SunPower Corp. announced that its SunPower Helix Roof product, the world’s first fully-integrated rooftop solar solution for commercial customers, can be installed at least two-and-a-half times faster than competing commercial rooftop solar power systems currently available. As measured by DNV GL, a global independent energy expert and certification body, the SunPower Helix Roof ST product is installed at more than 33 panels per installer hour. Leading competitive commercial rooftop systems have publicly reported maximum install speeds of 12 to 13 panels per installer hour.

“The SunPower Helix Roof product delivers value through innovation, benefiting our commercial customers with an exclusive combination of the most efficient solar panels installed at world record speed,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units. “For businesses and organizations choosing SunPower Helix systems, installation time that is two and a half times faster means less business disruption and the opportunity to fast track cost savings and sustainability goals.”

One key feature of the SunPower Helix platform that significantly reduces installation time while enhancing reliability, is a plug-and-play power station – the only one available in the U.S. commercial solar market – that eliminates the need to strip and land wires on site. The Helix Roof system requires 67 percent fewer field connections compared to conventional commercial rooftop systems.

DNV GL conducted a Mounting System Installation Efficiency Test in December 2015 on a 21.6-kW (DC) rooftop system composed of 66 high efficiency SunPower solar panels. The 3-person team of solar installers had no previous experience installing a Helix system.

“With standardized Helix components, we have eliminated the inefficiencies and added costs of complex system design,” added Wenger. “Helix makes the complex simple, allowing our commercial and public agency customers to easily and intelligently manage their energy use and costs and maximize solar power production over the long-term.”

Six out of the top 10 U.S. corporate solar users, as compiled by the Solar Energy Industries Association in 2015, are SunPower customers.

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WINAICO, Taiwan’s largest PV module brand, combines two technologies uniquely available to WINAICO: the micro-crack preventing HeatCap, and structurally reinforced WSP frame, to create a line of typhoon-resistant solar modules specifically for typhoon-prone markets such as Taiwan and Japan. WINAICO also builds on top of their 3 years of PERC expertise to launch a 315 W, 60-cell, monocrystalline PERC module, which reaches a world-leading 18.9% in module efficiency, rivaling the module efficiencies traditionally only achievable by Hetero-Junction (HIT) and other advanced solar cell technologies. WINAICO’s PERC family of modules is complete with an additional polycrystalline PERC module that reaches 280 W, the most efficient polycrystalline module on the market.

Japan is one of the most typhoon-prone countries in the world, affected by more than 30% of the world’s tropical typhoons each year. More than one Category 4 typhoon reaches Japan every year, resulting in severe damages to countless solar installations.

When solar installations are affected by strong winds, the modules are characterised by constant vibrations with sudden impulses of forces acting from both front and rear sides, in alternating fashion. WINAICO has worked with Taiwan’s leading research institute, ITRI, to perform Dynamic Mechanical Load (DML) tests to simulate the effects of strong wind on WINAICO’s HeatCap modules. HeatCap modules have been tested to endure 1000 cycles of 4000 Pa DML tests with no more than 0.18% of power degradation, while the comparison case without HeatCap degraded by 2.32%. The DML criteria of 4000 Pa is comparable to 202 km/h, level 17 intensity wind on the Beaufort scale, similar to a Category 4 typhoon.

WINAICO’s own WSP frame is designed with strength and reliability in mind, and utilises an external L-key construction. Unlike the inner L-key design common in competitors, the WSP frame has no single point of weakness, and has been tested to withstand more than 7200 Pa of static Mechanical Load (ML), far exceeding the 5400 Pa requirement described in IEC 61215.

“Typhoon is a major cause of micro-cracks and field defects in Taiwan installations,” said Dr Jay Lin, Chief Consultant of PV Guider. “WINAICO has combined two micro-crack mitigating technologies to bring a solution that can protect investors’ solar investments against typhoons in Japan.”

“WINAICO combines our patented HeatCap technology with our unique WSP frames to launch a typhoon-resistant product that can protect the solar installations in typhoon-prone markets like Japan. The extreme DML tests we performed with ITRI shows HeatCap can protect our modules in a Category 4 typhoon”, said Soichiro Yonetsu, Managing Director of WINAICO Japan KK. “We are also proud to announce the launch of our world-leading PERC family of modules, with a 315 W monocrystalline PERC module at 18.9% efficiency, and a 280 W polycrystalline PERC module.”

Solar Power World

Vaisala, a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement, has released solar performance analysis revealing that solar irradiance levels were 5% below long-term averages across the southern United States in 2015. The corresponding impact on project performance was felt most notably during the first two quarters, when operators in emerging solar markets, including Texas, saw irradiance levels more than 10% below normal.

While the majority of operational solar capacity in the U.S. is concentrated on the East and West Coasts, the industry has identified the southern U.S., notably Texas, as a region with considerable solar development potential. Over 300 MW of new solar projects were scheduled to come online in Texas in 2015, and a construction boom is anticipated in the coming years as the solar sector looks to emulate the success of wind energy in the region.

In this context, evidence of potential project underperformance may pose an unwelcome obstacle to future growth. 2015 was a wetter than normal year across much of the United States, which was beneficial for states struggling with drought, but not necessarily for the solar industry. Texas and the surrounding area, for example, were hit particularly hard in three of the last four quarters by significantly cloudier conditions than average.

Numerous operational solar sites in the region would have recorded poor performance levels during these months, especially given that many operators and asset managers still do not account for the production impact of weather deviations from long-term conditions when monitoring performance. The situation creates a difficult starting point for an industry trying to get off the ground in a new region.

Vaisala’s 2015 Solar Performance Maps and analysis illustrate the influence of short-term, quarter-by-quarter weather variations on output at U.S. solar projects and places them into a long-term context. This reveals frequent and significant departures from long-term average irradiance conditions and highlights the clear requirement to analyze the effect of solar resource variability on both over and underperformance.

“There was more storm activity than usual this past year,” said Gwendalyn Bender, Solar Energy Product Manager at Vaisala. “Disturbances in the normal upper-level flow patterns in the first half of the year and the onset of a strong El Niño in the second half created particularly wet conditions in the central and western United States.”

“However, the Northeast was spared the impact of last year’s storms with higher than average irradiance most of the year, especially during summer peak load, and the Northwest experienced exceptionally high irradiance conditions.”

Weather patterns like El Niño have a direct impact on power production at solar plants. Vaisala’s solar performance maps highlight why it is particularly critical to weather-adjust power performance at operating facilities using on-site measurements or a regular weather data feed.

Accounting for weather is the vital first step in assessing whether a solar plant is performing as expected. This is particularly important for plants coming online without a benchmark of long-term irradiance variability. In these cases, knowing when solar conditions were well above or below normal avoids a great deal of wasted time and operational budget trying to correct potential equipment problems that simply do not exist.

Furthermore, on a broader scale, irradiance fluctuations illustrate the importance of building a climate resilient portfolio. This involves paying close attention to how weather patterns can vary in different geographies and constructing a diverse portfolio of projects that balances and mitigates their effects on power production. In practice, this might mean building projects in different regions or building some solar and some wind projects in the same region.

Vaisala is an expert in solar measurement, project assessment, and energy forecasting. It acquired 3TIER in 2013, a company that developed the first high-resolution, global solar dataset and has helped secure over US$10 billion in project financing worldwide. For more information on the range of services offered by Vaisala to the renewable energy sector, please visit www.vaisala.com/energy

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Uber Énergies in Montreal, Quebec has entered into a representation agreement with MiaSolé in which Uber Energies will represent MiaSolé in the Canadian market, as well as certain special channels into which Uber Energies has distinct relationships and access.

Uber Energies will sell MiaSolé FLEX modules, the most efficient thin-film lightweight flexible modules on the market today with an efficiency rating of +16%.  MiaSolé FLEX modules bond directly to the roof surface with a simple peel-and-stick adhesive. This adhesive approach eliminates the need for racking and reduces labor and logistics cost to provide a 20% lower BOS cost than traditional glass solar systems. The low-profile FLEX module also provides superior wind resistance and a seismic advantage over traditional rack-and-panel systems where their higher profile increases the likelihood of damage in a storm or earthquake. The FLEX-02 Series module is IEC 61646 & IEC 61730 and UL 1703 certified.

“The addition of the MiaSolé module to our staple of services and products brings to our offerings one of the most unique solar technologies in the world. The ability to benefit from thin film solar module characteristics in our northern climates or for certain off-grid applications is one of the key reasons why we chose to partner with MiaSolé. With over 28 years of experience in solar thin film technologies, Uber Energies team is happy to be bringing such an efficient flex module to the marketplace,” said Sass M. Peress, President of Uber Énergies.

“We are happy to be partnering with Uber Énergies in the promotion of our products in Canada and certain special targets. We believe that in combining our efforts, we’ll maximize the market access for our unique and quality product. Given the Uber team’s vast experience with thin film, we are convinced that we’ve brought on the right go-to-market partner and look forward to our first installations together,” said Anil Vijayendran, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing, MiaSolé.

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DSM, a global company active in health, nutrition and materials, has entered into a commercial alliance with Chinese backsheet producer Suzhou Sunshine New Materials Technology Co. to extend its offering to the solar photovoltaic (PV) market. DSM will exclusively market the Sunshine portfolio of innovative PV backsheet products based on patented Sunshine technology outside China. The partners will jointly operate to serve customers on the Chinese PV market.

Oscar Goddijn, Vice-President of DSM Advanced Surfaces, said: “DSM develops technologies and material concepts that increase the efficiency of solar modules, bringing down the cost of solar energy and helping to accelerate its penetration and its role in the energy mix. With this agreement we now have a great combination of the world’s best-performing anti-reflective coating technology and backsheet films with best-in-class durability and power gain. The combination of these two patented product ranges with our application and market expertise represents a significant step forward in boosting the performance and durability of PV modules in providing renewable energy.”

Backsheet materials protect photovoltaic modules from UV, moisture and other weather conditions. They also provide electrical insulation for the safety of people working with and near the module and internal reflection for enhanced performance.

The backsheets that DSM will bring to the market are made with a patented technology, a combination of co-extrusion and nano-composites, which is unique in the solar market. When compared to existing solutions, DSM backsheets have superior properties, particularly in terms of power output gain and durability.

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The Eclipse Module, Mono 60-cell, 310-W output power.

With an innovative design compared to mainstream 60-cell modules, the Eclipse series, high efficiency solar modules employ innovative module design and a unique production method. The Eclipse Mono (size is similar to a normal 60-cell module) achieves 310-W output power and 19.1% solar energy conversion efficiency. The Eclipse Poly (size is similar to a normal 60-cell module) achieves 290-W output power and 17.1% solar energy conversion efficiency.

The Eclipse utilizes innovative technology to optimize the busbar and module design.

With the overall busbar-free design, the active working area of the module is enlarged, so as to convert more electricity from sunlight to the maximum extent possible. The Eclipse’s generates 50% calorific effect compared to traditional modules, which largely reduces hot spot effects and guarantees continuous electricity generation.

For same size power installations, the Eclipse will save 8% floor space, less labor and BOS cost, and ultimately provide more income to customers.

Seraphim’s General Manager Polaris Li is very confident in Eclipse. “This new technology and design work together to increase overall power output. Using normal cells, the Eclipse increases the conversion rate by 0.5%-4%.”

“When we began work on the on this new solar module, we considered every element that defines a perfect solar module – performance, reliability, heat resistance, PID, price and so on. We then challenged ourselves to find the best, the most forward-looking way possible,” said Global Executive General Manager Justin Xi. “Eclipse is radically different from anything before it. As the slogan says – What you want, is all Behind the Eclipse.”

Solar Power World

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. provider of PV inverters, power optimizers, and module-level monitoring services, announced that it is launching its commercial inverter solution in Japan.

The SolarEdge commercial solution consist of small and light-weight three-phase commercial inverters, sized 24.75kW and 33.3kW for both low and medium voltage connection, P600 and P700 power optimizers, and a cloud-based, module-level monitoring platform. By maximizing power harvesting from each module, enabling longer strings, enhanced safety, and lower O&M costs, the SolarEdge DC optimized inverter solution improves the lifetime value of commercial systems.

“As a top global inverter company, SolarEdge is now launching its commercial inverter solution in the Japanese market,” stated Guy Sella, CEO, Founder, and Chairman of SolarEdge. “Identifying Japan as an important PV market, SolarEdge invested in developing the right products to meet the needs and regulation requirements of the Japanese market.”

“SolarEdge began ten years ago by introducing innovative power optimizer. Today, we offer a full DC optimized inverter solution. Our global track record of 2.5GW of systems shipped, including ten million power optimizers, coupled with a local Japanese team and subsidiary, ideally positions us to launch our commercial solution in the Japanese market,” stated Nobu Fukatsu, SolarEdge’s General Manager of Japan.

SolarEdge inverters have a standard 12 year warranty, extendable to 25 years, 25 year warranty for power optimizers, and its module-level monitoring is free for system lifetime. As part of its commercial solution, SolarEdge offers a wide variety of optional pre and post sales services to support the installation and help ensure lifetime profitability of a SolarEdge commercial system. The SolarEdge commercial solution also includes optional control & communications gateway (CCG) and environmental sensors.

SolarEdge will be presenting its commercial inverter solution for the first time during PVExpo at its booth E52-10 in Hall 6 at PVExpo in Tokyo Big Sight on March 2-4.

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JuiceBox Energy, a privately-held Silicon Valley company committed to providing safe, reliable, intelligent, and connected energy storage, announces its partnership with Bombard Renewable Energy to bring residential solar energy storage to Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Bombard Renewable Energy, a division of Bombard Electric LLC, is one of the leading renewable energy installers in the U.S. with an installed base of more than 130 megawatts, encompassing residential, commercial, and utility customers.

Bombard Renewable Energy completed its first installation of the JuiceBox Energy storage solution in January at a Las Vegas home. The installation includes dual 8.6kWh JuiceBox Energy storage systems (17.2kWh total capacity) and an 11kW solar array. The grid-tied installation, located in NV Energy’s territory, is designed to reduce the amount of energy drawn from the grid and increase the amount of energy consumed on site which is produced by the Solar PV panels. This strategy provides great value of the Solar PV System considering the lower excess energy credit established with the new Net Energy Metering (NEM) regulations by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. This type of Solar PV System installation will also provide backup power in the event of a loss of power from the utility grid.

“The economic model for residential solar changes dramatically with energy storage. Solar panels alone were sufficient when simplified rate structures and generous net metering policies were in place,” said Greg Maguire, Vice President of JuiceBox Energy. ”Unfortunately, net metering policies are changing as solar installations increase, and utilities are reducing the price paid for electricity exported from the house back onto the grid. This dynamic benefits customers who add intelligent energy storage system with their new or existing solar installation.”

“Residential solar is here to stay in Nevada,” said Bo Balzar, Operations Manager of Bombard Renewable Energy. “Bombard is excited to be the first solar installer in the state to join JuiceBox Energy on its intelligent, grid-connected energy storage system. This type of Net Energy Metered Solar PV Power System will allow ratepayers to contribute to the sustainable energy future of Nevada by increasing their use of Renewable Energy, and lowering their costs, for many years to come.”

With residential JuiceBox installations, owners benefit from:

· Real-time monitoring and control through a cellular modem and web interface

· Back-up power in the 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 system is an intelligent, 8.6kWh lithium-ion battery system designed for safe, reliable, long lasting power management. It is designed, engineered, and manufactured by JuiceBox Energy based on their company’s years of automotive lithium ion control systems engineering. The system supports both residential and utility demand response programs where available.

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 interactive 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, wall-mounted UL-rated enclosure.

Solar Power World

AlsoEnergy, a provider of monitoring and SCADA systems for solar PV, is announcing a partnership with Survey Digital, a company specializing in sales, installation & commissioning, and maintenance for solar inverters. Survey Digital has been designated as a certified sales agent and service provider for AlsoEnergy in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

For AlsoEnergy, the top selling independent monitoring provider for commercial PV in North America, this partnership is an opportunity to extend international coverage for sales and support. AlsoEnergy has expanded international offerings over the past several years and the Survey Digital partnership will enable further market penetration in the EMEA region, providing localized sales and services for the AlsoEnergy product line. Survey Digital will also assume frontline support service for the existing AlsoEnergy install base in the EMEA region.

Solar PV customers in this region should contact Survey Digital for sales of AlsoEnergy solutions. Survey Digital will also be offering an incentive package for customers in this region who are interested in migrating existing installations from other third party monitoring solutions to the AlsoEnergy PowerTrack™ platform. For existing AlsoEnergy clients in this area, the partnership will provide access to regional support and services with shorter lead times, lower travel expenses, and local market knowledge.

This partnership allows Survey Digital to expand its range of products and services for the solar market in the EMEA region. Survey Digital currently offers maintenance for central and string inverters throughout the region, along with O&M services for utility scale PV installations. In addition to sales activities, Survey Digital is an authorized regional service provider for many leading inverter manufacturers (this includes Satcon/GreatWall-China, Power-One-USA, Sungrow-China, Santerno-Italy, ABB-Greece, and Fronius-Austria).

“The partnership with Survey Digital is a critical piece of our strategy to expand international coverage for our monitoring and SCADA solutions” says AlsoEnergy CEO Robert Schaefer. “With localized knowledge, extensive inverter expertise, and a wide range of industry certifications, Survey Digital is a trusted partner to sell and support our product line.”

“Survey Digital is excited to be named as a certified sales agent and service provider for AlsoEnergy” says Kostas Daniilidis, Managing Partner of Survey Digital. “We are seeing increased activity in the Middle East and Northern Africa related to new installations. We also see the growing importance of asset management and maintenance in the maturing European solar energy market, so we are pleased to expand our offering with AlsoEnergy’s monitoring software platform. We recognize AlsoEnergy as an international leader for monitoring and control technology.”

Solar Power World

Enphase Energy and Clean Power Finance, which recently completed a merger with Kilowatt Financial to form Spruce Finance Inc., have signed an agreement that makes Enphase a preferred supplier of inverters for Spruce-owned and operated residential solar systems.

Spruce will use Enphase products for more than 20 megawatts of new residential solar in the U.S. over the length of the agreement, offering Spruce customers greater energy production for their solar systems and cost savings on their electricity bills. Solar installers will benefit from the fast, easy installation of Enphase products, as well as their superior reliability and industry-leading warranties.

In addition, Spruce will make the Enphase Envoy-S ® communications gateway the standard for all of Spruce’s Enphase installations. With revenue-grade production metering and consumption monitoring options, the advanced Envoy-S will provide Spruce customers with a platform for total energy management. As part of the Enphase Home Energy Solution, the Envoy-S also offers an entry point for consumers that may want to upgrade their solar installations with energy storage for additional cost savings. Spruce will also use Enphase’s API for its monitoring platform.

“The combination of Spruce’s attractive financing options with Enphase’s smart and easy-to-install technology will help thousands of homeowners save money on their electricity bills,” said Joe Steenbergen, vice president of fulfillment at Spruce.

“Since 2011 Enphase and CPF, and now Spruce, have enjoyed a solid relationship that has helped more than 10,000 families appreciate the benefits of solar, and the recent extension of the federal Investment Tax Credit will help that trend continue,” said Phil Farese, vice president of strategy at Enphase. “Looking forward, standardizing on the Envoy-S will enable homeowners to have the option to add energy storage to their solar in the future and improve their return on investment by further reducing their electricity costs over time.”

Spruce provides financing for residential solar systems in 18 U.S. states, and has raised more than $2 billion in capital to help more than 50,000 homeowners improve their environments, from adding solar to improving water conservation and energy efficiency.

Solar Power World

Electric utilities are facing a variety of challenges because of rising amounts of solar, storage and other distributed energy technologies on their systems. In response, they are speeding their integration planning efforts. That is the finding of a new paper from Black & Veatch and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA)

The “Planning for the Distributed Energy Future” white paper is based on interviews with leaders at five large U.S. utilities. It profiles emerging utility planning practices for distributed energy resources (DERs). These resources include demand response technologies and electric vehicles.

“A growing number of utilities recognize that increased DER penetration will significantly affect the grid,” said Robert Brnilovich, Vice President of Black & Veatch’s Management Consulting business.  “Black & Veatch is working with utilities to rethink their approach to planning. The five-step process outlined in the paper will allow utilities to plan for and act on the growth of distributed technologies.”

The new planning model involves:

• Modeling distribution grid impacts of DERs

• Incorporating regulatory and rate changes into the planning process

• Formulating a business strategy toward DER integration—including any changes to utility operations and organizational structures

“What we see in the field – and this report confirms – is that utilities need to have a deep understanding not only of new distributed technologies, but of their customers’ evolving interests and expectations. Successful planning involves a fine balance of both,” said Julia Hamm, President and CEO of SEPA. “The mix of distributed resources will vary between regions and utilities. The integrated approach in this report can help a broad range of stakeholders unlock the opportunities these technologies offer to develop new products and services that benefit customers and the grid.”

The paper finds that proactive planning has benefits for utilities facing increased DER penetration. It can enable electric utilities to streamline DER deployment and maintain high reliability. They may also be able to take advantage of new opportunities tied to market change.

Notes:

• Planning the Distributed Energy Future is available for download here.

• DER technologies covered in this whitepaper are solar photovoltaics (PV), non-solar distributed generation (DG), energy storage (ES), electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure, demand response (DR), combined heat and power (CHP) and energy efficiency (EE).

Solar Power World

NEXTracker, a Flex company, today announced that it has formed a partnership with Metalogalva to accelerate production of its advanced trackers for projects in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Eastern United States.  Through this partnership, Metalogalva will manufacture essential steel torque tubes and foundations for NEXTracker’s transformational trackers.  This collaboration demonstrates NEXTracker’s strong commitment to partnering with regional suppliers to meet the rapidly growing global demand for its products and services, in addition to meeting local content requirements for different global regions.

“Metalogalva produces high quality steel materials and they have a demonstrated commitment to excellence,” noted Dan Shugar, NEXTracker’s CEO.  “Their proven track record in supplying world-class, precision construction materials will serve our customers well as we rapidly scale solar tracking system deployment in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Eastern U.S. With this partnership, we can reduce material lead time up to 50%.  They’re an ideal partner for us as we meet the growing demand for NEXTracker PV solutions – from the United Arab Emirates to US mid-Atlantic.”

“This new partnership underscores NEXTracker’s ability to realize the significant financial benefits of deploying cost-saving regional supply chain strategies.  PV project developers and investors profit from the rapid component deliveries this new partnership facilitates.  Additionally, working with experienced regional suppliers boosts economic diversification in the region, helping companies such as Metalogalva expand their offerings in the rapidly growing renewables sector,” added Shugar.  To help build NEXTracker’s global presence, the company recently hired Sandor Nagy as SVP of global supply chain; Nagy has extensive supply chain expertise, having worked all over the world during his time at McGraw-Hill and GE.

“We are proud to be establishing this important partnership with NEXTracker,” said António Pedro Antunes, Metalogalva’s COO.  “Not only is their product transforming the solar industry, their strategic thinking and outstanding execution supports a robust and sustainable renewable energy industry.”

NEXTracker will be exhibiting  —and presenting at 12noon local time on March 3rd—  at Solar Middle East conference taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from March 1-3, 2016.  The company will also be showcasing its advanced technology in Solar Middle East’s exhibition hall.

Previously known as NEXTracker SPT, the UL 3703 compliant NX Horizon is a leading solution for commercial, industrial and utility-scale solar power systems, with over 100 MW per week of current shipments. NEXTracker’s fewer foundations and assembly points help mitigate geotechnical risk and accelerate project construction schedules.  With independent rows and high slope tolerance, NX Horizon minimizes site preparation costs while enabling industry-leading power density. NX Horizon’s self-grounding and self-powered design provides valuable savings in labor and materials, while its 120 degree rotational range enables PV systems to take full advantage of high irradiance regions.

Solar Power World

Panasonic Corp. announced it has achieved a photovoltaic module conversion efficiency of 23.8% at research level, a major increase over the previous world record for crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic modules.

The previous record for the conversion efficiency of a crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic module was 22.8%. Panasonic has broken the record for the world highest conversion efficiency by a full percentage point. Panasonic had announced a world’s highest conversion efficiency of 25.6% in its silicon heterojunction cells in April 2014. Herewith, Panasonic holds the world records of conversion efficiency for both crystalline silicon-based solar cells and modules.

Panasonic developed a unique silicon heterojunction structure composed of crystalline silicon substrate and amorphous silicon layers, and has continuously improved its photovoltaic module HIT using silicon heterojunction since the start of commercial production. This new record was achieved by further development of Panasonic‘s proprietary heterojunction technology for high-efficiency solar cells and modules adopting a back-contact solar cell structure.

Going forward, Panasonic will continue to pursue technology development of its photovoltaic module HIT, aimed at realizing higher efficiency, higher reliability and lower costs, and will work towards mass production.

Solar Power World

ILSCO’s extensive offering of wire management solutions includes ILSCON terminals, Cool Seal splices, crimp tools, wire markers, cable ties and mounts.

Our ILSCON terminals are UL Certified and feature an extensive array of configurations, materials, and wire ranges. ILSCO delves into a new realm with the addition of wire markers that include the following types: slide/snap-on, adhesive pre-printed white vinyl labels, as well as cassettes and kits which can be ordered complete. Cable ties and mounts are industry standard and available in a number of different lengths, tensile strengths, and colors.

An ILSCO exclusive is Cool Seal which contains a patented anaerobic sealing gel that works on the premise of oxygen deprivation. As the wires penetrate the gel and enter the splice, air is forced out of the cavity initiating a chemical reaction. By crimping each end, additional oxygen is removed from the area which allows the gel to seal around the splice creating a solid and airtight connection. No heat source is required, and creates a UL Listed connection with a wire range from 10 – 22.

Like all of the products in ILSCO’s family of wire management solutions, Cool Seal will save you time, money, and provide a safer work environment.

Solar Power World

Over 100 college students from ten schools across the country will spend their spring break installing solar for low-income families and getting hands-on workforce training in the solar industry through GRID Alternatives’ Solar Spring Break program.

GRID Alternatives, America’s largest non-profit solar installer, will lead the students in 17 installations across California and Colorado from February 29 through March 25. Now in its third year, the alternative break program creates an opportunity for students to experience solar first-hand and learn about the energy and environmental issues facing low-income communities while gaining a foothold in one of America’s fastest-growing industries. Solar Spring Break has grown from six schools and teams in 2014 to 10 schools and 11 teams in 2016.

“Solar Spring Break gives college students who are passionate about renewable energy the chance to turn passion into action doing projects that have a tangible impact on families’ lives,” said Erica Mackie, CEO and Co-founder of GRID Alternatives.

2016 participants include Arizona State University, Beloit College, Claremont McKenna College, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, University of Michigan, Northeastern University, University of Nevada – Reno, North Carolina Central University, and the University of California – Berkeley.

“The GRID staff taught us more in two days than we had learned in months at school,” said Abhishek Rao, a graduate student at Arizona State University who participated in 2015. “We put into practice all we had studied from textbooks about residential solar systems, from surveying the site, to using tools to determine shading, designing the system, and actually installing it with our own hands. Solar Spring Break definitely added a much-needed real-world perspective to my experience studying solar energy engineering at school.”

Teams of 10-12 students from each school will travel to different project sites around the country and spend the week on a combination of solar installations, renewable energy industry tours, and neighborhood outreach. Two teams of students from the University of Michigan, returning for its third year in the program, will kick off the season from February 29 through March 4 installing solar for three tribal families on the La Jolla Indian Reservation near San Diego and learning about tribal culture.

The group from North Carolina Central University, a historically black university, will install solar on the home of a Sacramento family from March 14 through March 18 in what will be the first trip outside of North Carolina for many of the students. It is one of three schools from North Carolina participating this year.

“North Carolina Central prides itself on requiring undergraduate students to provide service to the community as a pre-requisite for graduation,” said Chris McGinn, Assistant Professor at North Carolina Central University. “As a professor, as well as a chaperone, I look forward to using this trip as a catalyst to develop the students’ understanding of the social and political ramifications solar power and clean energy can have on a community.”

Other highlights include an all-woman engineering team from the University of Nevada, Reno headed to Chico, Calif. March 21-25. Click here for photos from Solar Spring Break 2014-15.

Solar Power World

Trenching to bury cable and wires on a large-scale, ground-mount solar array is generally easy enough. You dig a trench, lay the cable, fill the dirt back in. But trenching comes with its disadvantages. One, it’s dirty. Two, what if you hit rock? Three, those divots love to fill with water and make a muddy mess.

CAB Solar hangers

Cable management systems aren’t just for solar rooftop installations. Both CAB Solar and Snake Tray have products ideal for large ground-mount arrays.

“We have seen excessive labor expenditures burying power cables in restrictive conduit underground when free air transit of cables is more cost efficient and eliminates the need to de-rate the cables’ capacity,” said Snake Tray President Roger Jette. “New paradigms in cable management brought from other industry sectors can make great cost effective solutions. There is no need to bury cables in expensive conduit underground anymore.”

CAB Solar, whose main division CAB Products (The Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped) has manufactured hooks and hangers commonly used to hold aerial cables or traffic signals over intersections, manufactures solar hangers for use along a messenger wire or guy strand strung between piers/supports spaced generally 15 to 20 ft apart.

“Up until a couple years ago most companies trenched their wire and cable, but with trenching you end up with many disadvantages, from water filling up in the trenches to hitting hard rock,” said Allen Smith, general manager for CAB Solar. “With a 6-in. rainfall, all the trenches are full of water. [Hangers] have made life a lot easier for these large utility-scale PV arrays.”

Utility-Grade Solar Snake Tray 

CAB Solar makes dozens of different styles of hangers to hoist solar cables above the ground. The cable size determines which hanger style to use, and Allen said there is no weight limit for the hangers. Hangers easily hook into place and support the solar cables every 12 to 30 in.

“The hangers are made with individual carriers to keep wiring separated,” Allen said. “[Installers] hang the hanger and then load it with wires, and once the wiring is all loaded, just close it up.”

Spacing and positioning of the messenger wire is probably the most important step when using hangers for wire management. Post-installation maintenance must be kept in mind (think weed abatement) and wires must be positioned above any problem areas.

Snake Tray’s cable trays can also attach via a messenger wire, like the Solar Snap Snake Tray for Messenger Wire or the Solar Messenger Wire Snake Tray. The Utility-Grade Solar Snake Tray mounts horizontally to the array. All Snake Tray products are bendable by hand for easy installation and can come in single or double pocket designs.

“Newer systems are asking engineers to carry voltages upwards of 1,000 volts at very high amperages,” Jette said. “Cable management is no longer just a clip and run scenario. Installers need to consider the hazards of unmanaged cable.”

Both CAB Solar and Snake Tray have cable management products that are quick to install, and videos online from both companies show the easy installation process.

Solar Power World

Pika Energy, Inc. announced today the initial closing $2.25 Million of a $3.1 million Series A preferred stock offering. The new funds will allow the power electronics manufacturer to scale up manufacturing and sales of its proprietary technology for integrating distributed resources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) power, with energy storage, the electricity grid and direct current (DC) loads.

The funding round, led by an affiliate of Massachusetts-based Clean Energy Venture Group (CEVG), solidifies Westbrook, Maine-based Pika Energy’s position as an emerging U.S. clean energy manufacturer. The company’s patented approach to DC power electronics which enables the development of “nanogrids,” building-level integrated electricity production and distribution systems, has attracted private equity investments in addition to several major grants from the U.S. Department of Energy.

“Our new funding round is unlocking significant growth and accelerating Pika Energy’s role as a leader in advanced power electronics for distributed energy applications,” said Pika Energy President and CEO Ben Polito. “The future will increasingly be powered by distributed clean energy systems, not the centralized fossil fuel power stations. Pika’s technology ensures those systems are affordable, efficient, simple to install and operate, and ready for widespread adoption. With the support of our community of investors, we’re poised to make clean energy ubiquitous and attractive to a wide range of consumers.”

John Bobrowich and Wanda Reindorf, both partners at CEVG and new board member and observer, respectively, of Pika Energy, commented, “We believe Pika Energy’s solution will be a extraordinary enabler of nanogrid based distributed energy systems of the future, and their proprietary technology, highly experienced staff and emerging partnerships will establish the company as a leader in this massive emerging market. We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to back this team.”

Pika Energy also announced on Wednesday the launch of its new product line for solar-plus-storage applications. The Pika Energy Island™ system uses Pika’s DC bus to enable simple integration of next-generation batteries with solar PV generation, giving homes and businesses a smart, high-efficiency solution for clean energy integration and management.

“The biggest story in the solar industry right now is distributed energy storage,” said Pika Energy Director of Strategic Partnerships Rob Smart. “Our next-generation products are efficiently enabling energy storage and solar PV to communicate with each other in a system that is optimized to meet the needs of our residential, business and OEM customers.”

Pika Energy has received past funding from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Maine Technology Institute and the Small Enterprise Growth Fund. Pika’s private investors include members of the Maine Angels and eCoast Angels.

Solar Power World

Solar Power World

Solar Power World

GameChange Racking announced that is has received an order from a leading nationwide developer/installer for a 23 MW Genius Tracker single axis tracker system to be installed in the western United States in the second quarter for a leading regional utility.

Derick Botha, VP of Business Development for GameChange Racking, stated: “The Genius Tracker is rapidly gaining market share because it substantially improves the economics for solar projects using single axis trackers due to its cost effective design and rapid installation time as well as superior power density and performance.”

Genius Tracker features:

• Breakthrough technology enables lowest cost and highest reliability tracker with fastest install and lowest O&M cost
• Fastest installing tracker: 10 person crew installs 1.2MW trackers and panels per week
• Highest power density of any single axis tracker, 99.3% panel density on rows vs. 94.0% best competitor
• Robust linear actuator drive system has 40 year operating life and is IP 66 rated for operation in harsh environmental conditions
• Tru3D-Gimbal™ bearings account for pile installation being out of plumb, out of azimuth and out of vertical and east-west alignment
• Every drive actuator has its own battery backup and wirelessly linked controllers, eliminating all trenching
• Self-powered rows eliminates central drive allow for uninterrupted grass cutting and panel washing

Solar Power World