[RE-wrenches] Volcanos, reduced solar production and kWh performance warranties

[Marco Mangelsdorf]

This thread brings up a very timely issue that I’m dealing with right now with PV Power Purchase Providers.  As an integrator providing turnkey PV systems of X kW, I’m being asked to contractually agree to a minimum performance warranty for said PV systems.  I am EXTREMELY uncomfortable to any such clause in any contract that I would sign.  I have strong confidence in my PV design capabilities  and engineering support and in my professional crew to install a top-quality PV system.  I have a lot less confidence in an inverter manufacturer being able to get to a site on a Hawaiian island in the middle of the Pacific in a super timely fashion as the lost PV kWhs rack up.  And as I mentioned in a previous post today, we have an active volcano here that’s been spewing since 1983, a volcano that could get a lot worse on any given day.  I’m leaning strongly against agreeing to any such clause.  Way too bad a precedent to set.  Way too much of a liability.

 

Anyone else had to deal with this bugger of a performance warranty demand?

 

Thanks,

marco

ProVision Solar

 

Marco:

 

Our production schedule has been in tatters - lowered by perhaps 30% because of the rain.... can't plan, can't do.  Then I pay overtime on good days to (try to) catch up.

We have a number of systems online and I had not thought to actually review and compare from this year to last.  I'll let ya know.

 

We'll get a call like - "My bill is higher than last year (edison has a bar graph of monthly consumption for the past 13 months) and I'd like you to look at my system" or My meter is not going backwards, should I call edison?"  The weather is so consistently wet this winter (think Hilo) that we usually just need to ask-

"Been outside lately?"

 

But everywhere is so green and the desert bloom is outrageous.........

http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html 

 

Pat Redgate 

Ameco Solar 

 

In a message dated 4/25/2010 12:24:53 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, marco at pvthawaii.com writes:

Pat,

 

Kicked your butts as far as lower output?  If so, by how much on a percentage basis?

 

On the Big Island of Hawaii, we’ve had a very active volcano doing its thing since 1983.  With the normal trade winds, the vog (volcanic smoke + fog) gets blown south past the volcano, around the south tip of the island and then back up along the west side of the island.  Which means that Kona-side residents can be in a yucky vog zone for days and sometimes longer.  Think L.A. on a smoggy summer day.  And as far as percentage decrease in solar output, I really have little accurate clue.

 

Marco

ProVision Solar

 

Kicked out butts, in fact.

 

Pat Redgate

Ameco Solar

 

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