NABCEP Call for comments [RE-wrenches] -- California Focus

Jeffery Wolfe, Global Resource Options jeff at globalresourceoptions.com
Thu Oct 24 09:33:39 PDT 2002


Sorry, I can't support requiring all PV installs to be done by licensed
electricians. That puts the majority (I think) of existing wrenches out of
business, and does NOT guarantee no fires. (How many fires are caused by
general electrical systems each year, and are installed by licensed
electricians?) I've seen some licensed electricians do some pretty horrid
stuff. Not that they didn't know how to do it, they were just lazy.
(Conductors not in conduit, no bushings, poor connectors, etc.)

If we need some standards (and correctly implemented they could help) then
let's let anyone who can meet the standards install. Limiting the solar
industry to licensed electricians is going to push it way back. Sorry, most
of those guys aren't interested in pushing solar. They can push electric
heat and lots of lights and make more money. Why push solar? Granted, the
industry will (right?) move beyond this stage, but not for a while, and not
if we stop allowing the current installers to install.

I think the best thing I've heard is get the inspectors trained. (This
doesn't help us, as we have very little work inspected around here.) That
way, no matter what the installers' quals are, there's some idea that the
system, when approved, works.

Jeff

Jeffery D. Wolfe, P.E.
Principal
Global Resource Options, LLP
A Woman-Owned Limited Liability Partnership
4 Kibling Hill Road
P.O. Box 161
Strafford, VT 05072
800-374-4494 Toll-Free
802-765-4632 Phone
802-765-9983 Fax
Jeff at GlobalResourceOptions.com
www.GlobalResourceOptions.com

Certified Xantrex Dealer (Charter Member)
Certified Solar Wall Distributor
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-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services
[mailto:toddcory at finestplanet.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 10:20 AM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: NABCEP Call for comments [RE-wrenches] -- California Focus



Max Balchowsky wrote:

> I think the move towards certification is a
> positive thing, I just don't know the best approach and it probably won't
> stop a salesmen more concerned with commission that integrity.........
>

I agree... If we have a platform for RE installers to first being licensed
electricians (no general contractors licenses either), and then maybe throw
a PV
certification on top of it that will go a long way at reducing the potential
for
bad installations. If licensed people are doing the installations at least
we
won't have fire hazards out there.

If we also have knowledgeable inspectors that will help stop the
"do-it-yourselfers" from putting in bad systems. Although  I find it
difficult
to believe that most inspectors will be able to sufficiently come up to
speed on
how to optimize systems, if they work reasonably well and are safe that
would be
a HUGE plus, and probably enough to get by.

Todd

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