[RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing

Tue Feb 8 08:40:09 PST 2011

Hi All -

Good discussion indeed and always controversial with differing opinions. I
am dual-NABCEP certified for PV and thermal and I'm happy that I've gone
through the process. I don't think that being certified has brought on much
additional work for our business and most residential customers don't have a
clue about NABCEP nor do they really care. Certainly quality of work and
design may or may not have anything to do with certification.  I sort of
think of NABCEP as something that is good for yourself. It's just another
feather in your cap. Studying for the test(s) and thinking thoroughly
through what we do every day a good thing to do. Bottom line. If you choose
not to get certified that is fine and it probably won't cost you much work.
If you don't have as much work as you would like, which is probably like
most of us, then you have to decide whether it is worth it or not to try to
get certified. I've seen a lot of shotty work and have to agree with most
wrenches that the work was most likely done by non NABCEP people. But you
never know. Best, August

On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 7:45 PM, Warren Lauzon <warren at wind-sun.com> wrote:

>   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 <nicksoleilsolar at yahoo.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, February 07, 2011 2:16 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *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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-- 
August Goers

Luminalt Energy Corporation
1320 Potrero Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
O: 415.641.4000
M: 415.559.1525
august at luminalt.com
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