[RE-wrenches] Solar sub-contractors barred from project publication

[Jeff Yago]

Here is one for the stupid large company file.  During the past 3 years we
provided all of the solar design, installation management, and equipment
selection for a very large corporation you would all know that was awarded
multiple solar contracts from state agencies but had to farm out all of the
actual solar design and installation to us as they did not have in house
people with this experience.  Since the projects are now complete and the
state agency clients are pleased, we proceeded to post a really nice photo
of each project with a brief description that credited this firm as the
primary contract firm along with credits to the installation firm we used.  
 
Today I received a nasty-gram from this firm stating not only do they demand
that I remove all reference to these projects from our web site, but I  am
not allowed to even mention their name or that my firm had any involvement
with these projects.  Of course they also mention sub-section whatever, from
paragraph whatever on page whatever in the 100 page contract I signed
several years ago, but clearly I am sure this was intended to protect them
from somebody trashing one of the projects, not to kill off free publicity.
 
Of course they also mention that I can go through a lengthy process to beg
for some kind of waiver, but this would mean every time I use my own photos
of these projects I would need to get their written approval and review.
What really stinks is this was our major solar work for the past few years
which means I cannot tell any potential clients about these large projects
we completed.
 
What really gripes me, is all these projects were funded with Federal grant
money which was intended to promote solar in each state and help advertise
success stories so the public will see solar as more mainstream.  What a
crock!  All these Federal funds for solar projects went to huge firms with
no solar experience, who in turn sub-contracted all the solar design and
installation work  to wrenches, then they threaten your first born if you
make any attempt to promote these projects or even mention that you had any
involvement.
 
Again, I am barred from making public who this firm is, but I can say they
are foreign owned, are big in manufacturing all kinds of electrical
equipment, and may have actually bought a US solar module manufacturer and
re-branded with their name until selling out later.
 
What happened to common sense?
 
Jeff Yago
DTI Solar Inc.
Virginia
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