SUV's and the sexy PV sale [RE-wrenches]

[Bob-O Schultze]

<x-flowed>Steve and Kurt are right on. It's yet another sad commentary on the 
haves and have nots. I totally agree with Steve that we are far 
better off helping folks out by showing them how to use a few 
inexpensive auto-type fuses than having nothing at all or kerosene or 
-worse yet- gasoline lanterns. And yes, in this sue happy country of 
ours, we probably are incurring something of a possible liability, 
especially those of us with licenses. I think the probability of that 
is low if you explain carefully to folks what the Code requires, but 
that the cheap fuses are FAR better than nada and they're on their 
own if they choose to use them. They DO work, after all.
If we let our fear over being sued keep us from doing the right thing 
by our less fortunate brothers and sisters, then the quasi government 
bureaucrats and corporate greedheads have won. Screw that.
bob-O



>I too am concerned with the poverty case PV users. Fact is, there are people
>with very low incomes and abilities.  Are they safer with the inadequate PV
>system and an old car battery, or where they were before with a bunch of
>un-maintained kerosene lamps?
>
>Since we probably are not able to adjust their incomes, we can at least
>offer $15 fuses & holders and education on battery safety. Will doing so
>leave us hanging on liability or is there a way to certify that our input
>has at least increased safety to the extent the customer could buy?
>Unfortunately that still won't meet code without several hundred dollars
>additional boxes and labor that often will not be possible.
>
>Steve Willey   www.backwoodssolar.com
>Backwoods Solar Electric Systems
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Kurt Nelson <sunwise at win.bright.net>
>To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 9:28 AM
>Subject: SUV's and the sexy PV sale [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> > Greetings,
> >
> > I've been thinking a lot about marketing and the mainstream.  I don't
>think
> > marketing PVs with super wide nobby tires, custom mud flaps and a big
>black
> > bra around the battery box is the way to go (though I'd love to see such a
> > system).  The people to whom that would appeal are really into consumption
> > big time and they aren't happy with us selling them on the idea that less
>is
> > better.  We also do not want to end up selling them systems that "don't
> > work", even though they deliver just what they were designed to deliver.
> > The exception may be the "grid-tied and green", those that are keeping up
> > witht he P.C. Jones'.  These people are not my primary market though I
>have
> > done three larger (1k plus) grid-ties in the last year or two.  I would
> > agree with Steve in that I would rather focus on helping people who really
> > need basic, reliable power in their lives, as well as those who just
>really
> > don't want to consume any nuclear energy, etc.  So, I made a decision
> > several years ago to leave central Wisconsin and move North to a much more
> > remote area of the State where there was lots of area in need of remote
> > power applications.  Here's the problem... Though there is a need up here,
> > there's no money up here.  There's lots more folks needing remote power up
> > here but way less cash in this northern neigborhood.  Most of my larger
> > installations are a two to six hour drive south and all the jobs I get
> > around here are one to three panel systems that are under sized and NOT a
> > shining example of how well solar works.  It is very bad for business from
> > all aspects and a lesson I just can't seem to learn.  I find it very
> > difficult to say "no", and I end up helping people put together minimial
> > systems, sometimes with with sub-standard components, I make little or no
> > money on it and then I have MY name on the whole damn thing.  An all too
> > typical example -- I got called in on a system recently that has a couple
> > old Siemens panels sorta strapped to a post in the ground with some 12
>gauge
> > NM Romex running to two 12 volt batteries on the unheated porch, that for
> > some reason are wired as a dedicated battery and a secondary, switched
> > through an antique open framed 2P2T knife switch.  Loads are all low
>voltage
> > incandescents and a boom box.  Load wiring is 12 gauge THHN pairs hung
>from
> > the walls and ceiling and the switches aren't even in boxes, just nailed
>to
> > the walls or hung from the fixtures.  There is not a single fuse in the
> > entire system.  She wants to know if there is anything I can do to make
>her
> > system work better, but she doesn't have any money to speak of.  Am I to
>say
> > no?  If I say no, what good will I have done when her house burns down and
> > is the first solar energy house fire in the State?  I am going over there
> > tomorrow to put in some fuses, clean up some wiring, add a meter (NO
>METER)
> > and three compact flourscent lights.  I will make next to nothing on it
>and
> > have my name on another one of these shitty systems.  Does anyone know of
>a
> > help group out there?  Some kinda ten step program?  Final plea... go easy
> > on me.  I do install some nice, up-to-code systems from time to time.  I
> > just gotta drive south to do it, down to where the money is, green and
>clean.
> >
> > Kurt Nelson
> > SOLutions
> >

Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection
PO Box 203, Hornbrook, CA 96044
800.945.7587 fax 530-475-3401
www.electronconnection.com
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