NABCEP is publishing a series of profiles of certificants. Learn more about the people who have earned NABCEP certification by clicking on their name.

Blake Jones is a co-founder of employee-owned Namaste Solar in Colorado. “Namaste Solar cares a lot about individual professional development and NABCEP certifications are something to shoot for since they promote individual pride and validate skills and knowledge. As a result, we provide lots of encouragement and support for our colleagues to learn, grow, and get certified.”

Goldah Moore began her electrical career working with her electrician father and chose to combine her career to a personal interest in renewable energy.  The NABCEP certification has increased her confidence in her abilities to do solar installations well. She is with Whidbey Sun and Wind Renewable Energy Systems in Coupeville, Washington.

Mike Holt is the chief executive officer of Mike Holt Enterprises, which operates a publishing company to serve the needs of the electrical community exclusively. He is widely recognized as an expert on the National Electrical Code™ and, since 2010, a NABCEP Certified PV Installer.

Kelly Provence is the owner of the training company Solairgen School of Solar Technology and he holds three NABCEP certifications: PV Installer, Solar Thermal Installer, and PV Technical Sales. “My NABCEP certifications tell customers I have achieved high-level skills, and let them know I didn’t get into this yesterday. NABCEP certification distinguishes individuals within the industry,” Kelly explains.

Richard Stovall holds three NABCEP certifications and is the director of operations at ImagineSolar in Austin, Texas. ImagineSolar partnered with NABCEP to implement the first Alternative Installation Experience Pathway whose success was validated by the large number of electricians who have taken the PV Installer Exam.

Brad Ritter is the training coordinator for Solar Solutions and Distribution, LLC in Denver.  He was drawn to the NABCEP certification because it rounded out his two-year college program and it meant that he could pick where ever he wanted to go job wise. He sees that there are more and more opportunities for NABCEP certificants.

John Koontz is a Senior Project Manager with HelioSage, LLC, located in Charlottesville, Virginia. He says, “It is important for the project manager to know all aspects of the project, from initial customer contact to final installation and sign-off by inspectors.”

Rob Wilson is the Manager of Engineering and Construction at Solar Power Partners, Inc. located in Mill Valley, California. Solar Power Partners, Inc. develops, owns and operates distributed commercial and utility solar energy facilities, and sells solar-generated electricity through solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Rob oversees the engineering and technical side of projects from the initial client contact to guiding it through installation and commissioning.

Jessica Baldwin operates Solar Plumbing Design (SPD) in New York City. She is a hands-on plumber who oversees two crews installing residential, solar thermal (ST) installations from New York City to Albany.  “This certification gives me the edge since no other certification says I have explicit knowledge and experience with solar thermal.  This specificity sets down an immediate basis of trust with the customer.  My clients save a ton of headaches because they know the job will be done correctly.”

Steve Fulgham is the Chief Executive Officer of Ambassador Energy located in Murrieta, California. Ambassador Energy is a solar training, support and distribution company, that offers a Business-in-a-Box business model. “I would recertify for NABCEP every year if I could. While other certification agencies offer a standard, NABCEP is the standard for the renewable energy industry.”

Will Herndon is the Executive Vice President of Construction, and co-owner at American Solar Electric, Inc located in Scottsdale, Arizona. “My NABCEP certification provided me with knowledge I can pass on to the 15 field construction teams I am responsible for. There is nothing else out there like it. It is the clear solution to fill company field operation needs.”

Ed Murray is the CEO and President of Aztec Solar, Inc. located in Rancho Cordova, California. Aztec Solar is a solar energy, turn-key solution provider that offers in-house solar water heating, solar pool heating and solar electric power. “I was turned around when both the old and new solar guys saw NABCEP as a way to make us better professionals. People need to feel the solar industry has professional content.”

August Goers has two NABCEP certifications — Photovoltaic Installer and Solar Thermal Installer. He is Vice President of Engineering at Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions located in San Francisco, California. “The San Francisco Bay Area is a very competitive market­place. I wanted to differentiate myself from other install­ers. I like to have the NABCEP logo on my business card. It tells customers that I know what I am doing.”

Louis Woofenden is a certified photovoltaic and solar thermal installer. He works at Net Zero Solar located in Tucson, Arizona. “I grew up in an off-grid home and appreciate that renewable energy is a way to do something good with a fun technology. Working in the renewable energy industry seemed a natural progression for me. I can change the world around me and educate others about ways to improve their lives.”

Jeff Irish, a professional engineer and NABCEP Certified PV Installer, says “Certification benefits my company because it helps to distinguish us from the competition.” He is the president of Hudson Valley Clean Energy, Inc. and Adirondack Solar in New York State.

Bruce Padgett feels that the NABCEP exam tests an individual’s expertise that they have learned through hands on experience and knowledge gained from being in the solar industry rather than vague or obscure concepts. He is the founder and president of Capitol Solar Energy LLC located in Denver, Colorado.

David Boynton is the director of product development and training at Southern Energy Management (SEM) in Morrisville, North Carolina and holds three NABCEP certifications. There are eight employees at SEM who have a combined 11 NABCEP certifications and this fosters a culture within the company for everyone to absorb standards as best practice.

These profiles are produced through the volunteer efforts of Melinda Auerbach as interviewer and editor. NABCEP thanks Melinda for her ongoing commitment to this publication.