haven't the necessary background to do the
> work. I think that there are far too few controls on the CEC program to
> prevent poor systems from being installed. I do believe that the
> manufacturers have a role to play by establishing authorized dealer
> networks, but I believe those providing incentives (CEC, NYSERDA, etc...)
> need to send the right signals. Requiring NABCEP certification at some point
> to receive rebate funds is not an onerous undertaking for a good installer,
> but it will weed out many poor ones. It is only one of several reforms that
> should be adopted soon if we want the industry to grow.
>
> I also firmly believe that there is far too much "design" work going on in
> the PV industry right now by those who are clearly underqualified. Although
> this will not sit well with many, I believe that system designs should be
> fully engineered and fully documented so that a competent installer will
> know exactly how to install the product properly, and achieve very
> predictable results. We are not anywhere close to that situation right now
> in California so we get the whole range of designs and performance from
> excellent to extremely poor.
>
> How many grid-connected systems are being messed up as we speak? I don't
> know for sure, but I am willing to bet it is in the 20-50%. Is this a
> problem? I'll let you draw your own conclusions.
>
> Maybe we won't have a problem with running out of rebate funds soon because
> no one will want these unreliable systems anymore....
>
> Bill.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jberdner at sma-america.com [mailto:jberdner at sma-america.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 12:36 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: RE: NABCEP Call for comments [RE-wrenches]
>
> Graham:
>
> The self installs are a concern to us as well and we try to discourage
> it.
> In addition to the numerous safety and performance issues we the owner
> builders require about 10X the support from us.  As you might imagine
> the some of the guys willing to sell components direct to homeowners are
> not exactly the most supportive after the sale.
>
> We are trying to find a way to address this without crossing the line
> into restriction of trade.  An authorized dealer program is one way but
> we want to make sure we have a solid program that is of value to the
> installers out there.  Suggestions are welcome.
>
> If you have any questions, or if I can be of any further assistance,
> please do not hesitate to contact me.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> John Berdner
>
> SMA America, Inc.
> 12438 Loma Rica Drive, Unit C
> Grass Valley, CA  95945
> 530.273.4595 (voice)
> 530.274.7271 (fax)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Graham Owen [mailto:graham at solarexpert.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 11:43 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: RE: NABCEP Call for comments [RE-wrenches]
>
> John,
>
> I am all for some type of certification which will hopefully prevent
> unknowledgeable people from connecting solar power to the electric grid.
> The last thing our industry needs is for substandard installations to
> become commonplace, resulting in a black eye for all of us.
>
> With that said, a sizable percentage of the grid-tie systems being
> installed in southern California are not installed by electrical (C10)
> or solar (C46) companies.  It is the large HVAC companies who are
> selling and installing the most systems.  I would hazard a guess by
> saying that these companies have probably never heard of NABCEP.
> Personally I have been happy to see large companies with infrastructure
> get into the PV field.  I feel confident they will not disappear when
> the rebates end and will provide service and support to their customers.
> My company is small and needs to remain so until PV can be sold without
> incentives.  I have to keep my overhead low in order to remain active if
> and when the rebates expire.
>
> The only way I envision NABCEP becoming viable is to either have a
> massive and expensive marketing campaign that makes all potential PV
> purchasers aware of this certification, or for NABCEP certification to
> become mandatory in order to acquire permits.
>
> Another developing trend in L.A. is for homeowners to purchase equipment
> and install it themselves.  I have had three homeowners call this week
> asking for advice on "the type of wire needed and how to mount the
> panels"  Two of these homeowners have 40 SP 140's and 2 Sunny Boy's.  I
> advise them to use XHHW-2 wire and to reconsider self installation.
> These are the systems that worry me the most.
>
> I am wondering if PV salesmen who get paid on commission should have
> some type of certification.  I may be wrong but I believe many systems
> are being sold on STC x 6 hours.
>
> Graham Owen
> GO Solar
>
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
> List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
> List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

==^================================================================
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================