[RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing

Tue Feb 8 12:04:08 PST 2011

My electrician was out of pocket, so I hired a master electrician with NABCEP citification from a highly reputable company to complete a battery based system for me with the expectation that he would:
1) verify that my initial design would be to code and within proper operating parameters
2)  change any components that did not satisfy his interpretation of code and make recommendations to any performance issues
3) communicate these changes to me so that I could have specified components on site upon his arrival or in a timely manner so that the job may be completed within the time frame allotted
4) verify all components were installed to either initial or modified specs and to code
5) turn on system to verify all components were operating properly 

What I got was:
  a.. Array wired incorrectly -  he had written instructions. 20 modules to be 5 strings of 4, he wired array 4 strings of 5...the CC's front end mosfets appear to be fried due to overvoltage....
  b.. ground conductor not run to combiner at array
  c.. "make do" fittings at combiner - they were "job-site adjusted" - not liquid tite
  d.. battery cable not run to shunt
  e.. grounding not completed at power shed (system was turned on without this being done)
  f.. improper grounding at house sub-panel
  g.. Mate plugged into inverter port 3 at Hub
  h.. No twisted pair run from CC to shunt
  i.. many times that I arrived on site there was much looking around in the trailer to find "something that would work" ....a "certified" guy should know what is on the trailer and that it's properly inventoried before it goes to site...
I didn't need to pass a test to find these errors that have cost me a pretty big chunk of money....we all have bad days, but, come on, man.

Conclusion....some people are good at passing tests, but not so good in the field. 

sent anonymously as possible to protect the innocent....
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dana 
  To: 'RE-wrenches' 
  Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 10:46 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing

  The questions that are presented on the Nabcep “Problem” solving are short on realistic info and designed to really be multiple guess. Does this really qualify folks for the real world or just real guessing.

  Dana Orzel

  Great Solar Works, Inc

  E - dana at solarwork.com

  V - 970.626.5253

  F - 970.626.4140

  C - 970.209.4076

  web - www.solarwork.com

  "Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"

  Do not ever believe anything, but seriously trust through action.

  From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Warren Lauzon
  Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 8:46 PM
  To: RE-wrenches
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing

  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 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  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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