Clifton Park, NY, July 28, 2009 – NABCEP

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is pleased to announce two new appointments.

Don Warfield has been elected to Chair the Board. Don is a long standing NABCEP Board member who joined in 2004. He has worked for BP Solar and predecessor companies for 31 years, and holds the position of Senior Engineer in BP Solar’s Global Technology Department. During his tenure at BP, Don has worked in a variety of roles including cell development, operation of the aerospace division, systems engineering manager, product development and management, business development and training. He holds a BS from Mount Saint Mary’s College.

In addition to his commitment to NABCEP, Don also serves on DOE’s Solar ABCs Advisory Board and is a member of IEC TC82 which is responsible for setting international standards for solar modules and ancillary equipment. He is a long-standing participant in NEC code review activities.

“It’s great to have Don on board as Chair,” said Ezra Auerbach, NABCEP’s Executive Director.  “His experience and perspective on the renewable energy business will be hugely valuable as we navigate through this period of industry growth.  Don’s combination of experience in technology and business development is a huge asset for the organization.”

Mr. Warfield says, “I look forward to serving as NABCEP’s Chair and working even more closely with NABCEP’S Board and staff. NABCEP’s Certification process has a lot to offer our industry as a means of identifying the growing number of experienced and well trained installers, designers and sales personnel who are really making things happen in this rapidly expanding business.”

NABCEP is also pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Spies to its Board of Directors. Jeff replaces Ezra Auerbach, who recently resigned from the Board to take the Executive Director role.

Spies is the Director of Training and Trade Shows for AEE Solar. He has over 20 years experience in sales and marketing, conducting technical training of electro-mechanical technology throughout the US and abroad. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University, and he has appeared as a guest speaker/panelist at many major solar industry events in the past year including Intersolar and Solar 2009, and will be a panelist at Solar Power International 2009.  He also serves as an advisor to solar non-profits including Solar Energy International. His popular “Launch and Grow Your Solar Business” training seminar has been attended by several thousands of solar dealers, prospective dealers, and green job seekers.

“Participating in NABCEP is important,” said Spies, “since NABCEP serves a key role in furthering the success of the solar industry.  I am honored to assist with the NABCEP mission as I am strongly committed to improving industry practices, maintaining high standards of industry ethics, expanding the availability of quality solar training programs, and helping renewable energy become a mainstream form of power generation.”

“We continue to be very fortunate with the caliber of volunteer we attract to the NABCEP Board,” said Auerbach.   “Jeff’s daily experience with people interested in entering the PV industry will bring a unique insight to the organization”

About NABCEP: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives that includes representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades. Each member of the board was chosen because of his or her experience and involvement in the solar energy industry. NABCEP’s mission – to support, and work with, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, professionals, and stakeholders – is intended to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners. To learn more, visit www.nabcep.org

About BP Solar: BP Solar is a key business within BP Alternative Energy and a global company with over 2200 employees focused on harnessing the sun’s energy to produce solar electricity.  This includes the design, manufacture and marketing of quality solar electric systems for a wide range of applications in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.  With over 30 years of experience and installations in over 160 countries, BP Solar is one of the world’s largest solar companies and has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Spain, India, and China.  BP Solar is part of BP, one of the world’s leading energy companies.  To learn more, visit www.bpsolar.us .

About AEE Solar: AEE Solar, founded in 1979 by solar pioneer David Katz, is one of the nation’s leading wholesale suppliers of solar power systems and renewable energy equipment. AEE Solar has earned an industry-wide reputation for unsurpassed technical and training support, responsive customer service and the widest product selection in the business. To learn more, visit www.aeesolar.com