"Every certified dealer is handpicked and put through the most rigorous training in the industry. In addition to installation, they handle every step—permitting, incentive applications, testing, connecting with the utility and serving all your maintenance needs. They can also help you with our exclusive financing program.
SunPower is the only solar manufacturer with an ISPQ accredited training program, an international standard that ensures continuity, consistency, and quality in the delivery of training.
At SunPower, we stand behind our dealers. That’s why we offer the industry’s best warranties on performance, workmanship and parts."
Celebratory lunch for becoming SunPower's only Southern California Elite Dealer!
I have been trying to have an issue with this company resolved for more than a year. All they have provided at this point has been delays. No communication from them after proving my point. Duroing the sales cycle they agreed to provide a system that produced an amount of power they failed to achieve.
ReplyDeleteI think this "Elite Dealer" thing is a ruse. Sure, they may check a few references and such to make sure the installer does a good job, but it's really about forcing the installer into using SunPower panels on 80% of their jobs. When an installer applies for this "Elite" status (which also affects the price paid for the panels), they'll be rejected if they actually give their customers panel choices. Anti-competitive, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteEd, The SunPower corporation has three levels of dealer status as follows, Authorized, Premier, and Elite. In a highly competitive ever changing industry It is a way of allowing contractors to differ themselves against other competition selling Sunpower and we were honored to be qualified. Elite status(or any other status) is NOT forcing a dealer to sell SunPower. We can and do sell what ever manufacturer we believe to be the best for the customer, the market, and our business model at that time. Elite dealer status has extensive qualifications that should be valued by any customer seeking that product and/or company. Yes, there is volume pricing incentives from the manufacturer but what business doesn't offer that? Does a can of Coke cost the same as a case of coke or a pallet at Costco? NOPE! The manufacturer required us to provide them with 100+ previous customers to be phone interviewed and then physically site inspected the projects with a minimum of 90% satisfaction rating to qualify(Ours was 100% upon completion) That is far more than "a few" as you stated. As for your "rejected if we give customers panel choices" comment, it is totally invalid and without merit.
DeleteWith all that being said, we have since chosen to NOT sell Sunpower any longer. Why?, Great product, They just became a very difficult company to work with for various reasons. None of which are reflected in your post. I hope this is received well and we appreciate your interest.
I appreciate your reply. My post was somewhat of a "vent" against SunPower and not against any of the Elite installers in particular. I'm in the process of buying a system for my home. I received two quotes, one with SunPower modules, and one with another brand. After running some numbers, I liked the SunPower performance curve better, but the installler that gave me the best customer service was the one who quoted the other panels. So, I asked them to quote me a system with SunPower panels (for an "apples to apples" comparison with the other installer). After a good-faith effort on their part to get the SunPower panels supplied to them at a fair price, they had to come back and explain to me about the 80% rule. This seemed very anti-competitive (kind of makes it impossible to get that "apples to apples" price comparison), and I'm a little frustrated that SunPower is trying to force me to a specific installer (reminiscent of the dealership model for selling cars). In the end, I've decided to go with the other panels and my preferred installer (who's actually giving me a discount equivalent to my estimated 25-year cost-of-ownership difference between the two panel options). It seems that you have another set of reasons not to do business SunPower, so I feel I've made the right decision. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond.
DeleteMy Pleasure Ed, I understand!
DeleteIm curious if you have made a final decision and signed a contract? The reason I ask is that you mentioned the contractor tried to get the panels but had an 80% rule?? There is no "80%" rule for purchasing. What I believe he is trying to do is use it as an out. The 80% is a guideline measured on a quarterly basis to maintain Elite dealer status, a contractor needs to show 80% of their sales with sunpower, but that has nothing to do with access to panels. Sunpower is as you stated like a car dealer, they have a qualification process and certification process. Those that are not authorized can not and are not allowed to purchase sell or install sunpower.
Are you in the So cal area?e If so, I am more than willing to share all the details that you are curious about and would appreciate an opportunity to provide you a proposal. We are located in Tustin. 714-258-3900
Thank you.
As the VP and founder of Peak Power I am happy to address Mr Harris in this response. I have spoken with Mr. Harris directly on several occasions trying to first understand his concerns in an effort to resolve it as soon as possible, that IS how we operate. So to say we have had no communication is a spin of the truth to say the least. In our conversations and site visit findings we were able to mathematically determine and confirm for Mr Harris that the system that we installed is in fact producing the kilowatt hours that we claimed it would. It is actually producing more than proposed as is often the case. His challenge continued to be that "My electric bill hasn't gone down as much as You had stated it would" said Mr Harris. The part Mr. Harris chose to leave out of his post was that when we showed him that his electric consumption had actually gone UP from the previous years numbers we used in our sales proposal, He then admitted that "well Yah... my wife has moved her business into the house and is making beef jerky with electric dryers out of the home" Thus we came to the resolution that the system is producing as stated and his bill would be even higher with the new activity in the home had he not installed solar. We are accountable for our claims but can not be held liable for changes in behavior that result in higher electric usage post solar install. After spending hours on the phone with Mr. Harris, I came to the conclusion that he chose to not see what he did not want to see.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology. Thanks for sharing it, J.Greenway
ReplyDelete