[RE-wrenches] Fwd: NABCEP Recertification Survey

Mon Jul 16 17:09:45 PDT 2012

I can understand the requirement/value for customer feedback, and the introductory letter is very well done - the tone is nicely positive. But then we go from being the 'gold standard' professionals to 'dabblers in installation' tone - leaks and damage? Why not include fires? 
We typically have worked hard to convince our clients our installations are leak-free, often their number one concern, and put that to rest. Now I have to hand this to my best clients, who are likely to think 'wow, if they have to ask that question, there really must be an industrywide issue and he was less than honest with me'.  
I would like to see #2 replaced with something more upbeat..... 'Were you happy with the installation process and do you feel that the overall experience reflected the efforts of a true professional in this field?'
John

John McNicholas
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ™

President
Key Power Services, Inc.
160 Tahiti Street
Naples, FL 34113

Begin forwarded message:

From: Tom Duffy <Tom at thesolar.biz>
Date: July 16, 2012 12:40:08 PM EDT
To: "Allan at positiveenergysolar.com" <Allan at positiveenergysolar.com>, RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP Recertification Survey
Reply-To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

Allan

We have also seen some rather cleverly worded references to NABCEP Techs (somewhere in the company) meaning there is a slim chance that you could get the NABCEP guy but probably not, when a consumer calls. They try to give the impression that all the techs are NABCEP. And who knows maybe none are. They’re out there!

I do agree that a customer reference via the three questions is a relevant venue for re-cert

Kind Regards

Tom Duffy
Senior Solar Design Engineer

Toll Free 888-895-8179
tom at thesolar.biz
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From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 9:51 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP Recertification Survey

Jeff,
I got certified in the first round in 2003, so my recert is due this year and I'm facing this added requirement for the first time just like you. While it's definitely an added hassle, and I would have preferred an earlier and louder heads-up announcement about the new requirements, I think it's a good thing. 

Here's my take on it - when NABCEP started nobody knew what it was and Certification didn't mean much. Now it's a big deal, more in some areas than others. Now I regularly come across companies claiming some sort of NABCEP certification or approval that's not legitimate, and I periodically send web page links or quoted excerpts from their websites or newspaper ads to NABCEP, who sends them some sort of "cease and desist" warning. It's all about protecting the legitimacy of certification, resisting the call to make it easier to get and to keep. Once it's weakened it's hard to regain a solid reputation for it. 

Most of us know of installers who are good at taking tests, and of someone who is certified but who probably shouldn't be, right? The need to submit actual customer feedback adds one more level of legitimacy, one more step to make it harder for that marginal installer to stay certified. So when I look at the bigger picture I have to be in favor of this added requirement. And I'll add that I would have a hard time wording three questions to better get the results that would address quality of installation issues than the ones used.
Just my $.02...
Allan

Allan Sindelar
Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Positive Energy, Inc.
3209 Richards Lane (note new address)
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com

On 7/15/2012 7:49 AM, Jeff Wongstrom wrote:
Hello Wrenches,

I have recently learned that as part of the NABCEP recertification process a Quality Assessment Survey must be presented to three System Owners during the recertification period.  The questions in the survey are:

TO BE COMPLETED BY SYSTEM OWNER: 

1. Upon completion of the System installation, did the System work as expected? 
Yes o No o 
If no, please identify and explain all deficiencies or problems that you experienced. 

2. Did the System installation cause any leaks or property damage? 
Yes o No o 
If yes, please identify and explain the nature of such leaks and/or damage. 

3. Did the System installation cause any other problems or deficiencies that needed resolution during or after the installation of the System? 
Yes o No o 
If yes, please identify and explain such problems or deficiencies, and whether they were satisfactorily resolved in a timely, professional manner by the Installer? 

Specifically asking about 'leaks and property damage' seems to me as unnecessary and in bad form as does the survey in general.   

Are wrenches complying with the survey requirement and do you find the survey appropriate both in content and as a requirement to recertification? 

Jeff

Jeff Wongstrom
NABCEP Certified
406.291.3416
Check out the new website:
www.thirstylakesolar.com

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