When we installed our photovoltaic array we had to get both a building permit and a net-metering agreement before HECO would let us tie our panels into their grid. Presumably our names were put into government & utility databases which would only be used for good.
Then I got a hand-addressed letter to "Homeowner" from the U of Illinois College of Engineering. I almost threw it away with the junk mail but my curiosity got the better of me:
"Aloha Sun-powered homeowner:
I am writing to inform you of a research project to provide valuable information about the reasons individuals choose to invest in residential solar energy and the barriers to more widespread solar energy use.
We have commissioned Ward Research to conduct a series of focus groups on photovoltaic energy use. Your input is extremely valuable to help us to better understand adoption of residential PV energy systems. We would appreciate your participation in this study and you will be compensated for your time.
Sincerely,
Jeff Mikulina
Researcher"
Mikulina's name rung a bell, and Google told me that he's also the head of the local Sierra Club chapter. Somehow he lives in Hawaii yet makes his living from U of I, which seems like a pretty good deal. In his spare time he's also leading one of HECO's most vocal opponents to their development plans to destroy a highly visible ridgeline with utility poles. They've also repeatedly thwarted the development plans of the state legislature and many local companies. The Sierra Club is litigious, they use publicity very well, and they're successful-- when the Sierra Club speaks around here, developers tremble. So I doubt that Mikulina is anybody's paid researcher lapdog, especially for HECO or the state. I also don't think this research would be used by HECO to beat the state into giving out more solar subsidies, but I could be wrong.
Anyway our kid has her annual Kumon awards ceremony on the same night as the focus group, so I sent my regrets to the focus group and asked them to let me know if they changed the date.
Yesterday we got a pre-printed postcard: "We thought we'd try one more time to see if you are interested. Since you are one of only a handful of homeowners currently using grid-connected photovoltaic on Oahu, we really could use your help. You will be compensated $100 for your time."
On the drive home from school I asked our 13-year-old: "Have you ever done any role-playing where you have to put yourself in someone's position and decide what they should do?" I was informed that she's an expert in telling people what they should do. "Well then, read this postcard and tell me what you think I should do."
Her response was more or less:
"Holy shicow, Dad, $100?!? Have a good time at the focus group!"
"But, honey, what about your awards ceremony?"
"I don't want to go to that anyway because I'm taking care of a neighbor's pets that evening! Wow, $100!!"
"Oh, OK. Thanks."
So as near as I can tell, I'm going to be paid $100 to swill coffee for two hours while bragging about our PV array to strangers who will record my every word for posterity to study. Heck, I do that in my driveway several mornings a week for free. I might even shave before I drive down there. Is this a great country or what?!?
Anyone else ever been part of a focus group? Any surprises or problems I should watch out for?
Then I got a hand-addressed letter to "Homeowner" from the U of Illinois College of Engineering. I almost threw it away with the junk mail but my curiosity got the better of me:
"Aloha Sun-powered homeowner:
I am writing to inform you of a research project to provide valuable information about the reasons individuals choose to invest in residential solar energy and the barriers to more widespread solar energy use.
We have commissioned Ward Research to conduct a series of focus groups on photovoltaic energy use. Your input is extremely valuable to help us to better understand adoption of residential PV energy systems. We would appreciate your participation in this study and you will be compensated for your time.
Sincerely,
Jeff Mikulina
Researcher"
Mikulina's name rung a bell, and Google told me that he's also the head of the local Sierra Club chapter. Somehow he lives in Hawaii yet makes his living from U of I, which seems like a pretty good deal. In his spare time he's also leading one of HECO's most vocal opponents to their development plans to destroy a highly visible ridgeline with utility poles. They've also repeatedly thwarted the development plans of the state legislature and many local companies. The Sierra Club is litigious, they use publicity very well, and they're successful-- when the Sierra Club speaks around here, developers tremble. So I doubt that Mikulina is anybody's paid researcher lapdog, especially for HECO or the state. I also don't think this research would be used by HECO to beat the state into giving out more solar subsidies, but I could be wrong.
Anyway our kid has her annual Kumon awards ceremony on the same night as the focus group, so I sent my regrets to the focus group and asked them to let me know if they changed the date.
Yesterday we got a pre-printed postcard: "We thought we'd try one more time to see if you are interested. Since you are one of only a handful of homeowners currently using grid-connected photovoltaic on Oahu, we really could use your help. You will be compensated $100 for your time."
On the drive home from school I asked our 13-year-old: "Have you ever done any role-playing where you have to put yourself in someone's position and decide what they should do?" I was informed that she's an expert in telling people what they should do. "Well then, read this postcard and tell me what you think I should do."
Her response was more or less:
"Holy shicow, Dad, $100?!? Have a good time at the focus group!"
"But, honey, what about your awards ceremony?"
"I don't want to go to that anyway because I'm taking care of a neighbor's pets that evening! Wow, $100!!"
"Oh, OK. Thanks."
So as near as I can tell, I'm going to be paid $100 to swill coffee for two hours while bragging about our PV array to strangers who will record my every word for posterity to study. Heck, I do that in my driveway several mornings a week for free. I might even shave before I drive down there. Is this a great country or what?!?
Anyone else ever been part of a focus group? Any surprises or problems I should watch out for?