[RE-wrenches] Solar Magic

Sat Jun 20 07:47:32 PDT 2009

I asked the National Semiconductor people about temperature affecting SolarMagic product life because its operating temperature is -40F (-40C) to 158F(70C) and solar modules get hotter than 70C. I was told that 70C is ok because their device is not  in direct contact with the module.
Joel Davidson
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Conrad Geyser 
  To: 'RE-wrenches' 
  Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 3:55 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Magic

  I was having a conversation with Michael Rogol from Photon yesterday and his only concern was the life expectancy.  They are testing them.

  Other than that they are working as far as overcoming intermittent shading.

  Conrad Geyser

  Cotuit Solar

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  From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Joel Davidson
  Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 7:45 PM
  To: RE-wrenches
  Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar Magic

  (I'll change the subject.) I have some clients with shading problems that may be potential Solar Magic retrofits. I've been to National Semiconductor's presentation and was impressed with their demonstration and professionalism. Does anyone have Solar Magic experience to share with us?

  Joel Davidson

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Wilco Vercoelen 

    To: 'RE-wrenches' 

    Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 3:55 PM

    Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Recall?

    An alternative could be using the Solar Magic with a string inverter reducing shading efficiency losses. Provide easy monitoring and you still would be able to keep your client happy. ;)

    Just a thought.

    Kind regards,
    Wilco Vercoelen
    President

    Dommelvalley Green Power Inc.
    Solar Energy Solutions
    Utopia, Ontario, Canada
    http://www.dommelvalley.ca
    Tel. 705-423-9699
    Fax. 705-423-9880
    Toll Free 1-877-889-7657

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    From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mark Frye
    Sent: June-19-09 18:38
    To: 'RE-wrenches'
    Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Recall?

    Here is my experience with bringing in the Enphase:

    Week 0: First contact with a customer that can benefit from micro inverter application (site visit); Check with vendor - out of stock with 2 week lead time

    Week 1: Develop design specificiation and bid incorporating Enphase micro inverter; bid presentation

    Week 2: Customer selects my bid out of a pool of three competevive bids, other two bids string inverters, wants to sign contract and start work immediately.

    Week 2 plus One Day: Before contract signing check in with vendor; Enphase still completely out of stock and lead time is now 12 WEEKS......shock, heart attack, knowing I am going to lose the job (could have bid a string inverter), how can I face my customer now?.....

    ....I ended up getting a line on the inverters I needed with a 6 week leadtime, taking that to my customer and winning the job.  We are both now waiting to see if the alternate vendor will deliver the product as promised.

    The main thing that went thorough my mind was, "I thought we got over this kind of thing with the module supply shortage, but it's deja vu all over again."

    Enphase may be diligent in managing quality during production ramp-up. However, going from 2 weeks to 12 weeks leadtime in 2 weeks is no way to manage customer expectation.

    In my mind it's a black eye for Enphase. I am hoping that they will win a feather back into their cap with an on time delivery of a stellar product.

    Mark Frye 
    Berkeley Solar Electric Systems 
    303 Redbud Way 
    Nevada City,  CA 95959 
    (530) 401-8024 
    www.berkeleysolar.com  

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    From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bill Brooks
    Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 2:58 PM
    To: 'RE-wrenches'
    Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Recall?

    Peter and all,

    The Enphase product is the only one of its kind on the market currently (there will be more). Their sales are far beyond where they thought they were going to be-good and bad news. Great for them to be confirmed in their market prediction. Bad for the people who are anxious to get the product.

    Many companies simply ramp up production and hope for the best. It is my impression that this is not what Enphase is doing. They are trying to carefully control production.

    If you are making sales based on the benefits and availability of the Enphase product alone, that is probably bad business. Until the Enphase product is widely available, I would recommend that you continue to use the product wisely in specific locations where it will clearly outperform any other option. If you are using the Enphase product where another mature available product will do, you are not using your head or applying the limited quantity of available product wisely. 

    Continue to move with measured caution. The product looks good, but it is not a silver bullet. Don't push the company to make stupid mistakes and overproduce-too many companies in the PV industry are doing that very thing today.

    Bill.

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