[RE-wrenches] Chinese solar cells and modules and pricing

[Bob-O Schultze]

I have to chime in here in support with Bill and especially Joel.
I refuse to buy or install Chinese modules. Yes, the price is low, but  
as pointed out by Bill, will they be there in 5,10,15 years to back a  
warranty?
There is something else. This country is in serious financial trouble.  
We've brought it on ourselves with unregulated greed and outright  
foolishness, but it needs to stop. Now.
I, for one, buy American when I can. Doesn't always work out and it  
isn't hard and fast rule, but it's what I CAN do. I don't buy Chinese  
stuff regardless of quality. We, as a country, just can't afford to do  
that anymore.  When I point that out to my potential clients, most  
agree and will part with a few extra bucks to do what THEY can do.  
Those that don't/won't/can't, I wish them well and good luck. Seek  
life elsewhere.
Bob-O

On Jun 7, 2009, at 6:05 PM, Joel Davidson wrote:

Chinese quality will improve and price is important, but I think that  
doing business with people who you trust and respect comes first. Some  
of you remember Bill Lamb. The Wm. Lamb Company was the world's first  
PV distributorship. Bill helped a lot of us get started in the  
business. I learned a lot about PV and business in general working for  
Bill. Here's a Bill Lamb true story. Before moving to Camarillo, Arco  
Solar was in Chatsworth about 16 miles from the Wm. Lamb Company so  
Arco referred a lot of customers to us. In 1983 or 1984, Arco sent  
three Arab gentlemen to us. They selected about $50,000 in solar  
modules and other equipment which was a big sale in those days. One of  
the men pulled out cash and told Bill that they plan to buy a lot more  
solar equipment and will buy it all from him if he did not sell to  
Israel. Bill's reaction was immediate. It was the only time I ever saw  
him get angry. He told the men to go to hell and that he would never  
sell anything to them. Then he walked out the building, got in his  
car, and drove away leaving me with the three shocked men. They asked  
me what to do. I told them that Bill was the boss and had the final  
word so they left without buying anything. A few hours later, Bill  
returned and I asked him if he refused to sell to the Arabs because  
they were boycotting Israel. Bill said, "It's not just about Israel. I  
refuse to do business with dictators."
Joel Davidson

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