Jay
I also agree that the training/position on this subject matter should be two
separate certifications. Let me give some examples:
Last year in Hawaii, we have reported approximately 11mW's of PV that went in.
In speaking to the utility folks, less than 1% had any batteries associated
with the systems.
In polling fellow integrators, it became clear that it is probably less than 1%
have batteries. The folks that are doing batteries here are a different subset.
Sure they might be on grid and want 4 8D's tied to their Outback (like me), but
there are others that live in remote areas that IMHO, take more of an active
power plant management role.
When you look at the small integrators company makeup- it is probably less than
10 people. They might do a majority of their work in an semi urban environment
where there is a competitive nature to the business and clients are getting
multiple quotes for 2-5kW systems that are grid tie only, as the end users goal
is to leverage incentives and stabilize their operating expenses while
simultaneously going green.
We are all seeing new folks entering this space and when you are operating a
business, taking the time to just teach the fundamentals about anything grid
tie, from 690-64B to string sizing is alot to manage. Keeping clients,
inspectors and utility representatives content requires alot of finesse, as
well as growing your people.
Also, I believe the battery type client really needs a service and repair type
of shop company to work with. Anyone on this list knows their first experiences
with batteries and the multiple trips to the site as well as the hours you have
put in learning about C rates of charge for a particular battery manu and how
it correlates to a particular charge controller. Most new companies or
companies that are focused on the urban solar business model perhaps haven't
had the reason or taken the time to learn. Or, they might have done 1 last year
and the tech they trained moved on to another opportunity.
So, if an integrator gets a call to provide a proposal for a battery based
system they have a few options: have the client referred to a Bob-O, who is a
specialist in this genre; get trained before the installation and be upfront
with the client that this is a learning experience and they will be there for
the client when the pull the battery bank down and it trips the main. Hopefully
they encouraged the client to have a maintenance agreement so you can come out
to check the batteries and system, or in some ways you are doing yourself and
the end user a disservice, as these systems need TLC. Anyone that has been
around for a while has gotten the call to come inspect a system that is
wounded. When we arrive we start to make judgements visually and then dig into
the situation like a surgeon. We can assess the situation and leave the client
with options. This has value in the eye of the integrator who wants to have
this type of client in their roster.
I've found a few good battery/pv folks in the boating world here. They truly
understand state of charge/amp hours, but they don't necessarily know much
about AC wiring and the NEC.
Clearly, the integrator that does battery based systems needs to have
specialists on the team to support this part of the business, as trying to
bluff your way through it can cause more harm than good. Hopefully if the
integrator enters uncharted territory, they make a choice to either learn or
hand off the project to someone that has the experience.
Thanks for the opportunity to testify~
Keith
________________________________
From: jay peltz <j...@asis.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Tue, November 24, 2009 6:04:07 AM
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
>
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