EXOrac

PWRstation, the Swiss based solar products development company known for its transportable Genesis series solar generators, today announced its decision to make EXOrac, its proprietary “retractable” racking system technology, available for purchase by the worldwide solar industry, including  companies in the  increasingly competitive solar racking segment.  In following the footsteps of other long-standing modern entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, the shareholders of PWRstation unanimously voted in favor of this forward-thinking strategy.

Until today, PWRstation has used its EXOrac technology mainly internally for the production of its own preassembled solar product solutions, including transportable solar gensets that enable easy activation, relocation and re-activation at unmatched speeds.

EXOrac, however, is a unique retractable assembly system that can transform typical permanent solar installations into high versatile systems that can be folded, relocated and redeployed without the high costs of dismantling, reconditioning and reinstallation.

Due to its low installation and relocation costs, EXOrac’s preassembled racking systems are ideal solutions for flat roof buildings that typically require re-roofing every 20 years, a shorter lifespan than today’s solar installations which typically require and economic life of 25 years. This unique advantage overcomes a major concern among building owners and operators regarding the placement of traditional “fixed” solar installations on their older roof tops (>5 years).

Other practical, cost-saving advantages provided by EXOrac include faster installation and relocation turn-around times, no scaffolding requirement during installation or dismounting, and open access to rooftops for scheduled roof maintenance and repairs.

In urban areas, ground based EXOrac solar installations are also being increasingly considered by property owners and utilities. With EXOrac, commercial construction lots often left idle or under-utilized for years while awaiting development can be transformed into short or medium term solar energy producing zones (<5 -8 years); heretofore economically unfeasible using today’s typical permanent installations. Thus, EXOrac technology delivers significant advantages over traditional solar installations while offering entirely new market opportunities.

In emerging nations, EXOrac systems are expected to lead to a substantial reduction in fossil fuel consumption that today drive millions of diesel gensets in off-grid environments.  PWRstation recently secured a contract with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to supply several dozen of its transportable Genesis series solar gensets which will be deployed in various refugee camps in the Spring of 2016.

Off-grid rural electrification in developing markets, which is just now beginning to be seriously addressed, will represent more than $ 100 billion per year by 2020 according to the IEA, a veritable bonanza, for years to come.

The makers of battery storage and other energy management systems hope to position themselves in these markets by integrating solar modules to their own technology. Those solar mounting system technologies that are easiest to integrate will be the most able to effectively meet this immediate demand.

The renewable energy media is unanimous regarding the solar industry:  “Investments in all segments of the U.S. solar industry will increase. VCs will emerge from their cleantech shells and invest in hardware, software and business models that reduce direct and indirect installation costs — as well as accelerate solar deployments in new market segments.” (Source: Greentech Media)

Robert Albertella, CEO of PWRstation says, “The solar industry and renewable energy sector in general must confront an ardent, highly organized and influential adversary.  Our best weapon for safeguarding the planet is to share technologies, achieve economies of scale and to pursue business models that are more equitable and collaborative.”

The PWRstation R&D team as dedicated much of 2015 perfecting EXOrac system kits for OEMs, EPCs and installers who prefer centralizing assembly at their own facilities. The cost efficient kits are delivered with uncompromised quality control “built in” and freight packing that optimizes transportation, delivery and enables rapid unloading and assembly..  PWRstation’s collaborative strategy and open system architecture, which accepts most major photovoltaic modules available today, are central for achieving PWRstation’s goal to establish an industry standard for retractable and transportable solar racking system technology.

EXOrac technology is now being made available for OEM “white label” product manufacturing, featuring “EXOrac Inside” branding on final products by customers who plan to commercialize their products using PWRstation kits.  PWRstation has opted for this commercialization strategy versus a typical licensing agreement to achieve economies of scale by grouping larger orders to meet global demand, resulting in optimized costs.

Solar Power World

By Joe Paterniti, Vice President / Enterprise Manager Energy Efficiency – Renewables at KeyBank

Effective cash flow forecasting is the difference between a business owner simply tracking money coming in and going out and instead using cash flow management to support business strategy and avoid need-solution scenarios that result in piecemeal financial planning.

Cash flow management is particularly important for solar developers, whose business models have to account for a significant gap in time between investing in a project and seeing a return on that investment.

Basic cash flow management starts with forecasting. Below are three steps to set up a cash flow forecast:

1. Find the right method:

• Simply put, the right cash flow forecast method is one business owners understand and trust, whether that system is automated or based on manual data input.
• Be sure the cash flow forecasting method is paying off in terms of reduced borrowing costs or reduced effort.

2. Determine forecast objectives, such as:

• Cash flow drivers—events or circumstances that have greatest impact on cash flow or take business owners by surprise.
• Determining cash flow surpluses or deficits.
• Estimating bank account balances needed to avoid overdraft fees and make the most of earning credits.

3. Understanding data patterns for more effective cash flow:

• Data pattern analysis involves pulling together data—actual cash flows from bank statements, information about upcoming cash events and the relationships between business events and cash flow—and looking for trends and patterns.

Here are three steps toward effective cash flow management for solar development:

1. Have a thorough understanding of a project’s total cost and sale price to accurately calculate profit. Things to consider:

• The cost to finance the project, such as loan interest.
• The cost to find a buyer.
• Hard costs, such as components, and soft costs, such as labor.
• Costs to store equipment and transport workers if the project is remote.
• Permitting costs.

2. Know the project cost cycle. A solid understanding of how you move cash might help you negotiate terms with your suppliers, banks and customers. It’s a good idea to map out funds, from the cost to acquire the sale to payment in full:

• Know when loan payments are due.
• Know when suppliers are due payment for important components such as inverters, panels and racking.
• Know when workers need payment.

3. Optimize your cash flow by finding the most efficient way to process transactions:

• Digital banking can allow you to make deposits and payments more promptly than relying on mail. Digital banking can also free up personnel for other, more important work.
• Weigh the benefits of paying cash up front in conjunction with supplier discounts, versus borrowing money.

This article is designed to provide general information only. Information and recommendations contained here have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable and represent the best current opinion on the subject. KeyBank does not make any warranties, express or implied, from the use of the information contained. We recommend that you seek the counsel of an attorney, accountant, or other qualified professional regarding these matters and their applicability to your situation.

All credit products are subject to credit approval. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

Solar Power World

SolarBOS, a manufacturer of Balance of System products for the solar industry, is proud to support local charities in Livermore, CA, and Grand Rapids, MI, where the company’s manufacturing facilities are located. It has donated a total of $100,000 to three organizations poised to end hunger in their neighborhoods.

Doubling last year’s donation, SolarBOS has donated $50,000 to Kids’ Food Basket, located in Grand Rapids, MI. This non-profit organization attacks childhood hunger to help young people learn and live well.

“All children deserve good nutrition, regardless of their circumstances. Consistent, nutritious meals support cognitive development and help children focus,” says Bridget Clark Whitney, Executive Director of Kids’ Food Basket. “Because of SolarBOS’ generous $50,000 support, we can provide children daily access to nutritious Sack Suppers that contain the brain food necessary for them to thrive. SolarBOS is helping us build a stronger, smarter, more vibrant West Michigan.”

SolarBOS has also donated $25,000 to Open Heart Kitchen, located in Livermore, CA, and $25,000 to Alameda County Community Food Bank. Both organizations provide fresh, nutritious meals to anyone in need in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“Together, with the generosity and support of the community, Open Heart Kitchen provides a safety net against hunger for our neighbors during their time of need. With minimal staff and a dedicated volunteer’s, Open Heart Kitchen served over 313,800 meals in 2014 and over 340,000 meals in 2015,” says Linda McKeever, Executive Director of Open Heart Kitchen. “Our mission is humble and heartfelt – we provide nutritious prepared meals to the hungry in the Tri-Valley with dignity and respect. The SolarBOS donation helps change the lives of the needy in their community one meal at a time.”

“We are honored to have SolarBOS as a committed partner in our mission to pursue a hunger-free community,” said Michael Altfest, Associate Director of Communications & Marketing at Alameda County Community Food Bank. “Their long-standing, generous support enables us to provide food – and hope — to the 1 in 5 Alameda County residents we serve.”

“SolarBOS is proud to provide continued financial support to these three excellent organizations. Each works tirelessly improve food security for our most vulnerable citizens, such as children, the elderly, and the working poor,” says Rich Halket, CFO of SolarBOS. “It is unconscionable that anybody in a country as rich as the United States ever goes hungry. Helping to improve the communities in which we do business is an important part of the SolarBOS culture. We encourage our peers in the solar industry to do the same.”

Solar Power World

Today the Community Power Network (CPN), a national network of local, state, and national advocates for renewable energy announced the opening of its OH SUN program. This new effort builds off of the organization’s work in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

“It is critical that the solar industry is not just adding customers, but building a base of supporters,” said CPN Executive Director Anya Schoolman. “We empower solar homeowners to take an active part in solar before, during, and after their system is installed.”

CPN has pioneered the use of solar co-ops to help homeowners go solar. It works with homeowners through its state SUN programs to educate them about solar. Going solar with a co-op saves members up to 20% off the cost of installation on account of the co-op’s bulk buying power. CPN has helped communities launch more than 50 co-ops.

In addition to working with homeowners to go solar, the SUN programs play an instrumental role in developing their local community of solar supporters. These communities have helped secure important solar policy victories such as protecting net metering in West Virginia; building a community solar program in Maryland; and fighting Exelon’s attempt to take over Pepco in the District.

“Ohioans are eager to go solar to save money, take control of their electricity production, and create good local jobs,” said Luke Sulfridge, OH SUN Program Director. “The co-ops facilitate this process by connecting solar installers with educated, eager solar customers.”

OH SUN is launching its first solar co-op effort in Lorain County. It is working with local partner Oberlin Peoples’ Energy Cooperative to recruit co-op members. Once the group is large enough, OH SUN will solicit bids from area installers. Co-op members then select the bid that is the best fit for the group. OH SUN works with members and the chosen company to ensure co-op members are satisfied with the installation process.

Solar Power World

Nanoelectronics research centre imec and global energy company Total, announced today that they have extended their collaboration to significantly increase the energy output of PV panels. Imec’s industrial affiliation program (IIAP) on next-generation crystalline silicon solar cells is a multi-partner R&D program concentrating on further increasing the conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells and modules, while at the same time reducing industrial manufacturing cost.

Total joined imec’s industrial affiliation program (IIAP) on next-generation crystalline silicon solar cells in 2009, which is a multi-partner R&D program bringing together companies along the value chain of solar cell manufacturing. Within this framework, researchers from Total collaborate with the solar R&D team at imec, including imec experts, solar cell manufacturers, material and equipment suppliers, and academia. Future R&D will build upon research breakthroughs achieved in the previous collaboration, such as 22.5% large area two-side contacted n-type PERT solar cells. Imec and Total will continue with the development of advanced cell architectures aiming at +23% bifacial n-type cells, novel low-cost module interconnection concepts, smart modules and techniques to more accurately predict the energy production from solar cell modules under varying weather conditions. With this, the partners aim to significantly increase the energy output of PV panels, in this way bringing the cost of electricity from solar further down.

“I am pleased that Total has extended its partnership to imec’s R&D program on silicon solar cells and am looking forward to building upon the work we have done thus far,” said Rudi Cartuyvels, executive vice president of smart systems and energy technology at imec. “Investing in R&D and innovation, is crucial for companies to prepare for the future and to stay ahead of the competition in a challenging environment such as the PV market. Total’s commitment confirms the leading positions of imec’s PV research in the global PV and energy market.”

Solar Power World

JinkoSolar Holding Co. has entered into an agreement to supply up to 1 GW of solar PV modules to sPower, a leading U.S. independent power producer (IPP) company.

This agreement is JinkoSolar’s largest contract in the United States to date. JinkoSolar will supply over three million of its high efficiency solar PV modules to sPower for use in various projects that are to be built before the end of 2016.

sPower develops solar and wind energy projects across the United States and the UK for several years, including utility-scale solar projects in California. The company recently announced the doubling of its operating portfolio in 2015 to 500 MW and plans to bring an additional 700 MW on line within the next twelve months.

“JinkoSolar is proud to be sPower’s strategic partner, a key player in the US solar development market,” commented Mr. Nigel Cockroft, General Manager of JinkoSolar US. “This agreement is evidence of the reliability of JinkoSolar’s operation and competitiveness of its advanced module technology. This deal affirms that JinkoSolar has quickly become one of the leading solar panel suppliers in the US.”

“The timing of the agreement is significant in light of the recent extension by the US Federal Government of Investment Tax Credits for utility-scale solar development,” said Ryan Creamer, sPower CEO. “Strategic sourcing is an element of sPower’s plan to secure resources in order to ensure that we successfully achieve our aggressive development goals.”

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Certification recognizes quality in design and manufacturing
Princeton Power Systems (PPS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of technology products and embedded software for energy storage, microgrid operations, and electric vehicle charging, has been recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for its process driven design and manufacturing through the designation of a ISO 9001:2008 Certification. The certification was received in December 2015.  The certification confirms that the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) has demonstrated the ability to successfully develop and market quality products across all customer areas.

The ISO 9001: 2008 certification indicates that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) acknowledges that PPS is meeting the ISO 9001:2008 standard for Quality Management Systems with their design, manufacturing, and distribution of power inverters and energy storage systems.  ISO certification is based on quality management principles that include a strong customer focus, motivation and implication of top management, process approach, continual improvement and review.  The company’s quality policy maintains those principles by declaring that all employees must be committed to providing customers with empowering and innovative technology solutions.  These goals are continuously met by providing world-class quality in products, services, and people.

“Investing in the ISO certification is a direct response to customer demand for the highest quality products. We are very excited to have achieved this milestone in our efforts to drive continuous improvement in our company-wide culture of innovation and quality,” said Paul Heavener, director of quality assurance and project management at Princeton Power Systems.  “As a pioneer in inverters and embedded software for energy storage, adopting and maintaining ISO certification enables our unique products to be deployed in mission-critical applications for enterprise customers.”

Investment tied to growth acceleration for product development and sales 
Princeton Power Systems has also announced GHO Venture’s capital investment in support of Princeton Power Systems. GHO Ventures has a sustained investment in Princeton over the past 15 years and has seen the company through its initial set of revenue milestones.  This latest investment indicates continued long-term support for the company, its leadership and its products.

When Princeton Power Systems was founded in 2001, the company received an “angel” investment round from Greg Olsen at GHO Ventures.  Fifteen years later, GHO Ventures has agreed to raise another finance round to support the ongoing growth of the company. Princeton will use this funding to develop new and improved products as well as expand the company’s sales capabilities.  Special emphasis will be placed upon planned shipments of energy management systems using a new Silicon Carbide-based inverter platform that is quiet, more efficient and significantly smaller and lighter than existing models.

“GHO Ventures has been a loyal investor since our inception and we appreciate their confidence in our ability to outpace the competition by leveraging their investment commitment,” says Darren Hammell, president, Princeton Power Systems. “With this raise in capital from GHO, we have been given the opportunity to continue our role as an innovation flash point and demonstrate industry leadership.”

Along with the access to funding, Princeton has transitioned its management by naming co-founder and former Chief Strategy Officer, Darren Hammell, President of Princeton Power Systems and former Director of Supply Chain, Ed Howell, Chief Operating Officer of the company.

Solar Power World

General Cable has been awarded an order by Avista, a utility company that has been involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy in the U.S. Pacific Northwest for 125 years, to support transmission capacity growth with a high performance conductor for a new transmission line rebuild that will offer greater load-carrying capability. The project will consist of a 4.5 mile 115 kV transmission line rebuild that will support additional capacity and increase reliability without modification to the specified conductor design.

General Cable will apply its groundbreaking E3X Technology to a TransPowr 795 kcmil ACSS Drake bare overhead conductor to enable Avista to keep pace with its growing demand for energy. The patent-pending E3X Technology is a thin, durable coating applied to the surface of any General Cable overhead conductor. It is engineered to improve grid efficiency by lowering operating temperature reducing power losses and increasing power carrying capacity, allowing greater efficiency and lower total system costs without compromising safety and performance.

“This project is an example of how through partnerships and technology, we can modernize our energy infrastructure while setting new standards for reliability and sustainability to supply safe, clean, reliable and cost-effective power for generations to come,” said Joshua Katzman, Vice President of Sales, General Cable Electric Utility Products. “As a leader in safety, quality and innovation, General Cable is pleased to partner with Avista to add electric transmission capacity and enhance grid resiliency by using our E3X Technology.”

Heather Rosentrater, Avista’s Vice President of Energy Delivery, said “Using General Cable’s E3X Technology in Avista’s transmission rebuild project reflects our company’s tradition of innovation in delivering energy to our customers. The additional current capacity the E3X Technology provides allows Avista greater operational flexibility when removing other area transmission lines from service for maintenance.”

Solar Power World

JuiceBox Energy, a privately-held Silicon Valley company committed to providing safe, reliable, intelligent, and connected energy storage, announces their partnership with Arise Solar to bring renewable energy storage the Central Valley. Arise Solar is one of the foremost leaders in the California solar industry, offering innovative, affordable, and aesthetically appealing solar energy solutions to residential and commercial customers.

Arise Solar completed its first installation of the JuiceBox Energy 8.6 kWh energy storage solution in December, at the Fresno home of Arise Solar CEO, Glenn Siemens. The AC-coupled system was integrated with an existing 4.6kW grid-tied solar installation, and is in Pacific Gas & Electric territory.

“There are three reasons why I chose to add the JuiceBox Energy Storage solution to my existing solar installation,” said Glenn Siemens. “The first was to understand how to install this new technology correctly. Secondly, to make sure the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and utility companies would approve it, and lastly, to have a really cool solar energy storage system and battery backup in the event of grid failure.”

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 intelligent, 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 over 100 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 multiple 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.

Central Valley customers interested in the JuiceBox Energy Storage solution should contact Arise Solar. Solar installers interested in JuiceBox Energy representation and installation certification should contact JuiceBox Energy.

Solar Power World

Trojan Battery Co. announced the establishment of Trojan Battery Sales a wholly owned subsidiary of Trojan Battery Co. Trojan Battery Sales, formally Safe-Start, LLC, now operates factory sales locations throughout the southeastern U.S., with several distribution centers in Florida to maximize support to Trojan’s extensive dealer base in the region.

Trojan Battery Sales has distribution centers in Birmingham, Ala., Macon, Ga., Nashville, Tenn., and four locations in Florida based in Ft. Myers, Miami, Pensacola and St. Petersburg, with plans for continued expansion of Trojan Battery Sales centers throughout the southeast region of the U.S.

These locations carry several brands of batteries, chargers and accessories to address all of our customers’ needs. Trojan’s factory sales locations will support various battery-powered applications including automotive, floor machine, golf cars, industrial, marine/RV, motorcycle, mobility, renewable energy and utility vehicles.

“Trojan Battery Sales distribution centers are strategically located in areas which boast a large Trojan Battery customer base,” said Brian Jaibur, director of sales for Trojan Battery. “This new sales channel enables Trojan Battery Sales to better service customers by providing a wide selection of products and enhancing on-time delivery, while at the same time strengthen the Trojan brand.”

Customers will benefit from quick order fulfillment, selection from an extensive product line, competitive local pricing, and a knowledgeable Trojan Battery Sales team to provide technical service and support.

“The establishment of factory sales locations in the southeast offers tremendous growth opportunities in the region for Trojan,” Jaibur said. “Trojan’s reputation for quality and reliability will be further enhanced by our affiliation with a significant number of dealer locations in cities throughout the southeast.”

Solar Power World

In the effort to streamline solar project design while reducing the cost of PV deployment, PanelClaw, a commercial roof top solar mounting manufacturer, and PVComplete, a solar design software provider, have entered into a partnership to collaborate on design solutions that accelerate the design of commercial solar power systems.

“PVComplete’s solution is tremendously beneficial for PanelClaw customers, enabling them to create solar array layouts quickly and efficiently, reducing project development time,” said Costa Nicolau, CEO of PanelClaw.  “Thanks to PVComplete’s innovative software, PV project designers can easily compare different array layouts and quickly choose the optimal project design.”

“PVComplete is thrilled to be entering into a partnership with PanelClaw, the solar industry’s number one commercial flat roof mounting systems provider],” said PVComplete CEO Claudia Eyzaguirre.  “For the first time, solar designers have the ability to ‘self-serve’, choosing modules and racking without consulting manufacturer spec sheets or maintaining a CAD ‘block library’.   PVComplete empowers PanelClaw customers to rapidly generate geometrically accurate array layouts thus eliminating the need to consult with or outsource this design step to PanelClaw early in the project development process.”

By integrating PanelClaw’s product specifications in its software, PVComplete facilitates system designs that automatically match PanelClaw geometry thereby eliminating the potential for errors while saving valuable development time. Using PVComplete, solar developers can provide PanelClaw with a CAD file that drops seamlessly into PanelClaw’s design flow substantially reducing time consuming design iterations..

PVComplete is a step change innovation for solar project design.  While the solar industry has grown, design methods have not changed much in a decade.  With PVComplete, project designers can go beyond designing to code and make sophisticated design choices that increase project energy output and lower project costs.  Each design choice can be quantified through the energy production model available with the click of a button.  Project costs can be estimated with greater accuracy through the generation of automatic bill of materials with detailed information on modules, inverters, attachments and cabling down to the inch.   The software performs all the electrical calculations necessary for solar project design, reducing the need for cumbersome spreadsheets and scrap paper calculations. The automated wire stringing algorithm does in 60 seconds what otherwise takes an afternoon.

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sonnen, Inc. logo (PRNewsFoto/sonnen)

sonnen has announced it was named for its intelligent storage system sonnenBatterie in the prestigious 2015 Global Cleantech 100, produced by Cleantech Group, whose mission is to connect corporates to sustainable innovation through its i3 Connect platform and global events.

The Global Cleantech 100 represents the most innovative and promising ideas in cleantech. Featuring companies that are best positioned to solve tomorrow’s clean technology challenges, Global Cleantech 100 is a comprehensive list of private companies with the highest potential to make the most significant market impact.

In addition to being one of the top 100 private companies in cleantech, sonnen was also the recipient of the “Europe & Israel Company of the Year” Award. The Europe & Israel Company of the Year is awarded to the highest ranked company in the 2015 Global Cleantech 100 list, from the region.

“We’re deeply honored to be among the Global Cleantech 100 companies and to be the ‘Europe & Israel Company of the Year’,” said Christoph Ostermann, CEO of sonnen. “It’s a confirmation of our vision that everyone in the world should able to cover their energy needs with decentralised and clean energy.”

The Global Cleantech 100 list is collated by combining proprietary Cleantech Group research data, with weighted qualitative judgments of hundreds of nominations, and specific inputs from a global 100-person Expert Panel. To qualify for the list, companies must be independent, for-profit, cleantech companies that are not listed on any major stock exchange.

This year, a record number of nominations were received: 6,900 distinct companies from 60 countries. These companies were weighted and scored to create a short list of 323 companies. Short-listed nominees were reviewed by Cleantech Group’s Expert Panel, resulting in a finalized list of 100 companies from 17 countries.

The 100-member expert panel was drawn equally from leading financial investors and representatives of multi-national corporations and industrials active in technology and innovation scouting across Asia, Europe, and North America. The composition of the expert panel broadly represents the global cleantech community, from pioneers and leaders to veterans and new entrants. The diversity of panelists results in a list of companies that command an expansive base of respect and support from many important players within the global cleantech innovation ecosystem.

“The Global Cleantech 100 provides us with insight into the collective opinion of key market players on which megatrends and innovation companies are most likely to have a significant impact in the next 5-10 years,” said Michele Parad, Senior Manager at Cleantech Group and lead author of the Global Cleantech 100 Report. “Now in its 7th year, the Global Cleantech 100 program reveals which themes are staying relevant and which sectors are taking center stage.”

• The complete list of 100 companies was revealed on January 25th at Cleantech Forum San Francisco. http://events.cleantech.com/cleantech-forum-sf/
• For a complete list of the Global Cleantech 100 Awards and past winners: http://www.cleantech.com/indexes/global-cleantech-100/awards/

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Solaria Corporation, global provider of solar module technologies, announced that it has been selected as a participant in the United States General Services Administration (GSA) Green Proving Ground (GPG) program.   The GPG leverages GSA’s real estate portfolio to evaluate innovative sustainable building technologies.  The GPG program selected Solaria after extensive testing of its building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions, funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL) new FLEXLAB testbed.  Solaria’s BIPV system underwent holistic testing, at the world’s most advanced building efficiency test bed, for energy generation, glass performance and tenant comfort, as well as proving a smooth and cost effective design-build process.  As a result, the GSA is moving forward with a commercial pilot installation of the technology in 2016, to further to the readiness for commercial scale deployments across its portfolio.

A Federal Building in Kansas City, Missouri was chosen for the commercial pilot.  While demonstrating its BIPV technology in an occupied building, the Solaria and the GSA, with LBNL, will collect energy generation, thermal performance, daylighting, glare and occupant comfort data in comparison with non-BIPV windows in the same building.  In addition to the factors above, it includes evaluation of the design-build process and economics.  On the heels of the successful testing at FLEXLAB, it is anticipated that the results will show that BIPV solutions offer the building and construction industries a reliable, seamless alternative to traditional glass solutions with a product that provides additional value in moving glazed facades towards the goal of positive net energy gains.

“The Green Proving Ground program is committed to driving innovation that improves building performance,” said Kevin Powell, GPG program manager at GSA. “We hope that real-world evaluations like this one will accelerate adoption of sustainable building technologies around the nation.”

“At LBNL we are excited when we find technologies that can help us advance façade performance toward our goals of net zero energy buildings.  We believe that the path to zero starts by eliminating energy waste, then increasing the intelligence of buildings through smart, responsive, people-friendly operating controls and finally introducing renewables for micro generation,” said Stephen Selkowitz, Senior Advisor for Building Science, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “Through our testing in this project, we found that Solaria’s BIPV solution adds to our prior GSA-GPG studies of dimmable lighting and dynamic glazing so that we now address all three challenges on this path.”

With the critical need for action in the built environment gaining momentum with COP21 commitments SB350 and the recently extended tax package for green building, real estate owners now have a viable option to take advantage of vast building facades to generate energy and cost savings. Solaria’s BIPV windows, now commercially available, offer an aesthetically pleasing, energy generating, and economically compelling solution.

“We have a deep respect for the rigorous certification process that the GSA conducts to select its certified providers and Solaria is honored to have been selected as a provider of BIPV for GSA’s GPG program and after the meticulous validation process that was conducted by FLEXLAB,” said Udi Paret, GM Building Solutions, Solaria Corporation. “We commend the GSA GPG program and its mission to provide its extensive building portfolio with access to the latest building technologies for green building and renewable energy.”

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Sprig Electric is now among the first electrical contractors to pair Tesla’s Powerpack battery with a 350-kW commercial rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system to optimize energy savings. The pairing, installed by Sprig Electric at their corporate headquarters in San Jose, will cut the building’s total energy costs by 80 to 95%.

The components of the system include 1,177 solar panels that are spread over 20,000 square feet of the building’s roof top. The 500kWh/250 kW Tesla Powerpack battery system is installed in the Sprig Electric parking lot and is connected to the grid and the PV system. In addition to five 100 kW Powerpack commercial batteries, the system includes a 250 kW inverter and a DC combiner. The footprint is approximately 10’ x 16’.

The Powerpack system maximizes consumption of on-site solar power, avoids peak electrical charges, and facilitates the purchase of energy when it is the cheapest. It acts as an energy storage system for grid power and the photovoltaic system, significantly increasing the utility cost savings that Sprig Electric will realize from using solar electricity alone, thus cutting utility bills by as much as 80-95%.

Customers can use the battery’s stored electricity to reduce peak demand. The batteries are regulated to charge during a low demand period when a surplus of energy is available. They then discharge their stored power when demand is high and the rates are high. This makes for additional savings and lowers the utility bill.

The installation at Sprig Electric headquarters is regulated by a sophisticated control system, which looks at building loads, the amount of energy the panels are producing, and the amount of power that’s stored in the battery. It then shifts power around appropriately based on those conditions.

The recently commissioned combo PV/battery storage system installed at Sprig Electric generated 6.7 MWh of energy and saved 4.94 tons of carbon dioxide in the first 8 wintery days.

“We are extremely happy at how this combo solar system has performed in its first week,” says Michael Clifton, engineering/operations manager for Sprig Electric’s Energy Efficiency Division. “We are excited to begin tracking this unique systems’ metrics and ultimately provide alternative energy solutions for our clients and partners alike. We believe the market for battery storage is really going to take off in the coming years.” Clifton said that both rebates and tax credits are available for the battery system purchase.

The Powerpack is based on lithium ion battery technology. The batteries’ modular design is adapted from the technology used in those for Tesla’s electric cars. The Powerpack is a scalable system which can be expanded by connecting additional Powerpacks, and inverters up to 100’s of MW.

Clifton said Sprig Electric chose to procure the Tesla Powerpack system because of Tesla Energy’s clear lead in battery technology. “Tesla is solid in their battery technology,” said Clifton. “They use a very sophisticated cooling system that keeps the batteries operating at even temperatures. Their batteries are quite compact, considering the energy within them. We did look at other manufacturers, but those are mostly in the developmental stage.”

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Exosun, a supplier of advanced, cost-effective solar tracking solutions for ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) plants, today announced it was named in the 2015 Global Cleantech 100 Under the Radar list, produced by Cleantech Group, whose mission is to connect corporates to sustainable innovation through its i3 Connect platform and global events.

The inaugural “Under the Radar” list puts the spotlight on companies that are flying “under the radar,” but who have strongly caught the interest of a few of the Global Cleantech 100 Expert Panelists. This sister list – new to the Global Cleantech 100 programming – highlights companies whose support among the investor and corporate panelists may be small in number, but noticeably very strong in its evaluation. The Expert Panel consists of an influential group of 100 panelists who help determine the annual Global Cleantech 100 list. The diversity of panelists results in a list of companies that command an expansive base of respect and support from many important players within the global cleantech innovation ecosystem.

This year, a record number of nominations for the annual Global Cleantech 100 list were received: 6,900 distinct companies from 60 countries. These companies were weighted and scored to create a short list of 323 companies. Short-listed nominees were reviewed by Cleantech Group’s Expert Panel, resulting in the Under the Radar list, in addition to the annual Global Cleantech 100 list. To qualify for the both lists, companies must be independent, for-profit, cleantech companies that are not listed on any major stock exchange.

• The complete list of the Global Cleantech 100 Under the Radar list was revealed on January 26th. See the full list at: https://i3connect.com/gct100/radar
• For access to all of the Global Cleantech 100 lists and in depth company profiles visit https://i3connect.com/gct100
• The complete list of Global Cleantech expert panel members is available at http://www.cleantech.com/indexes/global-cleantech-100/expert-panelists/

Solar Power World

Eric Carlson

Many state policies create a friendly environment for solar businesses, but what happens when laws change in ways that are not helpful? How do you keep your company from suffering financially?

Hawaiian contractor RevoluSun found itself in this situation after Hawaii’s utility changed its net-metering policy. The contractor realized its best business move was to expand its offering and provide a holistic approach to energy generation, consumption behavior, energy storage and interactive technology throughout the home.

Hawaii’s changing solar policy
Today, Hawaii has installed roughly one solar panel (312 W) for each resident—seven times higher than the national average, according to a recent report by Environment America. Hawaii’s aggressive 100% renewable energy goal is in part a recognition of the island state’s vulnerability as an isolated landmass.

Until recently, Hawaii had a successful net energy metering (NEM) program. The program, like others across the country, credits homeowners at the full retail rate price for the rooftop solar energy fed into the utility’s electric grid. This NEM program incentivized the growth of an extensive solar industry for seven years.

In October 2015, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) abruptly terminated the NEM program and unveiled two new residential solar interconnection programs. According to the PUC filing, the change was “necessary to ensure a smooth transition to a re-designed market-based structure for distributed resources in Hawaii.”

But the new programs drastically cut the value of exported solar power by roughly half of what the original NEM program offered, forcing the solar industry and consumers to quickly adapt to dramatically different and less predictable rules.

Developing a “Plan B” from strengths and values
RevoluSun realized that a changing solar landscape meant the firm needed to evolve, so it looked inward to chart its course ahead. RevoluSun is in the solar business because it understands how critical renewable energy development and improved efficiency are to addressing the threat of climate change. The company’s owners also have an extensive background in residential construction and home energy services. RevoluSun knew its team’s strengths and values would allow it to gain lifelong customers by offering other products and services. So in 2014, RevoluSun launched its Smart Home line of products, drawing on its experience with more than 6,000 customers to determine what homes needed most and what could be installed without PUC or utility approval.

RevoluSun’s Smart Home line initially included products for advanced sustainable home technology, such as EV charging stations, solar water heaters, energy-efficient house fans and lighting, and even security solutions. The company is now expanding to traditional residential construction offerings, such as roofing and air conditioning.
Also, Hawaii is currently facing a 66,000 housing unit shortage and recently legislation was passed to allow homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) to help fill it. The ADU’s can range from 400 to 800 sq ft. depending on the lot size. RevoluSun is unveiling a line of pre-designed units, that can be added to a existing home for either rental income or used as a “mother in-law” suites.

In 2015, RevoluSun designed and moved into a showroom where a curated collection of Smart Home products is on display. The space offers a one-stop shop and gathering place for eco-conscious homeowners, architects and residential home developers to meet and collaborate, while those interested in solar can also learn more about the latest in PV solar options and financing.

RevoluSun’s “Innovation Center” is a showroom where both homeowners and design professionals can explore all the products and services the company.

Results of diversifying
RevoluSun’s old and new customers have enthusiastically embraced its smart home vision. By offering Smart Home products, RevoluSun has cast a larger net for customers and, in addition to growth in Smart Home products sales, it has also seen the benefit to its core PV business. RevoluSun’s PV sales more than doubled in 2015. The company attributes much of that success to its reimagined approach to PV and Smart Home integration. The products not only save clients money, but also make their homes a healthier, more attractive and comfortable places to live.

Traffic in RevoluSun’s showroom continues to grow month after month. The space is now seen as a valuable resource for the local design community. Architects and contractors send their clients to the showroom to see all the products offered.

One of the additional products RevoluSun offers is an EV charging station for home installation.

A growing trend for success
Having a more holistic approach to the home’s energy needs is something most at RevoluSun always wanted to do. The pressure to diversify its business pushed it to pursue this passion. Laying out the plan with the team for a more robust product offering has built a greater level of security for RevoluSun employees. It also provides more avenues to grow into new positions as the business continues to evolve. In addition, RevoluSun hired more specialists to help meet the demand for new projects.

RevoluSun represents the evolution of the solar industry into a service provider that offers much more than just energy production. PV as a specialization was a result of a nascent industry trying to keep up with pent-up demand. As PV becomes increasingly common for households, it will become just another product in a broader home improvement and building portfolio geared toward harnessing renewable energy and reducing energy usage wherever and whenever possible for every element of the home.

By: Eric Carlson, Chief Innovation Officer of RevoluSun

Solar Power World

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) commended the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which today voted 3-2 to continue net metering in California.

“By voting to continue net metering in California, the CPUC is driving a stake in the ground and solidifying its place as America’s leading clean energy state,” said Sean Gallagher, SEIA’s Vice President of State Affairs. “Today’s decision hands Californians a projected $1.6 billion a year and seizes upon a golden opportunity to enable Golden State’s homes, and businesses of all kinds, to choose to go solar.”

California joins Colorado, New York, New Jersey and New Mexico in recently continuing or expanding net metering programs, and acts as an example for other states. Today’s decision builds on recent initiatives by Gov. Jerry Brown and the legislature to slash emissions by 40 percent by 2030 to meet the state’s climate change goals, while increasing renewable energy to 50 percent of the state’s electricity supply.

More than 450,000 electricity customers in California have installed solar systems, increasingly in lower and moderate income areas. Recent research has shown that 65 percent of residential solar is being installed in communities with median incomes below $70,000, up from 49 percent in 2008. Net metering will be key to ensuring this access to clean, affordable reliable electricity continues.

In addition to maintaining net metering, the CPUC decision requires new net metering customers to pay a one-time interconnection fee, pay charges that support public purpose programs on all energy consumed from the grid and be subject to time-of-use rates. In 2019, the Commission will reconsider net metering once changes to residential electricity rates and grid modernization proceedings take full effect.

“The decision to rapidly move solar customers onto mandatory time-of-use rates is going to be difficult because we don’t yet know what those rates will be,” noted Gallagher. “But, we are committed to meeting this challenge and working with the state to achieve its climate and grid modernization goals.”

California’s solar energy industry currently employs over 55,000 people in more than 2,000 companies across the state. For more details about the implications of the California decision, please see our blog entitled “California Makes the Most of Golden State Net Metering Opportunity.”

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Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, has delivered an advanced Lithium-ion Energy Storage System (ESS) to power lighting and Wi-Fi for the Champ de Mars, the grand public square in Port-au-Prince, Haïti. The contract with Montreal-based Geninov Group, a diversified energy and engineering technology company, was finalized in May 2015.

The Champ de Mars is the largest recreational park in Haïti. The Saft ESS, to be installed in the vicinity of the Triumphe Cultural Centre in conjunction with approximately 110kW of solar panels, is comprised of one Intensium Max 20E energy battery container. The configuration is designed to collect power during sunlight hours and to illuminate the entire park area at night while providing Wi-Fi coverage in the immediate vicinity.

“We are extremely pleased to work with Saft to provide a critical service to the city of Port-au-Prince and the Haïtian people,” said Yves Marthone, Chief Operating Officer of Geninov. “Renewable energy technology is one of the most important areas of development for small power networks in remote locations, and we are confident that this project will have an immediate positive impact.”

The so-called “Triumphe” project is the first photovoltaic plant developed in Haïti. The power conversion system was supplied by U.S.-based Princeton Power Systems, a global energy technology company serving customers across North America, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. With an installed capacity of 100kWp designed to match a daily demand of 200 kWh per day, the Triumphe project will provide an assessment for the potential of similar applications supporting renewable energy in Haïti.

The 20-foot Saft Intensium Max 20E container provides high energy capacity for daytime charging, evening discharge, back-up power and energy shifting. The Champ de Mars installation is indicative of the demand for high-quality lithium-ion battery storage systems for island grids throughout the Caribbean to support the integration of renewable energy and increase network resiliency.

“Saft is recognized as a leader in providing specialized energy storage solutions for power networks such as those found in island locations around the world,” said Glen Bowling, Transportation, Telecom & Grid S.V.P Sales at Saft. “The Triumphe project is a further innovative collaboration that will likely lead to similar other installations in the Caribbean and beyond.”
Geninov, a diversified energy, engineering and technology company headquartered in Montreal, Canada and with office in Port-au-Prince, Haïti has developed a network of partner companies to operate in North America, Latin America, Africa and the West Indies, and selected Saft in part for its market reputation and its ability to help win the confidence of the Energy Bureau of the Haïtian government and the World Bank which was involved in financing the project.

Solar Power World

Distributed storage for solar systems will be worth $8 billion in 2026 as solar combines with storage in order to continue its remarkable growth, according to Lux Research. Solar-plus-storage is a key necessity for solar to overcome limitations like intermittency and the lack of power after dark.

Energy storage will increase the distributed solar market by 25 GW annually in 2026. Adding storage adds costs, affecting revenue streams and addressable market size, but as installed solar system costs decline – from $3.83/W in 2015 to $1.87/W in 2035 – an attractive economic case will emerge in 2023, leading to strong growth.

“As the solar-plus-storage market matures, interesting developments will unfold on a number of fronts. There will be more vertical integration between the two industries, increased financing options and even a move towards energy-sharing between communities,” said Cosmin Laslau, Lux Research Senior Analyst and lead author of the report titled, “Helping Renewables Shine On: Analyzing the New Business Cases Where Batteries Make Sense for Solar Systems.”

Lux Research analysts studied the impact on distributed solar of its integration with storage to maintain growth. Among their findings:

• Solar-storage partnerships begin to emerge. Partnerships between Stem and SunPower, Green Charge Networks and SunEdison, and Sonnen and Sungevity reveal the industry’s future. First Solar even joined a $50 million investment in Younicos, a leader in grid-scale energy storage integration.

• Software is a key differentiator. Leaders like SolarCity and others are offering demand management software that can help integrate storage. Sunverge’s system can link to smart devices and electric vehicles, while Sonnenbatterie’s software can analyze weather data to optimize solar consumption and storage.

• Policy support has big impact. Thanks to policy support, Germany has installed 12,000 solar-plus-batteries systems since 2013 with a recent growth rate of 35%. Japan has launched a subsidy program to cover two-thirds of the installation costs for lithium-ion battery systems at 1kWh or larger, while California offers a $1.46/W incentive – and mandates utilities to install 1.3 GW of storage by 2020.

The report, titled “Helping Renewables Shine On: Analyzing the New Business Cases Where Batteries Make Sense for Solar Systems,” is part of the Lux Research Solar Intelligence, Energy Storage Intelligence, and Distributed Generation Intelligence services.

To hear more about energy storage trends, register for the complimentary webinar, “The Coming Battery Revolution: How Improving Batteries Will Enable Entirely New Products and Applications” on April 5^th at 11:00 EDT.

Solar Power World

Have some legal questions about solar? Stephen A. Kisker, chair of Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi‘s Renewable Energy and Sustainability Group, tackles a few frequently asked questions below. Leave us a comment with any questions you have, and we’ll try to find the right answers! (See previous answers here.)

The best form of security is a letter of credit. Letters of credit are a direct obligation of the issuing institution, and as such, cannot be attached by creditors of the contractor and are not affected by a contractor bankruptcy. Drawing on a properly drafted letter of credit can be a quick and relatively painless process. A cash deposit remains the property of the contractor unless and until a default, and as such can be attached by creditors and it will likely become an asset of the bankrupt estate, subject to distribution to creditors. Payment and performance bonds do create an obligation on the part of the surety to complete performance or make payment, however, there are frequently qualifications to the surety’s performance that can lead to prolonged negotiations and even litigation.

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