Re: [RE-wrenches] Fwd: NABCEP Recertification Survey

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:33:51 -0700

John, I'm missing something in your logic... If you have worked hard to convince your clients that your installations are leak-free, and as you say it's often their number one concern, the question on the survey seems quite relevant, as it suggests that indeed, the clients' concerns are indeed valid, and you have addressed them directly, both in your sales process and in your installation. Assuming there are no leaks, doesn't that make you look good, rather than "less than honest"?

Wrenches,
Here's a bit of background on the recert survey, sent to me and a few others earlier today by Ezra Auerbach, the Executive Director of NABCEP, who can't post to the list himself:
1) Information about this requirement was sent to ALL certified installers when the requirement was implemented by the Board. This occurred in 2012 if my memory serves me correctly;
2) At that time a letter was sent explaining the reasons for the survey and in the same package was a "boiler plate" letter to the customer explaining why it was important for the installer to validate their quality of work a part of maintaining their certification
3) The actual reason this requirement was implemented is because it's an ANSI requirement to have a "surveillance" scheme. 
Allan

On 7/16/2012 6:09 PM, John McNicholas - Key Power Services wrote:

I can understand the requirement/value for customer feedback, and the introductory letter is very well done - the tone is nicely positive. But then we go from being the 'gold standard' professionals to 'dabblers in installation' tone - leaks and damage? Why not include fires? 
We typically have worked hard to convince our clients our installations are leak-free, often their number one concern, and put that to rest. Now I have to hand this to my best clients, who are likely to think 'wow, if they have to ask that question, there really must be an industrywide issue and he was less than honest with me'.  
I would like to see #2 replaced with something more upbeat..... 'Were you happy with the installation process and do you feel that the overall experience reflected the efforts of a true professional in this field?'
John

John McNicholas
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ™

President
Key Power Services, Inc.
160 Tahiti Street
Naples, FL 34113

Begin forwarded message:

From: Tom Duffy <t...@thesolar.biz>
Date: July 16, 2012 12:40:08 PM EDT
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP Recertification Survey
Reply-To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>

Allan
 
We have also seen some rather cleverly worded references to NABCEP Techs (somewhere in the company) meaning there is a slim chance that you could get the NABCEP guy but probably not, when a consumer calls. They try to give the impression that all the techs are NABCEP. And who knows maybe none are. They’re out there!
 
I do agree that a customer reference via the three questions is a relevant venue for re-cert
 
Kind Regards
 
Tom Duffy
Senior Solar Design Engineer

Toll Free 888-895-8179
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From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 9:51 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP Recertification Survey
 

Jeff,
I got certified in the first round in 2003, so my recert is due this year and I'm facing this added requirement for the first time just like you. While it's definitely an added hassle, and I would have preferred an earlier and louder heads-up announcement about the new requirements, I think it's a good thing. 

Here's my take on it - when NABCEP started nobody knew what it was and Certification didn't mean much. Now it's a big deal, more in some areas than others. Now I regularly come across companies claiming some sort of NABCEP certification or approval that's not legitimate, and I periodically send web page links or quoted excerpts from their websites or newspaper ads to NABCEP, who sends them some sort of "cease and desist" warning. It's all about protecting the legitimacy of certification, resisting the call to make it easier to get and to keep. Once it's weakened it's hard to regain a solid reputation for it. 

Most of us know of installers who are good at taking tests, and of someone who is certified but who probably shouldn't be, right? The need to submit actual customer feedback adds one more level of legitimacy, one more step to make it harder for that marginal installer to stay certified. So when I look at the bigger picture I have to be in favor of this added requirement. And I'll add that I would have a hard time wording three questions to better get the results that would address quality of installation issues than the ones used.
Just my $.02...
Allan

Allan Sindelar
al...@positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Positive Energy, Inc.
3209 Richards Lane (note new address)
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com
 
 
On 7/15/2012 7:49 AM, Jeff Wongstrom wrote:
Hello Wrenches,
 
I have recently learned that as part of the NABCEP recertification process a Quality Assessment Survey must be presented to three System Owners during the recertification period.  The questions in the survey are:
 
TO BE COMPLETED BY SYSTEM OWNER: 
 
1. Upon completion of the System installation, did the System work as expected? 
Yes o No o 
If no, please identify and explain all deficiencies or problems that you experienced. 
 
2. Did the System installation cause any leaks or property damage? 
Yes o No o 
If yes, please identify and explain the nature of such leaks and/or damage. 
 
3. Did the System installation cause any other problems or deficiencies that needed resolution during or after the installation of the System? 
Yes o No o 
If yes, please identify and explain such problems or deficiencies, and whether they were satisfactorily resolved in a timely, professional manner by the Installer? 
 
Specifically asking about 'leaks and property damage' seems to me as unnecessary and in bad form as does the survey in general.   
 
Are wrenches complying with the survey requirement and do you find the survey appropriate both in content and as a requirement to recertification? 
 
  
 
Jeff
 
Jeff Wongstrom
NABCEP Certified
406.291.3416
Check out the new website:
 

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