08/14/2008
Donald Jones
On the first day that we walked into Positive Energy we recognized that these people knew what they were doing and believed in the product, the process and themselves. They listened carefully and made recommendations of things that we could do to help in the process, like gathering past electric bills, changing to CFLs, understanding where our electricity was being used and thinking about the size system that would be right for us. They made system recommendations with probable costs and outcomes. The person who came to the house to layout the design kept in mind not just obtaining maximum efficiency but was also sensitive to the potential visual impact of the panels on the house, though I have to say that I wouldn't mind if the panels showed from the street more.<br /> <br />We decided to have our flat roof replaced prior to installation and they coordinated with the roofer. The process of roofing tear off, bolting down the support system for the PV panels and the beginning of laying down the new roof was seamless. Then they were able to install the system earlier than predicted. The cost was exactly what they said it would be. The estimate of output was conservative if anything because in the 80 days after installation, we generated around 10% over expectations. <br /> <br />The manual they gave us has everything, the letter of intent, scope of work (including a list of assumptions and exclusions), proposed cost, statement of billing, tax credit forms filled out to the extent possible, estimated performance curves, one-line diagram, layout diagram, permit data, component cut-sheets, warranties, and the warranty registration cards that they filed for us!<br /><br />I am extremely happy with the results. Every evening I check the power module to see how many kW the system generated each day, and how long it is likely to be before we have generated our next Megawatt and ton of saved CO2. If you are looking for a company to install your system, you search is over. Oh, and welcome to the real twenty-first century.<br /><br />I participated in Earth Day, you know, the first one in the sixties? Yes, that one. We don`t need any “influences†to know that this was the right thing to do, though `An Inconvenient Truth` did play some part in reminding us of what is really important.