Just got to weigh in on this one. It cracks me up to see the grid tie generation's attempts at off grid design. It is such an experiential design mode. It can be conceptually taught in a class. But it has to be lived to really be made whole. The finer OG designers I know have almost all lived off grid. It is like transmission repair mechanics! I used to do tune-ups and do a timing chain on occasion long ago, but fix a transmission, either automatic or manual, forget it, not me as it was to specialized.
Perhaps you have a good idea here, Jay. I hate to see an additional layer added here but you bring a good point to light. I am currently the #4 designer to work on both a SHW and Grid tie with battery backups that do not work and the battery bank is cooked and was not large enough to do much more than a couple of hours of back up at most though the client was promised that it would support the house for several days. It is sad to see people taken by NAPCEP Certified and non certified installer/designers who wade in, make more of a mess, charge a bucket load and wander off citing the owner is asking too much. Again the public is not still not protected from the ignorant and unscrupulous solar designer that is not clear about their abilities and honest enough to speak the truth. Do I advocate another test for off grid? I think the current test is ambiguous and purposefully misleading and does not allow for the normal references that we all utilize on a daily basis and was mostly designed by cubicle dwellers who have never had a wrench in their hand. I understand that AC Master electricians have quite a bit of reference materials to test and retest. Do I advocate an off grid PV test? It might help the public. Are we willing to endure another test and the subsequent re-tests when some of us have to drive 13 hours+ round trip to take the test? Perhaps it could be a 10-15 question additional rider on the NABCEP grid tie test for those that opt for it.................. Add my .02 to the pot. Happy Turkey Daze all! Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc www.solarwork.com E - d...@solarwork.com V - 970.626.5253 F - 970.626.4140 C - 970.209.4076 I will be the shift in how the world uses power! - Dana Orzel -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of jay peltz Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 9:04 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Equipment shortages, long lead times? At the risk of stirring the hornets nest, I disagree with NABCEP's stance of this issue. I think for their own survival and best interest they need to specialize. Battery based and batteryless are really different critters. And that the present and future of the industry is hugely weighted to the batteryless systems it makes perfect sense to have two different sections. Since NABCEP already has 2 tests, they can add a third. This is a new revenue stream for NABCEP. And thanks Daryl for the idea of the transmission repair person. I got to thinking and yes in the old days, folks repaired both, and many mechanics will still try their hands at repairing standards, but the automatics have gotten very very complex needing very special tools and training such that that someone who fixes automatics might be able to fix a standard, but it doesn't go the other way. My 2 cents, jay peltz power On Nov 23, 2009, at 11:57 AM, penobscotso...@midmaine.com wrote: > Here, here Bob-O. > We, too, have seen no decrease in our off grid market as well. It is > rapidly becoming a specialized field here in Maine.(not talking about > you, Tump) Even our largest competitor is now sending off grid business > to us as they have had too many problems training competent installers > who understand the minutea(?) of battery physiology, proper gen > charging, etc. and just want to do the wam bam straight grid tie > systems. I appreciate NABCEP's (and your) insistence on continuing to > require off grid knowledge in order to be certified. Anything less > would be like certifying a mechanic who only knows about standard > transmissions in transmission repair. Your logic in continuing to > insist on battery based knowledge is important to our field. Thanks. > > Daryl > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.76/2519 - Release Date: 11/23/09 12:45:00 _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
