[RE-wrenches] Solar Installers Education

[Jon Hill]

Amen, brother!
Solar Jonny

Jonathan Hill, solar applications engineer
Sierra Solar Systems
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On Jul 18, 2009, at 8:50 AM, Joel Davidson wrote:

> 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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