NABCEP [RE-wrenches]

Thu Dec 19 10:28:37 PST 2002

If NABCEP really wanted to make sure folks were not forced by state agencies to become members, they could include some kind of "poison pill" in the certification language. 

As an example only, "This certification is null and void if the certified installer does work under government programs that mandate NABCEP certification."

  ;^)}}}}}        

Jeffery Wolfe, Global Resource Options wrote at 10:14 AM 12/19/2002:

>Bill,
>
>Maybe blown out of proportion, maybe not. NYSERDA (NY's equivalent, sort of,
>to CEC) is heading toward a requirement that to get a rebate, the system
>must be installed by a NABCEP certified installer. My understanding is that
>they are even working with NABCEP on this, as they (NYSERDA) is trying to
>develop the required training through some third parties (they have an RFP
>out for this now) and have had NABCEP out to do some presentations.
>
>Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Problem is, we don't really know
>what NABCEP privately wants (even with our "ears" in the group, our "ears"
>may not know), and we don't know who else might be pushing the idea of
>NABCEP onto NYSERDA.
>
>The statement that NYSERDA is heading toward certification as a prerequisite
>for rebates is contained in the PON 716-02, available at
>http://www.nyserda.org/716pon.html . Find the info in the paragraph at the
>bottom of the Introduction.
>
>Jeff Wolfe
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Bill Brooks [mailto:billb at endecon.com]
>Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 12:30 PM
>To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>Subject: RE: NABCEP [RE-wrenches]
>
>
>
>Joel,
>
>This discussion has been blown way out of proportion. The NABCEP board and
>its requirements are very explicate about this being a VOLUNTARY program and
>in no way supplants state licensing processes. Even though they say this
>over and over again, some people don't get it as in the case with the CEC.
>
>The CEC was "misguided" when they made the statement that they intend to
>make NABCEP certification a requirement. I was very upset that they made
>this statement because I knew full well that all the nay-sayers would point
>their fingers and say "see, I told you so--it's all a big NABCEP conspiracy
>to say they are voluntary while they secretly are pushing for certification
>to be a requirement." Even CalSEIA assumed that NABCEP was involved in
>drafting the language and fired off a terse letter to NABCEP stating the
>CalSEIA position.
>
>This is blown way out of proportion. That is why I said that the CEC simply
>was misguided--nothing more. The CEC was trying to do the right thing and
>unfortunately hurt the NABCEP process by saying they intended it to be a
>requirement.
>
>Bill.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
>Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 10:59 PM
>To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>Subject: Re: NABCEP [RE-wrenches]
>
>
>Dear Bill,
>
>PV is still an emerging technology, yet a lot of education has been and is
>taking place. Millions of hours of on-the-job-training have occurred.
>Thousands
>of people have taken training courses, seminars and classes. I think that
>Article 690 has been reprinted and copied more than any other NEC Article
>ever.
>Every year, thousands of pages are written about PV system design,
>installation,
>testing and maintenance. Sure, there should be more PV education, but
>compares
>well to the electrical, radio and television industries during their early
>years.
>
>If NABCEP is a voluntary certification program for PV installers who wish to
>distinguish themselves by meeting its requirements, then this discussion has
>been blown way out of proportion. There are PV practitioners who want to
>take
>tests and have their systems critiqued by peers. Almost every occupation and
>profession from cooks to utility linemen have tests and contests.
>
>However, NABCEP seems to be more than just a voluntary program and that has
>a
>lot of people concerned. NABCEP management can end some of the controversy
>by
>simply stating that they do not want NABCEP certification to be a
>requirement
>for installing PV systems or for buydown rebates and incentives.
>
>Joel Davidson
>
>Bill Brooks wrote:
>
>> Joel,
>>
>> So then why is so little education happening. Education is only one of
>> several needed efforts and in no way lessons the need for a competency
>> metric for installers.
>>
>> I calls 'em like I sees 'em. Call "misguided" and "wrong" political
>rhetoric
>> all you want--it's the truth.
>>
>> Bill.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 7:20 PM
>> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>> Subject: Re: NABCEP liability (Wrenches) [RE-wrenches]
>>
>> Bill,
>>
>> License. Certificate. Call it what you will. CalSEIA opposes any State
>> requirement that PV contractors must be certified by NABCEP or any
>> certification
>> body. The CEC programs are mandated by State law and calling the CEC
>> "misguided"
>> and CalSEIA "wrong" sounds like political rhetoric.
>>
>> Some wrenches recall the first discussions about the PV buydown rebate
>> program.
>> Everyone was concerned that bad PV systems would hurt consumers and the
>> industry
>> kill the rebate. I remember listening over and over about how Republicans
>> used
>> bad solar water heaters installed by fly-by-night companies as reasons to
>> kill
>> the 40% federal tax credit that, by the way, Democrats enacted. In the
>end,
>> we
>> all decided that educating consumers, inspectors and installers was the
>> right
>> thing to do. I think we all still agree that education is the right thing
>to
>> do.
>>
>> Joel Davidson
>> CalSEIA Member
>>
>> Bill Brooks wrote:
>>
>> > Joel,
>> >
>> > That is the desire of the NABCEP board as well. The CEC put the language
>> in
>> > without consulting either organization. Not political--just misguided.
>> >
>> > CSLB is not a certification body so CalSEIA is wrong there.
>>
>
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Michael Welch

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