The one commonality to all of this is really the passion to
constant learning. The Japanese have a word- Kaizen- constant
improvement.
Excellent, thanks for the new word. Unfortunately, I'm just not
seeing any of that passion in the new people flocking to this industry.
Where it is peculiar to me, is to see us not being able to charge
enough to take care of our families and co-workers (team mates) on
the ship of life.
Now you've hit the sore spot for us: we've worked and studied hard,
spent countless unpaid hours contributing to this list for our mutual
Kaizen, only to see a growing market that is not necessarily valuing
our experience. The question is how do we get across to the customer
why they should pay more for that experience and knowledge? How
besides NABCEP, do we even demonstrate we have that knowledge?
Mahalo,
Ray
Aloha
Keith
From: Joel Davidson <joel.david...@sbcglobal.net>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 5:50:24 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Installers Education
I agree. I have DIY customers who know more about PV systems than a
lot of so-called PV professionals. Designing and installing PV
systems is a continuous learning experience. We are practitioners
because, like doctors, we practice our trade, expand our knowledge,
and hone our skills. I tell people who wants to get in the PV
business to put a PV system on their own home. People who tell me
that they want to sell PV but can not go solar personally for
whatever reason have less credibility. They get less respect from
prospective customers who use the same reasons or excuses for not
going solar. They either don't last long in the business or are in
it only for the money. Granted, there are less operational nuances
to a batteryless, grid-tied PV system than a battery-based system
or wind or water generator, but living with your work is essential.
It makes you keenly aware of unique subtleties and helps you better
understand your customers concerns.
Joel Davidson
----- Original Message -----
From: R. Walters
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 12:05 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Installers Education
For Off grid, no one should even attempt being a designer/
installer without living for a full year on their own off grid system.
GT w/ batteries, you need off grid smarts and understand GT.
Training newbies, I can't imagine them being able to do anything
other than schlep modules/ do grunt work for a couple of years.
I could see a licensed electrician with a year of full time
training being able to do GT w/o batteries.
Most of the market and all the growth is in the GT w/o batteries,
so I think your training should concentrate there.
I've taught a semester long PV class, and all I was able to do was
create well educated consumers.
R. Walters
Solarray.com
NABCEP # 04170442
On Jul 17, 2009, at 9:44 AM, Keith Cronin wrote:
Hi gang
I was wondering, what percentage do you believe represents the
ratio of classroom training to field training for PV and what
percentage you believe should be performed by licensed
electricians vs what is deemed mechanical work?
Residential Grid Tie w/out batteries
___% classroom- electrician
___% field- electrician
Residential Grid Tie w/out batteries
___% classroom- mechanical
___% field- mechanical
Commercial Grid Tie w/out batteries
___% classroom-electrician
___% field-electrician
Commercial Grid Tie w/out batteries
___% classroom-mechanical
___% field-mechanical
Residential GT with batteries
____% classroom-electrician
____% field-electrician
Residential GT with batteries
____% classroom-mechanical
____% field-mechanical
Any takers on the off grid market percentages?
Commercial w/ batteries is utility scale and I don't think it can
be quantified today as the projects are generally design build and
perhaps hard to put an exact # on these.
Thanks
Keith
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