Nine New York Solar Installers Certified by National
Organization;
Nine Counties' Installers Offer Statewide Consumer Solar Access
Albany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Livingston,
Nassau, New York, Suffolk and Ulster-Based Installers Listed Below
For More Info: NYSERDA: Ray Hull 518-862-1090 x 3356
NABCEP: Peter Sheehan, 518-889-8126
Albany–Dec 29, 2003 --The North American Board of Certified
Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) has recognized nine New York photovoltaic
(PV or solar) installers as certified PV practitioners. The nine,
from all across the Empire State, are the first in New York, and among
only 62 nationwide, to complete the rigorous voluntary examination
and certification program established by NABCEP. The NABCEP board
is voluntary and its members represent manufacturing, marketing, labor
and other renewable power interests. Headquartered in Malta, (Saratoga
County) NABCEP developed its certification through funding from the
New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with
the cooperation of national PV interests.
The certification program was created to provide consumers, code
enforcement officers, and electric utilities with a high standard
for safe solar system installations that generate electricity and
where so designed, can feed excess capacity back into the local utility
grid. The Board standards, established over the past two years, are
based upon the National Electrical Code and OSHA guidelines.
"This first class of Certified Energy Practitioners is a milestone–among
the individuals in the trade, the corporate, labor and government
interests represented at NABCEP, and of course, among consumers across
North America. These are the first qualified installers in
a budding industry that is set to grow exponentially," said Ezra
Auerbach, chairman of the Board. "These highly experienced and
trained craftsmen will set the standard for safe, reliable installations
of solar power."
"NYSERDA sought to minimize problems seen in any fast-growth
trade, through education of the installers and the consumers. Now,
these qualified installations, by certified practitioners, ensure
that as PV grows, so will the reputation of the trade," noted
Peter R. Smith, Acting NYSERDA President.
Solar power is set to gain wider public acceptance as technology
and ease of installations advance, thereby bringing down costs and
improving the environment by reducing the reliance on fossil-fueled
electric generation. Today, a home featuring 500 sq. ft. of solar
electric panels can expect to be nearly self-sufficient during sunny
periods, and perhaps, return excess generation to the local grid.
If battery backup systems are installed, the dwelling may be totally
independent of utility-supplied electricity, providing that high efficiency
appliances and heating equipment are used.
NYSERDA offers cash incentives for the installation of small PV or
solar-electric systems. The average-sized home system, installed costs
nearly $30,000, but with incentives, this cost can be nearly halved.
These incentives are only available for PV systems purchased through
an eligible installer. Further, NYSERDA's New York Energy $martSM
program has several programs that, when combined with the PV cash
incentives, could help offset the total installation costs of a PV
system by 40-70%. Visit www.PowerNaturally.org
and select Photovoltaics to learn more, including a list of NYSERDA
eligible installers, many of whom are encompassed by this practitioner
list.
The nine recently certified practitioners are:
Albany County: Rose, Kevin J., Latham, 518-783-8475 Krose@NYCAP.rr.com
Broome: Canough, Gay E., Endicott, 607-785-6499 canough@etmsolar.com
Chenango: Austin, David M., South New Berlin, 607-847-6366
davenrgman@awesomesonsolar.com
Clinton: Brienza, Greg S., Plattsburgh, 518-562-5425 gbrienza@trianglesystems.com
Livingston: Ehmann, Timothy D., Livonia 585-346-6521 Timothy.ehmann@oconnellelectric.com
Nassua: Lane, Jonathan, Plainview , 516-935-3273 jlane@quad-state-solar.com
New York: Kocsmiersky, Michael D., New York, 212-369-1783 kosmoenterprises@verizon.net
Suffolk: Minnick, Gary J., Riverhead, 631-727-2224, info@gosolar.com
Ulster: Hoffstatter, Lloyd S., Olivebridge, 845-657-8132 sunstruk@surferz.net
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