[RE-wrenches] Problem with NABCEP ad

Mon Feb 7 13:48:33 PST 2011

In 2008 NYSERDA did a study and found that PV systems installed by NABCEP
certified installers had fewer problems at inspection than those installed
by non-NABCEP installers.  There is a lot of false advertising within our
society, and our industry is not exempt, but NABCEP marketing its
certificants as more likely to install high quality systems does NOT fit in
that category.

Soon we will be seeing more marketing from UL and probably others touting
the benefits of their certifications.  I assure you that they will not be
bound by any moral obligation to "look out" for those in the industry that -
for whatever reason - do not acquire their certification, and I don't see
why we should expect any different from NABCEP.

For a brighter energy future,

Andrew Truitt
NABCEP Certified PV Installer™ (ID# 032407-66)
Truitt Renewable Energy Consulting
(202) 486-7507
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-truitt/8/622/713

[image: 24 copy.jpg]

"Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion
to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor
safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could
ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!"

~William McDonough

On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 9:09 AM, Allan Sindelar <
allan at positiveenergysolar.com> wrote:

>  Larry,
> I was glad to read your post. It tells me that the effort to establish
> NABCEP is proving to be worthwhile.
>
> If NABCEP didn't matter, you wouldn't have written, as it wouldn't have
> affected you. You have been doing RE work (likely with great skill from the
> testimonials on your website) for 20 years, and with your own business for
> about seven. NABCEP has been offering certification for about that same
> length of time. Now that there is a critical mass of some 1,500 certified
> installers, and there has been plenty of time for installers to choose
> whether to attempt to become certified or not, it seems to me that it's
> perfectly appropriate for NABCEP to advertise to the public that there's a
> standard to use to compare installers. Like our president said when asked if
> he inhaled, "Of course. That's the point."
>
> Some longtime Wrenches have chosen not to become certified. That, too, is
> the point: it's optional. Yes, some jurisdictions have chosen to make it a
> requisite for rebate levels or participation in incentive programs - that's
> their right, but NABCEP can't control this beyond discouraging the practice.
> It's intended to be a voluntary certification, separate from licensure or
> any state requirements.
>
> In 2000 Trace (before it became Xanthra- er, Xantrex, and long before it
> became Schneider) offered the first "Certified Dealer" program in the
> industry. I became one back then because it was the only game in town. I saw
> the benefit, both to set our company apart with some good marketing
> differentiation, and to begin to add to the professionalism of the whole
> immature PV industry by supporting professional standards and
> certifications. In 2001, NABCEP was just coming into being as a concept, and
> I was asked by the organizers to present and support the idea of a national
> certification for installers to independent installers on this list, which I
> did. There were some really lively discussions in 2001 and 2002. I took the
> first exam for the same reasons as with Trace, along with one other - that
> it may not mean much now, but someday it will set us apart and people will
> have heard about it and will value it. That day came at different times in
> different states.
>
> In New Mexico, that day is just coming around. Suddenly, we too have plenty
> of new solar companies. Many claim to be the premier solar installer in the
> state, with years or decades of experience. Most will sell a system for less
> than we will - that's a common way for new companies to gain a track record.
> Anyone can claim anything in their marketing and on their website. What do
> we have to back up our own claims? Reputation. Referrals. Published
> testimonials. And more NABCEP certificants than anyone in our state. All of
> these carry weight and keep us busy.
>
> Larry, you are being too sensitive. You have been in business long enough
> to qualify. It's your own business, so you must have led all of your jobs.
> Weigh the pros and cons as they affect your business, and either get
> certified or don't, but don't criticize NABCEP for promoting its certified
> installers - that's its job.
>
> On the other hand, how can it be NABCEP's "job to unintentionally cause"
> anything? I think that's an oxymoron.
>
>  *Allan** Sindelar*
> Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
> NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
> EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> *Positive Energy, Inc.*
> 3201 Calle Marie
> Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
> *505 424-1112*
> www.positiveenergysolar.com
>
> On 2/6/2011 9:13 AM, wirewiz at gmail.com wrote:
>
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> NABCEP has a full page ad in Home Power magazine that tells potential PV buyers to "Insist on a NABCEP Certified Installer". That's a great ad if you are certified but not so good if you are not. I know many of you are but lots of us are not yet certified.
>
> NABCEP is doing a great job to ensure that PV is installed by qualified personal but is it their job to unintentionally cause non NABCEP certified installers who are otherwise very qualified to lose business. I don't think so.
>
> I contacted NABCEP about the consequences of this ad and actually asked them to stop running it or at least tone it down so it doesn't cause installers like to me to lose business. They disagreed with me.
>
> Am I being too sensitive here?
>
> Thank you.
>
> Larry Liesner
> Wirewiz
> Westport, CT
> Phone: 203-644-2404
> Fax: 203-557-0556wirewiz at gmail.comwww.wire-wiz.com
>
>
>
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