NECA filed comments May 14 with the U.S. Dept. of Energy in response to the department’s RFI concerning DOE funding of solar certification and accreditation programs. NECA commented on whether DOE should fund future solar certification programs and on the effectiveness of existing certification programs previously funded by DOE grants. Full text of NECA’s comments can be viewed as a PDF below.
Rob Colgan, NECA Executive Director, Marketing, wrote the comments of behalf of the association. Colgan said, “NECA feels it’s important for the DOE to recognize that NECA contractors are significant players in this market, and that our members and their customers have serious concerns about whether so-called ‘certified’ solar installers have the requisite electrical knowledge and skills to install complex electrical systems.”
The original deadline of May 14 for responding to the RFI was extended to May 31, 2010. NECA encourages member contractors that install solar PV systems to provide their own comments to the DOE. The National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) plans to offer comments as well.
Complete information about the RFI is available on the Department of Energy website.
Full text of NECA’s comment to DOE on solar accreditation and certification (PDF).