[RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing

Mon Feb 7 13:16:59 PST 2011

    To become NABCEP certified, you only need to have installed 2 PV systems.  1 
of those systems can be at a training class, and the other can be on your 
brothers house.  All that NABCEP Certified means is that I studied a list of 
questions, and then passed the test.  It is good to know that a handrailing 
should be 39"-45" tall, and not 36"-42."  However, that should not come with any 
title, like 'Certified PV Installer.' 

     The experience requirements should be more stringent.  If it required some 
real experience, it would mean something, but NABCEP wants as many participants 
as possible, so anyone can sit for it.

Nick Soleil
Project Manager
Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC
PO Box 657
Petaluma, CA 94953
Cell:   707-321-2937
Office: 707-789-9537
Fax:    707-769-9037

________________________________
From: Dave Palumbo <dave at independentpowerllc.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Mon, February 7, 2011 11:10:21 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing

Larry,

It’s easy to become frustrated browsing, or studying, anyone’s marketing these 
days. It’s OK to squeak once in a while on topics like this (in my opinion). 
NABCEP has not been discussed too much lately and your comment brought some good 
discussion to the group. Sounds like you are doing some good things in your 
business. Many professionals have not passed the test on the first take. 

David Palumbo
Independent Power LLC 
462 Solar Way Drive
Hyde Park, VT 05655
www.independentpowerllc.com 
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Vermont Solar Partner
23 Years Experience, (802) 888-7194 

From:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of 
wirewiz at gmail.com
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 11:54 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP is Union Based? That's news to me!

I spent about $1500 for prep course, hotel, etc to pass the entry level exam, so 
I have that. 

I spent about $2000 for prep, hotel, plane fare for the certification but I 
failed the test. I am taking it again in March. I'm studying harder this time.

I'm 62 and my memory is not what it used to be and was never good at taking 
tests. When I design I have everything on my desk to refer to so I don't have to 
rely on my memory. And I just love installing, I've been doing it on boats for 
30 years.

I'm sorry if you think I'm whining, maybe I'll just stop. I'm just a competitive 
person and the ad ticked me off.

Larry Liesner
Wirewiz
Westport, CT
Phone: 203-644-2404
Fax: 203-557-0556
wirewiz at gmail.com
www.wire-wiz.com

On Feb 7, 2011, at 11:16 AM, Bill Hoffer wrote:

Larry

My PE is not required for the majority of work I do either, but I get a 
considerable "edge" over my competition because I have invested the time energy 
and went through the stress of taking the exam.  It is the same way with NABCEP, 
I have shown that I am willing to take the time, energy and stress to get the 
qualification.  I also appreciate the NABCEP taking the time and effort to 
promote ME in their ads. After going through the time and effort, it is good to 
get some tangible payback, and you want to take that away from me, because you 
do not have the time to take the exam...give me a break!  You have the right to 
run your business and promote it as you see fit and so do I!  Does any 
qualification mean that you know everything, of course not.  If any one of us 
think that, then we should get out of the business.  Cause guess what, we are in 
a rapidly changing landscape where we all are continually learning more and 
growing as an industry.  Otherwise there would not be much use in this blog at 
all.  All an exam really means is that you took the time, energy and stress to 
prepare for and take the exam, which to me is a sign of professionalism.  It is 
about time our industry grows up!  Is NABCEP perfect, of course not, but we all 
have the opportunity to help to make this organization the best that it can be.  
I applaud the pioneers who had the vision and that were willing to invest the 
considerable amount of time, energy and stress to pull it off.  If you can do 
without it , more power to you, but don't whine to me about it being unfair that 
we want to toot our horn about what we are trying to do for this industry!

Bill
-- 
Bill Hoffer PE
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
Sunergy Engineering Services PLLC
2504 Columbia Ave NW
East Wenatchee WA 98802-3941
SunEngSer at gmail.com (509)470-7762
Cell(509)679-6165
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