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