Ambassador Energy offers high-level training and expertise through its NABCEP certified employees and trainers, and is one of only seven companies in California to proctor the NABCEP EL test at the conclusion of class.

The inaugural Intro to Solar PV week-long class was taught this month at Ambassador Energy’s headquarters in Murrieta, CA, winning rave reviews from its students, most of whom were licensed general contractors, roofers and electricians.  Others included an Ambassador Energy employee and a student from a local college, who took advantage of the deep student discount offered by Ambassador Energy.  

“We had a great time putting the curriculum together.  I had a lot of personal input, as I vividly recall taking the class and test myself not so long ago,” said Catherine Kelso, Director of Training for Ambassador Energy and NABCEP PV Installer certified.  “We designed the class to be interesting, but to most importantly to cover the materials likely to be on the NABCEP EL test.  We really want everyone to pass it. It is my personal mission.” 

At the conclusion of the training class, Ambassador Energy proctored the NABCEP EL test to those who opted to take it immediately. Results will be available within a few weeks.  

Ambassador Energy will continue to provide many variations of solar PV training to the public in one- and two-day classes and to their family of Authorized Agencies, who train for three days as a part of their initial emersion into the solar PV industry.  Once the Agencies complete training, they receive unlimited support, in the form of job walks, quote review, product education, sales coaching, marketing materials, client interfacing, installation supervision, and membership into a team approach to selling and installing solar appropriately and correctly.

Steve Fulgham, CEO of Ambassador Energy and NABCEP certified twice said, “I am urging all of the Ambassador Energy team to get one of the NABCEP certifications.  We love our spirit of learning here and want to see many more certificates on the Wall of Fame!”

About NABCEP

Raising standards. Promoting confidence…The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the “gold standard” for PV and solar thermal installation certification. Designed to raise industry standards and promote consumer confidence, NABCEP offers certification and certificate programs to renewable energy professionals throughout North America.

About Ambassador Energy

Ambassador Energy (AE) is a solar training and distribution company, with 78 Authorized Agencies operating in 17 US states.  AE employs two NABCEP Certified Installers (Fulgham 031310-74 and Kelso 031310-124) and one NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professional (Fulgham 012911-35).  AE provides a turnkey, consolidated platform of renewable energy training, support, product-agnostic distribution and evolving mindshare to a nationwide network of Ambassador Energy Authorized Agents, who are contractors and entrepreneurs augmenting their portfolios by offering renewable energy solutions to their clients.

Ambassador Energy offers their Agency program to qualified candidates. New Agency Training is offered approximately once every four to six weeks. 

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After their four-day Solar Photovoltaic training at Ambassador Energy’s training facility in Murrieta, CA, PowerSource Energy Management quickly hit the ground running, selling and installing their first solar PV system near Cincinnati, Ohio.

Not intimidated by the three-story structure in Hyde Park, a historic area of Cincinnati, the PowerSource Energy Management team, lead by Dave Meere and David Stiles, installed a 10-panel 2.5 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on their client’s roof.

Given the sensitive aesthetics of the area, “the challenge was that the homeowner did not want the solar system to be visible from the street”, said Stiles. So, the team designed a custom solar system, which was smaller than the originally-planned 33-panel system, yet would reduce the homeowner’s electric usage enough to make a significant impact on the monthly bill. The end result, given the square footage available on the roof, the need to keep the panels from flagrant visibility and the desire to offset a significant portion of electricity purchased from the grid, was a palatable system, which, at the very least, now pays for the home’s air conditioning in the expensive summertime.

The challenge, in addition to making the panels invisible from the street was the three-story roof. Said Stiles, “we used a 28-foot ladder to access the first story and another 16-foot ladder to get to the top.” Their hard work and resourcefulness paid off, as the Hyde Park Electrical and Building Inspectors passed the project with no issues. Stiles added, “The inspectors were very nice gentlemen to deal with.”

About PowerSource Energy Management
PowerSource Energy Management provides solar PV solutions to both residential and commercial clients in Southwest Ohio and is an Authorized Agency of Ambassador Energy, Inc.

Founder, Dave Meere has been in the building industry for the past 15 years as a custom homebuilder and general contractor. Dave carries the designations of Certified Green Professional (CGP) and Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) through the NAHB. Projects have ranged in value from $200,000 to $3,000,000 and have won numerous industry awards.

David Stiles has spent his entire career in public service as a Firefighter, EMT, Fire Inspector, and Police Officer. David has over 20 years of experience in excellent customer service practices, working hand-in-hand with local business owners, teaching classes to business and community groups, and working with various building contractors and county inspectors. David is also a lifelong resident of the Cincinnati area.

About Ambassador Energy
Ambassador Energy (AE) is a solar training and distribution company, with over 60 Authorized Agencies operating in 17 US states. AE employs two NABCEP Certified Installers (Fulgham 031310-74 and Kelso 031310-124) and one NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professional (Fulgham 012911-35). AE provides a turnkey, consolidated platform of renewable energy training, support, product-agnostic distribution and evolving mindshare to a nationwide network of Ambassador Energy Authorized Agents, who are contractors and entrepreneurs augmenting their portfolios by offering renewable energy solutions to their clients.

Ambassador Energy offers their Agency program to qualified candidates. New Agency Training is offered approximately once every four to six weeks.

Murrieta, CA (PRWEB) October 1, 2010 — During the week of September 21st through 24th, 2010, Ambassador Energy experienced record attendance in its New Agency Training in Murrieta, CA, where they host their monthly proprietary four-day intensive solar photovoltaic boot camp-style training, led by NABCEP certified Steve Fulgham, the company’s CEO. In this training alone, seven existing residential and commercial contracting companies, representing four US states, launched their new solar divisions through Ambassador Energy’s offering. Upon graduating, each of the companies returned to their respective markets with a significant competitive edge as a residential and/or commercial solar PV integrator.

AE New Agency Training Installation Day

Ambassador Energy’s New Authorized Agency Training program includes residential and commercial solar technology, sales and marketing, site analysis, string sizing, quoting, financing, and rebate filings. It culminates with a hands-on installation of an active 2-kilowatt solar PV system, which gives all new Ambassador Energy Authorized Agencies the opportunity to get their first installation under their belts. Upon return to their home market places, Ambassador Energy will also send field technicians to assist with their first installations there, assuring that they experience positive starts in their new product/service vertical.

With over 250 collective years of construction experience, Ambassador Energy’s training facility was brimming with talent, expertise and enthusiasm. Throughout the four days of learning, laughing, scratching heads and sharing meals, the class evolved into a microcosm of the Ambassador Energy model. Mindshare, collective experiences and interactively supporting one another is the AE Culture, and the September 2010 graduating class was the model of it.

In attendance, and now fully authorized are: Apex Solar and Roofing, Oregon; CL Construction, California; South Pasa Roofing, California; Payne & Sons Construction, Arizona; Premier Roofing, California; Hong & Associates, Pennsylvania; Knudsen Roofing, California. Returning for continued training were Global Construction, Texas and CI Services, California. Guest speakers included: Ian Knox, Enphase Energy; Michael Blyzka, Schuco USA and Mike Williams, Ambassador Energy of North Texas.

California, United States — Despite a challenging domestic economic environment, the U.S. solar market grew 36% in 2009, according to the United States PV Market 2010 from Solarbuzz. This growth was, however, not nearly as strong as the region’s 62% growth in 2008. On a global scale, the country was ranked the third largest solar photovoltaic market, behind Germany and Italy.

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Within the next five years, Solarbuzz forecasts the market will grow to between 4.5-5.5 GW depending on the scenario. This is around ten times the size of the 2009 market, an average annual growth rate of 30% per annum.

The key drivers of this outcome will be much more aggressive positioning in the utility segment based on the need to meet their Renewable Portfolio Standard obligations, the development of new state markets together with the return of the corporate segment and steady growth in residential demand stimulated by cuts in end-market pricing.

To learn more about the report from Solarbuzz, click here.

Furthermore, the adoption of a comprehensive FIT will cost-effectively fulfill California’s 33% by 2020 goal on schedule, according to the study.

Solar Industry magazine http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.5780

Ambassador Energy has been chosen by Spain’s University of Valencia to host graduate student, Jaime Mira Llobet.  During his six-month internship, Jaime will learn all processes of Ambassador Energy’s solar offerings, including: engineering and design; procurement and order processing; sales and marketing; site analysis; strategic partner management; client relations.

Mira Llobet arrived in America with a suitcase and a passion for learning.  Prior to his arrival, he completed several solar and CAD drawing courses at the University of Valencia.  To prepare, Jaime said, “I brushed up on the skills I need for my work at Ambassador Energy. I want to learn, but I also want to be useful.”

Jaime’s first week in America was spent in a classroom next to new Authorized Agents in Ambassador Energy’s New Agent Training.  He learned solar technology, market trends, solar design and quoting, and he assisted in installing a 2.3 kilowatt solar PV system.   “It was the perfect introduction to this industry and to my new American company”, Jaime said. “I think Ambassador Energy is the best company in the world.”

The enthusiastic student intern is already embracing his California environment. Jaime has enrolled in two adult soccer leagues, is learning to surf in the nearby Pacific Ocean, and is getting settled in his new apartment.  Quickly adapting and happy to make new friends, this 25 year old graduate student from Spain will certainly leave an impression on Ambassador Energy and the surrounding area.

On December 23, 2009, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a revised Proposed Decision that, if adopted, would create a tradable renewable energy credit (REC) market for the first time in the state, allowing load-serving entities (LSEs) to meet a portion of their compliance obligations under the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) through the use of tradable RECs. Currently, the state requires LSEs to purchase renewable energy directly from generators delivering energy into California. The decision would allow unbundled RECs to be purchased from anywhere in the western region, as long as they are registered in the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS).

Read more…

ps.  I will never forget Bill Johnson’s live auction of a horse and a rifle!  Only in Texas!

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