[RE-wrenches] NABCEP

[Michael Welch]

Folks. There is a nonprofit already formed with a mission that will fit these needs. It currently does not have the name mentioned, but that is easily remedied. It was started by Don Loweburg, Richard Perez, Bob-O Schultze, and I am not sure who else. It is called Independent Power Providers (for now).

IPP is currently inactive, but is being kept alive by Don, with some support from myself. I2P is just waiting for somebody with the energy to make it into exactly what is being suggested here, or whatever.

Note that it costs a fair amount of money, time, and effort to start a new nonprofit. If Wrenches want one, here it is.

Jeff Yago wrote at 08:42 AM 2/14/2009:
 

>Joel,
>
>The following is a re-print of my posting of Jan 22,2008.  This explained why I am trying to get a National Associaiton of Photovoltaic  Installers (NAPVSI)started:
>
>Almost every home builder where you live will be a member of the 
>National Association of Home Builders, not the association of home 
>appliance manufacturers. The NAHB sponsors great educational programs 
>for their building contractors, promotes the interests of the small 
>contractor when dealing with government codes and regulations, and if 
>anyone wants feedback on anything that could affect homebuilders, they 
>contact the NAHB, not Lowes.
>
>Your local plumber will be a member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling 
>Contractors Association, and their web site says "Dedicated to the 
>promotion, advancement, education and training of the industry".
>
>Your local contractor who installs custom home automation systems will 
>be a member of the CEDIA, and their web site says - "Trade association 
>for contractors specializing in planning and installing home cinema."
>
>Your local roofing contractor will be a member of the National Roofing 
>Contractors Association (NRCA).
>
>Your local carpenter will be a member of the Carpenter Contractors 
>Association (CCA), and their web site says- "The objectives and purpose of 
>this Association shall be to foster the business of contractors employed 
>in Carpenter construction." 
>
>Your local bricklayer will be a member of the Mason Contractors 
>Association of America (MCAA), and their web site says - "a national trade 
>association representing masonry contractors in national legislative and 
>political affairs, codes and standards composition, workforce 
>development, education, market promotion and general advocacy."
>
>Your local flooring installer will be a member of the Flooring 
>Contractors Association(FCICA) and their web site says -"It is our 
>vision to promote and protect the best interest of floor covering 
>contractors"
>
>Do we see a pattern here?    I'm sorry, but I just do not know of any 
>trade group out there that is just for solar installers, and feel like 
>its way past time to start. I was really hoping NABCEP would help make 
>this happen, either by adding this to their charter, or at least would 
>offer to help us form the National Association of Solar Installers 
>(NASI).
>
>Jeff Yago (Jan 22,2008)