[RE-wrenches] Solar Pathfinder vs Solmetric

[Darryl Thayer]

Hello
I use both.  I am impressed with the what appers to be rapid improvement with the Solmetric.  Also with the for my experiance better customer service with solmetric.  I like the ability to use NREL TMY-3 with Solmetric, and the effect of orentation on performance using the web based material.  I therefore think the Solmetric is more accurate than the pathfinder.  I do not like that I have to use magnetic south when in area with problematic magnetic fields.   

Some how it is easier to explain the Pathfinder to the customer.  I would rank them about equal, but expect the solmetric to take the lead 

I think that both companies have room for improvement, mostly in the software end by expanding their analysis programs to include tracking, even solar thermal.  This would be a heavy software investment.  
Darryl
 
--- On Sun, 3/8/09, Kirpal Khalsa <solarworks at gmail.com> wrote:

> From: Kirpal Khalsa <solarworks at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Pathfinder vs Solmetric
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Date: Sunday, March 8, 2009, 4:25 PM
> Hey Keith....we love the solmetric.....our love of instant
> gratification
> makes this our choice......being able to digitally remove
> trees infront of
> the customer and discuss it is a great tool.  We dont like
> how the battery
> continuously needs charged.....a better battery would be
> wonderful.....It is
> great to be able to take 10 shots in 5 minutes.......
> We have both tools and both can be accurate.   We pretty
> much always choose
> to use the suneye......Their continuous imporvement is
> appreciated......wish
> they were cheaper....we would get more of them.
> Cheers,
> 
> 
> -
> Sunny Regards,
> Kirpal Khalsa
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
> Renewable Energy Systems
> www.oregonsolarworks.com
> 
> On Sun, Mar 8, 2009 at 1:23 PM, Keith Cronin
> <electrichi01 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> > 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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