Quote:
Originally Posted by KarTek
Well, my employment is questionable in the next couple months so I'm taking the opportunity to get some training and possibly head in a new direction from the last 15-20 years.
I've always been interested in solar/alternative energy so I've decided to take a prep class for the national exam to become NABCEP certified for PV installations.
Normally, this process would appear to take years but I'm trying to use a combination of training and experience to get me through in a short amount of time to take advantage of increased interest in solar energy. Anyone know anything about this certification or have any experience with installations?
Thanks!
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I'm in the middle of building a new school in NYC that is "supposedly" the first Platnium level Green school in the Northeast and frankly NONE of the PV folks know a damn thing about installation guidelines under NEC!
First the specs have changed 3 times since the original US supplier moved all fab to China. Then the Chinese maker moved us to the end of the line (we were #2 with the US supplier) and then stopped supplying the panel in the size they contracted for, played games for better part of a year and now says we are back in production...WTF?
OK so now we have a battle between the maker's panel not fitting the support structure originally designed to fit the US product even though they "claim" it is the same item (it is not, it is wider, taller and thicker) and we have 100 or so panel units to be installed.
Add the fact that the Local 3 guys do not know the hardware or the transformers, etc...
The last meeting involved a near riot, the cops we almost called and now the Inspector general for the City is asking WTF!
Add the "smart control" system and guess what the deadline is now?
If you want to really get yourself a lifetime job learn Wastewater recycling...in Battery Park City ALL the residential buildings are required to have a Blackwater system that recycles everything and produces Grey water for non potable use and also supplies the water for all toilets in the building. The remainder can be used to water the Green Roofs (manditory) but may not be fed to Street level taps to prevent accidental consumption by dogs and the homeless. The Grey water system also feeds the sprinklers for the public parks (somehow the dogs and homeless are not gonna use the Public park water?) and drip irrigation for the roof deck planters. all grey water fittings are reversed so no potable water piping can be attached.
Problem is the school we are building DOES NOT HAVE the manditory Grey water recycling to the toilets since the City is not required to meet the Green code...??? It's a Platinum Green building that does not have to meet the LEED code???WTF??
The other area of expertese needed is folks that know the new Blue Skin/Air Block/Insulated Panel systems for Green cavity walls. Every architect that designs to LEED specs calls for them but NO ONE here really knows how to build and install them. The contractors call the Union hall and get Masons that can barely build a BBQ and I spend the better part of my day rejecting the CMU installed for basic flaws that will defeat the BlueSkin system. The AirBlock barrier is presently being reclassified as "possibly requiring PPE" so now we will have to supply HazMat suits and respirators to guys working OUTSIDE...can't wait for the first "civilian lawsuit" to be filed...
I have already bet a weeks pay we do not open on time...