[RE-wrenches] Solar Pathfinder vs Solmetric

[Keith Cronin]

Hello gang

Was wondering, who is using each (or if you are not, I'd like to learn/understand) and the features/benefits that you see where one is more desirable than the other.

Are some folks bypassing using these products and looking at empirical data, and if there are no obstructions- trees, buildings, chimneys, etc., using annualized averages to come up with production #'s of "sun" hours per day performance based upon certain criteria?

Also, after this projection of performance, are we checking in with our clients to verify performance?

Does anyone believe products like enphase with their monitoring capabilities, will help bridge the gap on estimated vs actuals and help us build a database of real world conditions (personally, I do and applaud monitoring)?

My sense, is as we move towards a more performance based model (meaning the threat of net metering being eliminated) through channels like FIT and CA modeling, how is the rest of industry prepared to address this in states that are not as sophisticated with their programs? When we see the world financial challenges get resolved, and this time next year, the stock market is rehabilitated, invariably, the market goes higher and so does energy costs. Couple this with the dialog of grants in lieu of tax credits, i.e., getting the $ in our clients hands sooner (as soon as the Treasury sorts this out), there will be more interest in performance, in my opinion. Preparing for it, is the genesis of the questions...as well as the utilities involvement. They could easily (but perhaps not quickly) get into the rooftop business- they have the infrastructure, billing, customers. etc., in place to really get into this market. 

Thanks

Keith



      
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