Are You Going To….?

[whinmoor]

I’m not sure if this will work but I thought it might be interesting to highlight the training events provided by distributors and manufacturers that we plan to attend. I went to a couple last year and it was possible I sat in the same room as a fellow “Sun Lounger” and we didn’t speak. As well as gaining product knowledge, such events offer a good opportunity to network and exchange ideas with people from other regions.

I’ll start:

I’m going to Solar Edge training run by BayWa R.E. (Dulas) in Sedgefield, Durham on Thurs 30[SUP]th[/SUP] Jan.

Anyone else?

 

[SolarCity]

Good idea. I'll put it up as a sticky so people can add to it.

 

[The Solar King]

Went to one last year in Glasgow run by Solar Edge. Was OK, but they spent too long knocking everyone else, especially Enphase.

 

[whinmoor]

Went to one last year in Glasgow run by Solar Edge. Was OK, but they spent too long knocking everyone else, especially Enphase.

Yes, that's what I'm expecting. Saying that, I went to Enphase training run by Solar Century and Power One Micros (and Panasonic) training run by Segen last year. They all obviously boasted how they were the best.

Power One seemed to make a virtue out of having a shorter warranty saying that offering over 10 years on electrical devices was unrealistic. Their guy made a big thing out of being part of the ABB Group. He said that Enphase as a company were loss-making.

The Enphase session focussed on how reliable their units are and how they are specialists with micro-inverter technology as opposed to jumping on the bandwagon later on. The "Enlighten" web portal was demonstrated and they highlighted how dangerous DC electricity is and their solution. They rather glossed over the 215w and number of cells bits and seemed to view "clipping" of high powered panels as virtually irrelevant.

Both events, however, were held in nice hotels, the catering was excellent and I got some nice freebies!

 

[Worcester]

Panasonic Heat Pump training next week in Bracknell?

 

[whinmoor]

Panasonic Heat Pump training next week in Bracknell?

Not for me, but best to say who's running it so people know how to book a space.

 

[Gavin A]

Panasonic Heat Pump training next week in Bracknell?

hmm I need to go on that training, but bracknell's a bit far from us.

 

[SolarCity]

I was thinking about going to the training in Bracknell but pulled out in the end. I need to get some other training behind me before I look at that.

 

[whinmoor]

Interesting day near Durham. Met two regular contributors to the forum. 15-20 attendees but 5 of them were from the same company!

Decent presentation but presented in a slightly boring manner. Made a sound case for Solar Edge. Didn't criticise the competitors very much.

Made some mention of paying labour charges for warranty claims. We all had to sign in to say we'd been on the course so we can be listed as approved repairers!

The BayWa guy told me they will soon be stocking 250w blk Upsolar with Solar Edge built-in.

Long journey, nice lunch :tounge_smile: but rubbish freebies :frown:.................. Overall - 6.5/10

 

[The Solar King]

With regard to built in optimisers, heard the same regarding JA Solar from Liz at Zenex. No sign of them yet. Also don't know if they are dedicated (for use only with Solar Edge inverter) or universal optimiser (for use with any inverter).

 

[Worcester]

Panasonic training run by ... Panasonic, at their premises Organised through PTS (The plumbing people) cost £100 for the two days, Day one: Product and Design, Day two: Technical (Commissioning and Troubleshooting)

£100 charged to our account and then given a voucher for £100 of our next Panasonic heat pump, also become Panasonic Accredited..

 

[solarsavings]

Panasonic Heat Pump training next week in Bracknell?

Best thing about that course is getting the best room that the grange hotel has to offer for £72 a night if you say you are with panasonic. Are they charging for that course now?

Edit: just seen your reply. £100:rofl:

 

[SRE]

Interesting day near Durham. Met two regular contributors to the forum. 15-20 attendees but 5 of them were from the same company!

Decent presentation but presented in a slightly boring manner. Made a sound case for Solar Edge. Didn't criticise the competitors very much.

Made some mention of paying labour charges for warranty claims. We all had to sign in to say we'd been on the course so we can be listed as approved repairers!

The BayWa guy told me they will soon be stocking 250w blk Upsolar with Solar Edge built-in.

Long journey, nice lunch :tounge_smile: but rubbish freebies :frown:.................. Overall - 6.5/10

Did you think there was a fair amount of bs too? We were talking about this on the way home. The ones who appeared to be ok went down in my estimation the minute they mentioned the 55 minute 10 panel roof install.

Let me know how you get on, on Monday

 

[whinmoor]

Did you think there was a fair amount of bs too? We were talking about this on the way home. The ones who appeared to be ok went down in my estimation the minute they mentioned the 55 minute 10 panel roof install.

Let me know how you get on, on Monday

Yes, it was good to meet "Captain Underpants" in person. Hope to meet again in the future.

We have our first install with "Solar Limpets" on Monday. Their rep is coming up from Oxford to give us a demo. I took a sample to Durham. One of the attendees said he'd seen a solar limpet bracket snap which was a bit worrying.

 

[SolarCity]

One of the attendees said he'd seen a solar limpet bracket snap which was a bit worrying.

Yeah, that is worrying. I wonder what state they will be in after 10-15 years?