Joel,
Your link has nothing to do with the kWh performance warranties being
discussed, so I'm confused. The warranty referenced simply says that
"The insurers will indemnify for any reduction in power loss from
CNPV's warranted, 90% guaranteed energy output in the first 10 years
and 80% in the following 15 years. Additionally the insurance also
covers expenses which might become necessary when recovering the
formerly certified energy output." That's a standard module performance
warranty, with the indemnification being based on whether it meets
80/90% of nameplate rating; it has nothing to do with overall
guaranteed system performance.
What am I missing here?
Allan
Joel Davidson wrote:
kW and/or kWh performance
warranties are what some customers want and are willing to pay for and
what some PV companies provide successfully. Many wrenches guarantee
their systems' DC and even AC nameplate rating. For several years PowerLight, now owned by
SunPower, entered into kWh contracts with its customers. Their success
was based on good system design, performance modeling, installation,
monitoring, and service. I observed (not insider information) their
systems performing 4% to 6% better than PVWatts estimates. Basically,
they did what all smart contractors do: under-promise and over-deliver.
Small companies can provide the same
customer confidence without performance warranties. Give your
prospective customer a list of satisfied customers who have been
monitoring their systems. Let your customers tell your prospects that
your systems deliver what you promised (estimated). Then tell your
prospect that they can save money by not buying a performance warranty.
Joel Davidson
-----
Original Message -----
Sent:
Monday, April 26, 2010 7:02 PM
Subject:
Re: [RE-wrenches] Volcanos, reduced solar production and kWh
performance warranties
I would never contract for a guarantee minimum performance for
a very simple reason - weather!
I think the only reasonable guarantee is to state the
"nameplate" output of the array provided under test conditions, and
make it clear that air temperature, clearness factor, dust, cloud
cover, and out of tolerance utility grid events will all reduce system
performance from this perfect lab value. Since you cannot control any
of these affects on system performance, there has to be a reasonable
expectation of system performance for you and your client.
Why do doctors and hospitals have you sign a disclaimer before
they render service? How about accountants, mechanics, engineers,
stock brokers, and dentists, Yes, you can sue for gross negelence,
but how many will sign a statement that guarantees their work will
have a specific outcome. Odds are, the small print in the document you
sign will point out that there are too many unknowns beyond their
control that could reduce the hoped for outcome and if you want a
guarantee, - buy life insurance - you die - they pay -guaranteed.
Jeff Yago
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