The seminar on June 26th in Las Vegas is designed to give roofing contractors a roadmap to adding Solar Photovoltaics [PV] to their current core competencies.

Smith and her Ambassador Energy team will again be exhibiting at the Western States Roofing Expo June 24-27, 2012 at the Paris Hotel Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team returns each year to this show as a means to meet and greet their current 90+ Solar Agencies, while building relationships with future Agencies. They can be found at booth number 900.

Throughout the four-day expo, training seminars and special sessions for attendees will be conducted. Ms. Smith’s seminar will take place Tuesday, June 26th at 8am, where she will enlighten attendees on the benefits and challenges of adding a solar PV offering to contractors’ current portfolios of services and products. She will highlight strengths and growth opportunities for the contractors, while being very candid about its being a highly technical offering and clear that it is not a fit for every contractor. Her goal is to be honest, concise and entertaining.

Smith leads her team at Ambassador Energy, where they train contractors who become a part of their Authorized Agency Program. In addition, Ambassador Energy is ISPQ certified. “We are one of only a handful of solar training companies in the US qualified to offer a five-day training course and test for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners [NABCEP] Entry Level accreditation, and NABCEP continuing education credits,” Smith said.

“We train contractors from all over the country each month at our offices in Southern California,” she continued. “It is our responsibility to not only teach them how to install, but to train them on successful selling strategies, which include addressing roof condition, roof warranties and subtle nuances, such as appropriate Returns on Investments and Rate of Returns for the end-users. We always say that the installation is the easy part. We teach the ‘Ambassador Energy Secret Sauce’ to being successful at all of it – solar ‘soup to nuts.’”

Ambassador Energy’s education arm, Ambassador Energy College, offers Solar training courses including: Solar PV Design and Installation 32-hour course and NABCEP Entry Level exam; Prep courses for NABCEP PV Technical Sales and PV Installer; Advanced PV Design and Installation [qualifying for NABCEP continuing education credits]; AE’s proprietary New Agency Boot Camp; AE’s Solar for Electricians and Contractors classes.

About Ambassador Energy
Ambassador Energy [AE] has a three-pronged business model, including Ambassador Energy College Solar Training, the Ambassador Energy Agency Program and Ambassador Energy, an EPC contractor. On the training staff are NABCEP Certified PV Installers, NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professionals [Fulgham/Kelso] and multiple NABCEP EL graduates. AE Agencies are nationwide. Ambassador Energy EPC installs PV throughout California.

Catherine Kelso is now one of a half dozen women in the renewable power industry to earn dual NABCEP Certifications.

When hired to lead the training team at Ambassador Energy, Kelso was already highly-qualified with one North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners [NABCEP] certificates. Now, after earning her second, she became one of only a handful of women with two.

Catherine Kelso cut her teeth in the solar industry in 2005, working in both California and Oregon. She first became a NABCEP Certified PV Installer in 2010, and this month earned the other highly-prized credential, NABCEP PV Technical Sales professional.

Kelso’s job at ISPQ-accredited Ambassador Energy is to lead the training program, crafting new solar PV courses, teaching the five-day course for the NABCEP Entry Level exam, teaching preparation classes for NABCEP exams, guest-speaking at colleges, training electrical, roofing and building contractors, and finding new ways to raise the bar on solar PV education and installation. She directs all of the course activity at Ambassador Energy College.

“The solar industry is full of people jumping in and trying to quickly learn it,” Kelso said. “But, it takes quite a bit of education to become an expert, especially in a business that is constantly evolving. I’m really happy to be one of a few women in the industry with my credentials, but I am even happier to be a part of driving quality to an industry which can easily fall prey to mass entry of unqualified installers.”

“For me,” she continued, “NABCEP is a big part of quality control. It’s the certificate that the US recognizes and one you can hold in your hand. But the real work is continuing to grow through constant education and experience. You can’t just get certified and forget about it. We have a responsibility to our clients to continue to hone our skills in the field and through educational programs like NABCEP, whose Continuing Education [CE] credits are mandatory. While those CE credits are always a pain, I am happy that the benchmark is high. The only way the solar industry will stay quality-driven is with programs like NABCEP.”

Also dual NABCEP-credentialed, Ambassador Energy CEO Steve Fulgham said, “We are very proud of Catherine. She is an integral part of our culture of training and education. She lives and breathes it. We laugh because she can almost never be caught without a calculator in her pocket.”

About Ambassador Energy
Ambassador Energy [AE] has a three-pronged business model, including Ambassador Energy College Solar Training, the Ambassador Energy Agency Program and Ambassador Energy, an EPC contractor. On staff are NABCEP Certified PV Installers, NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professionals [Fulgham/Kelso] and multiple NABCEP EL graduates. AE Agencies are nationwide. Ambassador Energy EPC installs PV throughout California.

CATHERINE KELSO
Director of Training at Ambassador Energy

Catherine is one of a small group of women in the solar industry who has earned the NABCEP PV Installer Certification (#031310-124) and the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certificate (#032412-25). She launched her solar career in 2005 in PV technical support and battery-based inverter repair, providing even more value with her off-grid knowledge. Today, she leads the Ambassador Energy training team teaching curriculum such as the 32-hour NABCEP EL training/testing, preparation courses for NABCEP’s exams for PV Installer and PV Technical Sales, one-, two- and Ambassador Energy’s New Agency Boot Camp.

The Shortest Route From Career-seeking to Landing a Solar PV job is Certification by NABCEP [North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners]

NABCEP is proctoring their twice-annual PV Installer Exam March 24th, 2012. Ambassador Energy responds to this urgent market demand by offering students a preparation class to help them pass the test, hone their skills and jump-start their solar careers.

One of the first women to become certified as a NABCEP PV Installer, Catherine Kelso, is now Director of Training for Ambassador Energy [AE]. “This exam freaked me out when I took it,” she said. “I had heard from so many people in the industry that this is the hardest credential out there. Everyone also agreed that it is the most important. I signed up for it months before the exam, had done a ton of solar installations, studied on and off, but I was still really nervous about passing. I wish Ambassador Energy’s prep class had been around when I took the exam.”

Fortunately, Catherine passed and was immediately marketable to a higher employment tier within the industry. She said, “If I had not been NABCEP certified, I would have never been hired here at Ambassador Energy. Just last month, I took the NABCEP PV Technical Sales exam and am awaiting the results. I figure the more NABCEP certifications I have, the more long-term job security I can enjoy. To me, it is job insurance.”

As Ambassador Energy has opened their education division, led by Kelso and known as Ambassador Energy College, they announce their 2012 Solar PV Training Team, whose training calendar includes: Solar PV Design and Installation 32-hour course and NABCEP Entry Level exam; Prep courses for NABCEP PV Technical Sales and PV Installer; Advanced PV Design and Installation [qualifying for NABCEP continuing education credits]; AE’s proprietary New Agency Boot Camp; AE’s Solar for Electricians and Solar for Contractors classes.

The Ambassador Energy College training team consists of

Steve Fulgham

Co-Founder, CEO and Visionary of Ambassador Energy

Steve holds a C-46 Renewable Energy Contractor license, a B General Contractor license, the NABCEP PV Installer Certification (#031310-74) and the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification (#012911-35). He cut his business and technology teeth in the computer hardware and software industries, rising to Senior VP of a Fortune 100 software company. Later, he built custom homes and light commercial as a GC and saw the future in solar, when in 2007, he crafted the unique Ambassador Energy Agency/EPC/Training model. Today, Steve heads Ambassador Energy and facilitates special training segments.

Catherine Kelso

Director of Training

Catherine is one of a small group of women in the solar industry who has earned the NABCEP PV Installer Certification (#031310-124) and, coming soon, the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certificate. She launched her solar career in 2005 in PV technical support and battery-based inverter repair, providing even more value with her off-grid knowledge. Today, she leads the Ambassador Energy training team.

Kelly Smith

Co-Founder and President of Ambassador Energy

As the official head-cheerleader of Ambassador Energy, Kelly brings a vast professional sales portfolio to the solar industry. She thrived in sales and marketing for two decades after earning her Journalism degree from SMU. Today Kelly, who has earned NABCEP EL, teaches segments in the curriculum, which are the Ambassador Energy sales “secret sauce” for our Agency family. With a few hours of instruction from her, new solar professionals glean insightful marketing nuggets, while established sales organizations get that “shot in the arm” that comes from her expertise and infectious enthusiasm for the solar industry.

Kurt Sorensen

Director of Field Support

Kurt is a licensed C-10 Electrician, a NABCEP EL graduate and soon-to-be a NABCEP PV Technical Sales professional. Kurt has worked in the field of construction since he was able to drive, migrating seamlessly into solar PV and solar thermal years ago when Ambassador Energy was founded. Today, Kurt teaches PV installation segments of the training courses in Ambassador Energy’s training facility and spearheads training opportunities in the field real-time at real installations throughout the country.

About Ambassador Energy

Ambassador Energy [AE] has a three-pronged business model, including Ambassador Energy College Solar Training, the Ambassador Energy Agency Program and Ambassador Energy, an EPC contractor. On staff are NABCEP Certified PV Installers, NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professionals [Fulgham/Kelso] and multiple NABCEP EL graduates. AE Agencies are nationwide. Ambassador Energy EPC installs PV throughout California.

Ambassador Energy College Offers Special Two-Day Exam Preparation Class, Taught by NABCEP Certified Instructors, to Prepare Students for Quickly-Approaching NABCEP PV Installer Exam March 24th

Ambassador Energy provides this proprietary preparation course March 21st and 22nd at their training facility in Southern California. The class is designed specifically to help students pass the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners [NABCEP] PV Installer exam.

Ambassador Energy’s Advanced PV Installation 2-day course is consistently scheduled in proximity to NABCEP’s exam dates. The NABCEP PV Installer exam is a paper and pencil exam which is proctored only twice a year, next scheduled for March 24th, 2012. The NABCEP PV Technical Sales exam is computer-based and offered July 21st – August 11th, 2012. Ambassador Energy’s preparation courses are strategically scheduled immediately prior to NABCEP’s exam dates, giving students the opportunity to enter the exams with fresh and updated technical knowledge, thus improving their possibilities for passing.

“Having been certified myself for NABCEP’s PV Installer and PV Technical Sales,” said Ambassador Energy CEO, Steve Fulgham, “I encouraged our Training Department to craft classes which will serve as refresher courses prior to the NABCEP exam dates. We obviously feel very strongly about NABCEP’s role in quality control in our industry and want to support their programs through our Ambassador Energy College curriculum. I can personally attest to their certifications as being ‘the hard ones to get’, and want to provide an avenue allowing good students to get good results.”

Ambassador Energy College also offers a 32-hour course and testing for NABCEP Entry Level. The result of the most recent class was a 100% pass rate.

“I just took the NABCEP PV Technical Sales exam this month,” said Catherine Kelso, Ambassador Energy’s Director of Training. “I know from being certified as a NABCEP PV Installer years ago and now from this last exam that these tests are no joke. They require a great deal of effort, but are totally worth it for anyone making a career in solar PV. Being NABCEP certified was a huge factor in my getting a job at Ambassador Energy!”

Ambassador Energy is one of a very few ISPQ accredited firms in the state of California qualified to teach and test for NABCEP Entry Level [EL]. Their trainers are NABCEP certified in both PV Installation and PV Technical Sales.

The Ambassador Energy training team also provides continuous coaching, training, support and customized training classes and webinars for its family of Authorized Agencies nationwide.

About Ambassador Energy

Ambassador Energy [AE] is a solar training and distribution company, with 94 Authorized Agencies operating in 16 US states. On staff are two NABCEP Certified PV Installers and one NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professional [Fulgham 012911-35/031310-74,Kelso 031310-124] and several NABCEP EL graduates. AE offers general PV training, in addition to providing 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. Non-Agency training is offered consistently throughout the year.

Ambassador Energy College graduates NABCEP EL class with 100% pass rate.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Entry Level test was proctored after Ambassador Energy’s weeklong Solar PV Design and Installation course, which is offered each month at Ambassador Energy College in Southern California and taught by NABCEP certified trainers.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Entry Level test was proctored after Ambassador Energy’s weeklong Solar PV Design and Installation course, which is offered each month at Ambassador Energy College in Southern California and taught by NABCEP certified trainers.

“This was an interesting class,” said Kelly Smith, president of Ambassador Energy and Ambassador Energy College. “We feel so strongly about education and the NABCEP program, I decided to take our 32-hour Solar PV Design and Installation class and sit for the test. I figured I would see first-hand what all the hubbub was about. Everyone is always talking about how difficult it is. NABCEP tells us it is intentionally difficult. And now I can confirm that, indeed, it is difficult…but doable.”

“I had to get my head around the fact that I would have to sit still for five days, keep my head in the game and actually study after hours. It has been a long time since I was in a classroom environment as a student. During other Ambassador Energy training, I am often sitting in the teacher’s chair sharing sales, marketing and finance knowledge, so this was a kick in the pants for me. I was extremely challenged and delightfully humbled.”

In addition to Smith, other students included a group of teachers from an electrician college in Alberta, Canada, several Ambassador Energy employees and a handful of local building contractors. While many had in-depth electrical knowledge, all agreed that there were challenging aspects to the diversity of information presented. None was 100% certain of passing the exam, and all were thrilled with the news when it was recently revealed. The results arrived after the pencil and paper tests were securely submitted to NABCEP in New York for official grading. The process takes several weeks.

“The students are always on pins and needles waiting for the test scores,” said Catherine Kelso, one of only a handful of females certified as NABCEP PV Installers and the Director of Training for Ambassador Energy. “It’s funny how even the most confident of students will often leave with a little tinge of doubt about their score. It was a pleasure this time to announce to every single student that they had passed.”

About Ambassador Energy’s Solar PV Design and Installation
The course is designed to give students every opportunity to learn the basics of solar photovoltaic technology and pass the NABCEP Entry Level [EL] test. Students are encouraged to take the test immediately, as AE statistics have proven it increases their odds of passing.

The schedule for Ambassador Energy’s 32-hour course and NABCEP EL test includes five consecutive Fridays, and the traditional weeklong class. The classes and tests are offered at Ambassador Energy’s headquarters and training facility in Murrieta CA.

Ambassador Energy is one of as very few ISPQ accredited firms in the state of California qualified to teach and test for the NABCEP Entry Level [EL] certification. AE trainers are NABCEP certified in both PV Installation and PV Technical Sales. Class tuition includes test, textbook ($100 value) and the opportunity to build an actual solar photovoltaic system during class. The following subjects are addressed:

• How PV Works
• What Affects Solar Output
• PV System Components
• Electrical and Solar Terminology
• Solar Site Evaluation
• Shade Analysis
• PV System Design
• Solar Panel Racking
• PV Permits and Contracts
• Solar Installation Safety
• OSHA Standards
• Install a System in the Classroom

In addition to the NABCEP courses for Entry Level, PV Installer and PV Technical Sales, Ambassador Energy College continues to offer one-, two- and three-day training classes on related subjects, ranging from ‘Solar for Electricians’ to ‘Become a Solar Referral Agent’.”

The Ambassador Energy training team also provides continuous coaching, training, support and customized training classes and webinars for its family of Authorized Agencies nationwide.

About Ambassador Energy
Ambassador Energy (AE) is a solar training and distribution company, with 92 Authorized Agencies operating in 16 US states. On staff are two NABCEP Certified PV Installers and one NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professional (Fulgham 012911-35/031310-74,Kelso 031310-124) and several NABCEP EL graduates. 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.

Ambassador Energy Completes a 53 Kilowatt Solar PV Project for a 53 Year Old Company in California’s Central Agricultural Region

The clock was ticking at the end of 2011 for Swenson Shear, who had a reservation for solar rebates with the local utility company, Turlock Irrigation District. Swenson’s executives engaged Ambassador Energy to perform to the tight timeline and install a complicated two-location solar PV system.

For Swenson Shear, the desire to “go green” outweighed the stress of hitting an extreme deadline. “We have wanted to go solar for some time,” said Dean Doerksen, president of Swenson Shear. “With travel, trade shows and catering to an international client base, we found ourselves making a last minute decision, which lead us to contact Ambassador Energy. We interviewed several local solar firms and found Ambassador Energy to have the qualifications and horsepower we needed to get the job done. Out of everyone we interviewed, Ambassador was the only one in our area with NABCEP certified solar PV installers and sales professionals.”

To accomplish the task, Ambassador Energy designed a solar system, which included both ground-mounted and roof-mounted arrays. They took advantage of the optimal azimuth of the building’s roof and added a supplemental array on the ground near the parking lot. They also opted for underground horizontal boring through the earth for the wire conduit, minimizing asphalt and landscape damage.

Having essentially two separate systems further burdened the deadline, but the Ambassador Energy team was able to perform. They designed the system, procured permits and installed the solar panels, inverters and balance of system, hitting the tough Turlock Irrigation District [TID] timeline target.

“Our utility bills ranged from $800 to $1500 per month,” said Doerksen. “By installing solar equipment, our bills will be offset by 75-85%. We will be immune to any extraordinary utility rate hikes and will send a strong message to the community and our customers that we are doing our part to make the environment stronger. Becoming environmentally friendly is becoming a bigger issue with our international and national clientele. They want to know what we are doing to help the planet. This is a great first step.”

Doerksen continued, “We want to show the community what this means to a business like ours. So, we asked Ambassador Energy to design a ‘show-friendly’ inverter display wall. We are so thrilled with the work done by AE and our ‘go green’ message that we are inviting all of our friends, neighbors and the public to visit us at our Turlock location anytime for a tour of the system.”

About Swenson Shear
For the last 50 years, Swenson Shear has been supplying the Metal Construction industry with quality and innovative metal-cutting tools. Founded in 1959 by Ralph Swenson, the company started out small with simple, yet effective shears to simplify the process of cutting common exposed-fastener panels.

In keeping pace with today’s ever-growing industry, Swenson Shear now offers a larger product line of unique tools to cut hundreds of different metal panels offering a quick and efficient method to shear not only exposed-fastener panels, but also concealed-fastener,

About Ambassador Energy
Ambassador Energy (AE) is a solar training and distribution company, with 92 Authorized Agencies operating in 16 US states. On staff are two NABCEP Certified PV Installers [Fulgham/Kelso], a NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professional [Fulgham] and several NABCEP EL graduates. 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.

Ambassador Energy to conduct the ISPQ-accredited ‘Intro to Solar PV’ class and proctor the NABCEP EL test during the week of December 12th through 16th 2011 in Southern California.

Teaching the course will be Ambassador Energy’s NABCEP Certified Trainers. If the students choose, they may take the NABCEP Entry Level test directly at the conclusion of the course.

As the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners credentials become more important throughout the country, Ambassador Energy [AE] executives encourage contractors to take the first step in getting what NABCEP touts as the accreditation that is “the one that’s hard to get”.

“It is almost impossible to engage in the solar business in certain states like Oregon and Texas without being NABCEP certified,” said Kelly Smith, president of Ambassador Energy. “We believe that the solar industry will be much better in general and as a whole, if every solar contractor accomplishes benchmarks and earns credentials, such as NABCEP.”

“Our Intro to Solar PV course is designed to give students every opportunity to learn the basics of solar photovoltaic technology and pass the NABCEP EL test, which we give directly after the class. Taking the test immediately has proven to increase the odds of passing, so we encourage the students to stay for it. We even include the test in our training price and provide a hard-cover text book for them to keep,” Smith continued.

Class tuition includes textbook [$100 value] and the opportunity to build an actual solar photovoltaic system during class. The following subjects are also addressed:

• How PV Works
• What Affects Solar Output
• PV System Components
• Electrical and Solar Terminology
• Solar Site Evaluation
• Shade Analysis
• PV System Design
• Solar Panel Racking
• PV Permits and Contracts
• Solar Installation Safety
• OSHA Standards
• Install a System in the Classroom

“Based on high demand,” said NABCEP certified instructor, Catherine Kelso,
“Ambassador Energy will continue to offer the ‘Intro to Solar PV’ and NABCEP EL test every four to five weeks. In addition, we offer one-, two- and three-day training classes on related subjects, ranging from ‘Solar for Electricians’ to ‘Become a Solar Referral Agent’.”

Ambassador Energy is one of seven ISPQ accredited firms in the state of California qualified to teach and test for the NABCEP Entry Level [EL] certification. AE trainers are NABCEP certified in both PV Installation and PV Technical Sales. AE will soon offer training for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales accreditation, as well.

The Ambassador Energy training team also provides continuous training, support and customized webinars for its family of Authorized Agencies nationwide.

About Ambassador Energy

Ambassador Energy (AE) is a solar training and distribution company, with 83 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.

Ambassador Energy to Exhibit at Western States [WSRA] Roofing Expo for the Third Consecutive Year

Always celebrating its roots in the roofing industry, Ambassador Energy will, once again, exhibit at the Western Roofing Expo, this year in Reno, Nevada, June 5th through June 8th, 2011 at the Peppermill Convention Center and Resort.

“This is where it all started for us,” said Kelly Smith, President of Ambassador Energy, “Once we rolled out our Agency program in first quarter 2009, Western States was our first stop. We took a chance on roofing contractors’ interest in the being the leaders in the growing and dynamic solar industry. As it turns out, they are extremely enthusiastic about it and now make up more than 80% of our 62 Ambassador Energy Authorized Agencies across the country. We believe in them. They love our offering. And we really look forward to the roofing shows each year, so that we can continue to talk to the professional who should be the ones performing the solar installation, addressing roof condition first and making sure warranties stay intact!”

Steve Fulgham, CEO of Ambassador Energy, further commented, “When we first started doing these shows, people looked at us and wondered why we were there. However, after they kept seeing us at International Roofing Expo [IRE], Western States, METALCON and RCAT in Texas, they realized we really are committed to this group of contractors. Now they are our bread and butter, in regard to the groups we turn out of our training to sell and install solar PV.”

Fulgham recently participated on a North American Board of Energy Practitioners [NABCEP] committee and holds two NABCEP certifications, PV Installer and PV Technical Sales. He is also working with the National Roofing Contractors Association to assist crafting testing curriculum for the industry’s RISE program and was the solar speaker at the 2010 International Roofing Expo [IRE]. Steve speaks frequently and passionately about Solar PV to both public and industry groups.

See Ambassador Energy at Booth 900 at the Western Roofing Expo 2012.

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 many solar training courses like Solar PV Design and Installation, Advanced PV Technical Sales, Advanced PV Installation, Solar PV for General Contractors, and a growing list of others. Class schedules and online registration may be found HERE.

Solar Photovoltaic Systems Added to Southern California Low-income Apartment Complex, Offsets Energy Costs and Sets an Example within the Community

As renovations are completed for Oaktree Apartments in Temecula, the crown jewel, a Solar PV system, is added. This high-tech, cutting-edge property improvement will statistically increase the property’s value, while garnering good will from the community, according to Ambassador Energy President, Kelly Smith.

Owners of the property, Highland Property Construction, Inc. of San Clemente, CA, responding to escalating and unpredictable costs for electricity, made the decision to purchase a solar electric system from 360 Solar, a division of Dan’s Roofing of Lake Elsinore, CA, a part of the Ambassador Energy Authorized Agency group.

Dan Williams, owner of Dan’s Roofing, has been a successful California roofing contractor for 30 years, and has now bridged the technology chasm and to take his company in a green direction. In early 2009, Williams recruited Tony Hickman to spearhead the solar division, called 360 Solar, which is installing residential and commercial solar solutions throughout Southern California.

“The Oaktree project is an interesting one,” said Hickman, who managed the solar project. “There were many considerations in the design of the solar system. It took a lot of work to create the Return on Investment statement, given that the individual apartments were on sub-meters. Once we got the financial case figured out, met the unique logistical demands, and addressed the roof condition, the installation was the easy part. We think this is a great model of how to use solar energy to reduce the high electric rate tiers of the utility company. Now that the model is created, we hope to bring this solution to many more multi-family properties.”

At 360 Solar’s suggestion, Highland Property Construction principles decided on a 20.16 kilowatt solar PV system, assembled with 84 panels and 84 micro-inverters. The arrays are strategically mounted on several rooftops within the complex, located at 42176 Lyndie Lane, Temecula, CA 92591.

Hickman added, “You really never know if a system will pencil until you enter the data and do the math. We are far beyond just calculating how many panels will fit on a roof. The industry is getting more sophisticated and I give kudos to the owners of Oaktree for thinking outside the box, giving their tenants a sense of pride, helping their own bottom line, and actually reducing their carbon footprint, benefitting the planet. It’s all good.”

360 Solar, a Division of Dan’s Roofing services all of Southern California, specializing in residential and commercial rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations.

About Ambassador Energy

Ambassador Energy has over 50 Authorized Agencies in 11 US states, including Dan’s Roofing/360 Solar. 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 many solar training courses like Solar PV Design and Installation, Advanced PV Technical Sales, Advanced PV Installation, Solar PV for General Contractors, and a growing list of others. Class schedules and online registration may be found HERE.