An Alliance Gathers Strength
One of the world’s most trusted photovoltaic panel manufacturers, Mitsubishi Electric, has just stepped up its exclusive relationship with Alternate Energy.
On a recent trip to Japan to visit Mitsubishi headquarters and factories, the Alternate Energy team got the official news that they have been named the first Elite Mitsubishi Electric Dealer. Alternate Energy is the only PV company in Hawaii to hold that distinction.
Alternate Energy executives Craig Kawamura, Mike Ito and Richard Agbunag were the first clients allowed to tour all of Mitsubishi’s facilities, including the Tokyo headquarters, the cell manufacturing factory in Nagoya and the assembly factory in Kyoto. They were even invited into the top-secret Research & Development Center in Osaka, where the company is leading the way on “smart grid” technology to help manage PV load distribution for the cities of the future.
The team witnessed the technology that allows Mitsubishi panels to boast the industry’s highest possible longevity and safety measures, which far exceed standard benchmarks, all conducted in spotless, state-of-the-art factories.
They also found that Mitsubishi’s “seven guiding principles” resonated deeply with them: trust, quality, technology, citizenship, compliance, environment and growth.
After an intense 10 days in Japan, the Alternate Energy team returned home with a renewed sense of pride and confidence in the product. Sales manager Kawamura said, “We now know first-hand that we are selling the absolute best product on the market.
“When it comes to PV panels, there are a lot of options out there with new manufacturers cropping up all the time. But with such an important home investment, this is one area where you don’t want to skimp on quality or go with an untested brand name.”
Mitsubishi is a recognized world leader in the manufacturing, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment. Its products are used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. A conservative company with $45 billion in revenue last year, it is a well-diversified, established leader in electronics, and a brand name you can trust.
Of course, all that expertise is distilled into Mitsubishi Electric’s PV systems, which are designed and built not just for optimal efficiency, but for long-term reliability. The company’s 25-year warranty is solidly backed by its more than 80 years of experience providing reliable, high-quality electrical products.
Perhaps most important for Hawaii homes, Mitsubishi panels are engineered to withstand tough outdoor conditions including winds up to 130 mph and coastline corrosion. While some manufacturer warranties specify a 500-meter minimum installation distance from salt water, Mitsubishi extends its warranty on modules installed near salt water, making the panels an ideal choice for Hawaii.
Alternate Energy is proud to be the only authorized Hawaii-based dealer to provide Mitsubishi’s PV modules direct from Japan. Customer demand speaks loudest of all: Owner Bruce Ekimura reports that Alternate Energy was responsible for 10 percent of the 30 megawatts installed in Hawaii in 2011, and has become the leading installer of Mitsubishi panels in the entire United States.
Last but not least, if selecting quality modules is crucial, so is the experience and track record of the installer. That’s why Alternate Energy is working to model its installation protocols after Mitsubishi’s own guidelines in Japan — where installers are required to pass a rigorous, exclusive course before they are allowed to install the product. Alternate Energy’s new facility in Pearl City allows installers to hone their skills on sample rooftops made of the most popular roofing materials used in Hawaii, ensuring that the team has mastered the best practices in the industry before they ever climb up on a customer’s rooftop.
Ekimura said, “Our customers tell me it feels good to know they are working with a longtime, established local company and proven manufacturers when they make this all-important investment for their home or business. And that feels good to us.”
Alternate Energy Inc. is located at 96-1276 Waihona St., # C124 in Pearl City. Call the company at 842-5853 (Oahu) and 872-9592 (Maui), or visit it online at www.AlternateEnergyHawaii.com.
To celebrate, Alternate Energy is offering new Elite Dealer Status pricing for a limited time — call 842-5853 for more information.
ADDRESS: 96-1276 WAIHONA ST. #C124
CONTACT: 842-5853
WEBSITE: www.AlternateEnergyHawaii.com
