Jul 31 2010
Arizona Public Service Co (APS,) has announced the names of the 32 residential solar installers who have successfully completed the Qualified Solar Installer (QSI) program conducted by the company.
The QSI program was started to meet the growing demand for qualified solar installers from the 300 plus installers. During the inaugural training program, more than 60 companies participated in the training and 32 have successfully completed it. APS looks forward to more than 75 companies to complete the QSI program and receive certificate during 2010.
The installers who are looking forward to achieve the QSI designation have to pass at least one of the two courses such as installing solar water heaters (solar thermal) or installation of solar electric systems (photovoltaic). The QSI for photovoltaic systems installation course is offered after the completion of four, two day courses. The solar thermal installation set consists of three courses that can be completed in five days. Both the courses include details, correlated to solar installations, theory and application of solar technology, installation and maintenance, technical issues, safety details, linking issues and various codes used. The course also ropes in details of APS solar functioning, processes linked to inspection, managing of APS solar products, ethics and standards followed in the trade and the details on renewable energy incentive program.
The installers with QSI designation are expected to continue with high standards and should fall within the customer satisfaction rating decided by the Electric League of Arizona. They must continue to have a satisfactory pass rate for APS inspections and qualify in annual workshops for professional education. The QSI qualification makes the residential clients, feel comfortable with the technical skills and competency of the solar panel installers.
Source: http://www.aps.com