Hi Dave, Isn't using the building face or other appendage, rather than or in addition to the roof what one definition of BIPV is ?
Regarding the non optimum azimuth orientation - Unfortunate that others around the country are seeing poorly implemented renewable applications, too. IMHO, this is terribly counter productive in that a highly visible system gives the message to the viewers that this is a valid application. Perhaps it is a cost effective _marketing tool_, but _not_ a good renewable application. It unfortunately promotes the general public's misunderstanding of what a good installation is. Moreover, this nonsense is often implemented by users that are promoting their technical expertise (obviously in areas other than solar, hopefully). The up side to this travesty of resources, materials, and labor is that the solar array is less obviously, not performing well as compared to a wind machine sitting idle. I believe it was Red Adair (the world class oil field fire fighter) who is given credit for the expression, "Don't be afraid to walk away." A sentiment that might find use here. I am aware of others on this List that have a web "Rogue's Gallery" of how not to do it. Is there any place where this is a unified collection? Respectfully, Bill Loesch Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Click" <davecl...@fsec.ucf.edu> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 6:44 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP - grid tie---Off grid > > Speaking of IBEW, how > > about the installation done in Dorchester, Ma., do you mount your arrays > > vertically? > > That (relatively small--5.4kW) array was installed vertically to improve > its visibility from I-93. It was understood that vertical PV facing > somewhat SE wouldn't have been as efficient as a 30 degree slope facing > south, but visibility was more important than increasing the energy > production by $60/yr. > > DKC > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP - grid tie---Off grid > From: Tump <t...@hughes.net> > To: 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > Date: 2009/11/26 10:03 > > > Having worked for many years educating my clients, legislators and other > > officials of the value of a NABCEP certification,NABCEP IS important to > > me. I have invested many hours working w/ the early supporters, > > developing a national certification program which morphed into the > > NABCEP program. I also work on various NABCEP committees working to > > insure NABCEP,the test & the test questions are relevant AND continue to > > address the real world of PV installations I personally find your lack > > of support for the NABCEP certification undermining. > > Recently while developing new test questions for /_both on & off grid > > applications_/, myself & the installers working w/ NABCEP, the testing > > lab & some other HIGHLY qualified individuals got into a row about how > > tough we were making the entry level questions. "This isn't what those > > kids will know". The installers argued that NABCEP is the best > > benchmark & the test was a method of helping our industry weed out those > > people that want a easy transition into our/your solar world. We were > > finally able to convince the dissenters that the tough questions WERE > > the right way to go. > > I think that many folks see the NABCEP program "a way in",the actual > > certification test is NOT an easy. > > It is true that NOTHING will prevent some low balling jerk (NABCEP > > certified or not) from getting the job. > > There are those of us who see the value in the certification, while the > > St. of Maine sees it (the NABCEP test) as too tough a test so what did > > they do? They have developed one of their own tests,something that > > allows very poor quality of work to be accepted for rebate funds, (some > > of it performed by IBEW & licensed electricians). Speaking of IBEW, how > > about the installation done in Dorchester, Ma., do you mount your arrays > > vertically? > > Yeah I loose jobs too, because I charge a competitive rate,install a > > quality a product,value my insurance, both health & liability.I > > also value my reputation as someone that is considered "one of the > > better installers" in the state where I live & work! > > There are many of us that have worked to improve the value of the > > NABCEP program, you may have seen my personal attack & praise of the > > NABCEP program. > > I find presently that the increasing awareness of the NABCEP program > > comforting,BUT, I too find the lack of support from the industry & some > > States frustrating. > > Certification is NOT for everyone, its expensive & time consuming but w/ > > continued interest from folks that may be on the fence & the continuing > > hard work marketing the certification program "as the one to have", we > > will continue to see the quality minded customer looking for that NABCEP > > certification. > > Please review some of the questions on the test, perhaps one of these > > days you too will see the value of NABCEP & become one of the proud, > > frustrated NABCEP certificate holders. > > Were you also someone that said that computers were too costly and a > > waste of time? > > OK I've gotta go & saddle bend up my horse & ride off to turkey land....... > > > > *t...@swnl.net* <mailto:t...@swnl.net> _*www.SWNL.net* > > <http://www.swnl.net/>_ > > Solarwinds Northernlights > > */ Serving Mid Coast Maine & Northern California > > Me.# 207-832-7574 Cl.# 610-517-8401/* > > > > /* Blair "TUMP" May*/ > > */ ******** MAINE'S CHARTER ******** > > _ NABCEP "Certified PV Installer"_/**/_ > > _ > > ******** MAINE'S CHARTER ******** > > /**/_Trace Xantrex "Certified" Dealer / Installer" > > _ /* > > */ /* > > > > -----Original Message----- > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of > > *William Miller > > *Sent:* Wednesday, November 25, 2009 2:48 AM > > *To:* RE-wrenches > > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Nabcep - grid tie---Off grid > > > > Friends: > > > > I'd like to make two brief points on the training/NABCEP debate: > > > > 1. If I thought NABCEP certification would get me one more job I'd > > normally lose to a low-ball bidder, I'd be inclined to sit for the > > test, but it won't. > > > > 2. Most solar electric installers could not be considered > > electricians. Until they learn the trade, they are not qualified to > > install the most basic grid tie system. Conversely, many > > electricians with the most basic electrical skills think they know > > all that needs to be known to design and install solar-electric. > > Wrong again. > > > > I don't support the IBEW concept of taking over the solar industry > > by force, but I do respect their concept of actually encouraging > > well rounded electrician's skills. How many solar installers can > > actually lay an offset into a stick of EMT? Not many. Most are > > glorified stereo installers, plugging and praying. > > > > Respectfully, > > > > William Miller > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > _______________________________________________ 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
