Solar Bill
Mar 5th, 2008 by solarbill
My qualifications, hobbies and interests.
I first became involved in the solar business in 1979 by getting a job with a solar water heating company where I was living in Florida. When I moved to Ojai in 1980 I started looking for a way to continue doing solar. I worked for a number of small companies, the most notable was Aptec, John Ericsson’s solar water heating company for whom I installed systems for about a year.
In 1984 I got contractors license, plumbing with a solar sub class as there was no solar class at that time. This is when I started Prime Solar Co. It has been in continuous operation since then. In 1986 when the solar license became available I added the C-46 solar classification to my license.
We have installed over 100 solar water heaters at a time when solar was not popular. We are installing more every year. As one of the few solar water heating experts we are keeping many of the systems originally installed in the 80’s going, long aftermost of the installers are out of business. These old systems have paid for themselves many times over.
Since the solar electric rebate program went into effect we have installed over 50 systems. Some as small as 2Kw and some as large as 12kW.
I have helped the contractors’ state license board write the test for the solar license. I just came back (3/08) from my second two day workshop to do this in Sacramento. There were four contractors who checked questions and found the relevant sections in the code.
I have been involved in legislation to make the rebate program work better.
Prime Solar is a member of CalSeia California Solar Energy Industries Association.
Hobbies:
The most relevant hobby of mine to installing solar is my passion for music. I have been designing and building Hi-Fi systems for at least the past 20 years. I ventured into the market in the late 1990`s. I built an output transformerless amplifier that I thought sounded much better than some units many times the price. This passion has given me a deep understanding of electronics. If you want to see some of what I was doing check out:
I have been practicing Aikido for over 25 years. It keeps me in shape both mentally and physically. It is a good meditation and has taught me how to use my body more effectively. The philosophy of Aikido is non confrontation. Instead of meeting force with force, allow that force to be and use it to your advantage. This is a perfect model for human relations as well. The dojo I practice at is:
I ride a Honda VFR800 as much as the weather permits, it gets about 35 MPG meets the 2008 European smog standards and is fun.
I have been learning to fly small planes.