Halco Energy Graduates Four in Solar Industry's Most Prestigious Certification

Hal Smith, President of Halco Energy, announced that three more of the company's solar professionals have earned the industry's most prestigious certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP®). "We previously had one certified employee and to have three more of our employees earn this achievement is unprecedented- no other company in New York State can make this claim," said Smith.

Joshua Monroe - Solar Project Coordinator, William Coon - Solar Project Manager, and John DeRouchey - Solar Project Design/Engineer are now NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professionals^TM.  They join Kevin Pilcher - Home Energy Advisor who was previously certified. Designation as a NABCEP PV Installation Professional is widely regarded to be the most important and meaningful certification of its kind in the solar industry. In addition, Ralph Schodel, Electrical Division Manager of Halco Energy has earned the NABCEP® PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge.

                    Left to right: Joshua Monroe, William Coon, John DeRouchey, Ralph Schodel, Kevin Pilcher

To earn their NABCEP certification, employees were first required to document relevant education and experience related to PV system installation. They then had to pass a rigorous exam that covers the breadth of the multi-craft knowledge, skills, and abilities required to competently design, install, and maintain PV systems. The exam assesses knowledge on subjects as diverse as electrical and mechanical system design, job site safety, the National Electrical Code, roofing and construction techniques, and system maintenance and troubleshooting.

“One thing you can be assured of when hiring a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional is that your project won’t be their first,” said Richard Lawrence, Executive Director of NABCEP. “Anyone who makes the considerable effort required to earn NABCEP certification has documented their training and experience as part of the eligibility process. They have also made a very real commitment to upholding high standards of ethical and professional practice."

About PV Systems

PV is short for photovoltaic. PV systems produce electricity from sunlight. Most people have used a solar powered calculator or garden light, and have seen solar panels on roadside signs, but PV panels can be configured to produce enough energy to power a home, school, business, or even serve as a small power plant feeding electricity into the grid. As the cost of PV systems has declined sharply over the last few years, more and more households, municipalities, and companies are “going solar.” NABCEP is a mark of quality assurance that the consumer can use to know that they are choosing a qualified contractor.

About Halco Energy

Founded in 1984, Halco is focused on providing high-quality energy solutions to residential and commercial clients. As a full service company, Halco has divisions that offer high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, professional plumbing, electrical work, insulation, air-sealing, renewable energy- solar, geothermal and wind- systems, home energy audits and much more. They are dedicated to quality work, sustainability, innovation, and to providing extraordinary service to clients. Halco has invested in a great deal of training through the Building Performance Institute (BPI Certified Contractor), National Comfort Institute, and the Comfort Institute to bring customers the "whole house as a system" approach. With close to 240 employees Halco's expertise has helped hundreds of New York homeowners become more energy efficient.  

For more information contact Kelsey Belile, Halco Energy, www.halcoenergy.com, 1-800-533-3367.