Permits[RE-wrenches]

Fri Dec 27 13:54:26 PST 2002

Jay,

The 30% came from Sandy Miller some time back, the numbers may have changed,
but the point was not that owner-installs are bad--I did my own--but that
illegal contractors were using the owner-install option as a means of
installing systems and leaving the owner holding the bag. Obviously, if
someone wants to take on that kind of risk, they deserve what they get, but
it doesn't mean the CEC should blindly incent that type of activity.

The CEC was unaware that a large portion of "owner installs" were not truly
installed by owners. That is why they changed the rules on what would
qualify for labor.

Bill.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jay Peltz, Peltz Power [mailto:jay at asis.com]
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2002 8:25 AM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: Permits[RE-wrenches]

Hi Bill,

Where did you get the 30% from?  Seems high to me.

Also I would like to point out, they even if they are hiring people, they
may be very concerned and take a hands on approach to make sure it all looks
and is well installed.

A fellow installer, ( actually the number one installer in Ca, in number of
systems not KW) has pointed out to me that he has seen many more problem
installations with "professionally" installed vs homeowner installed, for
what its worth.

Thanks,

jay

Peltz Power
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Brooks" <billb at endecon.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2002 12:23 PM
Subject: Permits[RE-wrenches]

>
>
> Joel and Matt,
>
> You are forgetting about a large loophole that many "owner-installers" are
> using.  There are a significant percentage of "owner installers"
installing
> systems in California. However, only a small percentage of those are truly
> installing the systems themselves. Most are either hiring a licensed
> contract (fine), or equally likely hiring an unlicensed contractor or
> contractor with an inappropriate license.
>
> This situation happens because the homeowner pulls the permit for the
> "contractor" and therefore there is no accountability as with a licensed
> contractor. This is one of the reasons for the spread in the rebate
amounts
> for "owner installers" and I think is an excellent step in the right
> direction. It's taken the CEC a few years to wake up to the fact that the
> more than 30% of the rebates that are "owner installs" have a large number
> of illegal contractors.
>
> How do you stop that problem. Just like you can't stop all bad installs,
it
> is very difficult to stop illegal contractors. Supplying less rebate money
> is an excellent way to provide the right incentive.
>
> Eventually, I think it is completely appropriate for the CEC or NYSERDA or
> whoever has the gold to provide a higher buydown amount for companies that
> have taken the time, effort, and money to show that they have a high level
> of competency installing PV system. Is this mandatory--absolutely not.
> Anyone can elect to receive the lower buydown if they do not see the value
> in becoming certified. Is it cruel? Not if you're the one having to
dispense
> the limited funds and want to get money in the hands of the most qualified
> people.
>
> We have to remind ourselves that rebate funds do not belong to the PV
> industry. They belong to the ratepayers of California--in California's
case.
> We treat these funds like we deserve them because we are so good looking
and
> on the side of good and that is only partially true.
>
> A lot of good folks were involved in getting rebate money to flow, but
many
> of those folks are the same folks that are pushing for more certifications
> and controls to keep the money well spent.
>
> Bill
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
> Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 5:40 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: NABCEP [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Matt,
> All PV systems that I know of that have gotten rebates were either
> contractor or
> owner installed. I always encourage do-it-yourselfers to hire a licensed
> electrician unless they are a contractor, engineer or architect. I don't
> know
> what percent of owners hired a licensed contractor to help them. The CEC
> could
> get that information from the signed off permits.
> Joel Davidson
>
> matthew tritt wrote:
>
> > Joel,
> >
> > Very interesting, considering that you cannot get a rebate without a
valid
> > building permit, ***snip***
>
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>
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>
>
>
>

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