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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>Dana Orzel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>Great Solar Works, Inc<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>E - dana@solarwork.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>V - 970.626.5253<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>F - 970.626.4140<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>C - 970.209.4076<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>web - www.solarwork.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>Do not ever believe anything, but seriously trust through action.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Warren Lauzon<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 07, 2011 8:46 PM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;background:whitesmoke'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> <a href="mailto:nicksoleilsolar@yahoo.com" title="nicksoleilsolar@yahoo.com">Nick Soleil</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;background:whitesmoke'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>Sent:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> Monday, February 07, 2011 2:16 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;background:whitesmoke'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>To:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> <a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" title="re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">RE-wrenches</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;background:whitesmoke'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>Subject:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> 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.' <br> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Nick Soleil<br>Project Manager<br>Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC<br>PO Box 657<br>Petaluma, CA 94953<br>Cell: 707-321-2937<br>Office: 707-789-9537<br>Fax: 707-769-9037 <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><hr size=1 width="100%" align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> Dave Palumbo <dave@independentpowerllc.com><br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org><br><b>Sent:</b> Mon, February 7, 2011 11:10:21 AM<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP marketing<br></span><span style='color:black'><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Larry,</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>David Palumbo</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Independent Power LLC </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>462 Solar Way Drive</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hyde Park, VT 05655</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.independentpowerllc.com" target="_blank">www.independentpowerllc.com</a> </span></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>NABCEP Certified PV Installer</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Vermont Solar Partner</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>23 Years Experience, (802) 888-7194 </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>wirewiz@gmail.com<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 07, 2011 11:54 AM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP is Union Based? That's news to me!</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>I spent about $1500 for prep course, hotel, etc to pass the entry level exam, so I have that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Larry Liesner</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Wirewiz</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Westport, CT</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Phone: 203-644-2404</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Fax: 203-557-0556</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><a href="mailto:wirewiz@gmail.com" target="_blank">wirewiz@gmail.com</a></span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><a href="http://www.wire-wiz.com" target="_blank">www.wire-wiz.com</a></span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>On Feb 7, 2011, at 11:16 AM, Bill Hoffer wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>Larry<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>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!<br><br>Bill<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>-- <br>Bill Hoffer PE<br></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:black'>NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™</span><span style='color:black'><br>Sunergy Engineering Services PLLC<br>2504 Columbia Ave NW<br>East Wenatchee WA 98802-3941<br><a href="mailto:SunEngSer@gmail.com" target="_blank">SunEngSer@gmail.com</a> (509)470-7762<br>Cell(509)679-6165<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'>_______________________________________________<br>List sponsored by Home Power magazine<br><br>List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><br><br>Options & settings:<br><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</a><br><br>List-Archive: <a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</a><br><br>List rules & etiquette:<br><a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm" target="_blank">www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</a><br><br>Check out participant bios:<br><a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">www.members.re-wrenches.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>_______________________________________________<br>List sponsored by Home Power magazine<br><br>List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<br><br>Options & settings:<br>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org<br><br>List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org<br><br>List rules & etiquette:<br>www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm<br><br>Check out participant bios:<br>www.members.re-wrenches.org<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity from the sun since 1979<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------<br><a href="http://store.solar-electric.com/">Online Solar Store</a><br><a href="http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/">Free Solar Discussion Forum</a><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></body></html>