[RE-wrenches] Request for Enphase inverter comments

[Marv Dargatz]

Mark,

Some of your conjecture has been addressed by other wrenches in 
subsequent posts.  I do not think that this is the right forum for 
further discussion of this kind.  I believe this forum is intended for 
technical and regulatory discussions.  Is there a forum for 
marketing/sales/strategy discussions?

It would be appropriate for you to contact myself, customer service, or 
sales and marketing at Enphase for further discussion.  Prior to that, I 
would suggest that you visit our website at www.enphaseenergy.com to get 
up to speed regarding our products, warranties, and reimbursement policies.

As you have aired this to such a wide audience, I feel compelled to 
provide some feedback.  Again, further discussion can be taken offline.

A warranty is only as good as the company and personnel behind it.  We 
can all recall instances where manufacturers did a great job standing 
behind their product and some where they did not.  It all comes down to 
their intelligence, intent, and integrity.

It is up to each individual to determine how they want to compete in the 
marketplace.  If you wish to use horse and buggy for material 
transportation, and pen, paper, and U.S. Mail for communication, that's 
your prerogative.

Much of the discussion comes down to fortitude and what type of risk you 
are willing to take.  Some blaze the trail, and others are more 
comfortable following the established path.


See Ya!

Marv
Enphase Energy
707 763-4784 x7016

Mark Frye wrote:
> I was disappointed by the Enphase warranty and service support program.
> 
> I would expect something better than the industry standard 10 year warranty
> for a product like this.  I would take a really strong warranty and service
> support agreement out to at least year 15 to inspire confidence in  the
> product.
> 
> The customer could be sucking wind after years 13 or 15.  The cost of going
> out and replacing failed inverters piece meal as they go thru the failure
> bell curve is really unsupportable.  We may all be off the hook for CSI
> warranties but it is real trouble for the customer who has an array with a
> 25 year service life.
> 
> If Enphase really believes that these inverters will be running fine out at
> year 20, they should indicate that thru the warranty.  If not, folks should
> do some real careful life-cycle cost accounting before they go out and start
> selling these things.
> 
> Hey, if you are delivering a system with a 10 year design life, fine.  But
> if you are working on 25 year designs like I am, then the Enphase won't cut
> it without much stronger commitment to long-term performance from the
> vendor.
> 
> :-)
>  
> Mark Frye
> Berkeley Solar Electric Systems
> 303 Redbud Way
> Nevada City,  CA 95959
> (530) 401-8024
> www.berkeleysolar.com 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bill Loesch
> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 6:49 AM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Request for Enphase inverter comments
> 
> 
> Hi Gang,
> 
> For the number of ads I've seen for the product, I am surprised that there
> has been no discussion of the benefits/disadvantages of this micro inverter
> product.
> 
> TIA,
> Bill Loesch
> Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar
> 314 631 1094
> 
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