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Roof Tech, a provider of rail-less rooftop PV mounting systems, has added engineering to support 72 cell PV modules or modules up to 21 sq. ft. The new engineering data was added to their already extensive engineering reports created by Starling Madison Lofquist, Inc., a third-party firm that created the full reports from actual load testings. The simple to use tables are compliant with the IBC 2012, with values according to the roof zones, type of exposure and different attachment methods at different roof pitches. Astounding results with top basic wind speed up to 180 mph and Ground Snow loads up to 113 psf.

The PE reports include tables for rafter attachment (2”x 4”, 24” o.c.) and direct to the roof decking (7/16” OSB and 15/32” Plywood thickness) applications which are not yet common to the US PV industry. Direct to deck attachment is a true game changer and helps to lower the time on the roof dramatically. Unlike the common method of securing a PV system with lag bolts, Roof Tech’s approach is with the use of multiple 5mm stainless wood screws making the roof decking installation evenly secured. If the PV system needs to be secured to rafters, the overall installation becomes even easier to meet code because the 5mm screw will need to hit within 60% from the center of the rafter. A 5/16” lag bolt will need to hit within 30% from the center of the rafter which is a much narrower tolerance and therefore much more difficult to comply with the code.

At this time only the E Mount AIR is being certified for the use of 72 cell modules.

For more information on Roof Tech or to download the new PE reports, please visit www.roof-tech.us or call (619) 551-7029

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Solar FlexRack, a division of Northern States Metals and a leader in photovoltaic mounting solutions, announced today the release of their next generation, single‐axis tracker solution, TDP Turnkey Trackers. What sets the new tracking solution apart is its updated tracking technology bundled with a full suite of services and support for commercial and utility‐scale solar customers.

The TDP Turnkey Tracker offers the lowest total cost solution by providing the only tracker in the industry that includes full design, installation, commissioning, and support services bundled in one contract.

“We are continually improving and expanding our technologies and associated services to drive value for our clients,” said Steve Daniel, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The TDP Turnkey Tracker is the result of our systematic, in‐field testing and collaboration with our clients. It’s the culmination of our extensive experience incorporated in an innovative, tracker solution that delivers an optimized product coupled with best‐in‐class services and support. The TDP addresses a critical need for services which will be essential to support the expected increase in demand in 2016.”

From a solar installation’s preliminary layout and plans, through construction and life of system, the Solar FlexRack TDP Turnkey Tracker provides a reliable solution that reduces installation time and long‐term maintenance. The TDP Turnkey Tracker puts the company’s years of PV experience at the customers’ fingertips with this comprehensive services offering:

• Sizing and layouts
• In‐house geologist and geotechnical engineers
• Pull‐testing
• Structural analysis and foundation design
• Project management
• Post driving, tracker installation, and panel mounting
• Commissioning
• Full‐service support

“Our robust parent company has almost half a century of experience in metal fabrication and services. We’ve been able to leverage that extensive expertise and long‐term stability to deliver bankable mounting solutions customers can rely on. With the potential expiration of the ITC, we have the commitment and the capacity to deliver product, help customers solve problems, and provide support services for the long run,” said Thomas J. Meola, President and CEO of Solar FlexRack.

Solar FlexRack’s TDP Tracker offers a flexible design that allows for close packing on odd‐shaped lots and maximizes land usage. The TDP solution is supported by an in‐house team of experts that includes mechanical, structural, civil, electrical and geotechnical engineers and geologists. The solution is also backed by an industry‐leading warranty. To learn more about Solar FlexRack’s TDP Turnkey Tracker, one of the most cost‐effective and comprehensive tracker solutions available, please visit: http://solarflexrack.com/products/tracker.

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A new report shows 2015 shaping up to be the United States solar market’s best year in history with record-breaking fourth quarter projections.

The U.S. installed 1,361 megawatts  (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in the third quarter of the year.  According to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) U.S. Solar Market Insight Report, Q3 2015, this marks the eighth consecutive quarter in which the U.S. has installed more than a gigawatt (GW) of PV capacity.

“This past quarter marked the calm before the storm,” said GTM Research Senior Solar Analyst Cory Honeyman. “The one-gigawatt mark for quarterly capacity additions will serve as a distant floor as project developers ramp up installations in the next five quarters before the planned step down of the 30 percent federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC).”

GTM Research expects the fourth quarter of this year to be the largest quarter for solar installations in U.S. history. Led by the utility-scale segment, the United States will install more than three GW. Looking further out, cumulative PV installations will nearly double between now and the end of 2016, bringing the nationwide total to 41 GW.

Cumulative U.S. PV Installed Capacity, 2007-2016E

Source: GTM Research / SEIA U.S. Solar Market Insight

The utility-scale market continues to lead the U.S. solar market. Utility-scale PV installations made up 42 percent of the nationwide total, while residential installations accounted for 41 percent. Additionally, the residential market hit another new quarterly record as it grew 69 percent year-over year.

Despite some inconsistencies in the non-residential market, the report notes this segment also made progress, increasing 4 percent year-over-year and 19 percent over last quarter.

U.S PV Installations, 2010-Q3 2015

Source: GTM Research / SEIA U.S. Solar Market Insight

GTM Research forecasts that the U.S. solar PV market as a whole will grow 19 percent over 2014 and will reach 7.4 GW by the end of 2015.

“Year after year, we’re seeing the demand for solar energy in America skyrocket, and the benefits that brings to both our nation’s economy and environment are staggering,” said Rhone Resch, SEIA President and CEO. “As we gear up for what’s expected to be an unprecedented year for our industry, and nation, this report reveals just how important it is to maintain smart, effective, forward-looking public policies, like the ITC.”

Key Findings from the Report:
•    The U.S. installed 1,361 MWdc of solar PV in Q3 2015, marking the eighth consecutive quarter in which the U.S. added more than 1 GWdc of PV installations.
•    Throughout the first three quarters of 2015, 30% of all new electric generating capacity brought on-line in the U.S. came from solar.
•    As of Q3 2015, more than 50% of all states in the U.S. have more than 50 MWdc of cumulative solar PV installed.
•    Totaling 18.7 GWdc, the current utility PV development pipeline is greater than all U.S. PV installations brought on-line through the end of 2014.
•    GTM Research forecasts that 7.4 GWdc of new PV installations will come on-line in 2015, up 19% over 2014. Growth will occur in the residential and utility PV segments, while for the second straight year, non-residential solar will dip 5%.
•    2014 was the largest year ever for concentrating solar power, with 767 MWac brought on-line. The next notable CSP project slated for completion is SolarReserve’s 110 MWac Crescent Dunes, which entered the commissioning phase in 2014 and is expected to become fully operational by early 2016.

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Solar Frontier, the world’s largest CIS solar energy solutions provider, announced today the second supply agreement in a series of projects for Ecoplexus, a developer with a portfolio of hundreds of megawatts of solar projects across multiple countries.

Solar Frontier’s advanced solar module technology, CIS, has been selected for installation in a 26-MW solar energy project set to begin construction in Martin County, North Carolina. The construction work will be carried out by Vaughn Industries, one of the nation’s leading electrical/mechanical contractors with over 50 years of electrical experience.

Charles Pimentel, COO of Solar Frontier Americas, commented, “We are pleased to be selected for this solar energy project and to work with the experienced team at Ecoplexus, a company dedicated to delivering the highest value in the solar energy systems they develop.”

“Solar Frontier’s product performance and exceptional customer service were significant factors in the decision-making process for a solar module supplier of these projects,” said John Gorman, CEO of Ecoplexus.

Solar Frontier’s advanced CIS modules are a proven technology and generate higher energy yield (kilowatt-hours per kilowatt peak) in real-world environments than conventional crystalline silicon technologies. The modules are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities, fully automated for manufacturing precision and consistently deliver high quality product. Solar Frontier’s solar projects have increasingly gained the attention of investors and project developers for their exceptional performance.

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JuiceBox Energy announces its first installation of its 8.6 kWh Energy Storage System in San Diego Gas & Electric territory. The system was installed at a private home in San Diego. It is now available for other homeowners throughout California who would like to add an advanced energy storage system to their current or future solar installations.

The JuiceBox Energy Storage System was integrated into an existing 3.7 kW solar installation and grid-tied inverter. The home also boasts energy efficient systems, including LED lighting and high-efficiency appliances.

“Energy storage is the wave of the future. The benefits and capabilities of the JuiceBox Energy Storage System are far and away the best I have seen in the market,” said Robert Bessler, homeowner.
“The JuiceBox system allows me to take advantage of the local utility’s on-peak net metering program, significantly increasing my energy savings compared to solar alone. The added benefit of having back-up power to run my household also provides significant peace of mind.”

With this residential JuiceBox installation, the owner will benefit from:

• Real-time monitoring and control through a cellular modem and web interface
• Back-up power in event of grid outage
• Out-of-the-box integration to the Schneider XW+ inverter to eliminate field service calls
• Peak Shifting – shift excess solar production from daylight hours to night time and minimize
  or eliminate grid reliance

The JuiceBox Energy Storage is an automotive-grade, 8.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack with proprietary charge control and energy management system coupled to a 5.5kW Schneider XW+ inverter. The system is deployed throughout California, and in Hawaii, New York, and a growing number of states. There are 60 Certified Installers nationwide to support the roll-out.

The JuiceBox Energy Storage System’s battery management and system controllers are designed for safe, reliable, long lasting control of the lithium-ion cells. It has redundant protection mechanisms to prevent over voltage, over current, under voltage, and over temperature conditions. The system is designed to support grid-tied, grid isolated in the event of grid failure, and off-grid configurations. Each configuration delivers more than 10 years or 4000 cycles of dedicated peak shifting, back-up power, energy efficiency, as well as enables participation in emerging transactive energy exchanges. A cellular gateway linked to a secure cloud-based repository enables remote monitoring, updates, and control. The JuiceBox Energy Storage System is housed in an indoor/outdoor UL-rated enclosure.

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IBC SOLAR is expanding its product portfolio with smart module technology from TIGO. All module types, including IBC SOLAR’s Value-Added Modules, can be upgraded with the optimizer technology.

“TIGO perfectly complements our portfolio of own label and third-party products. Their solutions will enable our Premium Partners to offer their customers efficient solutions for PV systems in locations where conditions for solar installations have never been ideal or have else got worse over the years and modules are not able to fulfil their full nominal power”, says Thomas Herold, Product Manager Electrical Components at IBC SOLAR.

TIGO solves this problem by utilizing a patented impedance matching optimizer technology. The TIGO Energy Module Optimizers can be integrated into every module to increase the energy production of the whole PV system by up to 20 per cent. The products simplify design and installation, improve fire safety, and ensure the highest uptime and reliability through cloud-based monitoring. TIGO Energy’s chip-based solution provides the industry’s lowest part count, highest reliability, and most efficient smart module solution in the world. Their products therefore meet the high quality standards set by IBC SOLAR.

The partnership will enable the customers of IBC SOLAR to migrate to the revolutionary TS4 platform embedded technology in the near future. It will also allow them to carry out performance reviews for existing customers and, if necessary, consult them on readjusting their PV systems. In the course of this review, they can also develop long-term service and maintenance agreements. IBC SOLAR is offering its Premium Partners exclusive product training courses for the new product at its Competence Center.

“TIGO is the only provider to offer a modular platform which allows customers to adjust the behaviour of their PV modules according to their specific needs. It offers various functionality options and selective deployment abilities, which produce the lowest cost optimization, while allowing real time monitoring and an overall reduction of maintenance costs”, says Christian Carraro, TIGO’s GM & Vice President Sales for Europe. “By combining our leading technologies with IBC SOLAR – an established and experienced international solar distributor – we will be able to provide the solar market with the best possible generation of solar energy products and management systems.”

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It’s a micro-trend in the micro-brew business to go solar, with breweries nationwide becoming advocates for sustainability. And AllEarth Renewables, a Vermont-based solar tracker manufacturer and developer of solar projects, is becoming a go-to solar firm for breweries in the Northeast, with installations at The Alchemist, Woodchuck Cider and Maine Beer Company.

In this Solar Speaks podcast, Andrew Savage, chief strategy officer at AllEarth, discusses the business side of breweries going solar. He talks about the bankability of beer makers, the importance of virtual net metering and how other EPCs should approach breweries with project proposals.

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Commercial solar installations have waned in recent years as a lack of readily available capital has hindered project progress. Simpleray Solar is offering a solution for small, medium and large commercial projects by offering 90-day interest free procurement financing.

“The commercial market has been hamstrung by a lack of available capital and we’re proud to offer our clients an easier way to complete their projects in a profitable and timely manner,” said Simpleray’s CEO Geoff Stenrick.

With the federal tax credit for solar installations nearing an end and a slowly developing commercial sector set to grow by leaps and bounds, the procurement finance program allows for Simpleray’s clients to obtain more product in a shorter period of time, helping to complete projects worry free and providing an opportunity to scale business to size.

Unlike current financing programs, Simpleray allows for solar professionals to mitigate risk as the program finances each job separately, ensuring safety for your business and peace of mind knowing that the project can be completed and materials on hand.

Signing up with Simpleray is a simple and streamlined process. Contact a Simpleray sales manager for more information on building a commercial business for the solar future: 800-952-3235.

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Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) the largest dedicated residential solar company in the United States, today announced Denver, Colo., as the location for its newest corporate office. The company expects to open an office in downtown Denver before the end of 2015 and plans to hire up to 800 workers over the next few years. The expansion underscores Sunrun’s growth over the past year, most recently announcing it has surpassed 100,000 customers.

Sunrun’s new office expands the company’s geographic footprint nationwide to support consumer demand for home solar into 2016. In Colorado, Sunrun has saved local homeowners more than $4.3 million on their electric bills since 2007. The company will also help advance Colorado’s cleantech industry by offering employment opportunities in operations, project planning and design engineering.

“We already know that Colorado homeowners love solar and that Colorado has a highly skilled workforce. Our fast-growing industry also has support from Colorado’s elected leaders through strong in-state and federal solar policies like the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC),” said Lynn Jurich, chief executive officer of Sunrun. “That’s why we’re thrilled to grow Sunrun’s presence in the state with technology-oriented functions that will power solar’s growth nationwide.”

Sunrun largely attributes its expansion into Colorado to the leadership of Governor Hickenlooper and policymakers. As a strong supporter of the solar industry, the state of Colorado invested more than $212 million in installations in 2014, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The state’s solar industry also employs more than 4,200 people, according to The Solar Foundation.

Gov. Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock expressed their support for Sunrun’s continued growth. Today they will officially welcome Sunrun to Denver during a press conference at the Capitol building beginning at 9:00 a.m. MST.

“Colorado is thrilled to be home to Sunrun’s new corporate office. Colorado’s forward-thinking energy policies and talented workforce will support the company’s creation of new jobs and savings for homeowners while diversifying the state’s energy economy,” said Governor Hickenlooper. “Sunrun has proven its business and advantages for homeowners. We look forward to supporting Sunrun’s future growth.”

“Renewable energy and finding innovative ways to power our homes is one of the next great economic opportunities, and we’re proud that Sunrun has chosen Denver for their next-stage growth and success,” said Mayor Michael Hancock. “With Sunrun joining a roster of leading industry firms here in the city, we can build on our momentum as a leading center for progress in this important and growing sector.”

As the first company to introduce solar as a service to American homeowners, Sunrun has reinvented the way people buy electricity. Sunrun gives homeowners access to the smartest energy source – sunlight – and takes care of everything so families can focus on more important things, like putting savings back in their pockets each month.

To apply for open Sunrun positions in Denver and learn more about what it is like to work at Sunrun, visit Sunrun’s Careers page.

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CBS Solar of Copemish and Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse are pleased to announce the recent completion of the 6th and 7th home of a 10 home solar (Net ZERO) mixed use development in Traverse City, Michigan.

The Depot Neighborhood project has gained statewide and regional attention for this innovative program that is bringing affordable housing to Traverse City, demonstrating to everyone that medium income residents can purchase solar energy systems that cut their bills by over 50%.

Ryan McCoon, HFH project manager and president of Endura Performance Homes, shared the design and construction details with a three state audience at the Michigan Renewable Energy Fair in the Lansing area on June 27 at the Ingham County Fairgrounds in Mason. His presentation helped other organizations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana understand the benefits of incorporating renewable energy in affordable housing projects, putting an A in AFFORDABLE for the life of the building.

This is an example of solar energy reaching income levels of those less fortunate and helping them with their utilities.

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PVComplete has selected by REC Solar as its PV project design platform. REC Solar, a national provider of commercial solar and energy solutions based in San Luis Obispo, Calif., serves customers nationwide in the retail, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, government and nonprofit sectors. REC’s choice of PVComplete underscores the company’s keen interest in accelerating precision project design and engineering.

“REC Solar is focused on delivering reliable solar solutions that will stand the test of time,” said Brian Meichtry, Senior Engineering Manager at REC Solar.  “To increase design productivity and accuracy, we’ve chosen PVComplete as our design platform software.  Their platform enables us to design quality, state of the art solar systems in one-third the time. This translates to into significant savings for our customers.”

“We’re delighted that REC Solar, a highly-regarded renewable energy leader, has selected PVComplete for project design and engineering,” said Claudia Eyzaguirre, CEO and co-founder of PVComplete.  “Using this platform, solar project designers–for the first time–can get energy production modeling directly from their CAD drawings.  The side-by-side comparison afforded by PVComplete’s platform allows for the best PV project design choices.”

PVComplete is a game changer for solar project design.  While the solar industry has grown rapidly, design methods have not evolved significantly over the last decade.  With PVComplete, project designers can go beyond designing systems to code, making sophisticated design choices that increase energy output and lower project costs.  Each design choice can be quantified through the energy production model available with one click.  Project costs can be estimated with greater accuracy through the generation of an automatic bill of materials with detailed information on modules, inverters, attachments and cabling–down to the inch.   PVComplete performs all the electrical calculations necessary for solar project design, reducing the need for cumbersome spreadsheets and scrap paper calculations.  The company’s automated wire stringing does in 60 seconds what otherwise takes an afternoon.

Solar Power World

With 80 exhibitors, the annual Solar Canada conference and exposition which took place from December 7-8, 2015 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center drew a crowd of more than 2,200 registrants who previewed the latest solar energy technology, and made key investment and new project decisions. The theme of the two-day conference was “transformation,” where the reform of the electricity sector and the mainstreaming of solar technology were explored. The Solar Canada conference program and learning pods looked closely at issues such as policy and market development, utility and regulatory reform and technical solutions for the operation of distribution and transmission networks with high penetrations of solar generation.  As a result, this year’s show garnered rave reviews from exhibitors and visitors.

“Solar Canada 2015 made it clear that the solar industry is thriving,” said John Gorman, President & CEO of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA). “As electricity grids across the globe continue to transform in the 21^st century, we expect to realize the full potential of innovation in solar energy technology, further cost reductions and increased investment in solar across North America and the world’s electricity systems.”

Conference and Learning Pods Promote Lively Discussions

With transformation as its lead theme this year, keynote speaker, Lisa Frantzis, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development at Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), told a packed audience that “business as usual is not sustainable for the 21^st century” and to expect 2016 to be a year of big changes for the electricity sector in the United States. Ms. Frantzis drew lessons learned from New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision, whose goals include engaging customers and animating markets. Utility reform is making more flexible, efficient and resilient grids, and similarities between the U.S. and Canada will drive power sector reform in Canada.

Other featured keynote speakers this year included Ontario MPP Bob Delaney, Michael Lyle, Vice President, Planning, Law and Aboriginal Relations of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and Trevor Birtch, Mayor of the City of Woodstock, Ontario, who spoke on his community’s commitment to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

Solar Canada, organized by the Canadian Solar Industries Association and Hannover Fairs Canada, a Deutsche Messe subsidiary, also featured breakout sessions on projects, market developments, and the technical transformation of the grid to accommodate the world’s solar future. The show floor was animated by learning pod workshops, covering topics such as solar thermal, net zero energy homes, new electrical code requirements, and public engagement on renewables and the environment.

Commenting on the success of this year’s event, Larry Turner, CEO of Hannover Fairs, said, “Solar Canada exhibitors and visitors recognize that innovation in technology is making it easier for companies of all sizes to finance their solar projects. We expect to see the industry thrive in North America and will continue to work with CanSIA to create the best annual showcase for global solar energy leaders and technology providers to network and discuss their vision.”

Exhibitors Generate New Business Opportunities on the Show Floor

Craig Ballard, CEO of Canadian Energy, Canada’s stored and renewable energy expert, said, “During our last two years exhibiting at Solar Canada, Canadian Energy has been very successful securing new business leads, and we are confident that we generated a good return on our show investment. Solar Canada attracts visitors from across Canada, the United States and outside of North America. Because our exhibit draws so much traffic during the run of the show, we know Canadian Energy will secure valuable global networking and new business opportunities, including new collaborative projects from partner and supplier introductions. This year, Canadian Energy’s overriding showcase was our complete renewable energy systems with a special focus on turn-key off-grid solutions, which we highlighted with the introduction of PWRstation mobile and portable solar arrays.”

Bart Geleynse, Senior Business Development Manager of Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc. (RES), a leader in the development and construction of solar, wind, transmission, energy storage, and demand side management projects around the world, has exhibited at Solar Canada for the last four years. He said about this year’s show, “We know that during Solar Canada we will connect with a broad spectrum of stakeholders across our network, from our supply chain to potential partners and project owners. In particular, we found that those attending Solar Canada represent an increasingly pan-Canadian demographic with a keen interest in our versatile product and service offering. Because RES has been on the leading edge of energy storage in North America, CanSIA also asked us to speak to the value of energy storage and renewable energy generation during one of this year’s learning pods. This proved to be a very worthwhile endeavor and an opportunity we would look to take advantage of again at future conferences.”

Archie Haslauer, Founder of Kinetic Solar, the Ontario-based provider of Solar racking and mounting solutions, said about exhibiting at Solar Canada, “The show helps Kinetic Solar reach new business and distribution opportunities across the United States. Solar Canada is one of our leading trade show investments. Kinetic Solar generally secures 30- 40 new business contacts from Canada and the United States. As for international business, we just sent our first container of solar applications to Peru based on a new business connection we made at the show in previous years.”

For more information about Solar Canada visit www.solarcanadaconference.ca.

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In a recent webinar Elise Murphy, a system designer at Washington contractor Fire Mountain Solar, and Mara White, product manager for Outback Power, discussed tips for designing a solar storage system.  Here’s a recap. You can watch the full webinar here.

Training
Before you even start the installation, it’s important to have proper training. There are quite a few good resources for information about installing solar and battery systems. For example, many manufacturers have product-specific training to learn about the components on the market and how they’re used in applications. NABCEP is also a good resource to find training opportunities, as well as obtain industry-recognized certifications. Also, Solar Energy International has both online and hands on training. Beyond formal training, it’s also a good idea to get advice and learn from professionals who are already in the industry.

Size the system

Caption: You can see in the pie chart some of the common household loads.

Once you have proper training you are ready to design and size systems.

Calculating loads is one of the first steps when working with a customer to size a system. A customer must decide what loads need to be backed up during a power outage. For example, a cooling system is not likely to be backed up but it’s common for customers to want to back up refrigerators, freezers and some lights.

Oversizing the system is especially important for battery-based systems, especially when designing for off-grid applications. There are always loads not anticipated, and factors not considered. It’s best to design for the worst case scenario (most power possibly needed) and what the budget can handle. This involves days of autonomy, meaning how many days worth of loads you want to be able to draw from your battery bank without charging them.

A detailed load analysis is critical to make sure the battery bank will be big enough to run all the loads. Load analysis involves determining what the loads are, how many there are, the wattage of each load and for how long each day each load will be used. This allows the designer to calculate the total ac Watts the system needs to provide, as well as the average Watt hours used each day. Customers are always surprised how detailed these calculations need to be, but if these calculations aren’t highly evaluated, you might end up oversizing or under sizing the system. A grid-tied battery back-up system will involve similar measurements for load analysis, but only includes loads you wish to back up, and not all the loads used on the grid.

Choosing components

Once the system size is determined, the next step is to select components. It’s important to choose quality components that will last. That doesn’t mean that more expensive products are always better, but the products should have good track records of reliability. Choose brands with good tech service, companies that will back you up when you run into problems down the road.

Caption: There are several different battery technologies common for use in renewable energy systems. These are the ones we’re finding primarily in the U.S.: lead acid is the most common on the market and it comes in both flooded and sealed, which is maintenance free.

Batteries
It is very important to choose the right battery technology and chemistry for your project. There are a variety of battery sizes and form factors (the physical shape of the battery and its terminal). One thing to consider is how batteries and inverters are installed—how are they strung together and how safety over-current devices are integrated. It’s important to consider the size, amp hours and the capacity of the batteries as well as how the components are integrated and installed.

One of the things to keep in mind is whether you need a deep-cycle or a float-use battery. Deep-cycle batteries will cycle frequently, even on a weekly or daily basis. They’re mostly used in self-consumption types of applications, where energy arbitrage or solar-generated electricity is used on a nightly basis. Float-use batteries are typically used more infrequently and sit “topped off.” These are more commonly used in grid connected power supplies for backup during infrequent power outages.  Lithium-ion’s price is decreasing tremendously, also making it an option for renewable energy systems. These batteries can be completely discharged or left in the discharge state without damaging the battery.

Inverters
A key thing to look for in a solar inverter with energy storage is the ability to operate both on and off-grid seamlessly. This can be referred to as grid-hybrid.

Grid-hybrid inverters use an automatic transfer switch (ATS) for a seamless transitions. This allows the inverter to work with or without the grid and it won’t let the home owner actually know what’s powering the loads, meaning that no lights are going to flicker.

It’s also important that inverters are designed for grid-tied energy storage to ensure that the batteries are full, loads are supported and any excess power is able to be sold to the grid.

Programmability is also an important consideration for inverters. The inverter must be able to be reprogram on a daily bases for time of use. The inverter must also be able to be programmed to connect and disconnect from the grid on a schedule. For example, if a utility won’t allow net metering to occur during the day (say between 11a.m. and 2p.m.) the customer will still want to take advantage of solar production, even if they can’t sell it back. You will need to use power from the battery at that time of day instead, and take advantage of net metering outside of that block or period. Being able to draw from the utility if the batteries get too low or choosing how the loads are powered by the time of day are some of the key considerations when selecting a solar inverter for battery systems.

Develop site plan and layout
After selecting components, the last step is to develop a site plan and layout that tells where they components are going to fit. Make sure the system is code-compliant, which involves checking local building and electrical codes, as well as labor and industry requirements. You will also need to develop line diagrams and wiring plans of the proposed system.

These simple guidelines are a good start to thinking about the process of designing a solar installation with batteries. We highly recommend working with a professional in the industry to design the system or getting detailed training about the intricate steps of a battery based system. Having a battery based system whether it is off grid or grid hybrid can be very rewarding and allows you to have power even when the grid isn’t available.

Solar Power World

Recently, news spread that one of the world’s largest solar canopies will be built at Hangzhou Bay in China. This solar canopy is planned to have an installed capacity of 55 MW upon completion, and 20,000 parking lot spaces (the size of 20 soccer fields) to shelter Volkswagen’s production and employee cars. The project will use Risen Energy solar panels and Solis string inverters by Ginlong (Ningbo) Technologies.

This solar canopy project is not the first of this kind for Volkswagen. In October 2014, its Nanjing plant invested more than $18 million (120 million yuan) to complete a distributed generation solar canopy with an installed capacity of 13 MW, which has been interconnected to the grid and had been generating power for more than a year. The large ground-mount solar canopies rolled out by Shanghai Volkswagen aligne with its corporate strategic objective for sustainability.

The Volkswagen solar canopy is an example of a trend where large ground-mount utility-scale solar farms are not using central inverters. With the ripening of the string inverter technologies, the market gradually acknowledges and accepts the advantages of string solutions, such as system design flexibility, minimum power loss during equipment failures, low life-time maintenance cost and the string level MPPT optimization.

Ginlong Solis 36kW string inverter, with its unique 4 (Four) MPPT maximum power point tracking technology, high performance and reliability, will ensure the long-term reliable operation of this solar canopy project.

Solar Power World

By Nick Blitterswyk, CEO of UGE International

As negotiators in Paris worked into the weekend finalizing a historic climate deal, one item on the agenda remained clear: renewable energy will drive the world’s transition to a low carbon economy.​

Even with so much going on at COP21, renewable energy remained the focal point during the discussions. Seemingly every speech touted the many benefits of renewables, and how solar and wind are already achieving grid parity with fossil fuels in an increasing amount of markets.

Among clean energy technologies, solar offers the greatest hope for disrupting the traditional energy grid. As a low cost and low maintenance source of power, it is easily deployable in many locations around the world.

At the start of COP21 India and France announced the mobilization of $1 trillion from a coalition of  200 countries to deploy solar around the world, the International Solar Alliance (ISA),  with a particular focus on scaling projects in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forth nearly $30 million to build the ISA headquarters in New Delhi. The organization seeks more than $400 million in initial pledges from committed countries, driving an increase in harnessing the sun for electricity in the places that need it the most.

The private sector also made big moves, with names like Gates and Zuckerberg joining forces with other major players in the business world. Through their newly-formed Breakthrough Energy Coalition, 28 leaders from around the globe have committed to invest $2 billion over the next five years to ramp up the research and development of renewable energy.

But with costs for solar down more than 70% since 2009 alone, how much longer will the industry continue need to rely on incentives?

In the United States, concerns over the expiration of the federal Investment Tax Credit seem to loom over the entire industry. Opinions about what should happen at the end of 2016 have evoked a wide range of responses. While most support an extension of some kind, Sunnova CEO John Burger has broken away from the pack by calling on legislators to effectively end all subsidies.  It’s a vision shared by some other experts, most notably Jigar Shah, who feel that incentives distort markets when the economics and technology can stand on their own.

However, the concern over the pending ITC “cliff” is not without merit. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) projects the expiration of the ITC would cost the industry up to 100,000 jobs. SEIA President Rhone Resch has warned that while larger companies may be able to remain competitive, small companies will suffer.

At UGE, we believe that the best approach is for the federal government to put in place a program that ramps down the ITC over the next  3 – 5 years. While solar can survive without incentives, the market is bigger when they’re available, which makes rapid expansion possible. And this is exactly the kind of expansion we need to see in a warming world.

Letting the ITC drop off a cliff would do even more damage than the 100,000 lost jobs.  Just imagine working in a company that’s just lost half its employees?  While some companies would cut especially hard and fast, and survive, many others would move to slow and fail.  The entire industry would be in turmoil, and all the progress made over these last eight years, driven in no small part by the ITC, would be erased.

However the ITC plays out, we’re confident that solar will compromise the backbone of our new energy infrastructure in the 21st Century. Solar is simply the cheapest form of energy available in many places around the world, even without incentives, and the economics become more compelling every year.  From our experiences developing projects on every continent, we’ve seen first-hand how this works. Whether it involves taking advantage of the abundant solar resources in Panama, or using innovative financing for Fortune 500 companies in Beijing, the solutions already exist. From here, we just need to scale them.

Solar Power World

As the residential solar photovoltaic boom continues, solar contractors rely on the manufacturing sector to deliver solutions that will keep the wheels spinning beyond the expiration of the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) at the end of 2016.

One such technology innovation is coming in the form of refining and improving module-level optimization. Using maximum power point tracking and smart DC electronics, sub-array optimizers have the potential to lower equipment and installation costs.

Where we’ve been: String inverters and MLPEs

The limitations of using string inverters alone in handling solar PV performance are well-known. For starters, a traditional string inverter won’t provide optimal outcomes for complex rooflines, partial shading or really any scenario in which the PV array’s voltage can dip. Then there’s the NEC Rapid Shutdown requirement, which, for string inverters, means including an additional hardware component.

MLPEs like microinverters and DC optimizers overwhelmingly solve both of these problems. With MLPEs, your array’s performance is maximized and your system is Rapid Shutdown compliant.

Many manufacturers offer MLPEs meant to be placed on every module. While this provides a high level of resolution, this also requires installing and caring for more equipment.

Another optimizer option
Pike Energy offers DC optimizers that work with its islanding inverters and fasten to the PV racking just like other market options, but is only required for small substrings, not every individual module. This allows the installer to design substrings, typically of 2 to 9 standard-efficiency modules each, to create a system that increases installation speed and reduces installed components without sacrificing array performance. For example, on a small partially-shaded face of a roof, a small sub-array can be isolated with its own sub-array optimizer, so it doesn’t lower the voltage of a larger sun-soaked array using its own sub-array optimizer on the adjacent roof face.

Why is this important?

Getting the speed and simplicity of PV installations right is not just a matter of convenience and preference for installers. It’s becoming a requirement to help preserve installers’ businesses beyond the expiration of ITC. When installers lower their cost-per-watt charges to remain competitive after ITC, they’ll rely upon clean, fast, agile installations with reduced warranty calls to keep soft costs to a minimum.

“A sub-array optimizer is simple to integrate into large or small PV systems, and is a more robust option than individual optimizers on every panel,” said Rachel Taylor, project manager for Assured Solar Energy in Maine.

The technology advancements of recent years have precipitated the residential PV boom, and now with sub-array DC optimizers, that boom can continue beyond 2016.

Expect to see more manufacturers announcing sub-array DC optimizers in the coming months. Increased competition for smart inverters and simplified residential solar-plus-storage systems will urge manufacturers to meet the mounting needs of system integrators for dead simple, fast-installing hardware that leaves everyone happy.

By Chip Means, Director of Sales Development, Pika Energy

Solar Power World

By Vince Salvati, Vice President and CFO, Solar SpeedRack

While much has been written recently about rail-less racking systems as the wave of the future, we can’t find much on shared-rail systems. It is true that rail-less represents a significant improvement over the mid- and end-clamp systems currently on the market, however, it seems that shared rail systems have most (if not all) of the advantages claimed by the rail-less systems without many of their drawbacks. Here is a list of most of the attributes that a rail-less system offers, published earlier this year by Greentech Media:

• Fast and easy for installers
• Simple for the designers
• Landscape and portrait installs
• Compatible with composite and tile roofs
• Robust flashing and roof sealing
• Roof rafter attachment
• Integrated grounding
• Easy height adjustment and array leveling
• High strength and low weight
• Reduced parts count
• Standard tools and hardware
• PV module-agnostic
• Top-notch aesthetics

What are shared rail systems?

Quite simply, the rails themselves are used to hold the modules in place eliminating the need for mid and end clamps. There are less components than in other systems, so there are fewer parts to carry up to the roof, making installation easier on the installer.

Because the rails are shared, a two-up installation would require only three rails as compared to four for a standard mid and end clamp system. Shared-rail systems have been proven to install faster than end and mid clamp systems, and they can be used for either landscape or portrait installations on all types of roofs.

Shared-rail systems require significantly fewer roof penetrations, with all penetrations being on a rafter. As such, there is no risk of a “floating” penetration, which could occur in some rail-less installations.

Some shared-rail systems have integrated grounding. The number of parts in this system are a fraction of those required for a mid and end clamp installation and can be adjusted up and down and side to side during installation by the simple turn of a bolt on the L-foot.

Training an installer on a shared rail system takes significantly less time than required to master either mid and end clamp or rail less systems. The most difficult part is to make sure that the rails are “square,” which can be accomplished simply by use of spacer bars.

Two of the attributes that conflict with each other are high strength and low weight. One of the major drawbacks of both mid and end clamp and rail-less systems is they attach to only a small part of the panel frame, which over time can create damage to the panel due to micro fractures and results in loss of output. Because shared rail systems cover the entire side of the panel, the panel frame becomes “bonded” to the rails making for a much stronger and secure aesthetically pleasing installation.

On the issue of weight, it is true that the shared rail system would weigh more than a rail less system, but it weighs considerably less than a mid and end clamp system due to fewer rails and component parts required. The shared-rail system is particularly well suited for area where snow load is a factor. Again, clamping of the entire side of the module reduces the strain on the panel frame as compared with either mid and end clamp or rail less systems.

So what about considering shared rail systems as part of the next game changer in solar racking? We believe so, as you get most of the advantages that a rail-less system promises without the shortcomings noted above.

In a follow-on article also published in Greentech Media, the author believes that within the next year or two rail-less systems will have a cost advantage over railed systems. While he may be correct on the hardware cost by itself, we believe that he has understated a key disadvantage that rail-less systems will find near impossible to overcome.

Roof penetrations may be the Achilles heel of rail-less systems. Nearly every installer and roofer with whom we deal express concern over the number of roof penetrations required for system installation. Roof penetrations are time consuming and costly, plus, if improperly sealed, can create major post-installation problems and liabilities.

Let’s compare a nine-panel, three-up by three-across project. A rail-less system would require six penetrations per row, plus an additional six to secure the top row for a total of 24. Current shared-rail systems require as few as eight roof penetrations. This difference of 16 roof penetrations cannot be overlooked in terms of the overall impact on installation time and cost.

While we do not disagree that rail-less systems have a place in the residential market, we believe that shared-rail systems enjoy virtually all of the benefits with few of the drawbacks of the current generation of rail-less systems.

So, if you are looking to a future of faster installs with less parts and fewer roof penetrations to manage, why not give a shared rail system a try?

Solar Power World

A new 27 MW DC solar project in Georgia propels SunLink Corporation beyond 350 MW DC of projects in 2015 in the southeastern United States and cements the company’s position as the ground mount market leader in the region. Georgia recently celebrated the new 135-acre solar facility, located in Jeff Davis County near Hazlehurst, which was made possible in part by SunLink’s engineering services and mounting solutions.

“SunLink’s incredible success with utility-scale and large commercial projects in the southeast and around the globe is a testament to our ability to deliver winning solutions in connection with some of the largest and most complex solar projects ever developed. Our proven reputation as a trusted partner who addresses our customers’ unique needs with a comprehensive approach to their specific situation continues to bring success to us, our partners and the southeast region overall,” said SunLink CEO Michael Maulick.

The southeast has made headlines this year for its favorable solar policies and has been recognized as a booming U.S. solar market poised for even more growth in the coming year.

“According to the Q4’15 edition of the IHS North America Solar Intelligence Service, Georgia is forecast to install over 700 MW of new PV capacity between 2015 and 2016 with over 85 percent being utility-scale installations,” said Camron Barati, solar analyst for IHS Technology. In 2015 alone, SunLink has been involved with many of the larger-scale solar projects under development in Georgia, North Carolina and throughout the region.

“2015 has been a banner year for SunLink. We have broadened our product portfolio to give our customers the utmost project flexibility and greater long-term return on investment, while doubling down on the services our partners need to more rapidly scale their businesses,” continued Maulick. “As we enter 2016, watch for SunLink to again raise the bar on the quality, security and intelligence of solar solutions on the market while we continue to grow in the southeast U.S. and worldwide.”

Solar Power World