Permits[RE-wrenches]

[Jay Peltz, 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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