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

[August Goers]

Jeff,



Yea, sounds like a pain. We've been through this before with several high
profile projects in the Bay Area. Luckily, we have a lawyer on staff and
have gone through the waiver process in order to obtain marketing approval.
It might be possible to obtain a waiver that blankets the future use of a
set of photos etc. This is obviously dependent on how rigorous their
process is.



It's always a bummer to receive a nasty letter like that I and I wish you
the best.



-August



Luminalt Energy Corporation



*From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:
re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Jeff Yago
*Sent:* Sunday, June 10, 2012 7:30 PM
*To:* Allan at positiveenergysolar.com; 'RE-wrenches'
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar sub-contractors barred from project
publication



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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