Replies

1. 
   bambam | Jan 17, 2009 05:00am | #1

   How about this Steve?

   http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9019624&contentId=7036858

   There is a compamy in Texas that uses them and they install all over the country. I gather that there is not a lot of local stuff so traveling is a must probably.

   Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

2. 
   brucet9 | Jan 17, 2009 05:00am | #2

   You might start with the power company to find out:

   What systems they have approved
   What areas they are willing/equipped to run meters backwards.
   What red tape you would have to contend with.
   What PoCo and/or governmental subsidies are available and what size installations they apply to.

   BruceT
1. 
   bambam | Jan 17, 2009 05:01am | #3

   The good thing about BP is they take care of all that for you. They are engineered designs.Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

1. 
   stevenplane | Jan 17, 2009 05:31am | #4

   "It's a start"

   Get the joke?  I think BP uses that phrase in some of their commercials.

   It really looks perfect.  I'll get in touch with them Tuesday.  This is a HUGE help.

   Thanks

1. 
   bambam | Jan 17, 2009 05:21pm | #5

   I was peeking at some of the other stuff in the site too. I didnt know HD installed them. The company I know that uses them is Green Mountain out of Austin. I believe if you position your company like they have HD wont be a problem for competition. In fact if I know HD installers you will probably be fixed their mistakes.Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

1. 
   stevenplane | Jan 28, 2009 03:46am | #6

   I just got off the phone with BP.  They are so swamped with work they aren't beginning ANY NEW DISTRIBUTORSHIPS in 2009.  They said they are going to focus on keeping up with the work they already have.

   They gave me the name/numbers of two of their distributors.  One is more of an energy consulting firm for large corporations/educational facilities, etc.  The other is a "true" distributor.

   I went to their website hoping to enroll in a training class but found all of them booked for the year.

   I guess PV is really starting to take off.

   Any other ideas on how I can learn to install PV?

   Thanks.

2. 
   Ted W. | Jan 28, 2009 04:05am | #7

   I googled "PV Training" and came up with a whole bunch of them.~ Ted W ~

   Cheap Tools - BuildersTools.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com

3. 
   madmadscientist | Jan 28, 2009 11:31pm | #8

   Hello Steven,

   I don't want to bum you out but let me give you the SF Bay area perspective...

   The days of 'two guys with a truck and ladder' solar installation companies have basically come and gone here.  There are bigger companies like Akeena Solar, Solar City and Real Goods Solar that are either buying up the little guys or running them out of business.  You won't be able to compete with their volume discounts and preferential treatment.

   Maybe this hasn't happened in  your area yet but it will.  These big install companies chase the good incentives around the states opening offices where there's the most gold to be had.  You might get the training and then go to work for one of these bigger companies-though I don't hear good things about Solar City and Akeena...

    

   Daniel Neumansky

   Restoring our second Victorian home this time in Alamdea CA.  Check out the blog http://www.chezneumansky.blogspot.com/ 

   Oakland CA 

   Crazy Homeowner-Victorian Restorer

4. 
   Snort | Jan 29, 2009 02:45am | #9

   I know one guy with a truck and a ladder who does pv systems. Actually he does have help... he does a much better job than our local bigger companies.Outback makes most of the inverters I've seen. Check out thin film pv for metal roofs, too.http://www.tvwsolar.com

   I went down to the lobby

   To make a small call out.

   A pretty dancing girl was there,

   And she began to shout,

   "Go on back to see the gypsy.

   He can move you from the rear,

   Drive you from your fear,

   Bring you through the mirror.

   He did it in Las Vegas,

   And he can do it here."

3. 
   fatboy2 | Jan 29, 2009 03:13am | #10

   I got my system from Colorado Solar- a guy named Eric Wahl.
   Google for Colorado Solar.
   The majority of his business is supplying stuff for PV systems, and almost all of it is through the internet.
   Stef