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<DIV>A couple of blogs re: BP</DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/39142/?mod=chthumb"><FONT
color=#0066cc>http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/39142/?mod=chthumb</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/27436/?p1=blogs"><FONT
color=#0066cc>http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/27436/?p1=blogs</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Holt E. Kelly<BR>Holtek Fireplace & Solar Products<BR>500 Jewell
Dr.<BR>Waco TX. 76712<BR>254-751-9111<BR><A
href="http://www.holteksolar.com">www.holteksolar.com</A><BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=allan@positiveenergysolar.com
href="mailto:allan@positiveenergysolar.com">Allan Sindelar</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, December 22, 2011 11:04
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] a PV titan is
to be no more</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Bill,<BR>Because of our long shared history with Dankoff Solar
Products (became Conergy US), which was an original "BP Partner" distributor
beginning in 1997, we installed quite a few BP modules. I have no love for BP:
we have had a lot of module failures, mostly of the 72-cell 160 and 170W poly
modules. But BP does respond to warranty claims pretty promptly, sending
replacement modules (that never match, of course) and paying for replacement.
In a few cases BP has replaced entire arrays where the number of failed
modules was excessive. <BR><BR>Like you, I share concern about this,
especially given the number of defective modules that we will continue to have
to replace. But at least we do receive support.<BR>Allan<BR><BR>
<DIV class=moz-signature><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Allan
Sindelar</B></FONT><BR><SMALL><A
href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><FONT
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"
color=#000099><U>Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</U></FONT></A></SMALL><FONT
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><BR><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">NABCEP
Certified Photovoltaic Installer<BR>NABCEP Certified Technical Sales
Professional<BR>New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<BR><B>Positive Energy,
Inc.</B><BR>3201 Calle Marie<BR>Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<BR><B>505
424-1112</B><BR><A href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/"
target=_blank><U>www.positiveenergysolar.com</U></A><O:P></O:P></SPAN></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 722.25pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman, Times,
serif"><ST1:PLACE
w:st="on"><ST1:CITY w:st="on"></ST1:CITY><ST1:STATE
w:st="on"></ST1:STATE><ST1:POSTALCODE
w:st="on"></ST1:POSTALCODE></ST1:PLACE></FONT><B><BR></B></SPAN></P><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR></SPAN></DIV><BR>On 12/21/2011 2:43 PM, Bill
Brooks wrote:
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<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">Marco and
Randy,<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">I just went to the BP
Solar website and they have a legal notice that states that BP Solar is a
wholly owned subsidiary of BP. There is no liability separation. When their
drilling rig blew up in the Gulf, they didn’t run for cover even though the
drilling rig could have been a subsidiary of the main
company.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">That being said, it
has rarely been easy to get a warranty replacement out of BP when they were
making PV modules, so now that they have stopped, it is not going to be
easier than before. I’m sure when you have a warranty claim that you will
get the run around from whomever you contact, but with a loud enough voice,
they will have to respond.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">There is no parallel
here to AstroPower and the way GE bought their module manufacturing
equipment to avoid liability.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">If you bought Shell
monocrystalline modules back 8 years ago, the warranty on those modules are
currently being serviced by Solar World. However, if SolarWorld were to go
out of business, the warranty obligation would have to shift back to Shell
because their name is on it. I’m sure it would be difficult to get a claim
serviced, but that is generally how warranties work.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">If GE makes an
appliance, then they sell that appliance line to another company that goes
out of business, and the product fails, then GE is going to stuck with the
warranty claim if it is still in the specified warranty period. That is one
reason why most equipment has fairly short warranty
periods.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">This is why it is
critical whose name is on the back of them module. There may be 5 different
module names made at the same factory, but if one of those names is a major
multi-billion dollar company, and the other 4 are no-names, the big company
is the better buy (assuming similar costs) since their warranty is more
likely to have value.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">Bill.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: rgb(181,196,223) 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> <A
class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>
[<A class=moz-txt-link-freetext
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>]
<B>On Behalf Of </B>Randy<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:36
AM<BR><B>To:</B> 'RE-wrenches'<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] a PV
titan is to be no more<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">Bill<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">I am not sure you are
correct but I hope you are right. I would like to know how it works -
if the “legal” corp “BP Solar” that carries the warranty
obligation ceases business and the shareholder writes off the investment,
then there will be no one to answer the phone. That is why
corporations form separate legal entities – to separate the risk.
Someone should call BP Solar and find out.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">Randy<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Randy
Sadewic</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New
Roman','serif'"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Positive
Energy</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New
Roman','serif'"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New
Roman','serif'"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Office:
505 424-1112</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New
Roman','serif'"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Cell:
505 570-0137</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: rgb(181,196,223) 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> <A
class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>
[<A class=moz-txt-link-freetext
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>]
<B>On Behalf Of </B>Bill Brooks<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 20, 2011
7:44 PM<BR><B>To:</B> 'RE-wrenches'<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] a
PV titan is to be no more<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">Marco,<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">With “BP” on the
module, it means a lot more than some no name brand. Just because they are
not producing anymore does not have any impact on their warranty obligation
unless BP goes out of business—that is not likely to happen in your
lifetime.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">Bill.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: rgb(181,196,223) 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> <A
class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>
[<A class=moz-txt-link-freetext
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>]
<B>On Behalf Of </B>Marco Mangelsdorf<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 20,
2011 6:38 PM<BR><B>To:</B> 'RE-wrenches'<BR><B>Subject:</B> [RE-wrenches] a
PV titan is to be no more<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A
href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-20/bp-to-shut-down-solar-power-unit-exit-business-spokesman-says.html?cmpid=yhoo"
moz-do-not-send="true">http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-20/bp-to-shut-down-solar-power-unit-exit-business-spokesman-says.html?cmpid=yhoo</A><O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">Anyone know what this
means for the warranty coverage for all those BPS mods in the
field?<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">Oh
dear….<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(31,73,125)">marco<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P></P></DIV><PRE wrap=""><FIELDSET class=mimeAttachmentHeader></FIELDSET>
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