Doug and Joel.
 
I'm sure that the truth will sell a few less systems, but it will do something far more valuable for your company and any wrench's business---it will help protect you from the inevitable court case as a result of fraudulent claims. In the off-grid world, there are so many variables that we can get away with inaccurate performance estimates.
 
The new Utility Intertie market in California is extremely interested in accurate performance estimates. Also, being one of the more litigious places on Earth, if you piss off these customers, they will hall your butt into court to resolve the problem.
 
The early adopters in California already have their PV systems. This new market is a new breed of customers that very few of us have ever dealt with before (except for solar thermal folks). They are not nearly as forgiving as the early adopter crowd.
 
Bill.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Pratt [mailto:dpratt@pacific.net]
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 4:50 PM
To: RE-wrenches@topica.com
Subject: RE: system output honesty [RE-wrenches]

Hi Joel,

 

  Actually, I AM responsible for most of the text in the RG renewables catalogs and on the techies side of the website. At least initially it all flows from me, management may hack it a bit, but usually, no.  And yes, your suggestions would be more accurate, but it probably wouldn’t help sell any systems. The copy on these Intertie Power Systems are precisely what us techies and the management have been quibbling about. Standardized measurements of system outputs is fine, it’s like the EPA gas mileage ratings, at least we’re comparing apples to apples. But there needs to be a standard “Your mileage may vary” disclaimer too.  Maybe that’s all we need, “Your Output May Vary”.  ??

 

Doug Pratt

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 10:42 AM
To: RE-wrenches@topica.com
Subject: Re: system output honesty [RE-wrenches]

 

Hi Doug,

I know you are not responsible for the text on page 54 of the latest RG catalog and the web site at http://www.realgoods.com/renew/shop/product.cfm?dp=1804&ts=1012237&kw=utility%20intertie

Would this ad copy be more accurate?

ST-2500 Utility Intertie Power System $18,500.00
This system includes the Trace ST-2500 intertie inverter, twenty-four 120-watt PV modules, and three low-profile rooftop mounts. Based on the North American yearly average of 4.5 hours sunlight (not 5.5), this system will deliver approximately 8.5 kWh/day (not 13.3). This package allows mounting on a residence. Wiring is supplied locally, as required by your installation site. System saves $1,193 (the print catalog has $1202 savings on $18,750) over individual pricing. Qualifies for a California Energy Commission rebate up to $10,730.00 (24 x 105.78 x 0.94 = 2384 x $4.50 = $10,728).
 

Doug Pratt wrote:

 System output honesty is a battle several of us techies at Real Goods have been fighting with the boss over for months.  To date, we've been listing CEC specs, times the average number of noon-equivalent hours, as the projected system output in our publications.  Now that we know the real-world output is going to be 20-30% less, we should say that, and not create unrealistic expectations.  Hey, folks understand EPA-rated mileage, vs. the real world when they buy a car.  If your solar system never performs as well as the people who sold it to you said it would, who are you going to blame?  And how's it going to make you feel about your investment, and solar in general?  In the long run, honesty is always a plus.Doug Pratt

 

 
- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches@topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch@homepower.com
- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches@topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch@homepower.com
==^================================================================
EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9
Or send an email To: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe@topica.com
This email was sent to: michael.welch@homepower.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================