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Comment by mcbishop | Hacker News Reader

I'm slowly working to start a solar-install company — your post helps confirm my belief that offering a private no-internet option... is a worthwhile differentiator. I have a lot to learn, but the Sol-Ark inverter or Outback (Radian) inverter might be the way to go. Otherwise, it might have to be some obscure inverter without reliable warranty.

Here's a related forum thread: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/sol-ark-needs-a-serious-ch...

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I would bring up all the things in this post in your advertising. Installation suitability reports about roof types. Functions without external configuration, off site monitoring, and shortened lifespan due to outdated software. The purchaser owns the equipment so not a permanent lease against the property.

Just creating awareness should drive a lot of business.

I think some variety of IOT is valuable, but it should have a web server backup that provides both html interface and raw data which does not require dedicated apps.

There should definitely be a disconnect from the grid option for the extended wind related power outages of the Northern California.

I don't think thats enough of a differentiator for people to head to your product, no offense. Solar price, payback terms, incentives, green ambition and neighborhood also putting up solar are probably the biggest drivers. The amount of people who would want no internet connection is incredibly niche.

I'll be installing in East Bay, California. And I'm only planning to install one or two systems a month. ...I think I can find my little tribe of privacy people. But, yeah, I'll have some other differentiators.

That thread has more bullshit than a farm...internet connections back to China = EMPs? Those people are out of their minds.

Later in the thread, there was discussion around using inverters in offline mode. Sorry for throwing the whole thread at you.

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