NABCEP test [RE-wrenches]

[Dan Brown]

I wasn't going to say anything;
        I'm one of those folks that took the exam more time's than I'd care 
to admit. I watched the first round of exams come and go. (I was discouraged 
from participating at the time by my employer -- for some reason.) I got the 
impression the initial success rate was quite high -- certifying most of the 
industry's old timers. 
       the following year, I pony'd up the cash -- myself, and sat for me 
first exam. At the time I had over 35 years experience in Electrical / Building 
Construction -- the last 4 of them installing RE systems full time.  (Including 
Four Years of Electronic Warfare experience w/ ASA, A 20 yr. old BA in 
Electronic Comm. / Physics, and was in my Senior Year of an Electrical / Mechanical 
Engineering Degree program ). I was scoring well over 90% on the practice 
exam.   
       Yes, I was kinda cocky, and yes, I bombed dismally -- not even 60%.  I 
recall the test seemed unnecessarily elusive and slippery to me. Seemed it 
had less to do with logical PV installation issues and more to do with how 
clever the exam's authors were. (Sour Grapes?-- Maybe.) Dismayed? OK. Anyway, of 
the 13+  folks who took the test w/ me, only 1 made the "Certified" list in this 
state. the following few bouts were similar. yes, i did the seminars w/ 
Brother Bill and John. scores did come up some -- (maddeningly within one point of 
passing). but still, it seemed like only 10 - 15% of the testing candidates 
actually made it on this state's "Certified"list. 
       i did call Pete for advice / recourse (just as he was leaving). He 
suggested I contact folks who had previously passed the exam for assistance. 
Which I did?  Yes, some have, and continue to be genuinely helpful, but generally 
speaking, most folks viewed my type as competition -- still do.
       Finally, last year, (despite discovering that few folks around here -- 
outside the RE industry had ever even heard of NABCEP), I took and passed the 
Exam. My score was somewhere in the mid 80s as I recall, and yes there was a 
noticeable difference in the demeanor of the exam. much more logical and 
straight forward.  So yes, I'm now one of the "Privileged few" eyeing these "young 
upstarts" coming thru who yes, sometimes can't seem to be able to tell the 
difference between two kW and two phase, and wondering what's happening. Not to 
mention that they -- as I did, happily work for $14/hr. 
        Granted, Vermont seems quite a ways from the RE forefront at times, 
but properly designed and installed PV systems is an industry wide issue -- one 
i thought NABCEP is to address. but from my perspective, what's actually 
happened -- at least in these parts,  has been that NABCEP seems to have 
unintentionally offered a leg up for good slippery test takers, and the good old boys, 
and left we newbies scratching our -- chins.
        well, me grandma used to say "if you can't say anything nice, better  
to keep your mouth shut". i don't mean to totally horse on the NABCEP folks 
here -- i do appreciate that there's industry wide organizations out there 
trying to better the world. i also realize there's bound to be growing pains, and 
that they may need our input, support -- and patience. no, i offer these 
observations as a means to stimulate constructive criticism. 
       so, I'd like to suggest that we focus on forests, and not so much just 
on trees.  little by little I'm hearing rumors of NABCEP efforts on many 
fronts, but they all seem so distant. i would like to see more. specifics?-- i 
would like to see a NABCEP led national political lobbying effort. maybe offer a 
monthly e-news letter -- (maybe in league with Home Power?). How about a 
member / group insurance program. a union type membership? Maybe technical 
assistance with complex issues -- ( is there actually an official NABCEP rep on this 
list)?  I wouldn't even mind paying dues. And i suspect that they (like we) 
will continually need to evolve with changing times.  all I'm saying is -- let's 
just pull it together folks -- and move forward. respectfully. db


Dan Brown
President
Foxfire Energy Corp.
Renewable Energy Systems 
(802)-483-2564
www.Foxfire-Energy.com
NABCEP #092907-44

"Kill the Wabbit":  Fudd



**************
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