Ulster BOCES Adult Career Education Center

PO Box 601

Port Ewen, NY 12466

845-331-5050

Since 2005 Ulster BOCES has offered renewable energy training at it Career & Technical Center in Port Ewen, New York.  Please call 845-331-5050 to register for any of these classes.  The repertoire of classes includes:

Electrical Theory for Renewable Energy Practitioners: This class is required for anyone taking PV or wind classes.  This course can be waived for licensed electricians, though it will provide a wonderful review that most electricians will find beneficial.  (24 hours)  Next offered March 16-April 1, 2009, Monday & Wednesday 6-9PM Tuition:  $299

Introduction to PV Technology: This class is designed for the person with a strong personal interest in PV technology as well as those considering a career in solar electric technology.  Prerequisite:  Completion of Electrical Theory for Renewable Energy Practitioners or equivalent knowledge. (40 hours)  Class offered in two formats:  One week format next offered May 18-May 22, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM-5 PM.

Evening format next offered April 20-June 1 Monday & Wednesday 5-8 PM Plus two Saturdays-May 2 and May 16 from 9 AM-2:30 PM  $729 includes text

PV Installer’s Course:  In this class students will develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to install utility-connected and off-grid systems.  Prerequisite:  Completion of Introduction to PV Technology.  Successful completion of this course qualifies the student to sit for the NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam. (40 hours)  Class next meets June 8-June 12, 2009 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM -5 PM.  Tuition $729 includes text

Photovoltaic & the National Electric Code:  This course will provide a full review of Article 690 pertaining specifically to PV installations, safety issues, and requirements. (7 (8 hours) This class is not currently on the schedule.

The Business of PV:  This is a survey presentation of the multiple aspects of photovoltaic technologies and PV systems from research and development, manufacturing, distribution, design and engineering services, sales in the residential and commercial markets, PV system installations, and education, training and certification programs.  Guest speakers in the individual fields will augment the presentation.

(16 hours)  Class next offered January 26 & 27, 2009 9 AM-4 PM  Tuition $199

PV System Design & Sizing:  Sample design and size systems from small direct uses to large grid systems. Review systems design for the residential market, educational programs, public buildings, communication needs and commercial applications with independent and grid integrated projects. Prerequisite:  Completion of Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology or equivalent knowledge. (16 hours) Class next offered January 28 & 29, 2009 9 AM-4 PM  Tuition $199

NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam Prep Course:  This one-day workshop is designed to prepare qualified applicants for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, NABCEP, Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam.  The exam is open to anyone who has taken a NABCEP approved course either through Ulster BOCES or any other institution.  (6 hours)  Course next offered January 30, 2009

9 AM-3 PM  & March 27 9AM-3 PM  Tuition $99

NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam:  Offered at Ulster BOCES two to three times per year.  Those who pass the exam demonstrate a basic understanding of the operation of a photovoltaic system.  This certificate may enhance job opportunities in the solar field.  For further information visit NABCEP online at www.nabcep.org

(2 hours)  Exam next offered Saturday January 31, 2009 10 AM- Noon OR  Saturday March 28, 2009 10 AM-noon.  $80 exam fee

Small Wind Energy Workshop:  Interested in learning how to install your own small wind energy turbine?  Join Roy Butler of Four Winds Energy Systems for this week-long class.  Homeowners, businesses, and contractors will have a rare opportunity to learn first hand how to properly install residential scale wind energy system.  Day one will offer an overview of wind turbines for those who simply want more information and those students can opt to register for just that day.  The full five-day course is designed around the NABCEP Objectives and Task Analysis for a Small Wind Energy System Installer and is approved for 28 Professional Development Hours.  Approved for the Training of Veterans (40 hours) Next offered May 4-8, 2009 9 AM-4:30 PM

$109 for one-day seminar.  $599 for full five-day course.

Call 845-331-5050 for additional information or to register for these classes.

Visit us online at www.ulsterboces.org

NABCEP Application Deadline looms for March 14th PV and Solar Thermal Exams

Applications Must Be Received By this Friday, January 16th

The Next NABCEP Solar PV and Solar Thermal Installer Certification Exams will be held on September 12, 2009 at various cities across the U.S.A.

Applications for the March 14th exam that are not received by January 16, 2009 will be automatically rolled over to the

September 12, 2009 exam.

Since 2003, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) has been awarding professional credentials to renewable energy installers. NABCEP’’s rigorous competency standards for certification send a clear message to consumers, financiers and public officials that the Industry stresses high quality, safe and ethical business practice and workmanship standards.

NABCEP PV or Solar Thermal Certification…THE One That’s Hard to Get

get@cuny

CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

COURSES AND SEMINARS

WINTER/SPRING 2009

www.csebcc.org / courses and seminars

718-289-5100 x 3733

Solar Thermal (solar hot water)

How to Put Together a Solar Thermal Package

An A-Z for Realtors, Developers, Coop Boards and Homeowners that walks you through the process of commissioning and financing a solar thermal system

Instructor: Thomas Gately

Dates: Friday, February 27, 10 am- 2pm

Location: Bronx Community College

Price: $100

Solar Thermal Design and Installation Class

16 hour hands-on training for trades people, students in the trades track, engineers and architects, HVAC practitioners, and other curious professionals that leads to NABCEP certification

Instructors: Peter Skinner, Betsy Wyman

Dates:   Fri. Feb. 6, Fri. 13,  Sat. 14-   12 noon- 6pm

Location: Bronx Community College

Price: $450

16 PDH credits

Photovoltaic (solar electric)

Advanced Battery Operated Off-grid PV, Small Wind and MicroHydroElectric Systems

Hands on workshop with focus on small 5kW PV systems in off-grid developing world environments

Instructor: Jim MacDonald

Dates: Sundays February 1, 8, 15, 22, 10 am- 3:30 pm

Location: Bronx Community College

Price:  $400

Prerequisite: 40 hour PV class

Advanced Grid-tied PV

Design an interconnected photovoltaic system, from site evaluation to commissioning.

Instructor: Hugo Pedernera

Dates: Saturdays February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 10 am- 3 pm

Location: Bronx Community College

Prerequisite: 40 hour PV class

40 Hour Introductory Photovoltaic Installation Class

A required introductory course for all those seeking to enter the PV field, leading to the NABCEP Entry Level Exam

40 AIA credits

40 PDH credits

a) PV Intensive

Instructor: Kim Curran

Dates: Mon- Sat March 23- 29, 9am- 5pm

Location: Bronx Community College

Price: $600

b) 40 hour class/10 hour electricity basics

Instructor: Hugo Pedernera

Dates: Saturdays April-July

Location: NYCity Tech, downtown Brooklyn

Price: $600

Solar Professionals’ Seminars

Career/ Business Development 101

Instructor: Rob Ashmore

Friday, April 17,  10 am- 1:30 pm,  $100

Getting into the Business: trends, training, certifications, jobs

Friday, May 8, 10 am – 3:30 pm, $100

How to Sell Solar: from client contact to closing the deal, identifying incentives, rebates and REC’s

Location: Bronx Community College

Energy Efficient Building

Building Performance Institute Training

Ongoing at different CUNY campuses for building contractors and neighborhood retrofit organizations looking for BPI Certification

a)       Building Analyst Training uses the ‘whole house’, performance based approach, addressing a comprehensive range of building issues such as fundamentals of building science, energy consumption analysis and health and safety

b)       Envelope Professional Training covers advanced building envelope diagnostics, evaluation and repair skills

The Science of Sustainable Building for architects, developers, engineers and climate change advocates

How to build an energy efficient, healthy and comfortable building with a focus on building energy dynamics, exterior envelope engineering, building systems operations and building envelope design.

Instructors: Chris Benedict, Henry Gifford

Location: Borough of Manhattan Community College

Dates: Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 6:30- 9:30 pm

Price: $400

15 AIA credits

GeoExchange Design Principles

Using the earth’s constant temperature to heat and cool buildings, geoexchange is explored in this indepth series that addresses design principles, economics and construction for engineers, architects, developers, investors, facility administrators and contractors

Instructors: David Ortiz, Jim Munch, John

Location: Borough of Manhattan Community College

Dates: Friday April 24, May 29, June 26, 9 am- 1 pm

Price: $100/session

3 AIA credits/session

Photovoltaics (PV) Installer’s Course – NABCEP Approved

Learn the basics of how to site, design, and install photovoltaic (PV) systems! This course

includes sizing systems for both grid-connected and off grid PV systems. Learn about the solar

resource, the problems associated with shading and what is the best orientation and tilt for PV

arrays. Discuss the basic sizing and design of systems to serve a given electrical load. Learn

safety procedures for installers and study the electrical code for PV systems in detail. Study various

mounting systems for PV arrays and how they affect roofs. Includes a hands-on installation

a PV system! Students completing this course may sit for the NABCEP exam. Your instructor

is Dr. Gay E. Canough, a NABCEP certified PV Installer and ISP certified Master Trainer.

This course is approved for The Training of Veterans. Prerequisite: High school diploma; must

be able to do simple arithmetic calculations; must have basic understanding of electricity

including familiarity with volts, amps, and AC wiring. For those who need a basic electrical

course see below.

Recommended Textbook: Photovoltaic Systems, $70

Materials Needed: Calculator, volt/amp meter for AC and DC voltage, AC and DC current of

at least 20 amps.

Approved for 35 PDHs

Mon – Fri, Feb 2 – 6 • 9 am – 4:30 pm

5 sessions • $599

DCB 888-04 • BRC

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Mon – Fri, Mar 23 – 27 • 9 am – 4:30 pm

5 sessions • $599

DCB 888-05 • BRC

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Mon – Fri, Jun 8 -12 • 9 am – 4:30 pm

5 sessions • $599

DCB 888-06 • BRC

Basic Electrical Theory

This course gives an overview of electricity for

those who are interested in taking the Small

Wind Install course or the Photovoltaics (PV)

Installer’s course and have no or little electrical

background. Topics covered will include components

of the atom, how electrons flow

through conductors, conductivity, series and

parallel circuits, tracing circuits, trouble shooting,

voltage and current resistance, AC and DC

voltage, single phase, three phase, and Ohm’s

Law.

Mon, Feb 23, Mar 2&9 • 6:30 – 8:30 pm

3 sessions • $99

DCB 947-02 • BRC

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Mon, May 4 -18 • 6:30 – 8:30 pm

3 sessions • $99

DCB 947-03 • BRC

NABCEP Photovoltaics (PV)

Entry Level Certificate of

Knowledge Exam

This exam is for those students who have completed

the Photovoltaics (PV) Installer’s course.

A NABCEP testing fee of $70 will be collected

by the proctor the day of the exam.

Test dates and times:

Fri, Feb 6 • 5 – 7 pm

Sat, Feb 7• 9 – 11 am

Fri, Mar 27 • 5 – 7 pm

Sat, Mar 28• 9 – 11 am

Fri, Jun 12 • 5 – 7 pm

Sat, Jun 13 • 9 – 11 am

NEW! Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge of PV Systems Review

This course is for those who have completed the Photovoltaics (PV) Installer’s Course and feel that

they need a review before taking the NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge of PV Systems

exam. The course will cover the ten skill sets listed on the NABCEP learning objectives.

Tue & Thu, Feb 24 & 26 • 6:30 – 9:30 pm

2 sessions • $99

DCB 955-01 • BRC

NEW! Advanced Photovoltaics Systems

This course is geared toward PV installers and engineers who have experience with photovoltaic

systems. Basics of PV will not be covered. Topics discussed will include the future of solar energy,

review of formulas needed to size PV, how to design a PV system with battery backup, PV

mounting systems, calculating wind load, weight load on roofs, mounting, safety on roofs, calculating

system efficiency, wire sizing, performance monitoring, shading analysis, troubleshooting and

complying with NYSERDA forms and regulations. Your instructor is Dr. Gay E. Canough, a NABCEP

certified PV Installer and ISP certified Master Trainer. This course is approved for The Training

of Veterans. Prerequisite: high school diploma; knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry; must

have basic understanding of electricity including familiarity with volts, amps, and AC wiring, must

know how to operate a calculator

Materials Needed: Calculator, volt/amp meter for AC and DC voltage, AC and DC current of at

least 20 amps.

Approved for 14 PDHs

Thu & Fri, Feb 19 & 20 • 9 am – 5 pm

2 sessions • $350

DCB 956-01• BRC

NEW! Solar Sales Training

The solar industry is filled with smart engineers and scientists. But the industry also needs sales people.

Attend this workshop to learn the basics of selling solar energy systems and the reasons why

people buy these systems. Learn how to talk to customers on the phone, how to sort customers, how

to ask for the deal and listen to the customer. Learn how to develop a proposal and set goals. During

class you will develop proposals for various sized solar energy systems, put together presentations

for prospective customers and look at various marketing techniques. Bring your laptop, a blank CD

and portable printer and paper to class so you can take home finished proposals and presentations.

Bring photos of your installations, certificates and endorsements related to your business. Your

instructor is Francine Notte of ETM Solar.

Thu & Fri, Apr 16 & 17 • 9 am – 4:30 pm

2 sessions • $350

DCB 957-01• BRC

NEW! Conquering the Forms and Regulations of Government

Solar Incentives

This workshop will cover NYSERDA and LIPA incentive paperwork, including allowable costs for

reimbursement and rebate and how to use PowerClerk® to check application status (NYSERDA).

Plus, the course covers applying for building permits, including filling out permit applications,

putting together complete packages for towns, getting stamped drawings, and other requirements by

local building inspectors. The class will discuss how to deal with the utilities for interconnection,

including: contracts, drawings and system information required by utilities and navigating utility

departments. Finally, it will cover special considerations when doing work in New York City.

Sample paperwork packages will be provided.

Wed, Apr 15 • 9 am – 4:30 pm

1 session • $250

DCB 958-01 • BRC

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Thu, May 28 • 9 am – 4:30 pm

1 session • $250

DCB 958-02 • BRC

Basic Photovoltaics – A General Overview for the Homeowner

Are you a homeowner who is interested in getting more information about photovoltaics? Join John

Calhoun of John Calhoun PE as he discusses:

• Types of photovoltaic (PV) systems used in today’s residential applications

• Operating principles of PV systems

• The solar resource – what makes a good application

• Financial incentives for PV systems

• How to get started

• Hands-on with PV equipment

Sat, Apr 4 • 10 am – noon with an optional open discussion from noon – 1 pm

1 session • $29

DCB 887-03 • BRC

Rain date: Sat, Apr 18 • 10 am-noon

NEW! Solar Hot Water Installation & Design

In 2008 energy prices have risen to unprecedented levels. Solar Hot Water Systems can help offset

your customers’ energy needs and reduce their carbon footprint while taking advantage of lucrative

tax credits. These systems are reliable and efficient and the installation of these systems can be a

profitable addition to your list of services. This introductory course is intended for the contractor,

tradesperson or student who has a basic knowledge of thermal systems and would like to have a

more detailed understanding of solar hot water systems, their components and design. This course

is presented by Peter Skinner, PE, President of E2G and Betsy Ferris Wynman of SunDog Solar.

Approved for 4 PDHs

Sat, Apr 4 • 1 – 5 pm

1 session • $175

DCB 933-02 • BRC

Small Wind Turbine Installation Workshop

Interested in learning how to install your own wind turbine? Join

Roy Butler of Four Winds for this week-long class. Interested

homeowners, businesses, and contractors will have a rare opportunity

to learn first hand how to properly site, specify, permit, and

install a residential scale wind energy system by participating in this

week-long workshop. Day one will be an overview of wind turbines

for those who simply want more information. Course approved for

the Training of Veterans.

Mon Only, May 4 • 9 am – 4:30 pm

1 session • $89

DCB 894-03 • BRC

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Mon – Fri, May 4 – 8 • 9 am – 4:30 pm

5 sessions • $499

DCB 900-03 • BRC

Prerequisite: Basic understanding of electricity

Barbara Ann Livermore Reer

Program Coordinator

Continuing & Professional Education

SUNYUlster

Business Resource Center

One Development Court

Kingston, NY 12401

(845) 802-7171 Desk Phone

(845) 339-2025 Department Phone

(845) 339-0780 Fax

www.sunyulster.edu

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), regarded as the singular credentialing body of renewable energy practitioners, has announced, effective January 17, 2009, an increase in fees to Solar PV and Solar Thermal Certification Exams, Recertification fees, and Continuing Education Providers.

In order to meet the growing costs associated with developing and administering high quality

certifications, the following fee increases must be implemented:

• Solar PV and Solar Thermal Certification Exam Application fees will increase from $50 to $100

• Initial Certification Exam fees for Solar PV and Solar Thermal will increase from $200 to $300

• Repeated Certification Exam fees for Solar PV and Solar Thermal will increase from $150 to $200

• Recertification fees for Solar PV and Solar Thermal Installers will increase from $200 to $300

• Continuing Education Providers fee will increase from $100 per two years to $200 per two years.

These changes represent the first increase in fees since the programs were initiated, and are necessary to ensure the continued implementation of quality credentialing and certification programs for renewable energy practitioners. The high standards of NABCEP have been recognized by the prestigious ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation for its Solar PV Certification program.

NABCEP is sensitive to the economic challenges facing many today. As a result, certification fee increases will not be implemented until after the application deadline for the March 14, 2009 Solar PV and Solar Thermal Exams. Solar PV and Solar Thermal exams will also offered on September 12, 2009.

Since 2003, NABCEP has been awarding professional credentials to renewable energy practitioners. The organization’s rigorous competency standards for certification send a clear message to consumers, installers, investors, and public officials that the industry stresses high quality, safe and ethical business practices, and strong workmanship standards.

NABCEP Announces Fee Changes to Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge for Solar PV Systems

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), regarded as the singular credentialing body of renewable energy installers, has announced, effective January 1, 2009, a change in fees for the Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge and Entry Level Service Providers.

Due to higher administration and processing costs, the Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge fee will increase from $70 to $75, while a new fee for Entry Level Service Providers will be instituted at $300 per year. The Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge prepares individuals for success in the rapidly growing and dynamic

renewable energy field.

Since 2003, NABCEP has been awarding professional credentials to renewable energy practitioners. The organization’s rigorous competency standards for certification and its certificate programs send a clear message to consumers, installers, investors, and public officials that the industry stresses high quality, safe and ethical business practices, and strong workmanship standards.

Upcoming Examinations:

Solar Thermal and Solar Photovoltaic

Installer Certification Exams

Test Date: March 14, 2009

Application Deadline: January 16, 2009

All applications received after the January 16th deadline will be assessed for the September 2009 exam.

Since 2003, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) has been awarding professional credentials to renewable energy installers. NABCEP’s rigorous competency standards for certification send a clear message to consumers, installers, investors, and public officials that the industry stresses high quality, safe and ethical business practices, and strong workmanship standards.

The distinguishing mark of a

solar energy professional.

It’’s been a very busy few months for NABCEP’s Entry Level Certificate Program.

NABCEP currently has 61 institutions offering the Entry Level course and exam, representing a 39% increase since our August newsletter when 44 NABCEP Approved Providers were reported. The largest gain was seen in California, which gained five Providers, although the Midwest and Northeast have also shown growth. In addition, Arizona now has its first NABCEP Approved Provider in Tucson.

To date, 1,283 students have taken the exam. This represents an average growth per quarter of 27% since January of 2007.

Following is the list of NABCEP’s newest Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Providers:

* Tucson Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program, Tucson, AZ
* Applied Professional Training, Inc. Carlsbad, CA
* CCAC International Polytechnic Institute, Calexico, CA
* Boots on the Roof (a div. of Unitek Education) Fremont, CA
* Marin Community College District -College of Marin Novato
* CASkyline College, San Bruno, CA
* Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology Boston, MA
* Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA
* SUNY, Canton, Canton, NY
* SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) Syracuse, NY
* Cuyahoga Community College Cleveland, OH
* Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI

October 2008 Certification, Recertification and the Value of NABCEP

In this issue, I want to use my column to ask questions rather than to provide news.

In previous issues, I’ve written about the growth of NABCEP and some of the strategic planning challenges facing us. NABCEP is doing well, our new management team, spearheaded by Executive Director Rebecca Eaton, hit the ground running and have brought a host of new resources to the table. “Market” response has shown us that NABCEP certification and Certificate of Knowledge programs are both necessary and welcomed by a wide sampling of stakeholders. Many manufacturers offer NABCEP continuing education (CE) credits when they conduct dealer training sessions; the growth of the number of institutions offering the Certificate of Knowledge and the number of students taking the exam is beyond our most optimistic planning scenarios. And every month, yet another Public Benefits Fund releases language which recognizes or encourages NABCEP certification.

A careful reader will note that I left the core of NABCEP out of the previous paragraph – working professionals who hold our certification(s). It’s clear that everyone who holds our certification(s) has worked hard to earn their certification number(s) – and we see most certificants proudly advertising their achievement. We do have “market” response there, too; the numerical growth in the number of individuals who hold NABCEP’’s PV Installer Certification is gratifying. The uptake in the plumbing industry is much slower and many of our solar thermal certificants also hold PV Installer Certifications – truly well-rounded solar professionals.

Certificants, I singled you out because I learn more from you about the value(s) you see in holding NABCEP Certification. As Chair of NABCEP, I work with our Board and Staff to plan the evolution of our certification programs. In that role, I need to be careful to evaluate if our proposed growth meshes with evolution of the renewable energy markets we serve. In order to keep balance, we need clarity on the evolving needs of our certificants as well.

We have a diverse group of certificants: some strong and vocal board members who spend most business days with tools in their hands and they do a very good job of representing the interests of working installers. We also have a number of professional colleagues. Regardless of your trade or profession, I would like to invite all of our certificants to take a few moments and put into words your views on holding a NABCEP certification.

I’d like to hear from you about the value of NABCEP certification: what is best about being a certificant, what could NABCEP do to improve; what certificants could do to improve. Your input will help NABCEP staff and Board learn more about the needs and thoughts of our certificants, our “core customer.” This information is vital to ensuring that certificants requirements are a vital and visible part of our ongoing planning efforts. I look forward to hearing from you.

Send your thoughts and comments to me at Chair@nabcep.org

Rebecca Eaton, NABCEP’’s Executive Director, has been on the job for about five months now getting familiar with the organization and racking up a fat’to do’ list. Still, whenever I talk with her, she’s relaxed; her voice is soothingly friendly. How does she do it? We talked with her briefly when she first joined NABCEP, but I wanted to check in and see how things were moving along. In between back-to-back meetings, speaking engagements and conference calls, Rebecca added this conversation to that hefty ‘to do. What a trooper.

NABCEP: Hi Rebecca. You’ve been on the job as NABCEP’s ED for almost five months now Has it been the proverbial ‘trial by fire?’

RE: The four months at NABCEP have been an incredibly satisfying experience. Thank you to all the Board members, renewable energy installers, and other stakeholders who have made me feel welcome. I continue to feel inspired about helping NABCEP grow and provide high quality certifications and certificates to renewable energy professionals.

It has been an exciting time…completing the organization’s annual financial audit, the annual ANSI audit for maintaining the accreditation of NABCEP’s Solar PV certification program, preparing for and administering the mid-September exam Solar PV and Solar Thermal exams, identifying a new company to upgrade the organization’s website, working with the organization’s subcommittees, and preparing for a busy autumn of speaking engagements.

NABCEP: Well, I was going to ask what were the top three items on your ‘to do’ list, but from the sound of things, your top three might be better described as your top 10.

RE: The last time we spoke about top priorities, there were quite a few things I wanted to complete before the end of 2008, including upgrading the website, launching the small wind certification, and increasing response time and customer service to installers and other stakeholders. The NABCEP team has made significant progress in all of those areas, and more.

The top things that I am currently focused on include preparing for a jam-packed mid-October Board of Directors meeting, launching the Small Wind certification, raising revenue for the organization, and developing materials to help certified installers spread the word about the benefits they and their customers gain from NABCEP certification.

NABCEP: I know you’ve been over-busy. It looks like the Entry Level Certificate program has been racking up new providers faster than you can count them.

RE: We have been bowled over and thrilled with the increase in Entry Level Service Providers–organizations providing the course and exam for individuals to obtain the Entry Level certificate of Knowledge of Solar PV Systems. In the third quarter of this year alone, NABCEP has seen 43% more EL Service providers compared to last quarter, with 63 entities currently providing the course and exam. NABCEP: I wonder what’s driving that increase?

RE: While I’m not sure of all the contributing factors behind the significant increase in Entry Level Service providers, I do know there is a groundswell of interest from students who are extremely enthusiastic about renewable energy and consider it a growing part of the economy. Training facilities are trying to meet this student interest and utilize courses to offer NABCEP’s Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge. Student enthusiasm about the role of carbon-neutral renewable energy in the overall US energy mix will only get more pronounced as policies and frameworks are adopted to address climate change and place a value on carbon-emitting technologies. As of September 30, 2008, NABCEP has awarded 783 Entry Level Certificates of Knowledge of Solar PV Systems.

NABCEP: Whoa! Those kind of numbers make all of us happy. Are you at liberty to discuss the September 13th certifying exams, like how many sat for it, and when might those people expect to hear the results?

RE: I’m not able to disclose much, if anything, about the mid-September exam until the Board assesses and approves the results at the October 15 meeting. However, the NABCEP team was relieved that Hurricane Ike did not derail the exams administered in Texas!

NABCEP: Me too. We didn’t get a drop of rain from the storm. Austin’s been a test venue since the first exam in October 2003. That’s always a surprise to me, considering there are only two solar rebate programs in the State. What’s happening with the Small Wind Energy work? How’s that coming along?

RE: The Small Wind Committee has wind in its sails! We are very close to finalizing the scope for one last round of comment.

NABCEP: I’m sure you’re happy about that. Are you gearing up for Solar Power 2008 in San Diego in about 10 days?

RE: Absolutely. We’ll have staff from the New York and Maryland offices helping to staff the NABCEP booth. Please stop by and say hello; we’re eager to see you and learn about your NABCEP experiences!

NABCEP: I’ll be there. I’m looking forward to meeting you and the other NABCEP’ers, Rebecca. Rest up; it’ll be a very busy conference.