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.