1)    How long has your company been installing solar electric systems?
Positive Energy answer:  Our company has been in business installing solar power systems since 1997.  We've installed almost 500 systems in New Mexico as of September 2011.

2)    How many of your employees have solar panels on their homes?
Positive Energy answer:  Our company encourages all of our staff members to install solar power on their homes. As a result, 12 of our 46 staff members have solar systems, including sales staff, installers and designers.

3)    How many NABCEP certified employees work for your company?
Positive Energy answer:  The state of New Mexico is not rigorous in protecting consumers from untrained and inexperienced installers.  The very large majority of licensed electricians do not have training or experience with solar electric systems.  NABCEP provides a well-respected certification process that requires the installer complete classroom hours, lead multiple PV installations, and pass a comprehensive exam. Positive Energy has 14 NABCEP certified professionals on staff, more than any other company in the state.

4)    Will everyone working on my system be an employee of your company?
Positive Energy answer:  You will work with Positive Energy staff every step of the way.  We only outsource roofing work and site excavation (if required) to companies we have been working with for several years.

5)    Can I see a list of five clients that you have installed solar electric systems for?
Positive Energy answer:  For fourteen years we have built our business based on customer referrals and customer satisfaction. We will supply you with a client sheet and references at any time. Also see www.solar-estimate.org for customer comments on our company.

6)    How do you determine your system output data?
Positive Energy answer:  As of April 2011, we have 80 systems in New Mexico that we monitor on a regular basis. Monitored systems give real world data and enable Positive Energy to present reliable output figures to our clients.  Production figures over a number of years, with similar equipment, location and mounting method, will give you an accurate way to predict the output of your system.  Our output projections are also informed by on-site analysis, which includes a Solmetric survey of your home or property's solar access. We do NOT offer output data based on computerized photos of your home or property; we will come to your property for a site visit.

7)    How long is your warranty on all my components and your work? 
Positive Energy answer:  A warranty or guarantee is only good if the company is in business. Our long-term track record ensures you we will be here to take your call when warranty service is required.  We service all the equipment we install.  We make our product recommendations based on your goals and on the quality and reliability of the manufacturers, including their warranty program.  As an example, SunPower products have a 10 year workmanship warranty and the SunPower modules offer a 25 year output warranty.  SunPower is a US publically-traded company that has been in business for over a quarter of a century.

8)    Does your panel manufacturer perform quality control audits your installations?
Positive Energy answer:  Few solar panel manufacturers will audit installations to measure the quality of the companies that sell their products. As New Mexico’s original SunPower dealer, we support and appreciate SunPower’s diligence to inspect and monitor our work by conducting third-party audits.

9)    What is the efficiency of the panels that you are proposing to install?
Positive Energy answer:  More efficient panels require less space and allows you to get more energy output per square foot.  A smaller array footprint is very important to avoid shaded areas, when shading is an issue.  It also means less weight for the roof, fewer attachment points, less installation labor and less installation material required.  SunPower’s unique cell design offers the best cell efficiency and highest panel efficiency on the market.  When shade or space is not an issue, a less efficient module can be a good choice especially if the up front cost is substantially lower.

10)    How does your company implement its values?
Positive Energy answer:  One way we vote for a more sustainable world is with our dollars.  Our company is local and we buy many of our products and materials locally.  We continually provide educational programs and are otherwise very involved in furthering sustainability in our state and in our communities.  We are an employee-owned company and have a profit sharing program with our employees including a stipend for healthcare benefits.  We offset 100% of our carbon emissions including everything associated with the installations and the business operations of our four New Mexico locations.  We believe how a company is run is equally as important as what it does.