"cheap and fairly easy to install" [RE-wrenches]

Joel Davidson joeldavidson at earthlink.net
Sat Nov 16 12:05:03 PST 2002


Matt,

I am on your side, but every explanation sounds like an excuse to subsidy
program decision makers. The CEC reported that PV system prices went up in 2002
and is pointing out that the price increase is counter to the rebate goal to
reduce prices and suggesting that the program must change. State and federal
decision makers and the public are also told that many PV systems fail to meet
safety codes, are installed by untrained and unqualified people, that
salespeople misrepresent the facts and many PV systems are under-performing.
Even solar advocates bad-mouth PV systems and installers instead of reporting
the bad guys to the contractors' license board or the district attorney.

PV module manufacturers that boast about "revolutionary breakthroughs" that will
dramatically reduce prices are (a) justifying their R&D efforts; (b) telling
customers to wait for a better deal; (c) deceiving themselves; (d) seeking
investors; (e) some of the above; (f) all of the above.

Installers can do nothing about PV module prices. Installers can price their
valuable knowledge and labor skills differently than commodity parts. If your
customers are internet shoppers, you can still manage the installation
effectively and reduce your cost of goods and some other expenses by specifying
the parts that you require for the installation. If your shopping customers buy
the wrong parts, then tell them to return them. Do not begin the installation
until all parts that you need are on-hand.

Joel Davidson

matthew tritt wrote:

> Joel,
>
> Jeez-O-Pete, Joel! Have you checked-out the module pricing from some of the
> McSolar outfits lately?
> How can we, as people attempting to remain in business, lower our prices to
> the end-user any further?
> When those guys are selling to the public at just over our wholesale prices,
> where is the wiggle room coming from? I already sell modules at well below
> list, and our labor isn't going to be buying us any new trucks any time
> soon!
>
> Ever since about 1979, the PV manufacturers have been touting "revolutionary
> manufacturing innovations and drastic pricing reductions" are just around
> the corner. Wow! What a big corner it's been. Short of some kind of
> technological revolution, what can be done to bring down our module costs
> enough to actually make a difference? In reality, our product will only be
> truly affordable to buyers with higher than average incomes until government
> decides to subsidize it nationally (don't look for this any time soon), or
> the manufacturers
> really do have a major breakthrough. Or?
>
> Matt----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joel Davidson" <joeldavidson at earthlink.net>
> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 7:46 AM
> Subject: "cheap and fairly easy to install" (was ground fault) [RE-wrenches]
>
> > I like what Chris says about ground fault protection. I also want PV
> > systems that are "cheap and fairly easy to install." Make PV systems
> > better and faster to install and cheaper. Ask yourself, "What can I do
> > to lower PV system costs?" Then do it like your livelihood depends on it
> > because the CEC is asking why PV system prices have not come down since
> > the rebate program started in 1998. You can list the reasons, but
> > reasons sound like excuses to politicians who control rebate program
> > budgets and to customers. Set a goal to reduce your installed price by
> > 20% by December 2003 AND to increase your net profit. Then apply
> > pressure to your suppliers or buy from someone else. Tell PV module
> > manufacturers to add value AND lower prices so that you can give your
> > customers better, faster to install and cheaper PV systems.
> >
> > - - - -
> > To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> >
> > Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
> >
> > List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
> >
> > Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
> >
> > Hosted by Home Power magazine
> >
> > Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
> >
> >
> >
>
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
> List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

==^================================================================
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================





More information about the RE-wrenches mailing list