Flexera VP first solar pro in state to earn NABCEP certification
Flexera Inc. Vice President Benjamin Farr this month became the first solar professional in Delaware, and among the first nationwide, to become certified as a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) photovoltaic (PV) technical sales professional.
His certification, said NABCEP Executive Director Ezra Auerbach, “sets Farr at the top of his profession.”
The solar energy sales certification program was developed to ensure quality throughout the PV sales process and offer consumers confidence when seeking quotes, proposals and energy and financial estimates for commercial and residential solar projects.
Farr is one of the founding partners of Flexera, a Harbeson, Del.-based company that opened its doors in 2006 with four employees and today employees 33 full-time staff members and is one of the fastest growing alternative energy companies in Delaware.
As vice president, Farr plays a strategic role in developing and supporting long-term business development and sales systems, said Auerbach. He specializes in designing third-party ownership structures to facilitate large-scale photovoltaic system installations, creates return on investment (ROF) models for power systems, handles large commercial and governmental accounts, and provides long-term business planning, marketing, sales training, financing, technology research, corporate expansion and acquisitions services.
Recent high-profile Delaware solar projects Farr has overseen include the new Sussex County Emergency Operations Center solar farm in Georgetown, which broke ground in March; a four-system solar project for the Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club near Bethany Beach, which pioneered green energy for golf and country clubs in Delaware; and a landmark community project at Forest Reach, also near Bethany, where Farr worked with Delmarva Power to develop a new “Rate-X” system so the community could power its street lights with solar energy
A member of the Delaware Solar Energy Coalition board of directors, Farr has more than 15 years of experience in sales leadership, management and business development.
Farr said his entrance into the field of alternative energy began with a fascination with the potential that solar, wind and emerging green technologies have to impact the world, “people’s quality of life” in a positive way immediately and for the long term health of the planet.
He said the NABCEP certification program helped him sharpen his skills to better serve Flexera clients, large and small. Flexera is the only alternative energy company in Delaware to hold both the NABCET PV sales certification and NABCET PV installation certification.
“We take pride in being on the cutting edge of technology and providing the finest level of service for our clients possible, from the first consultation through ongoing follow-up after the system is installed,” he said.
“I am very fortunate,” Farr added. “It’s rare for a person to be able to make a good living and love what they’re doing, while being rewarded with knowing they’re having a positive impact on the world at the same time.”
NABCEP is considered the most respected and well-established national certification organization for renewable energy professionals in the country.
To earn his NABCEP PV sales certification, Farr was required to demonstrate his knowledge on subjects as diverse as qualifying the customer; site analysis; conceptual design; financial costs, incentives, and savings; financial benefit analysis and financing; non-financial benefit analysis; performance analysis; and proposal preparation.
In addition to passing the exam, NABCEP-certified PV technical sales professionals are often required to show that they have real-world experience as a lead person on a sales team, as well has have a minimum number of hours of advanced training.
Said Auerbach, “One thing you can be assured of with NABCEP-certified PV technical sales professionals is that your sale won’t be their first. Anyone who makes the considerable effort required to earn (this certification) has been required to document his or her experience and education as part of the eligibility process.
“They have also made a very real commitment to upholding high standards of ethical and professional practice. We are delighted to welcome Ben Farr of Flexera to the ranks of the industry’s new stand for sales professionals.”
NABCEP is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors consisting of volunteer representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades. NABCEP’s stated mission is “to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners by supporting and working closely with professionals and stakeholders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.”
More information about Flexera is available at www.flexera.net and by calling (302) 945-6870. In addition to the two NABCEP certifications, Flexera is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, a certified Building Performance Institute certified practitioner and is Energy Star Home Performance certified and ACC energy managers certified.
