Fw: Interesting installation [RE-wrenches]

[Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection]

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Bill ETAL,
It's a struggle. How to keep the unqualified and unethical out and 
yet bring competent newbies in.
The CEC could do more. For example, Oregon is just about to launch 
their PV rebate program. It is administrated by the Energy Trust of 
Oregon (ETO). Not a government agency like the CEC, but they perform 
a similar function as regards to PV.
n addition to having the system pre-approved, permit pulled, and 
county or city inspected ala CA, the ETO will have someone from their 
agency inspect the system, take insolation and temperature readings, 
then measure the output of the system. All this BEFORE any rebate 
checks are cut. There is a small kicker (0.10 per/KWH) that goes to 
the contractor at the end of a year IF the system is still performing 
to ETO requirements.  New contractors will get inspected for the 
first couple of systems. If all is well, then they go on a random 
inspection schedule. All contractors have to attend a program 
orientation class and show licensure and insurance before they are 
approved. There are a whole lot of other requirements including an 
up-front sunchart (too much shading and/or PV orientation losses and 
you get no dough), complete system documentation and schematic to the 
client, on and on.
All this adds something to the cost of the system, of course, but I'm 
betting there will be damn few flaky systems and fewer flaky 
installers. Give a little, get a little.
Best,bob-O

>Jay and Don,
>
>I don't know that my rant offered any suggestions on how to deal with the
>problem, so I'm not sure how you can differ with my perspective on how to
>fix the problem ;-).
>
>Don, you are correct that there are several people like yourself and Bob-O
>and Allan that are helping to lead the effort for the industry. I would like
>to see greater emphasis at CalSEIA, SEIA, the California Energy Commission
>(CEC), and the manufacturers and dealers.
>
>You know I am a strong supporter of certification for installers, but I
>believe it is going to take more than that to see real change in the field.
>Jay, I think we are in total agreement about the need for inspections. LADWP
>has proven the need over and over again. The issue is not whether
>inspections are necessary, but how many systems must be inspected before it
>is clear the installer understands what they are doing. Joe Stadler of LADWP
>suggests that 3-4 inspections are necessary for most newcomers to the
>industry. You also have to hold out the stick that random inspections can
>occur to keep people honest.
>
>The problem is that inspections cost money and the CEC can't use rebate
>money to do inspections, and won't use the small amount of tech support
>money to do them either. If manufacturers were more closely tied to their
>installations (as they should be) they would help insure that their products
>are installed properly and working as designed.
>
>Bill.

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