[RE-wrenches] maximum efficiency module inquiry

[Phil Undercuffler]

Kirk,

With all due respect, I'm going to employ the bull*hit detector on this
customer's inquiry.  He tells you that he wants the most efficient product
available, or potentially available in the next 5 years, no matter the cost.
 He throws out the two industry leading commercialized, warrantable and
bankable products as "not good enough."  He says he's willing to be a beta
site for some yet-as-undeveloped technology...

<Cue image of John Belushi coughing into his hand, circa Animal House>

You are speaking with the wrong person on this project, and need to
politely, delicately and with great finesse go over his head to find the
real decision maker if you are to have any hope in hell of closing this
deal.

85kW at an installed cost of $6 per watt (a sweet deal for ultra-high
efficiency cutting edge technology, but bear with me here) is over a half
million dollars of investment.  Precious few companies cut that kind of
check without being lock-down rock-solid positive of the correctness of the
business decision.  Of course, there are countless numbers of ways that this
decision is the right one, but cost-is-no-object power density is rarely one
of them.  As Peter points out, why are they focused on [cell? module?
system?] efficiency, and not energy or return?

Sure, you might have hooked up with a Richard Branson who's willing to plunk
down a handful of big bills just 'cause, whether or not it works and
absolutely without regard of warranty or long term results.  But it's rare
that mere mortals such as you and I manage an audience with such folk.  It's
far more likely that you've come in contact with a mid-level visionary who
likes to emphasize his importance by dealing in arm-waving big number broad
strokes.  Nothing wrong with that, and it's definitely a great entry.
 However, dollars to donuts as it comes closer to signing the contract the
more the numbers have to pencil out.  So either you go on the clock as a
consultant to rub on the crystal ball and ultimately "prove" to the client
he should hold onto his money for another couple years so module/cell/system
efficiencies can go from miraculous to freakin'-miraculous, or you take a
deep breath, dive in and do the calculations so you can show the people that
matter that there's never been a better time to invest in renewable energy.

Of course, if I'm wrong about all this I should let you know that I've
developed an 82% efficient PV module in my garage.  I'm glad to send your
customer my personal mailing address and when the check clears I will be
eternally apologetic, contrite and owe you more than a few beers.

Peace,

Phil Undercuffler




On Sat, Jul 17, 2010 at 12:56 PM, Kirk Herander, VSE <kirk at vtsolar.com>wrote:

>  Hello,
>
>
>
> I have been charged with the task by a corporate client to do diligence in
> finding the most efficient PV out there which is commercially available, or
> may be available in the next five years. They are not satisfied with the
> roughly 20% efficiency of Sanyo / Sunpower, for instance. They want the
> greatest power density available and may be willing to serve as a beta test
> site for something of highest efficiency, and money may not be an object.
> The roof footprint can accommodate roughly 85KW of Sanyo 210’s as it looks
> today.
>
>
>
> Any info you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated. I basically
> need to write a white paper describing everything out there and the pros and
> cons of each. It is possible I could hire a consultant (recommended by or
> from our wrench list) to do this research for me if it feels right. I
> imagine this type of analysis has been done before. Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Kirk Herander
>
> Vermont Solar Engineering
>
> 802.863.1202
>
> NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar Installer
>
> NYSERDA-eligible Installer
>
> VT Solar Incentive Program Partner
>
>
>
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