[RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing

Mon Feb 7 19:45:53 PST 2011

>From what I see, NABCEP is heavily hardware oriented, with only a smidgen of actual problem solving and/or theory. It totally falls apart with battery based systems, generally way undersizing them.

The actual electrical knowledge required is minimal except for code and wiring/hardware issues. Being certified will not make you capable of much – if any – real troubleshooting.

From: Nick Soleil 
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 2:16 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing

    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 

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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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