PV Installers Trade Association (was Poor PV Manufacturers' Customer Support) [R

[Joel Davidson]

<x-flowed>

Jeff and Don Loweburg,

I wasn't rejecting your PV installers trade association. The combination of 
single-mindedness, self-reliance, geography, rapid change, and other factors 
make organizing PV business people and/or endusers harder than herding cats. 
Scott Sklar, SEIA executive director for around 18 lean years, did a great 
job keeping SEIA alive. Now PV is big business and SEIA has evolved into a 
much-needed Washington lobbying trade association. Mark Fitzgerald spent 
many years organizing NABCEP which may someday return to his original 
concept of an educational organization in addition to testing and 
certification. Don Loweburg has kept IPP alive (see http://www.i2p.org/ ) 
with little support other than a smile and a thank you. Perhaps IPP is the 
right venue to host the trade association.

Don, How do you feel about this?

Joel Davidson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Yago" <jryago at netscape.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 8:20 PM
Subject: Re: Poor PV Manufacturers' Customer Support [RE-wrenches]


>
> I also think that PV manufacturer oversight is a single issue that
> will happen faster if an existing organization and a CPUC champion pushed
> for it.
>
> Joel Davidson
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> Joel,
>
> I agree with you, but we have been practically begging ANY existing solar 
> related organization to either take us in or help us form a separate trade 
> group that is part of their larger association and nobody seems 
> interested.
>
> SEIA has shown very little interest in anyone operating below the 
> manufacturing level. They do have local chapters that include installers, 
> but they do not seem interested at the top level in anything except 
> lobbist activities. I'm not saying the industry does not need somebody to 
> advance solar at the government level, but I do not see them offering any 
> real support for installers or championing our issues.
>
> Time and again NABCEP has told us they only test solar installer 
> applicants.
>
> I think our host, HomePower Magazine, has been very supportive of 
> installers through this web site and their upcoming free publication for 
> installers only, but I also understand they walk a thin line when we start 
> trashing poor quality products or manufacturers which unfortunately is 
> sometimes needed.
>
> Any chance this new publication could serve as the "seed" for the 
> installers trade group I have been asking for? You know, you are 
> automatically a member of the trade association if you are selected to 
> receive the publication and pay a modest yearly dues, and you become a 
> "senior" member if you are also NABCEP certified, but both are welcome.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff Yago
>
>
>
> _____________________________________________________________
> Netscape.  Just the Net You Need.
>
>
> - - - -
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: 
> http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read
>
> List rules & how to change your email address: 
> www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
> 


- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at re-wrenches.org

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------


</x-flowed>