Solar Power World is now accepting applications for its 2016 Top 500 Solar Contractors list, the most recognized list of U.S. and Canadian solar contractors.

Entering its fifth year, the list represents the hardest working companies in the solar industry. The #Solar500 features companies working in all markets, including off-grid, residential, commercial and utility.

Interested firms can submit an application through an online portal. Companies will be listed according to the capacity of projects they installed, developed or helped construct in the previous year.

Types of firms eligible:

• Solar Developer
• Solar EPC
• Solar Rooftop Contractor
• Solar Electrical Subcontractor
• Solar Construction Firm
• Solar Hot Water Installer

The 2016 Top 500 Solar Contractors list will appear in Solar Power World’s July issue and online.

The 2016 list will again be verified by an advisory board of fellow contractors and industry peers. SolarReviews.com will also review applicants. Inflated installation and revenue numbers will result in disqualification.

Applications will be accepted until May 27.

Questions or comments can be directed to Solar Power World editors at topcontractors@solarpowerworldonline.com.

Solar Power World

Ideal Power Inc., a developer of innovative power conversion technologies, has signed a Master Purchase Agreement with Powin Corporation, a leading provider of commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage systems, to supply its 30-kW and 125-kW power conversion systems for Powin’s portfolio of commercial battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ideal Power’s power conversion systems are based on its patented, industry-leading Power Packet Switching Architecture (PPSA) which offers customers a proven, compact, high-efficiency solution that has gained broad acceptance in the industry. Powin has placed orders for Ideal Power’s products which are being shipped to customer sites in the U.S. and China for deployment in 2016.

“Powin is a long term customer of Ideal Power and we are pleased to partner with them as they scale their battery energy storage business in the U.S. and China,” commented Ryan O’Keefe, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Ideal Power.

“Based on our experience using Ideal Power products, they were a natural choice for us as we look to scale our system offerings,” said Virgil Beaston, Powin’s Chief Technology Officer. “Ideal Power’s industry-leading performance, cost and innovative products will allow us to have a competitive and differentiated product offering for our customers.”

Ideal Power’s systems are software configurable, allowing them to operate in 50Hz or 60Hz environments, maximizing the ease of deployment in different geographical markets and providing the flexibility to optimize performance for many energy applications. The significant reduction in the size and weight of Ideal Power systems results in dramatically lower installation costs.

Solar Power World

Solar Power World

Pika Energy, Inc. will begin shipping its new Pika Energy Island systems in Q2 of 2016, the Maine-based power electronics firm announced Wednesday at the Solar Power PV Conference & Expo in Boston.

The Pika Energy Island is a system for connecting solar photovoltaic generation with advanced or conventional energy storage options. Using the 7.6kW bi-directional Pika Islanding Inverter and Pika PV Link™ DC optimizers, the Pika Energy Island powers critical loads with no grid available, providing a flexible, simple option for providing residential and commercial customers with a solar-plus-storage system. The Pika Islanding Inverter has a set of easy-to-use operational modes to enable applications like clean backup power, self consumption and energy arbitrage, so each customer’s system can be quickly optimized for various applications. The Pika Islanding Inverter integrates with high voltage lithium ion batteries and conventional 48V batteries, and can dynamically generate either 240VAC single-phase or 208-V three-phase power.

“The availability of our newest bi-directional inverter comes at a critical time in the solar PV and distributed energy industry,” said Pika Energy President Ben Polito. “Solar-plus-storage is poised for significant growth, and the Pika Energy Island is the simple, cost-effective, highly efficient, and feature-rich solution the market demands.”

Unlike other storage-enabled solutions, the Pika Energy Island does not require a separate autotransformer to achieve 120/240V islanding, and does not require a separate storage interface for integrating high voltage battery storage. Pika PV Link DC optimizers provide maximum powerpoint tracking at the sub-array level, offering a simpler, faster-installing alternative to module-level power electronics. Pika PV Link is Rapid Shutdown compliant and provides arc fault and ground fault protection.

The Pika Energy Island is powered by REbus, Pika Energy’s patented 380VDC power electronics platform that sends power transmission, control and embedded performance monitoring data all on the same wire. Using a set of voltage curves, REbus signals every pre-programmed Pika Energy Island device with information about when to draw power from the bus, store power, or push power to the bus. The result is a virtually plug-and-play configuration for distributed energy systems that uses fewer installed parts than other currently available systems.

“We’re excited to offer solar PV installers a simple, flexible solution for solar-plus-storage,” said Pika Energy Chief Technology Officer Joshua Kaufman. “With its embedded intelligence and power control, REbus presents the Energy Island with many inherent advantages over other solar-plus-storage configurations.”

Pika Energy works with a network of installer partners to offer its solutions to residential and commercial end-users. The Pika Energy Island will immediately provide Pika Energy’s partners with an optimal inverter solution for all solar-plus-storage applications, including backup power, energy arbitrage, self-consumption and more.

For more information about the Pika Energy Island and to connect with a local sales representative, please contact Pika Energy.

Solar Power World

The Hopewell Valley Central High School solar project was implemented as a part of PSE&G’s Solar 4 All program.

Four innovative and forward-looking photovoltaic (PV) solar projects were named winners of the 2016 Photovoltaic Project of Distinction award at the Solar PV Conference & Expo in Boston.

Each award-winning project represents the kind of innovation and industry collaboration that is paving the way for the transformation of the U.S. energy system and the future of the solar industry. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) are cosponsors of the conference and the award.

Below are brief descriptions of the award winners, including the names of the companies that worked together to complete them. All were recognized at the conference Feb. 24 in Boston.

National Grid – Solar Phase II

National Grid’s Solar Phase II project locates and installs its PV systems on sites deemed to bring the most benefit to the electric distribution system, even if it presents a challenging construction. When completed there will be eighteen projects, built in specific targeted locations to help better service the grid, with advanced inverter functionality and remote control capabilities. Throughout this innovative project, National Grid has partnered with local solar developers and towns with aspirations of engaging local high schools and colleges to get them involved in an effort to expand the potential value these type of solar projects with learnings applied to future installs. Participating companies include:

• National Grid

• Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.

Palmer Airport Brownfield

The Palmer Airport project is the first and largest solar array on a qualified brownfield under the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources SREC II program and is the result of a successful public-private collaboration. The project was constructed adjacent to a decommissioned landfill on the site of a former private airport. Three public entities – the towns of Leicester and Spencer, and Worcester State University — will all receive energy credits generated by the project, resulting in millions in cost savings. Participating companies include:

• Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.

• Renewable Energy Massachusetts

• Syncarpha Capital LLC

PSE&G Solar Storage Pilot

The Hopewell Valley Central High School solar project was implemented as a part of PSE&G’s Solar 4 All program, using integrated technologies to reduce solar impact on the grid and demonstrate reliability and grid resiliency. Located in Hopewell, New Jersey, it features an 876-kilowatt kW), grid-connected solar system with lithium ion battery storage. The solar system includes both a rooftop system on the school and a canopy system over the school parking lot. The system is metered from SREC sales, and provides community benefits in the form of lease payments to the school. The system will also allow the school to serve as a shelter and warming station during extended power outages and natural disasters. Participating companies include:

• PSE&G

• Advanced Solar Products

• Hopewell Valley Regional School District

• AF Mensah, Inc.

Sippican Community Solar Garden

The Sippican Community Solar Garden is a unique business model that combined favorable state policies and incentives with smart technology and design choices to bring energy independence to residents, nonprofits and businesses in southeastern Massachusetts. The 900-kW project features Enphase microinverters and is expected to generate more than 1,200 megawatt-hours per year, helping more than 100 cooperative members across 23 towns to leverage the buying power of a large group to receive direct savings on energy costs. Participating companies include:

• Enphase

• My Generation Solar

Solar Power World

As large-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar projects become an integral part of  utilities’ generation portfolios across the country, managing these assets for optimum performance — physical and financial — has become a high priority for a range of stakeholders. Traditional approaches to asset management (AM) and operations and maintenance (O&M) are being disrupted by the different characteristics of solar and a lack of consistent codes and standards, measurement tools and best practices.

To help create a knowledge base for industry-wide conversation on these issues, the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) has published a new Resource Guide on Utility Solar Asset Management and Operations and Maintenance. The guide was written in partnership with High Performance PV, a solar planning and O&M consulting firm in Phoenix.

“In a PV context, ‘asset management’ refers to the tracking and evaluation of a project’s commercial and administrative functions to ensure financial performance, while O&M focuses more on plant management and repair to maximize energy production,” said Daisy Chung, a SEPA Research Manager and lead author on the guide.  “Both areas involve an evolution in thinking for solar — to look more deeply into what’s really going on at a project site.”

Key takeaways include:

• Both utilities and solar developers have tended to separate AM and O&M functions. As a result, best practices in both areas are often not well communicated or incorporated into PV system design and specifications, which can, in turn, affect system performance.
• However, industry stakeholders are increasingly aware of the link between AM and O&M, A 2014 survey found that 50 percent of PV site management companies offer AM and O&M.
• On the administrative side, issues affecting performance include inconsistencies in contract language and definitions; a need for better tools for data collection, analysis and sharing; and lagging time frames on updates of industrywide electrical and safety codes.

The guide also offers short, targeted lists of articles and additional resources on these and other core issues.

“The crucial, yet often missing link between project ownership, asset management and O&M has exposed a rude reality,” said John R. Balfour, title of High Performance PV. “If the necessary AM and O&M standards and practices are not clearly detailed in project specifications prior to design, they cannot be expected, nor will they be present, in the final product.”

The guide is the first step in a new SEPA initiative focused on better coordination of AM and O&M, Chung said. The effort also includes the formation of a new industry working group and a number of educational events, such as the 2016 Solar Power Asset Management & Performance conference held recently in Newport Beach, California.

The guide is a member-only SEPA publication. A free Executive Summary is available here.

Solar Power World

SolarReviews.com, the leading site for customer-generated reviews of solar installations and solar equipment, has again partnered with Solar Power World, the leading print and online resource covering solar technology, installation and development, to support Solar Power World’s 2016 Top Solar Contractors list.

The Top Solar Contractors list is the most-recognized list of solar contractors and developers in the United States and Canada. Applications for inclusion in this year’s list are being accepted online at here through May 27. EPC, development, solar hot water, construction and electrical companies are encouraged to apply.

The partnership provides an additional layer of analysis to ensure the list recognizes only solar contractors with good business practices, using data from a modern review model.

“Solar Power World’s Top Contractors list is a great way to support the best in the solar industry,” said Jamie Lakes, President of SolarReviews. “Combining their data with ours will further empower consumers and business owners as they choose to go solar.”

The Solar Power World 2015 Top Solar Contractors List will appear online and in the publication’s July issue.

Solar Power World

SUNAGE SA., a Swiss leader in monocrystalline photovoltaic modules manufacturer, today announced the immediate availability of the Tigo TS4 Platform on their PV modules.

The TS4 Platform replaces the traditional JBox (junction box), allowing customers to install different functional covers to their solar panels. The covers currently offer a range in functionality from diodes and rapid shutdown to full functional long string and optimization – all providing unique, customized unprecedented capabilities. These personalized covers are selectively deployed on each module at different price points, utilizing predictive IV (PIV) technology to maximize energy harvest at minimal cost.

“Tigo’s TS4 perfectly complements our portfolio of PV modules. It perfectly matches our high quality and excellent technology goals,as well as our wish to serve our customers with premium customized products. Tigo solutions will enable us and our partners to offer the best performance and added values products at the minimal incremental cost”, says Mr. Aris Bernardini, CEO and Founder of Sunage AG.

The Tigo TS4 is integrated into every module, converting it to a “Smart Ready” Panels. Fitted with the TS4-D option, at no price increase, it provides the customer with an improved reliability compared to a simple diodes only Jbox. Thanks to the unique modularity of the TS4 platform, Sunage will be able to offer pre-assembled smart modules with each TS4 functionality from Diodes to Safety, Optimization and Long Strings.

This smart DC module design eliminates module-level or cell string mismatch, reduces the chance of module malfunction, and increases the overall cell performance. The Tigo TS4 is a remarkable new product application added to many of Sunage existing modules. The smart DC module offers increased safety, flexible system design, reduced O&M costs, and real-time monitoring. This new module enriches Sunage’s portfolio by differentiating its products from others in the market. Integrating the TS4 platform will allow Sunage’s partners to select the most cost effective functional cover for the project .

“Sunage’s and Tigo’s cooperation is confirming the continuous increase global market demand for Smart PV Modules. We are very happy to have been selected by such a high quality component oriented OEM. This association offers an excellent opportunity for Sunage and Tigo to deliver a superior solution to the customers in which all parties benefit, and a chance for Sunage and Tigo to strengthen market shares in the DACH region markets. We are improving the solar technology and adapting to the demand for smarter, more convenient and higher quality products,” says Christian Carraro, GM & Vice President Sales for Europe.

Solar Power World

Earlier this year, the Energy Department announced its Grid Modernization Initiative to improve the resiliency, reliability and security of the nation’s electrical power grid. As a means of achieving this, the DOE released $18 million in funding for six new SHINES solar+storage projects. These projects will help integrate solar energy onto the grid on a large scale to increase solar electricity that can be dispatched at any time, day or night, to meet consumer electricity needs while ensuring the reliability of the grid.

“The Energy Department is leading the way in the development and deployment of affordable, reliable grid integration technologies, including energy storage, intelligent inverters, load management and innovative PV solutions, that can boost the resiliency of our nation’s electric grid while allowing us to deploy greater amounts of solar and other renewable,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson.

The projects will use internet-capable inverters and work in conjunction with smart buildings, smart appliances, and utility communication and control systems. These projects are either led by a utility company or include a utility company as a key partner, and the teams will conduct at least a one-year field demonstration of their technologies. Ultimately, the solutions developed under this effort will enable the sustainable and holistic integration of hundreds of gigawatts of additional solar energy onto the electric grid throughout the United States. Here’s a look at a couple of the projects that will use intelligent inverter technology.

Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SunShot Award Amount: $1,036,963
Partners: Aquion Energy, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
The project will develop a distributed system to integrate smart inverters, energy storage and commercial off-the-shelf home automation controllers and smart thermostats. The system will optimize PV generation, storage and load consumption behaviors using various algorithms.

“The project will use Aquion Energy’s Aqueous Hybrid Ion battery technology, which can simply integrate with high-performance intelligent inverters. We’re excited about the rapid development of both energy storage and power electronics, as it holds tremendous promise for increasing adoption of renewable energy. The benefits of this adoption extend from self-sufficient homes and businesses to the electricity grid, which will evolve from infrastructure based on fossil-fuels towards a smarter, interconnected renewable energy platform.”
-Matthew Maroon, Vice President of Product Management, Aquion Energy

Austin Energy
Location: Austin, Texas
SunShot Award Amount: $4,300,000
Partners: 1Energy Systems, Clean Power Research, ConnectDER, ERCOT, Ideal Power Converters, Landis & Gyr, Pecan Street, Inc., Samsung SDI, Solar Edge, Tesla
The goal of the Austin SHINES projects is to show a solution that’s adaptable to any region and market that offers a credible pathway to a lower cost of energy for solar energy when using storage. The solution aims to establish a template for other regions to follow to maximize the penetration of distributed solar PV. Austin Energy will incorporate Ideal Power’s 125-kW and 30-kW power conversion systems paired with lithium-ion batteries.

“We’re proud to partner with Austin Energy, our local utility, to support this initiative. These projects will enable us to demonstrate the role of our grid-resilient power conversion systems in integrating energy storage with PV for grid stabilization.”
-Dan Brdar, CEO of Ideal Power

“Austin Energy is a forward-thinking utility with a track record of supporting new and innovative technology, and it is looking for the best way to integrate higher levels of renewable energy into its grid. The solar + storage projects that are part of the SHINES program will provide Ideal Power real-world deployments in our own backyard, and will substantiate the business case for distributed solar generation with storage assets. The objective of these projects is to demonstrate the DOE SunShot goal of delivering electricity from solar integrated storage at 14 cents per kilowatt hour. We expect the projects will show that the industry can meet or exceed these goals in the near term.”
-Ryan O’Keefe, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Ideal Power

Solar Power World

Kipp & Zonen announces an increase of the warranty period on the majority of their instruments from two to five years. Backed by the quality and stability of Kipp & Zonen, the new 5-year warranty gives customers additional confidence in long-term reliable and accurate solar radiation monitoring.

Our instruments are deployed in a variety of climates around the world; from harsh and extremely cold Arctic regions to hot, dry and dusty desert areas. But, when well taken care of and properly maintained, we are convinced that we can offer a 5-year warranty to our customers.

“We wouldn’t offer a guarantee of this magnitude if we weren’t completely confident that our instruments are the most reliable available today,” explains Jan-Willem Sips, Business Developer Service at Kipp & Zonen. “Our passion for precision results in the high quality and stability of our products, and our extended warranty completely supports that focus. The extended warranty of the industry’s favourite pyranometers was not a difficult decision. We often receive 20 years old pyranometers back for recalibration that are still performing within the specs!”

The extended warranty applies to the majority of Kipp & Zonen’s solar radiation instruments; such as the CMP and SMP series pyranometers, the pyrgeometers and pyrheliometers, purchased from January 2016 onwards. To activate the free warranty extension only requires an online registration and a recalibration within due time.

Solar Power World

JuiceBox Energy, a privately-held Silicon Valley company committed to providing safe, reliable, intelligent, and connected energy storage, and ReVision Energy have embarked upon a unique installation of an 8.1 KW solar panel array and an innovative energy storage system at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell, Maine.

The 115-year-old library is being outfitted with the latest in high-tech energy storage that supports the board of trustees’ mission statement to combine the traditional role of the institution with a commitment to reducing the building’s carbon footprint. Funded by an anonymous donor, this project provides the library with integrated solar and energy storage to reduce grid reliance, lower costs, and ensure emergency standby electricity. The combined system consists of 27 high-efficiency solar panels and the intelligent JuiceBox Energy Storage solution that can be controlled over a cellular, cloud-based network.

“Rooftop solar energy installations have accelerated rapidly in northern New England,” stated Geoff Sparrow, Director of Engineering of ReVision Energy. “While many of our 4,000 installations have been on residential homes and small commercial buildings, we’ve seen a growing commitment by municipalities to install solar, and now energy storage, as a means of reducing their fossil fuel consumption and costs.”

“The installation at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library is a truly unique opportunity for us,” added Neil Maguire, CEO of JuiceBox Energy. “Blending the latest energy storage technology with a historic institution demonstrates that sustainability has a role in protecting our important community resources for generations to come.”

The JuiceBox Energy storage system is an intelligent, 8.6kWh, 5.5kW lithium-ion battery system designed for safe, reliable, long lasting power management. It is designed, engineered, and manufactured by JuiceBox Energy based on their years of automotive lithium ion control systems engineering. The systems can be linked together and they can support utility demand response programs, where available. The system is designed to support grid-tied, grid isolated in the event of grid failure, and off-grid configurations.

Each system delivers more than 10 years or 4,000 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.

Solar Power World

SMA has released the second generation of its ReadyRack all-in-one inverter, rack and disconnect solution for commercial rooftop PV. Specifically designed for the world’s top-selling three-phase inverter, the Sunny Tripower TL-US, the new ReadyRack allows for simpler, faster system installation while offering leading durability and code compliance right out of the box. It is now available for order.

“The original ReadyRack revolutionized the North American commercial rooftop market by providing immediate rooftop placement and connection of the inverters, drastically reducing the time to energization,” said Marko Wittich, SMA executive vice president of sales for the Americas region. “For the second-generation ReadyRack, SMA improved upon the original design by reducing both its footprint and per-unit weight, making it an even more versatile solution for today’s crowded commercial rooftops.”

The ReadyRack is a fully integrated, preassembled and prewired roof-mount rack that includes all balance-of-system components for reduced wiring time and labor onsite, saving an average of two hours of assembly time per inverter. This turnkey solution includes a Sunny Tripower TL-US inverter; SMA Connection Unit (an eight-string combiner with disconnect); AC disconnect switch; and complete ground bonding of all components. Also included are pre-installed EPDM foot pads for direct placement on the roof with no additional piers or blocks needed, further speeding installation.

The ReadyRack’s main structure is made in the U.S.A. of corrosion-resistant aluminum and features stainless-steel mounting hardware. Ideally designed for mounting within 10 feet of the PV array, the ReadyRack complies with the 2014 NEC 690.12 rapid shutdown requirements while the state-of-the-art integrated DC AFCI within the Sunny Tripower ensures optimal safety with fewer false-positive trips.

The Sunny Tripower TL-US and ReadyRack are available through SMA’s North American distribution program. To locate an SMA Authorized Distributor, solar professionals can visit SMA America’s website and click “Where to Buy” to learn more about each distribution partner.

Solar Power World

PCI Solar has announced the completion of a solar carport array for the City of Woodland, California. The solar project, part of a 2.5-MW portfolio that PCI Solar is building for Woodland, was part of an RFP hosted by Terra Verde Renewable Partners.

The system will help power the City of Woodland’s police headquarters. The carport is unique because it spans the entire parking lot, using an East/West racking design to maximize usable space and shade for the parking lot. The array consists of 1,462 Hanwha Q Cells 310-watt modules, SolarEdge and Solectria inverters and AlsoEnergy monitoring. SolarEdge inverters were used to minimize the shading effects of a cell phone tower in the parking lot.

Commissioning is scheduled next month, and once online, the system will provide clean solar energy for at least 25 years. The project is expected to generate approximately 636,012 kWh per year.

PCI Solar has constructed multiple solar arrays for cities across the western United States, including Bizbee and Douglas in Arizona and Bishop in California. Solar energy’s extremely low water use compared to conventional energy generation also provides a compelling rationale to go solar in an arid, water-constrained environment.

Solar Power World

Colorado’s electricity customers will gain greater access to local clean power production after another boost to the state’s burgeoning community solar market. Clean Energy Collective (CEC), the nation’s leading community solar solutions provider, announced that the company has reach an agreement with Xcel Energy on the utility’s community solar gardens program, resulting in up to 60 megawatts of additional community solar allocation.

The outcome of the collaborative negotiation with Xcel Energy and other community solar providers establishes the level of community solar capacity the regulated utility will acquire in its Solar*Rewards Community program for 2016. The agreement also revises the bill credit for commercial/industrial rate classes, adds co-location specifications, and adds an Xcel Energy carve-out for low-income households and non-profits.

“We are pleased to have worked closely with Xcel Energy to help ensure the Solar*Rewards Community program is a win for everyone,” said Paul Spencer, founder and CEO of Clean Energy Collective. “This process demonstrates how successful collaboration between utilities and the solar industry can lead to more choice for customers, and good business for both the utility and their solar partners.”

Since engaging a local cooperative utility in Western Colorado that spawned the country’s first community-owned solar project, CEC’s approach has centered on building and fostering utility alliance, and foresees community solar continuing to be the proving ground for these mutually-beneficial relationships. To date CEC has built or has under development more than 90 RooflessSolar™ projects with 25 utility partners across 11 states, representing more than 160 MW of community solar capacity.

The agreement with Xcel Energy, which must be approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, includes these implementation issues:

• Xcel Energy will acquire between 6.5 MW and 30 MW of community solar capacity through the Solar*Rewards Community Program for the 2014 allotment and 2016 allotment, seeking to add the maximum for each.
• Adopts language for the 2016 RFP specifying distance and capacity parameters for co-locating multiple community solar facilities.
• For the 2015 RFP, community solar developers may elect to receive a $0.03/kWh REC provided that customer bill credits are also calculated on a class-average basis.
• Permits the application of the class-average bill credit for commercial and industrial rates instead of a customer-specific rate calculation, allowing Xcel Energy to revise the rules for further program expansion and smoother implementation for both participants and non-participants.
• Provides Xcel Energy ownership of up to 4 megawatts of community solar capacity to exclusively serve low-income customers and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations.

Clean Energy Collective currently operates 12 community solar facilities in the Solar*Rewards program with 5.5 MW of capacity, and has eight new facilities under development representing 12 MW from the 2015 allocation.

Solar Power World

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center, in conjunction with Meister Consultants Group, Inc., announced the release of a special annual review edition of the quarterly report, The 50 States of Solar. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on distributed solar policy, with a focus on net metering, community solar, residential fixed charges, residential solar charges, third-party ownership, and utility-led rooftop solar programs.

This latest edition includes an extensive review and analysis of major solar policy developments during the 2015 calendar year, followed by comprehensive solar policy changes proposed and adopted during the last quarter of 2015.

Key Solar Policy Actions in 2015

The report finds that all but four states took some form of solar policy action in 2015 (see Figure below). Specifically, the report finds that in 2015:
• 27 states considered or enacted changes to net metering policies
• 24 states formally examined or resolved to examine some element of the value of distributed generation
• 7 states had policy action on community solar
• 61 utilities in 30 states proposed increasing monthly fixed charges on all residential customers. The median increase requested was $5 per month.
• 21 utilities in 13 states proposed adding new or increasing existing charges specific to rooftop solar customers
• 6 states had policy action on third-party solar ownership laws or regulations
• 5 states had action on utility-owned rooftop solar policies or programs

The report also includes an overview of existing state solar policies, finding that:
• 41 states have mandatory net metering rules for all or certain utilities
• At least 10 states have conducted studies to develop methodologies to value the electricity generated by rooftop solar systems
• 14 states have statewide community solar policies
• 26 states allow third-party solar power purchase agreements, a popular financing mechanism for homeowners going solar

Benjamin Inskeep, report co-author and Energy Policy Analyst at the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center, noted, “With more than 200,000 Americans working in good-paying solar jobs, solar has been a true success story for our recovering economy. However, this report demonstrates that critically important state policies like net metering are experiencing unprecedented uncertainty, as many states considered drastic policy changes in 2015. If we want to continue to increase the amount of electricity we generate from clean energy and keep these good jobs in our communities, then it is paramount that solar policies fairly treat — not penalize — folks who go solar.”

2015 Policy Action on Net Metering, Rate Design, and Solar Ownership

Key Solar Policy Actions in Q4 2015

A total of 103 state and utility-level distributed solar policy and rate changes were proposed, pending, or enacted in Q4 2015, including 28 ongoing or approved net metering policy changes in 17 states.
Nine states were studying policies like net metering or the value of electricity generated by solar, with the Tennessee Valley Authority concluding a stakeholder group discussion on the value of distributed generation that began in 2014.

Proposals by 35 utilities to increase fixed charges on residential customers were pending or decided. In general, approved increases in the quarter were considerably below the requested amount. Sixteen utilities in 11 states sought charges or fees that were specific to solar or net metering customers.

Kathryn Wright, consultant at Meister Consultants Group and a report co-author observed that, “The last quarter of 2015 has demonstrated that states and utilities are responding to the increase in distributed generation in radically different ways. Nevada’s decision to roll back net metering and California’s continued support of retail rate net metering illustrate the stark contrast.”

To view the entire report, click here

View previous updates:

The 50 States of Solar: Q3 2015 Update
The 50 States of Solar: Q2 2015 Update
The 50 States of Solar: Q1 2015 Update
The 50 States of Solar: Q4 2014 Update

Solar Power World

Smart modules—essentially solar panels with “smart,” module-level power electronics—have seen a slow rise in popularity. But that could change fairly quickly, according to GTM Research, which is predicting shipments of smart modules and related AC modules (panels with pre-installed microinverters) to grow from 73 MW in 2014 to 1 GW in 2020, an almost 14-fold increase. What’s fueling this growth?

What is a smart module?

These intelligent packages have grown from being just panels equipped with power optimizers. Today’s good smart modules involve any type of module-level electronics with functions like remote monitoring, module-level shutdown, voltage limiting, increasing power harvest and more.

“The way we think of smart modules is anything that has something built into it that does more than just sit there and generate power from the sun,” said Parjanya Rijal of Trina Solar, which has its own smart module: Trinasmart.

Many of the top module manufacturers have a smart line, including JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Canadian Solar, Upsolar and Trina Solar. Most have partnered with optimizer manufacturers Tigo Energy or SolarEdge to obtain that smart advantage. ET Solar has its Cell Optimizer Module, which includes an integrated power regulator on each cell-string within the solar module (no external power optimizer is needed).

“Smart modules are something where it differentiates a module,” Rijal said. “In an industry where basic solar modules used to use bankability to differentiate, there’s more and more companies that claim that. This is a way to continue to innovate and be different from all the manufacturers out there.”

Power optimizers are still the dominant add-on for smart modules, said Lior Handelsman, founder and vice president of marketing and product strategy for SolarEdge.

“With system owners demanding more from their PV systems and installers demanding more in terms of installation efficiency, module manufactures can better satisfy the current market requirements by embedding power optimizers,” he said.

What has prevented growth, and why is that changing?

There is an obvious price difference between traditional modules and the smart variety. With added monitoring and hardware comes added costs, and the potential for added import taxes. As the market matures, GTM Research expects product markups to fall.

“Many module manufacturers were paying import tariffs on their finished goods. Integrating power optimizers into the modules meant that they also had to pay tariffs on the power optimizer, thus raising the cost,” Handelsman said. “This offsets the value of integration. We are starting to see more strategies from module manufacturers that limit the impact of the import tariff, meaning that these integrated products are starting to drive cost reduction for installers.”

There have also been some hiccups in relaying to end-users the real benefits smart modules can bring. People who thought solar couldn’t work on their houses because of huge oak trees casting shade now have real generation capability with smart modules.

“People will see that these technologies work, there will be a longer track record of increasing your energy production, a track record of them working properly,” Rijal said. “On the cost side, we’re moving along the learning curve—lower cost both because of learning how to do that better and increasing volume.”

Some code changes will also bump up smart module adoption. The 2017 NEC updates effectively require module-level shutdown, which then essentially forces installers to use module-level power electronics to reduce voltages. Opinions are mixed on the safety issues considered with the new code standards, but it does appear that smart modules will become necessary commonplace on new rooftop installations.

“Regulations like NEC 2014 rapid shutdown are driving installers and first responders to improve PV safety,” Handelsman said. “Solutions like integrated power optimizers allow module manufacturers to offer a solution that will address these safety concerns out of the box without the need for additional equipment or costs.”

Tigo’s power optimizer can make solar panels “smart.”

It’s also likely that other industry requirements could spark the rise in smart module popularity.

“We particularly see our module integrated solution as a platform for not just the technology that’s available now—like rapid shutdown, longer strings, monitoring—but a way to kind of future-proof our systems,” Rijal said. “It’s a platform that you can integrate whatever technology that comes out in a few years, as well.”

Bottom line: Now is an ideal time in the market for smart modules.

“Cost reduction for the installer is a constant battle. Since the integrated modules can reduce hardware costs and decrease installation times, they have the potential to drive costs down,” Handelsman said. “At the same time, smart modules also have the potential to create differentiation for module manufacturers in a highly commoditized and competitive market. An intersection of cost reduction and differentiation creates a highly attractive environment for smart modules going forward.”

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By the end of 2016, cumulative global installed PV installations will surpass 310GW, compared to just 40 GW at the end of 2010. The five countries accounting for 70 percent of this capacity are China, the United States, Japan, Germany and Italy. With annual installations stalling, Germany will fall from the second-largest installed base for PV to the fourth largest, surpassed by the United States and Japan, according to IHS Inc., the leading global source of critical information and insight.

“A continued stagnation of major European PV markets due to weaker financial incentives has caused PV additions in Europe to slow dramatically in recent years, but global demand remains strong,” said Josefin Berg, senior analyst of solar demand for IHS Technology. “The supply chain continues to benefit from a period of relatively stable pricing, and there could be a new wave of capacity expansions.”

During the closing months of 2015, the global PV industry continued to enjoy strong growth. While some regional markets present challenges to local suppliers, the current outlook for the global industry in 2016 remains positive. After growing 35 percent in 2015, global PV installations are forecast to grow an additional 17 percent in 2016, culminating in 21 GW of PV to be installed worldwide in the fourth quarter (Q4).

Global PV installed capacity is expected to increase by 69 GW throughout 2016, compared to 59 GW of annual installations in 2015. The U.S., India and China will grow by 5.6 GW, 2.7 GW and 0.9 GW, respectively, together accounting for 9.3 GW of the 10 GW increase.

Continued strong solar PV demand will also support stable module pricing. Average PV module prices are expected to fall less than 5 percent in 2016, which is the smallest year-over-year decline recorded by IHS. Generally, 2015 was a positive year for the PV module manufacturing industry, with industry average gross margins reaching 22 percent. Largely due to declines in polysilicon prices and strong pricing in some markets, total gross profit from modules reached $8.5 billion in 2015 — the highest level since 2011.

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Ingeteam has just launched onto the market its new PV string inverter models, delivering output powers of up to 40 kW in a single inverter. In addition to the 40 kW model, a further three models have also been presented: 24 kW, 28 kW and 33 kW.

The UL-1741 compliant version of these models, specifically designed for the North American market, has also been extended to offer output powers of up to 40 kW.

These string inverters are suitable for immediate rooftop placement and they perform at full capacity no matter the inclination of the structure they are attached to.

This is the INGECON SUN 3Play TLM Series of inverters, noted for their dual MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) as well as their maximum efficiency levels (98.5%) and high performance. For example, this inverter family is suitable for self-consumption systems with no injection of excess energy into the public grid.

Ingeteam has already started to supply these new models to many different markets. The models available until now, with output powers ranging from 10 to 20 kW, are already installed in countries such as Switzerland, Italy, Argentina, Paraguay, France, Australia, Chile, India, El Salvador, Brazil, Mexico, United States and Spain, to mention but a few.

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A critical milestone has been reached in cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell technology, helping pave the way for solar energy to directly compete with electricity generated by conventional energy sources.

Scientists at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) collaborated with researchers at Washington State University and the University of Tennessee to improve the maximum voltage available from a CdTe solar cell, which is a key factor in improving solar cell efficiency.

The research appears in the Nature Energy journal article, “CdTe solar cells with open-circuit voltage breaking the 1 V barrier,” authored by James Burst, Joel Duenow, David Albin, Eric Colegrove, Matthew Reese, Jeffery Aguiar, Chun-Sheng Jiang, Maulik Patel, Mowafak Al-Jassim, Darius Kuciauskas, Santosh Swain, Tursunjun Ablekim, Kelvin Lynn, and Wyatt Metzger.

Silicon solar cells currently represent 90% of the solar cell market, but it will be difficult to significantly reduce their manufacturing costs. CdTe solar cells offer a low-cost alternative. These cells also have the lowest carbon footprint and adapt better than silicon in real-world conditions including hot, humid weather and low light. However, CdTe solar cells have not been as efficient as silicon-based cells until recently.

One key area where CdTe has underperformed is in the maximum voltage available from the solar cell, a measure called open-circuit voltage. The quality of CdTe materials has prevented industry, universities, and national laboratories for the past 60 years from obtaining an open-circuit voltage of more than 900 millivolts on billions of solar cells; the vast majority have been limited to 750 to 850 millivolts.

The research team improved cell voltage by shifting away from a standard processing step using cadmium chloride. Instead, they placed a small number of phosphorus atoms on tellurium lattice sites and then carefully formed ideal interfaces between materials with different atomic spacing to complete the solar cell. This approach improved the CdTe conductivity and carrier lifetime each by orders of magnitude, thereby enabling the fabrication of CdTe solar cells with an open-circuit voltage breaking the 1-volt barrier for the first time. The innovation establishes new research paths for solar cells to become more efficient and provide electricity at lower cost.

The research was funded by the Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative, which aims to make solar cost-competitive with traditional energy sources. It was also supported in part by Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

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Delta Group today announced its participation in SolarReserve’s Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, the world’s largest concentrating solar power plant with integrated molten salt energy storage. A key part of the electricity generation operation, Delta’s solar tracking solution offers industry leading performance and pointing accuracy to help synchronize and manage over 10,000 tracking mirrors, called heliostats. The heliostats reflect the sun’s thermal energy to a receiver tower, resulting in the generation of clean renewable electricity. Now operational, the Crescent Dunes facility can produce more than 500 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year to power 75,000 homes during peak demand periods, even after sunset, using only the power of the sun.

“Delta’s solar tracking solution offers industry leading performance and pointing accuracy, while using less energy to position the heliostats,” said Kevin Smith, SolarReserve’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our team worked closely with Delta’s engineering to develop advanced tracking technology that helps boost overall plant performance.”

“We are pleased to have worked together with SolarReserve on the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, which now generates clean renewable electricity to power 75,000 homes with zero emissions. The project fulfills Delta’s long-standing mission to provide innovative, clean, and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” said M.S. Huang, president of Delta Products Corporation.  “It’s a milestone for Delta in developing total solutions. This successful case uses Delta’s solar tracking automation systems that combine a series of Delta’s advanced technologies.”

Delta’s solar tracking automation systems are developed by its Industrial Automation team, and include programmable logic controllers (PLCs), servo motors, power conversion and networking products, and system management software. Delta’s DVP-Series PLCs offer high-speed, stable, and highly reliable performance for all kinds of industrial automation machinery. Delta’s control system and AC servo motors provide high-speed and high-precision motion control for a wide range of industrial automation applications.

SolarReserve’s 110 megawatt Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project located in Nevada uses 10,347 billboard-sized tracking mirrors called heliostats, each with an on-board Delta solar tracking automation system, to precisely reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a large 100-foot receiver atop a 540-foot tower. Within the receiver, molten salt flows through piping and absorbs the heat from the concentrated sunlight. The collected sun’s thermal energy heats the molten salt to over 1,050°F (566°C). After passing through the receiver, the molten salt flows down the piping inside the tower and into a thermal storage tank, where the energy is reserved as high-temperature molten salt until electricity is needed. The tank holds enough in storage to dispatch up to ten hours of electricity at nameplate capacity. When electricity is needed, even when the sun is not shining, the hot molten salt is used to generate high-quality superheated steam to drive a standard steam turbine.

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