How important is it to have NABCEP installer for system?

[urthling]

For those of you installing systems or have had systems installed, how much weight did you put into having your array designed/installed by a NABCEP PV Installer? Do you think that a non-certified installer can put up an array that is good as or better than somebody who is NABCEP certified? The reason I ask is because those companies I've found in the area who use NABCEP installers (presumably to design the array, but not actually on-site) are not price competitive with other companies who are long established, and have good reputations. Just curious as to whether the "premium" may be worthwhile since a NABCEP installer may be able to eek out the most efficiency out of an array, which would add up over time.

[russ]

For those of you installing systems or have had systems installed, how much weight did you put into having your array designed/installed by a NABCEP PV Installer? Do you think that a non-certified installer can put up an array that is good as or better than somebody who is NABCEP certified? The reason I ask is because those companies I've found in the area who use NABCEP installers (presumably to design the array, but not actually on-site) are not price competitive with other companies who are long established, and have good reputations. Just curious as to whether the "premium" may be worthwhile since a NABCEP installer may be able to eek out the most efficiency out of an array, which would add up over time.

Depends on the people involved - NABCEP is not an apprenticeship where people learn but a pay for your classes type of thing. You completes the lesson plan and gets your cute little ribbon. There are good installers with and without. I wouldn't call having a NABCEP certificate a black mark but I wouldn't give any bonus points either.

[Sunking]

With a NABCEP certification and $1 will get you a cup of coffee at Denny's and a conversation with the drunk setting next to you at 2:00 AM in the morning. NABCEP is not a license nor does it entitle you to do anything. To have an engineering license (PE) to stamp designs/drawings requires a minimum 4 year engineering degree, 2 exhausted written test like a Bar Exam, and 5 years or direct experience under supervision of a PE.