4Kw omnik inverters?

[SolarRoofSols]

i'm gonna have to look at my prices again. it is getting very hard here to sell quality when customers are getting silly prices like this thrown at them left right and center. may put together a 'scare' pack of all the dodgy installations near us and demonstrate what we mean by top quality and poor quality installation. Obvs not naming any names!

Anyone done anything similar??

 

[Earthstore]

It is easy to get involved in the race to the bottom, it happens in all types of business, it always has and always will.

But look at it another way, the likes of BMW and Mercedes survive in the car industry, why, when you can buy a car for 1/4 of the price to get your heap of bones from point A to point B?
Because us, the public know/believe that they are a top quality car and worth the money.

Look at Everest, the most expensive company in the window industry, they have survived for years, why?
Because of the same reasons above.

Why do people shop at Next, or Monsoon when they could buy their clothes at New look?
The same reasons again.

Why do people buy Miele washing machines that are twice the price of most others?
The same reasons again.

To survive in any business, you need to have profit, so it is up to you to sell your quality system, we all know that there are cheap PV systems out there, that to be honest are dangerous, so if a customer wants to risk his and his families life and have a "cheap" system, which as we all know, will come with a worthless guarantee because companies supplying them will not be around for long, then just do your best to convince them why they should buy yours.
PV is different from a shirt from new look, if the shirt falls apart you throw it away, if the PV system is poor it will not perform well, or someone could end up dead....

The race to the bottom is easy, especially when times are tough, but you need to keep the quality up to survive...

 

[SolarRoofSols]

Hey, you don't need to point that out to me and the last thing i would ever do is compromise quality and safety to make a quick buck and bu$@er off in a few months.

i know we do a quality job and have explained this is a number of ways to people, some realise this, but they tend to be of the BMW buying variety anyway and want a good job.

The mindset that are the hardest to win over are the ones who are only looking for cheap, the ones who don't think that an extra £500-£800 is worth it when the sAP cals say the system is going to make the same and their FIT is going to be the same. We give SMA/PV Sol data BTW.

That's why i'm gonna go down the photo gallery route to demonstrate what a bad installation looks like.

anyone got any shocking photos of bad PV electrics they wanna share?

 

[SibertSolar]

It should not always be about price, it's about VALUE and this ethic should be passed down the supply-chain alongside choice. From OEM to distributor to installer to end-client, each step should be aware of the value of a product/solution so that each "customer" can make a well-informed decision. Regarding SolarRoofSol's comment about a "scare pack", this might help (it's nothing to do with me/us and belongs to another poster on here I believe):

Unnecessary, ill-informed and artificial price erosion by comparing apples with pears really gets under my skin....

Wall of Shame - Renewable Rescue

 

[The Solar King]

Wise words as always Andy.

Earthstore is right. How many prospective owners drive a Lada? The difference in an extra £1000.00 in the price over the 25 year life of a system is £40.00 a year.

I explain to customers what they get for their money. I explain the importance of fully compliant roof systems, quality panels from vertically integrated fully automated manufacturers, inverters with full monitoring capability. A full simulation taking in to account all shading issues takes time but sets you apart from some of the garbage I have seen in other company's quotes. Having the knowledge and taking the time to explain things in an understandable manner can set you apart.

People pay for quality. This means having a high quality approach to prospective customers with no bull excrement from first contact.

Even though it sometimes hurts, the thank you I have got for explaining why an installation is not worthwhile for a prospect does eventually pay dividends.

You do not need to be the cheapest to offer a customer a realistic return. If returns look to good to be true, they probably are. Customers will doubt them.

Only one person can judge the quality of what you do, your customer.

There is an interesting article in this month's Solar Business Focus magazine titled 'The importance of differentiating in a flagging market', which reflects some of this and other ideas.

We are not becoming involved in the race to the bottom, and will still be here in a years time as a consequence.

 

[SolarCity]

The problem is being able to show that you ARE the better firm and that your system really is the best. We are all as qualified as each other.

 

[The Solar King]

Yes, you are right about the contributors here but not the market as a whole. I do not win every job, no where near. This is a long game, not good for someone in their mid fifties, but the only game worth playing.

One other strategy I have is to provide a check list for customers to ask everyone they talk to. Doesn't work every time, as some competitors are consummate liars, but does help.

Anyone got ideas to share?

 

[jason121]

i like the sales reps that push the power-one saying that its starts early and finishes late due to the MPPT voltage. blah blah

 

[SolarCity]

One other strategy I have is to provide a check list for customers to ask everyone they talk to. Doesn't work every time, as some competitors are consummate liars, but does help.

That's the biggest issue - the bull-full of salespeople and the desperately badly informed genuine installers.

We always suggest to potential customers that they should check the internet if they receive conflicting information - and tend to mention this forum.

- - - Updated - - -

i like the sales reps that push the power-one saying that its starts early and finishes late due to the MPPT voltage. blah blah

We hear this all the time. Utter nonsense.

 

[infinity]

It should not always be about price, it's about VALUE and this ethic should be passed down the supply-chain alongside choice. From OEM to distributor to installer to end-client, each step should be aware of the value of a product/solution so that each "customer" can make a well-informed decision. Regarding SolarRoofSol's comment about a "scare pack", this might help (it's nothing to do with me/us and belongs to another poster on here I believe):

Unnecessary, ill-informed and artificial price erosion by comparing apples with pears really gets under my skin....

Wall of Shame - Renewable Rescue

Love the photos especially the diagonal panels! hahahaha

Have you had any cases or 'wins' from the rescue scheme?

 

[Northring]

Sorry Guys,
I do not agree on the Omniks.
I installed 12 systems now for several websites in the Netherlands and no failure.
Just installing is my business and don's sell.
They are easy to handle and comes in the Netherlands with a Wifi kit for PC-readings.
Regards,
Henry

 

[mikefell]

We have been using KLNE and Omnik Inverters for a while now. No problems as of yet... If you want to keep your costs down I see no reason why you shouldnt use these... If you need any kit my friend has a wholesale business and would welcome your business.

 

[rainman177]

hi guys, just started working for a company using these inverters eager for thoughts opinions friends and contacts on here, any info grateful
ray

 

[Sparkysam]

maybe hes busy repairing those faulty chinese inverters???

Thought Scott mentioned "made in europe" - busy repairing European inverters?

 

[Sparkysam]

Hi all,

I have been installing systems on behalf of MCS accredited companies. I get all sorts of inverters to install - and I hardly get one that fails. I get sent out to "repair" jobs that have been installed by other installers (lots of these are out of business now). The inverter is the device that always gets fingers pointed out. This is understandable as this is the only device that has any 'intelligence' in the system. BOS (balance of system) is always the main issue - wiring being on top of the list. Most of the installers use 2.5mm twin & earth to connect to the CU (and sometimes to a sub-supply) - and then ring up the supplier to say that inverter is faulty!! (I spoke to one 'installer' who said he wasn't told anything about the voltage drop. Voltage drop? What voltage drop?!!!). I've seen most manufacturers' inverters - I have attended sites using PowerOne, Fronius, SMA, Omnik, Samil, Eversolar, MasterVolt... you name it. I haven't seen bad inverters - only bad installations.