SCHURTER expands the rated current range of its UMT-H Universal Modular fuse to 12.5 A and 16 A. With its square, compact design of 5.3 x 16 mm, the UMT-H is the space-saving alternative to classic cylindrically shaped cartridge fuses (e.g.5 x 20 mm). It is well suited for automated assembly.

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meteocontrol GmbH a PV service provider for monitoring and asset management, and 3megawatt GmbH, a solar asset management software provider, plan to intensify their working relationship in the future. The partnership will focus on developing an all-in-one full featured solution to manage large photovoltaic system portfolios. Both companies will create a seamless interface of their platforms, which will offer their clients a complete end-to-end solution.

Joint clients are already benefiting from the automated import of plant data from meteocontrol’s monitoring system into the 3megawatt’s asset management platform BluePoint.

“This data integration offers great advantages for our clients,” said Edmee Kelsey, CEO of 3megawatt. “One of the advantages is that clients are able to automatically create energy invoices using solar industry best practice workflows and to verify time of day utility or export PPA statements using shadow billing. This is a big time saver, which enables clients to operate large portfolios much more efficiently and cost effectively.”

The aim of the close partnership is to simply and quickly integrate the monitoring systems safer’Sun, VCOM virtual control room and SCADA into the BluePoint platform.

“We want to create the highest level of compatibility so that we can provide our customers with the most comprehensive services and have the right solution on hand for every portfolio,” said Martin Schneider, Managing Director of meteocontrol.

With its monitoring solutions, meteocontrol is one of the leading providers in the photovoltaic industry: The PV specialist monitors around 39,500 PV systems around the globe with a total power of over 10.5 GWp. The close partnership with 3megawatt represents another key milestone for the company.

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Photo: Sollega

Hybrid flat-roof solar mounting systems offers advantages in areas with seismic conditions or high wind loads. Hurricane-prone areas, buildings more than 60-ft tall and island installations are examples of these areas. Hybrid systems prevent loading the roof down with high amounts of ballast, which many roof structures cannot support. A mixture of attachments and ballast can be used to keep roof weights low.

“In California and other places of high seismic activity we use a hybrid system,” said Elie Rothschild, sales manager at Sollega. “The other time we use a hybrid system is when the ballast requirements for wind uplift exceed the available structural reserve of the roof.  We can replace ballast with anchors where necessary.”

In addition, hybrid systems can reduce the labor and material costs associated with installing a conventional raised racking system requiring a lot of roof attachments. Roof attachments can be expensive and typically need to be installed and flashed by a roofer to maintain a roof warranty, Rothschild said.

Mounting manufacturer Unirac supplied a hybrid system for the 6.2-MW installation at Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas. Attachments were used to keep the roof weight low on buildings that were over 100-ft tall and had extreme wind loading conditions.

Unirac product manager Bill Vaught said contractors should consider these questions when deciding whether to use a hybrid system:

1. What additional roof weight can the building structurally handle?
2. Is there a non-penetrating system that can meet this weight requirement with the design wind load, roof height and exposure category of the project?
3. What roof type does the project have?
4. If the project has a membrane roof, how is it attached?
5. How many attachments does the project need? The racking supplier should be able to provide this information.
6. What kind of attachment should I use?

If contractors decide to use a hybrid system, attachments to flat-roof systems must be handled with care by an experienced installer. The best way to avoid leaks and issues with roof warranties is to use a reputable attachment manufacturer that has done testing in collaboration with roofing manufacturers, and to install per manufacturer guidelines.

“We typically recommend a ‘heat-welded’ type attachment for the majority of roofs, such as those provided by Anchor Products and OMG Roofing Products,” Vaught said.

And as is always the case with any type of solar installation, it’s important to ensure the roof is sound before installing solar. It’s much more difficult to repair or track the source of leaks after a solar array is installed.

“We recommend to all our clients that they follow the guidelines established by the roofing manufacturers—and each have their own—to maintain the roof warranty,” Rothschild said.

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The solar industry has been under constant pressure to lower the installed cost of solar systems. Savings can come from reducing soft costs, such as the finance and permitting processes, and hard costs, which include solar equipment. Modules have just about flat-lined in cost, and inverters are nearing that point, too. As such, racking and mounting has been the most-recent focus for cost-reduction measures.

“Rail-less systems are the natural next step for racking in achieving cost reductions,” said Mike Coulson, marketing manager at SnapNrack. “Racking companies can always improve on installation efficiency which is why we focus on the snap-in features, pre-assembled parts, and built-in features with every product we release. Yet, the easiest way to remove production costs is to remove some parts.”

By removing rails, suppliers are cutting manufacturing and shipping costs, and installers are limiting time on the roof with fewer components to handle and install. The benefits and cost reductions have pushed rail-less residential mounting system solutions across the threshold of acceptance by solar installers.

“Rail systems have just about reached their material and manufacturing cost floor including integrated grounding,” said Jeff Lee, vice president of business development at Pegasus. “A well-engineered rail-less system can efficiently utilize the solar module frames to meet the AHJ and building code requirements.”

Any flush-mount residential project that can use a rail-based system is a candidate for a well-engineered rail-less system, although there will always be applications for railed systems, as well as personal preferences for traditional mounting. But experts, including researchers at GTM, predict a shift to rail-less among installers. It could even become the dominant form of racking.

“You will still see plenty of installers preferring rail for those applications that need more stability, odd roof shapes, or just more difficult installs,” Coulson said. “As with any kind of industry shift, it will take time to educate installers and even home owners that their solar system is just as durable and safe without the rails but once they see the cost savings, reduction in installation times and even the aesthetic benefits, rail less racking will become the new standard.”

Rail-less systems do take a bit more planning upfront to properly lay out and level the mounts. But when done correctly, the entire installation can be drastically faster and easier to install than rail-based systems, Lee said.

Rail-less mounting installation differs from railed in a few key ways. While contractors don’t have to put down rails, they do need to be more precise with your layout to ensure the installation goes smoothly. Contractors generally install from the top down, working with gravity, and facing up the roof rather than down the roof. Installers need to spend more time thinking about wire management and clipping leads to frames as they go to ensure a smooth installation with good robust wire management.

For manufacturers, the rail-less revolution has come with a few complications. Wire management, for instance, was easy and convenient with rails. Rail-less manufacturers have worked to address the issue. SnapNrack, for instance, offers a dedicated junction box for transitioning conductors from conduit to free air, and the company’s wire mounts provide a robust solution for running home runs across the roof before modules are installed.

Also, most module manufacturers are accustomed to certifying their modules for installation on rails, so removing the rails from the system presents a relatively new situation for them in terms of module performance and warranty. Module manufacturers are getting up to speed quickly as many companies are rolling out rail-less solutions. Testing is a huge undertaking, according to Greg McPheeters, senior engineering manager at SnapNrack, but provides the module manufacturers with the data they need to determine the viability of a new mounting solution.

And then there was the foundation of rail-less mounting: understanding how the module frame could act as the rail.

“Thoroughly understanding the loading characteristics and strength of module frames is a fundamental requirement,” Lee said. “This is not a trivial engineering challenge, and designing a robust mounting system around the module frames is an even greater challenge.”

To create an elegant solution, the manufacturer must design a system that has easy and fast array alignment and leveling, minimum tool and parts count, portrait and landscape with terracing, composition or tile roof compatibility, and attention to user-friendly installation—all while meeting engineering requirements.

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Lockheed Martin joined Florida GovernorRick Scott, Duke Energy President of Florida Utility Operations Alex Glenn and other local officials to celebrate the powering up of its 151,400 square foot solar array covering the parking lot at its facility near Clearwater, Florida. The project represents Florida’s largest, private solar array.

Lockheed Martin’s parking solar array, completed in September 2015, will cut energy costs by up to 60 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent and energy use by 25 percent by the year 2020.

Lockheed Martin and lead contractor Advanced Green Technologies broke ground on the project in March 2015. Since then, 7,260 solar modules manufactured by Hanwha SolarOne Company and inverters by SunGrow were networked to create the 2.25-MW solar carport. AGT designed and led construction for the project, which was completed and tested by September 2015.

“This plant is indicative of Lockheed Martin’s drive to be energy efficient and a responsible corporate citizen,” said Leo Mackay, Lockheed Martin vice president of Sustainability.  “It is a building block in our larger effort to align our company with the demands of this century:  global security; advanced infrastructure; and renewable energy.”

The solar project will generate 3.33 million kilowatt hours per year resulting in $6.5 million in savings over 25 years. The covered parking will not only provide shade for more than 500 cars, but it will also slash greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent.

The Lockheed Martin location near Clearwater, Florida employs approximately 500 employees and 100 contractors providing engineering, software development and other services for company programs. Lockheed Martin is the largest industrial employer in Florida with approximately 12,000 employees in the state. Across locations, the company focuses on optimizing the use of natural resources to reduce carbon emissions through improved energy management. Lockheed Martin is currently considering other Florida sites to construct an additional solar carport.

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Recently, the innovative PV module – ET Cell Optimizer Module (COM) successfully obtained two certificates issued by VDE and ETL, meaning that the module’s design, type and safety conform to international high standards of PV modules. The two institutes are among the world’s most prominent independent testing organizations for electric and electronic products.

The new ET COM modules replace the diode function with active performance management bringing optimization to each cell string within the fabric of the module. By providing shade tolerance at the cell level, the new ET COM modules will produce more energy – even when compared to modules equipped with the leading DC optimizers or micro-inverters.

In addition, the new ET COM modules are compatible with all leading inverters, monitoring equipment, and mounting solutions; with an installation process identical to conventional PV modules.

In general, ET COM module outperforms the other solar modules in the following areas,

• Reduced power degradation, increase energy harvest
• Prevent hot-spot formation, reduce soiling loss and O&M cost
• Allow 10~20% tighter row pitch with the same energy production per panel, expand solar system size
• High reliability solution and UL/IEC certified
• Fully compatible with all leading inverter/monitoring system

As one of the first global module suppliers to manufacture this new generation of PV modules, ET Solar is again demonstrating the technology leadership for which the company is known.

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ClearGrid Energy, a community and utility-scale solar developer, is partnering with Citizens Energy Corp., a major solar power developer in Massachusetts, to find sites for solar installations across Massachusetts.

“This agreement with ClearGrid represents a significant step forward in helping us build an even greater pipeline for our solar energy development,” said Citizens Energy CEO Peter Smith.  “Through our relationship with the high-caliber team at ClearGrid, we have put ourselves in a strong position to develop additional solar projects. Their data-driven method to site acquisition will help us build our pipeline in Massachusetts as we look forward.”

Citizens will finance certain projects that ClearGrid helps identify and coordinate. ClearGrid will originate the projects and manage key aspects of development, bringing projects to the “Notice to Proceed” stage, where they are construction-ready.

“We are pleased to be working with Citizens, an organization known for its first-class personnel, extensive relationships and exceptional project track record. We are looking to forward to supporting their mission and bringing high-quality solar projects to Massachusetts,” said Michael Wyman, CEO and Founder of ClearGrid Energy.

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DC solar panels have dominated the solar market since the discovery of functional terrestrial solar panels in 1953. Now the old technology is being replaced in the market by the next evolution of the solar panel: the integrated AC solar module.

This article is contributed by Robert Onofrey, Vice President of Sales in North America at Phono Solar.

The greatest advantage of AC modules is that they don’t require high-voltage DC wiring, which make them safer to install than traditional models. This ensures that there will be a lower risk that an installer will be hurt through an accidental encounter with a DC wire, the potential for fires will also plummet — giving installers, inspectors and end users confidence in array’s safety.

As a self-contained power source, AC modules ensure the maximum amount of power from each module and, unlike traditional DC modules, AC modules monitor themselves. Armed with real-time production data, consumers and installers can ensure the array is actually producing the amount of power it promises.

Operators can also determine if specific AC modules are struggling and deal only with them, allowing the rest of the array to keep producing power. DC modules are incapable of providing precise monitoring because their central/string inverter connections only collect information about the entire array.

AC modules are gaining traction as a popular panel solution. According to Solar Server, IHS predicts that in 2017 AC modules will reach 32% of all microinverter shipments, becoming the fastest growing microinverter type to reach 800MW in 2018.

Combined with the explosive growth of the solar industry, AC modules are replacing outdated technology with better technology that serves the installers and end users with more effective electricity generation. This is why AC modules are rapidly replacing DC modules in the market — and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Robert “Bob” Onofrey is the Vice President of Sales in North America at Phono Solar, a global company that manufacturers crystalline photovoltaic modules and energy storage solutions. He has more than two decades of experience in solar energy, semiconductors and chemical industries. Bob has a B.S. in Science, Petroleum and Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. He currently resides in McKinney, Texas with his wife. 

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Ideal Power Inc., a developer of innovative power conversion technologies, announced today that its Grid-Resilient 125kW Power Conversion System has been certified for UL1741 conformance by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. The newly certified 125kW product brings the flexibility and efficiency of Ideal Power’s patented Power Packet Switching Architecture (PPSA) to energy storage applications requiring larger, more powerful power conversion systems.

Ideal Power’s grid-resilient power conversion system features microgrid-forming capabilities that enable back-up power for critical loads in the event of grid challenges, such as power outages. They are also software configurable to enable operation in both 50Hz and 60Hz environments, allowing customers worldwide to support both grid-tied and off-grid applications.

“Our 125kW system represents the latest product and market expansion efforts for Ideal Power,” commented Ryan O’Keefe, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Ideal Power. “Our grid-resilient products already support global 50Hz and 60Hz geographical markets, but the 125kW system now adds more power to our portfolio which will accelerate our expansion into larger system installations and megawatt-sized utility projects.”

The UL1741 standard is a benchmark for safety and compatibility of inverters, converters, controllers and interconnection system equipment used with distributed energy resources on the electric grid in the U.S. and Canada and certification for conformance to UL1741 is required for such systems to be connected to the utility grid.

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Thanks to a highly successful Intersolar and ees North America exhibition and conference co-located in San Francisco this past July, conference organizers Solar Promotion International and Freiburg Management and Marketing International (FMMI) contributed more than $300,000 to the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA). The funds will be used to support CALSEIA’s policy efforts in California, the largest U.S. solar and energy storage market.

“California leads the U.S. solar and energy storage market in a variety of ways, from installing the largest amount of solar in the country to implementing groundbreaking policy and incentive programs. Ensuring it remains strong is one of our top priorities,” said Markus Elsaesser, CEO of Solar Promotion International, an Intersolar North America organizer. “We are pleased to offer financial support for the good work of CALSEIA in fighting for the ITC, net energy metering, and other key policies.”

The funds were raised from events like Solar Summerfest, Intersolar North America’s largest networking event, jointly organized conference programs and other revenue-sharing activities at Intersolar North America, the most-attended solar industry event dedicated to the North American market.  CALSEIA will use the funds to continue its work to win critical campaigns such as extending the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and protecting Net Energy Metering (NEM).

“To participate in Intersolar North America is to help extend the ITC and protect NEM right here in California,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association. “We are grateful for Intersolar North America’s generous support of our work and look forward to another highly successful show in 2016.”

In addition to financial support, Intersolar organizers also provide CALSEIA a high visibility platform for building grassroots support for priority campaigns. At this year’s event, CALSEIA volunteers collected thousands of signatures from conference participants and exhibition visitors for a petition to Congress calling for the extension of the ITC.

“It isn’t enough to wring out hands over the threat of the ITC cliff looming large in 2016,” Del Chiaro said. “We have to stand up and do something and not let congressional inaction cost America tens of thousands of jobs.”

Intersolar also worked with CALSEIA to reinvigorate the popular CALSEIA Pavilion for exhibitors.  Facilitated by a special CALSEIA-Intersolar membership promotional offer, 10 CALSEIA newcomers were able to exhibit their products and services. Companies ranging from start-ups to small and mid-sized companies were given the opportunity to meet industry insiders and network with the nearly 18,000 exhibition visitors throughout the course of the three-day exhibition.

Additionally, the publication of Intersolar and CALSEIA’s new white paper, “U.S. Solar-Plus-Storage Market: Drivers, Economics and Outlook” reflected their commitment to supporting the broader U.S. market with vital, accessible research. The comprehensive research, indicating a combined market value of $3.1 billion by 2020, was provided by GTM Research and is now available free at Intersolar’s website.

“Intersolar is known as the first-of-the-year launch pad for the latest in technological trends for solar and energy storage,” said Daniel Strowitzki, CEO of FMMI International, co-organizer of Intersolar North America. “We are committed to supporting a strong solar and energy storage future in North America, and we are very proud supporters of CALSEIA and the tremendous work they do.”

The co-located Intersolar North America and ees North America will return to San Francisco’s Moscone Center on July 12-14, 2016.

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SMA has joined forces with Farm from a Box to develop a complete, off-grid toolkit for localized food production. Ideal for remote and rural communities worldwide, this micro-farming solution includes everything from water purification and irrigation to seedlings and solar power, allowing users to produce their own food while providing a source of income. SMA designed the 3kW off-grid PV system included in the unit.

“SMA is proud to partner with a company whose goal is to bring independence to communities around the globe by providing the tools they need to sustain themselves, both nutritionally and financially,” said Marko Wittich, SMA executive vice president of sales for the Americas region. “Farm from a Box isn’t charity; it empowers and strengthens communities with sustainable solutions, powered by renewable energy.”

Ideal for humanitarian aid, refugee camps, post-crisis rebuilding, private-sector development, and community cooperatives, each Farm from a Box can serve 150-plus people, one hectare of land (2.47 acres) and a wide range of crops, including grains, vegetables and fruits. Built from a modified shipping container, it is available in 10-, 20- and 40-foot units, each pre-installed with a PV system comprising 10 high-efficiency solar modules, an SMA Sunny Island 6048-US off-grid inverter, SMA Sunny Boy 3000TL-US inverter with Secure Power Supply, SMA Sunny WebBox remote monitoring solution, SMA Smartformer transformer and distribution box, and deep-cycle batteries for energy storage. The array is backed up by a 3,000-watt generator.

Farm from a Box also includes a water pump, water filtration system, drip irrigation kit, seedling house, soil amendments and basic farming tools. There also is high-efficiency LED lighting, secured storage, a mobile charging area, communications/Wi-Fi, geo-spatial mapping and a data monitoring platform. Rounding out this comprehensive solution is a full training program that covers ecological farming practices, technology use and maintenance, and basic business and entrepreneurship.

“The Farm from a Box system combines best-in-class OEM components from globally recognized companies that ensure quality, longevity and support,” said Brandi DeCarli, founding partner of Farm from a Box. “SMA offers the most technologically advanced PV solutions worldwide, making it the obvious choice for our dream team of industry leaders.”

A Farm from a Box test unit is currently up and running in Sonoma, California, with another scheduled for deployment in the Rift Valley, Ethiopia, later this year. Located at Shone Farm, home to Santa Rosa Junior College’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, the Sonoma system serves as a local showcase and research and development site, including prototype and component testing and tracking of results and capabilities. The unit in Ethiopia will be a fully operational pilot project that will test, measure and collect data points in cooperation with a local women’s cooperative. It also will help shape and refine the training and implementation program.

Other Farm from a Box product partners include Netafim, Grundfos, Trojan Battery, Trina Solar, Sierra Wireless, Davis Instruments, Renasola, Navvi and Sun4Water.

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To help the Physics Factory share its enthusiasm for physics to young students across the country, U.S. Battery donated several of its deep-cycle batteries that will be used along with a solar panel array mounted on the Physics Factory’s Physics Bus.

The bus is a rolling science museum that makes appearances at schools, and science fairs across the country, providing demonstrations of physics in a fun and entertaining way. “We supplied the Physics Factory with our L16 deep cycle batteries that will work well with the solar panels they placed on top of their bus,” says Mike Wallace, U.S. Battery Creative Manager. “This helps to provide power for demonstrations and will also help to showcase the benefits of solar power to students at a young age.”

f-the-grid, we needed batteries that were incredibly efficient and long lasting,” says Erik Herman, Physics Factory Instructor. “That’s why we were absolutely delighted to receive a donation of eight L16 XC2’s from U.S. Battery. We now have the convenience to simply pull up anywhere, flick a switch, and open the doors for kids to come aboard and enjoy science. Whether it’s along a sidewalk downtown, in a school playground, a park, or even at a camp or reservation, we have allowed this physics experience to be free and un-tethered.”

U.S. Battery’s L16 deep-cycle batteries are available in six-volt and two-volt designs. Both utilize U.S. Battery’s exclusive Diamond Plate Xtreme Capacity technology that provides higher peak capacity, improved watt-hours per liter, and watt-hours per kilogram. In addition, L16 batteries feature an Outside Positive (OSP™) plate design, which mitigates the effects of positive plate deterioration and further increases battery life, capacity and performance.

With a durable case and proper maintenance, U.S. Battery’s L16 deep cycle batteries will store energy gathered from the solar panel array provided in part by Taitem Eengineering, to power demonstrations that will continue to help the Physics Factory’s mission to amaze and educate students across the country.

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Off Grid Electric has completed the largest venture capital funding for distributed energy in Africa, raising $25 million in a Series C investment round led by DBL Partners. Off Grid Electric, based in California and Tanzania, is installing solar in over 10,000 homes and businesses per month with its radically affordable solar leasing platform, making energy universally accessible to households earning as little as $1 per day. The company has signed a partnership with the government of Tanzania to power one million homes in the next three years and recently entered its second country, Rwanda.

DBL Partners Founder and Managing Partner, Nancy Pfund, will serve as Chairwoman of the Board. Nancy has been a longtime investor in and board member of SolarCity. The investment in Off Grid Electric is the firm’s first international investment, expanding DBL’s double bottom line investment approach overseas.

“We are in the midst of a solar revolution in Africa. The success of our pre-paid leasing model in Tanzania has global implications and demonstrates that universal energy access is achievable,” said Xavier Helgesen, co-founder and CEO of Off Grid Electric. “We are building a platform to power millions of homes and businesses in the coming years, and DBL is an incredible partner to help us achieve our vision. They have seen firsthand through their early investment in SolarCity how to build a market leader in solar leasing.”

“Off Grid Electric’s social and environmental mission combined with the discipline and drive inherent in its entrepreneurial culture makes it a perfect fit for DBL’s ‘double bottom line’ approach to business and social change,” said Nancy Pfund. “As our firm’s first investment in an international business, we are excited to bring the benefits of impact investing to people and families beyond the United States, and feel honored to join the Off-Grid Electric team.”

New investors also participating include Western Technology Investment and Helios Investment Partners founder Tope Lawani. The company received reinvestments from leading U.S. solar provider SolarCity, eBay founder Pierre Omidyar’s fund Omidyar Network, Serious Change LP and Vulcan Capital, the private investment firm of Microsoft co-Founder, Paul Allen.

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While still offering comprehensive asset management and O&M services for solar projects throughout North America, Radian Generation is making Lens™ available to expand the use of best practices and improve returns on solar investments throughout the industry. The software tool centralizes technical operations, financial reporting, and contract compliance tasks in a comprehensive, scalable database available from any web-enabled device.  The software has been available internally and to select clients of Radian’s asset management services and will now be available as a stand-alone product.

Bryan Banke, Managing Director, Asset Management at Renewable Energy Trust Capital Inc. (RET Capital), utilizes Lens for both solar and wind assets. RET Capital creates predictable and profitable revenue streams from an array of long-term energy-generating assets, and Lens organizes the numerous projects in its portfolio into a clear, concise universal structure from which to manage. “We work with a wide range of partners, from EPCs and OEMs to Landscapers and Asset Managers. The breadth allows us to utilize the best providers in the business, but adds a degree of complexity. Lens gives structure to that complexity, which helps us manage our large volume of tasks and avoid mistakes or lapses in timing.”

As former solar project developers and owners, the founders of Radian Generation identified an industry need for professional asset management services so investors can grow and manage their portfolios. Solar and wind developers are also choosing to retain ownership stakes in their projects to enjoy long-term, stable cash flow. “We want to see solar continue to accelerate,” offered Chad Sachs, CEO, “and that will only happen if risks are managed appropriately and industry-wide returns remain strong as projects age.”

The Lens platform brings together three different areas of asset management (operations, compliance, and financial), providing a single, comprehensive view of performance. It begins with technical operations, automatically capturing performance data from select data acquisition platforms. Weather data is then used to calculate expected production levels for the current conditions and trouble tickets are automatically created if production falls outside of acceptable bounds. Tickets can be managed and tracked internally or assigned to third-party O&M vendors for resolution.

The second area of emphasis is on regulatory and contractual compliance items, ensuring that necessary tasks are performed on time over the life of the project.  This covers a wide range of obligations embedded within the project, debt, or equity agreements, ranging from making lease and insurance payments to meeting debt covenants, applying PPA escalators, and executing contract extensions. Lens tracks all of these tasks and manages the associated documents that govern the project.

Finally, the third area of asset management addressed by Lens is financial reporting, including real-time views of month-to-date performance against financial forecasts and monthly reports available at the click of a button. Results are traceable back to the raw data, providing banks and investors with confidence in the results. The single registry of project assets also simplifies warranty claims and identifies potential risks from over-dependence on a few vendors.

Pristine Sun sees the automation as key to its growth. Rory Ramsay, Director of Field Operations at Pristine Sun, quipped “our growth plans are tremendous; it’s great to have Lens to keep an eye on all these new projects.”

“Renewables are a great investment,“ observed Sachs “but only with ongoing attention.” As more investors realize the advantages of solar, the opportunities for solid returns increasingly depend on an owner’s ability to effectively and efficiently manage production, revenue and costs. “We’ve built a learning platform,” he continued. “As we identify new data quality checks, for example, we now have a single place to update the rules engine and apply that across all projects. That’s good for solar everywhere.”

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Major solar PV manufacturers have announced a flurry of new module manufacturing capacity this year — all of it outside of China.

GTM Research, which today released the Global PV Manufacturing Attractiveness Index 2015, or PVMAX, has ranked the world’s most attractive countries in which to manufacture solar PV modules. Perhaps most surprisingly, the PVMAX finds that the United States is the world’s fifth-most attractive module manufacturing country.

The global PV module market is facing a looming supply crunch, and manufacturers have taken notice. According to GTM Research, 6.6 gigawatts of new module manufacturing capacity have been contracted through the first nine months of this year, all of it in countries outside of China. Despite these planned plants, the global market may face a supply shortage over the next two years as demand grows.

Anti-dumping duties and a diversifying global solar market are two major reasons for looking outside of China. To help businesses identify future manufacturing markets, GTM Research’ PVMAX scores and ranks 50 countries for their PV manufacturing attractiveness based on 25 distinct criteria across four categories: business environment, access to demand, PV manufacturing support, and all-in costs.

Still, China’s domestic demand, manufacturing support, and cost competiveness allow it to reign as the world’s most attractive market. However for firms looking to sell modules outside of China, it might be worth exploring other countries for manufacturing plants. According to the PVMAX, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the United States rank second through fifth, respectively.

Despite the United States’ high manufacturing costs, it remains a global leader due to its strong demand and business environment.

“The U.S. is a very attractive country for manufacturing and ranks higher than any other high-cost country because of its robust domestic demand and access to markets globally,” said report author and GTM Research Senior Solar Analyst Mohit Anand.

The report notes that close to 10 percent of new module manufacturing capacity announcements this year has been for plants located in the U.S. “Anything that helps grow domestic demand, including an extension of the federal Investment Tax Credit, would further support U.S. attractiveness to manufacturers,” added Anand.

Rounding out the top ten are India, Thailand, Canada, South Korea, and Germany.

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Integrated Solar Technology, a solar product designer, manufacturer, and owner of SunTegra Solar Roof Systems based in New York, has teamed up with Sifton Properties, a leading Canadian real estate development and property management company, on its first model green “Home of the Future” in London, Ontario.

“Drive by the grey brick bungalow and there’s nothing unusual — unless you look closely. Solar shingles are blended into the roof on the east and west sides,” writes Hank Daniszewski, reporter for the London Free Press.

On September 15, Sifton unveiled this ground-breaking “Net-Zero” home and it is now officially open to the public for homebuyers eager to learn more about the technological features, environmental components, financial benefits, and overall comfortable lifestyle that comes with the net-zero status.

The home was designed and built to generate as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year (the definition of net-zero!). The model home features 9.8 kilowatts of SunTegra™ Shingles solar energy capacity, which will generate 100% of the home’s electricity demand over the course of a year. The video Net Zero Construction with the SunTegra™ Shingle provides an aeriel view of the home’s character and sleek SunTegra design.

President and CEO of Sifton Properties, Richard Sifton, explains:

“Solar is the largest sustainable component used for the house and in this case, we have chosen solar shingles. By using solar shingles, we were able to achieve improved environmental benefits because the house requires fewer asphalt shingles. Just another perk of a net-zero home.”

Richard Sifton also added, “The roof component did not have to be overbuilt to accept the heavy weight loads normally required for racks and standard solar panels, avoiding the need for even more materials.”

“We are thrilled to have partnered with such an experienced and progressive developer as Sifton on its net-zero home project”, says Oliver Koehler, IST’s founder and CEO. “We believe SunTegra’s in-roof design is ideal for homebuilders, like Sifton, who are truly at the forefront of making green building, specifically net-zero building, the standard in new construction.”

Video: interview with Richard Sifton onsite at the net zero home.

Solar Power World

Florida’s Supreme Court ruled today that the language proposed by the Floridians for Solar Choice ballot initiative is unambiguous and single-subject, clearing the legal hurdle for the amendment to be placed on the 2016 election ballot if all 683,149 required signatures are collected and verified before February 1, 2016.

“We are thrilled with the high court’s ruling so that voters may have the opportunity to vote on removing a barrier that currently blocks Florida’s families and businesses from greater energy choices through the power of the free market,” said Tory Perfetti, Chairman, Floridians for Solar Choice. “People power is what will get us on the ballot, and we continue to gather thousands of signatures each week from Floridians eager for Solar Choice.”

The campaign’s total number of verified signatures continues to grow as more than 183,000 have been confirmed by Florida’s Division of Elections and another 100,000 are signed and awaiting verification. The ballot proposal – designed to expand solar choice by removing barriers that limit solar ownership models – continues to gain wide support as more than 60 businesses, associations, conservative groups, faith communities, clean energy and environmental organizations now comprise this diverse coalition.

“In this David and Goliath battle, we fully expected that the petition would upset the status-quo and generate opposition from utilities that hold Florida’s energy consumers captive, so we are pleased the court has cleared the way for this initiative to go before the people” said Pamela Goodman, President, League of Women Voters of Florida. “We are encouraged that an issue like solar choice has strong bipartisan support and is bringing people together for the chance to give Floridians a voice and a choice on solar power.”

Florida is one of only four states where current law expressly denies citizens and businesses the freedom to buy power directly from someone other than a monopoly electric utility or government-owned electric utility.

“Solar energy is a powerhouse economic contributor in many other states, so we are thrilled that Florida may finally have a chance to catch up with the rest of the country,” said Mike Antheil, Executive Director, Florida Solar Energy Industries Association. “The solar industry in Florida is made up of small businesses, just like many other kinds of local contractors. We employ real Floridians and provide for real families. Solar energy is here to stay. Allowing consumers to choose solar power will create local jobs and keep our energy dollars right here in Florida.”

“This is a huge victory for the people and businesses of Florida who want to freely choose the companies that will provide them clean solar power in a cost effective manner,” said Dr. Stephen Smith, Executive Director, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “The big monopoly utilities, led by Florida Power & Light (FPL), called in political favors from the Attorney General and other minions in an effort to block the free market and they failed. We fully expect more misleading attacks from the big electric utilities and their proxy front groups in their desperate attempt to limit customer choice. In America, we value competition and the freedom of choice. FPL and other electric utilities need to stop limiting our freedom in the Sunshine State.”

Solar Power World

The SunModo self-grounding landscape midclamp. See the other self-grounding system components below.

Solar installation professionals go to great lengths to protect solar investments from their leading threat – lightning and static discharge. SunModo Corp, the company that established itself with EZ roof mounts and elevated roof installations, has now devised a Self-Grounding System that makes easy work of bonding an entire racking system to a grounding source.

Built-in grounding pins in easy-to-use components invisibly pierce rail coatings to form a reliable, durable grounding connection as part of the natural installation process.

“Installers told us one of the greatest hassles to PV installation was managing the clumsy assortment of bonding connections to properly ground the racking system,” said Rick Campfield, President of SunModo, Corp. “So, our talented engineering team got to work.”

The SunModo next generation Self-Grounding System includes convenient T-bolts with locking features, mid and end clamps, rail splices, shared rail adaptors and lugs, all featuring grounding pins. It conveniently handles landscape or portrait configuration to minimize roof time and parts required. The self-grounding system spares installers the need to order, stock and transport additional grounding hardware to the rooftop.

The product line is the subject of two patents and one patent pending, has completed UL 2703 certification, and is available exclusively from SunModo and its preferred distributors.

“Because this self-grounding system takes the pain out of the grounding process, we believe this innovation will quickly become an industry standard of solar professionals who are quick to embrace convenient, affordable and reliable solutions.” said Campfield.

SunModo became a solar racking solutions leader by inventing new mounting and racking gear for professional installers. Its EZ Roof Mount system has been installed 1.5 million times on 300MW of installation, and its EZ SunBeam flat roof system easily installs above rooftop obstacles.

SunModo’s self-grounding system components.

Solar Power World

This week marks an important milestone for solar policy in the Southeast, specifically Florida. Florida’s Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the language proposed by the Floridians for Solar Choice ballot initiative is unambiguous and single-subject, meaning that this initiative now has a green light to be on Florida’s general election ballot in November of 2016, as long as the remaining, required petitions are collected and verified by February 1st of next year.

The solar coalition is incredibly diverse and has over 65 associations, businesses and organizations, including the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, spanning the political spectrum and the business community. Its coalition partners and volunteers throughout the state are celebrating this first victory, but realize that much work needs to be done in the next two months to take this initiative all the way to the 2016 ballot.

Florida is one of only four states where current law expressly denies citizens and businesses the freedom to buy power directly from someone other than a monopoly electric utility or government-owned electric utility. The Solar Choice initiative would remove this barrier by allowing for the sale of solar power to home and business owners directly through a solar developer, or ‘third party’. It would also allow property owners to sell solar power to their tenants, meaning that Florida renters (a common living arrangement in the Sunshine State) could have access to solar for the first time. The third party financing arrangement also means that a homeowner can have solar installed on their home with no upfront cost; they would simply pay for the power being generated by the system on a monthly basis, at a fixed rate, much like a car owner finances a car or a homeowner finances a house through mortgage payments.

Hear that, fixed energy rate? This would allow energy savings for Floridians, as well as provide more access to solar in middle and lower income communities by reducing the financial barrier of the initial investment in equipment.
Yesterday’s decision by the Florida Supreme Court adds to the momentum that the initiative has been creating throughout the state. Over 183,000 petitions have been verified, with an additional 100,000 currently being processed. The Solar Choice amendment needs 683,149 total verified petitions, and then a 60% majority in the election next November. The coalition presented oral arguments on September 1, 2015. Now that the language has official approval from the courts, it is simply up to people power to get the ballots needed.

Utilities front opposition group to mislead voters
There is, of course, opposition from the utility monopolies who see any change to the status quo as a threat to their profits. In response to a true citizen-driven ballot initiative to allow solar to grow in the Sunshine State, the utilities and their proxy groups have formed a group called “Consumer for Smart Solar” and introduced a sham amendment to confuse voters. Its amendment, which simply maintains the status quo in Florida, is being bankrolled by Florida power companies and Koch bros-funded front groups. For a detailed chart that helps you ‘follow the money’ click here.

It is encouraging to see that the Florida Supreme Court was not swayed by arguments by the power companies that the petition language was misleading and dealt with more than one subject. In the end, the Court ruled that it in fact met all the requirements and that it can be placed on the ballot. All that’s left is to procure the remaining verified signatures. Floridians are one important step closer to making their voice heard and getting Solar Choice on the ballot next year.

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy supports Floridians for Solar Choice as a founding member of the coalition, and we have faith in Floridians and the clean energy community as a whole to work together and take this important initiative all the way. Florida is Ground Zero when it comes to climate change, and this initiative is an important way for a vulnerable, coastal state to embrace real solutions for clean energy.

Solar Power World