[RE-wrenches] Solar Installers Education

[Joel Davidson]

I agree. I have DIY customers who know more about PV systems than a lot of so-called PV professionals. Designing and installing PV systems is a continuous learning experience. We are practitioners because, like doctors, we practice our trade, expand our knowledge, and hone our skills. I tell people who wants to get in the PV business to put a PV system on their own home. People who tell me that they want to sell PV but can not go solar personally for whatever reason have less credibility. They get less respect from prospective customers who use the same reasons or excuses for not going solar. They either don't last long in the business or are in it only for the money. Granted, there are less operational nuances to a batteryless, grid-tied PV system than a battery-based system or wind or water generator, but living with your work is essential. It makes you keenly aware of unique subtleties and helps you better understand your customers concerns.

Joel Davidson
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: R. Walters 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 12:05 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Installers Education




  For Off grid, no one should even attempt being a designer/ installer without living for a full year on their own off grid system. 
  GT w/ batteries, you need off grid smarts and understand GT.
  Training newbies, I can't imagine them being able to do anything other than schlep modules/ do grunt work for a couple of years.
  I could see a licensed electrician with a year of full time training being able to do GT w/o batteries.
  Most of the market and all the growth is in the GT w/o batteries, so I think your training should concentrate there.
  I've taught a semester long PV class, and all I was able to do was create well educated consumers.


  R. Walters
  Solarray.com
  NABCEP # 04170442 






  On Jul 17, 2009, at 9:44 AM, Keith Cronin wrote:


    Hi gang

    I was wondering, what percentage do you believe represents the ratio of classroom training to field training for PV and what percentage you believe should be performed by licensed electricians vs what is deemed mechanical work?

    Residential Grid Tie w/out batteries
    ___% classroom- electrician
    ___% field- electrician

    Residential Grid Tie w/out batteries
    ___% classroom- mechanical
    ___% field- mechanical

    Commercial Grid Tie w/out batteries
    ___% classroom-electrician
    ___% field-electrician

    Commercial Grid Tie w/out batteries
    ___% classroom-mechanical
    ___% field-mechanical

    Residential GT with batteries
    ____% classroom-electrician
    ____% field-electrician

    Residential GT with batteries
    ____% classroom-mechanical
    ____% field-mechanical

    Any takers on the off grid market percentages?

    Commercial w/ batteries is utility scale and I don't think it can be quantified today as the projects are generally design build and perhaps hard to put an exact # on these.

    Thanks

    Keith

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