All things Solar (merged threads)

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Since starting this new job, I've done presentations to four different councils between Horsham and Melbourne for two 15kW systems, one for a 25kW system, and one for a 50kW system. I've managed to build quite some rapport with council workers so far and they are all convinced that these systems are a worthwhile investment to them both financially and environmentally.


I'v had to educate them a lot on the importance that in order for a Solar PV system to be an environmentally worthwhile investment you must understand the environmental impact of all the items and their installation for the system.

For example one of the 15kW systems it is a ground mount system, meaning that for the mounting system concrete must be poured with mounting systems installed within the concrete. The mounting systems are to be sourced from a local supplier, panels recommended are to be Trina (as my choice always is), and the Concrete that will be used is a certain grade aggregate that is 100% recycleable, as opposed to downcycleable.


Speaking to these councils in the next few weeks we should be receiving the letters of appointment. The depth of information I was able to supply to all councils was second to none, three councils had mentioned to me afterwards that they were so surprised with the transparency and wealth of information I had given them, and they were unaware of the other aspects with Solar PV other than country of origin, and the price of the system. These councils have also offered future works with consulting to prepare tenders for other sustainable projects in the future for anything related to Renewable energy, and also any overlooking of non related tenders with a new focus on how sustainably works should be carried out.

I was at a conference last week in rural western VIC for this 25kW system. I had the opportunity to meet with the business development manager of True Value Solar (Nationwide BDM). I had the opportunity to converse with him and actually try to coax out of him a bit more information about TVS and their business model. He had this to say

We are aware that our product is constantly changing. We also however strive to give the highest level of customer service that we can whilst maintaining aggravated buying power.

I then asked him what about where the panels are coming from, what factory, how sustainably, and what about warranty issues?

The customer is not required to be aware about where the panel is coming from, after all they are only looking at the end price, and that is the market that we aim for. the market that you are encouraging as I saw in your presentation, is something that we cannot compare each other on as we are trying to win two different types of consumers

I arked up at him a little and said "You are aware that you have changed business names five times since beginning trading, and you are using one CEC accredited installer to \sign off on systems whilst employing multiple handymen to actually install the systems, in fact one of my customers neighbours had a roof fire from one of these particular systems. Is this not something that is deterring people fom the industry?"

I'm sorry to hear that our customer had an issue however this is an issue for our installers to worry about instead of myself. Regarding changing trading names that is also not something I am in charge of. We are aware of the issues that the industry is facing and instead of maintaining the current structure and operation of the industry, as the driving force with what expectations the customer has of the industry we don't believe that extended warranties or product longevity is something the customer is worried about, as you will see for yourself, it's the price at the end of the day.

Now this is coming from the BDM of Australias largest installer. As for now, I can confidently say that TVS is attempting to drive the industry into means of operation that I see have no interest in the environment at all, and now it's becoming personal with these guys.


I can tell everyone here now, although I'm not meeting householders face to face, I'm still out here doing my best to keep the industry pure. Folks like me are far and few in the industry but we are still here.


I'm going to potentially be at a great advantage in the coming months in the industry, with multiple councils consulting with myself regarding tender structures for large scale projects. I have already given them word that these tender weighted totals will have a minimum on price and an emphasis on sustainability, ethics, and environmental impacts of the projects.

If I can reach every single council in Victoria, and help convince them to structure all tenders to worry less about price than sustainability, I can guarantee, that all cheap solar businesses will be pushed out of the large scale commercial market instantly. I have the opportunity to do so. Call me hot headed, call me arrogant, but I believe in the industry and I'm not going to let any multi million dollar el cheapo dodgy solar mob get in my way or taint the industry, it's time to turn this around!!