[RE-wrenches] NABCEP - grid tie---Off grid

[Tump]

Having worked for many years educating my clients, legislators and other
officials of the value of a NABCEP certification,NABCEP IS important to me.
I have invested many hours working w/ the early supporters, developing  a
national certification program which morphed into the NABCEP program. I also
work on various NABCEP committees working to insure NABCEP,the test & the
test questions are relevant AND continue to address the real world of PV
installations I personally find your lack of support for the NABCEP
certification undermining.
Recently while developing new test questions for both on & off grid
applications, myself & the installers working w/ NABCEP, the testing lab &
some other HIGHLY qualified individuals got into a row about how tough we
were making the entry level questions. "This isn't what those kids will
know". The installers argued that NABCEP is the best benchmark & the test
was a method of helping our industry weed out those people that want a easy
transition into our/your solar world. We were finally able to convince the
dissenters that the tough questions WERE the right way to go.
I think that many folks see the NABCEP program "a way in",the actual
certification test is NOT an easy.
It is true that NOTHING will prevent some low balling jerk (NABCEP certified
or not) from getting the job. 
There are those of us who see the value in the certification, while the St.
of Maine sees it (the NABCEP test) as too tough a test so what did they do?
They have developed  one of their own tests,something that allows very poor
quality of work to be accepted for rebate funds, (some of it performed by
IBEW & licensed electricians). Speaking of IBEW, how about the installation
done in Dorchester, Ma., do you mount your arrays vertically?
 Yeah I loose jobs too, because I charge a competitive rate,install a
quality a product,value my insurance, both health & liability.I also value
my reputation as someone that is considered "one of the better installers"
in the state where I live & work!
There are many of us that have worked to improve the value of the NABCEP
program, you may have seen my personal attack & praise of the NABCEP
program.
I find presently that the increasing awareness of the NABCEP program
comforting,BUT, I too find the lack of support from the industry & some
States frustrating.
Certification is NOT for everyone, its expensive & time consuming but w/
continued interest from folks that may be on the fence & the continuing hard
work marketing the certification program "as the one to have", we will
continue to see the quality minded customer looking for that NABCEP
certification.
Please review some of the questions on the test, perhaps one of these days
you too will see the value of NABCEP & become one of the proud, frustrated
NABCEP certificate holders.
Were you also someone that said that computers were too costly and a waste
of time?
OK I've gotta go & saddle bend up my horse & ride off to turkey land.......
 
     <mailto:Tump at swnl.net> Tump at swnl.net         <http://www.swnl.net/>
www.SWNL.net
           Solarwinds Northernlights   
   Serving Mid Coast Maine & Northern California
     Me.# 207-832-7574  Cl.#  610-517-8401
 
                          Blair "TUMP" May
      ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ********
            NABCEP    "Certified PV Installer" 
   
      ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ********
   Trace Xantrex "Certified" Dealer / Installer"
   
  

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William
Miller
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 2:48 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Nabcep - grid tie---Off grid


Friends:

I'd like to make two brief points on the training/NABCEP debate:

1. If I thought NABCEP certification would get me one more job I'd normally
lose to a low-ball bidder, I'd be inclined to sit for the test, but it
won't.

2. Most solar electric installers could not be considered electricians.
Until they learn the trade, they are not qualified to install the most basic
grid tie system.  Conversely, many electricians with the most basic
electrical skills think they know all that needs to be known to design and
install solar-electric.  Wrong again.

I don't support the IBEW concept of taking over the solar industry by force,
but I do respect their concept of actually encouraging well rounded
electrician's skills.  How many solar installers can actually lay an offset
into a stick of EMT?  Not many.  Most are glorified stereo installers,
plugging and praying.

Respectfully,

William Miller


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