TMEIC will be exhibiting at Solar Power International, October 20 – 23 in Las Vegas, which it will display its newest product – the 1.667-MW Solar Ware Samurai inverter.

The Samurai’s new thermal solution offers a cooling system designed for the desert environment, with an operating range of 605~ 950V. Other features include:

• Advanced multilevel inverter – 56% of switching loss reduction
• Maximized and optimized efficiency at high load
• Wide MPPT range allowing for best-in-class DC/AC ratios
• Flexible DC-input configuration to meet complex array configuration
• Power factor control
• Reactive/Active power control
• Fault ride through
– Voltage ride through (low voltage ride through)
– Frequency ride through
• TMIEC’s proprietary anti-islanding technique utilizes a slip mode
frequency shift method

Come see the inverter at TMEIC’s booth #2727 and learn about TMEIC’s other solutions for photovoltaics including additional inverters, monitoring systems and energy storage.

Solar Power World

Exosun, a leading provider of solar tracking technologies for utility-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) plants, has signed an agreement with La Compagnie du Vent, GDF SUEZ Group, to supply solar trackers and associated engineering support services  for a 12 MWp PV plant situated in the center of France.

Exosun’s Exotrack HZ

The plant will be installed over 43.2 acres near the city of Tulle, in the Corrèze region, and is expected to produce 14,355 MWh per year, corresponding to the annual electricity needs of 8000 people.

As project owner, developer and construction contractor, La Compagnie du Vent has selected Exosun to supply and commission 66 horizontal single-axis solar trackers, Exotrack HZ, carrying 36,674 PV panels.  This innovative technology – simple and low-cost to install, operate and maintain – orients PV panels toward the sun to increase the plant’s energy production up to 25% in comparison to fixed-tilt structures.

In addition, Exosun will accompany La Compagnie du Vent in the construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance phases of the project in order to ensure optimal tracker performance and maximal plant production. Exosun will also provide its client with tracker installation and O&M trainings.

Tracker installation will start April 2015 with commissioning scheduled for the third quarter of 2015.

This new project, winner of the first French call for tenders for large-scale PV installations, consolidates Exosun and La Compagnie du Vent’s partnership which began in 2012 with a first plant in Corsica, France, followed by the construction of the biggest PV plant equipped with solar trackers located in South-West France.

Exosun reinforces its leading position on the French market with this new contract signature, representing the 11th project for the company in France. The company has sold more than 220 MWp of solar trackers in France following the first and second round of the French call for tenders. Exosun also continues its activities internationally, including a tracker supply project for a 37 MWp PV plant situated in California, USA.

Exosun
www.exosun.net

Solar Power World

Shunfeng Photovoltaic and Greenfield Solar have entered into an alliance with German-based clean energy financing and investment group youmex to finance and sell their solar farm projects pipeline in Great Britain using Suntech Power as its exclusive PV panel supplier for projects.

“We believe that this alliance will serve as another catalyst for growth in the UK’s solar market,” says Eric Luo, CEO of Suntech. Luo, who is also responsible for Shunfeng Photovoltaic International’s acquisition strategy, added that “through our partnership, Suntech and Shunfeng will be able to look at other acquisitions in the market as part of our strategy to become the largest integrated clean energy supplier globally.”

In the alliance, Greenfield will provide EPC services, while youmex will arrange construction loans and long-term project financing as well as selling the PV solar power plants to investors.

“With its fully integrated transaction management of these three tasks, youmex speeds up and assures the whole process of financing and sales for one of the largest PV pipelines in UK,” says Kai Hartmann, head of Corporate & Structured Finance at youmex group. “We are very thrilled to be part of the alliance that unites the core competencies, experiences and strengths of these three complementary partners.”

“Together with the expertise of Suntech and youmex, our alliance is well-positioned to solidify a strong presence within the UK’s solar PV market,” says Helmut Kube, managing director of Greenfield.

Among its many products for utility-scale projects, Suntech produces 60 Cell polycrystalline modules, which are excellent for weak light performance markets such as the UK and are manufactured with advanced cell technology material making them highly resistant to Potential Induced Degradation (PID), thus allowing for high performance under extreme conditions for many years, says the company.

“We have great confidence in the quality and sustainability of our products for these projects,” says Luo. “Our polycrystalline silicon modules recently ranked above industry standards in a technical review conducted by UK-based consultancy OST Energy and received the VDE-Quality Tested certification, which recognizes high quality products that go beyond existing standards in the photovoltaic industry.”

Here’s a look at what else is happening in the UK:

Hanwha Q CELLS, AGR To Power Plant in UK

Trina Solar to Develop 49.9MW Solar Power Plant in UK

ReneSola To Supply 22 MW For UK Solar Projects

ModSolar Expands To Germany, Australia And The UK

Solar Power World

One of the latest advancements in solar inverters is three-phase string inverters for the small-to-medium commercial market.

This innovation is in response to residential applications having single-phase electricity, while commercial buildings often have three-phase systems. As Verena Sheldon, senior manager of field applications at Advanced Energy explains, three-phase electric power means having three single phases synchronized and offset by 120°. Each of three conductors in the system carries an alternating current of the same frequency and voltage.

“Three-phase electric power is commonly used for power generation, transmission and distribution,” she says. “It is more cost effective than a single-phase or two-phase system with the same voltage, mostly because of savings in conductor material. Most commercial and industrial systems in North America connect to a three-phase service.”

Until now, installers have used three single-phase inverters or a small central inverter for most commercial applications, but manufacturers are starting to offer a single three-phase string inverters. This offers a variety of benefits.

“Using three-phase inverters ensures that the power fed into the grid is distributed evenly among the phases, creating a balanced system,” Sheldon says. “Single-phase inverters can only create a balanced system when used in sets of three with equal total power rating per phase.”
“The local utility interconnection standards typically set a maximum value for phase imbalances, since large imbalances between the phases can cause instabilities,” she adds. “Labor and material cost for inverters, balance-of system equipment and wiring is significantly higher with three, single-phase inverters compared to one three-phase model.”

Ben Marcus of Sungrow North America also stresses the benefits of using a single three-phase inverter. “If you had three separate inverters, you could have different production for each, especially if some of the modules are shaded and feed only one inverter,” he says. “Lower production on one inverter would effectively lower the output of the entire system.”

“If the difference is substantial enough, it could cause the entire system to shut down,” Marcus adds. “It could also take longer for systems to get enough voltage to start up in the morning, and they might shut down earlier in the evening. Additional communication and protection devices would be required if you used three, single-phase inverters.”

Marcus notes that using three-phase string inverters has been common practice in Europe — even in utility projects — whereas the United States is just starting to pick up the technology.

“Part of the reason is that string-level monitoring is more common in Europe,” Marcus says. “This feature is more standard with three-phase strings, while typically it’s optional on central inverters.”

But Marcus says the United States is now beginning to see three-phase strings on multi-megawatt ground-mounted projects as well.

“As transformerless three-phase string inverter technology has matured, prices have come down and efficiency has increased,” he says. “These inverters have lower installation costs versus centrals, are light-weight — so they don’t require cranes of forklifts — and can further increase production with multiple power point trackers.”

“On the operations and maintenance side, entire units can be swapped out quickly without highly trained technicians,” Marcus says. “You can even have some spares on site.”

Solar Power World

Building on the President’s Climate Action Plan and the Administration’s effort to diversify the U.S. energy portfolio and cut energy waste, the Energy Department announced a series of executive actions to expand the deployment of renewable energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Altogether, these measures will bring the U.S. closer to its clean energy future, while protecting the environment and helping Americans save money by saving energy.

Additionally, 5 new state, local and regional organizations are joining the Better Buildings High Performance Outdoor Lighting Accelerator, bringing the Department closer to exceeding the goal to replace more than 500,000 outdoor lighting poles with more efficient ones by 2016. The new partners are:

• Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
• Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office
• Southern California Regional Energy Office
• Portland, Maine
• Flint, Michigan

Efficiency Standard for Commercial Air Conditioners Proposed

Building on the effort to help Americans save money by saving energy, the Department issued a proposed energy efficiency conservation standard for commercial unitary air conditioners, often used in commercial and industrial buildings. If finalized as proposed, the standard would save 11.7 quads of energy over the lifetime of units shipped over 30 years, the largest energy savings estimated for any efficiency standard issued by the Department to date, while also potentially helping to cut more than 60 million metric tons of carbon pollution by 2030. The standard could expected to save consumers nearly $10 billion on their energy bills through 2030.

Under the Obama Administration, the Energy Department has finalized new efficiency standards for more than 30 household and commercial products, including dishwashers, refrigerators and water heaters, which are estimated to save consumers nearly $450 billion and cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 2 billion metric tons through 2030. The Administration is committed to building on this momentum by continuing to establish new efficiency standards that – when combined with the progress already underway – will reduce carbon pollution by at least 3 billion metric tons by 2030, equivalent to more than a year’s carbon pollution from the entire U.S. electricity system.

A Fact Sheet on White House Announcements can be found HERE

Solar Power World

Fortune Energy President Jack Meng announced the company will now be carrying Hanwha Q CELLS’ solar panels.

Hanwha Q CELLS is part of the Hanwha Group and a European photovoltaics company. Q CELLS solar panels will be the newest brand member of Fortune Energy’s Top Tier wholesale solar panel selection. Fortune Energy is a solar distributor and supplier, bringing high quality wholesale solar/PV products directly to solar industry professionals.

Q CELLS’ proprietary solar cells and modules are developed at its headquarters in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. Modules are manufactured in different factories in Europe as well as Asia ensuring a flexible production set-up.

Q CELLS modules feature an outstanding performance ratio even under low-light conditions, with only a 2% efficiency loss at 200 W/m2. Additionally, optimized temperature behavior guarantees reliable yields in hot weather or with increased module temperatures.

These favorable parameters result in outstanding real-world performance: Q CELLS polycrystalline panels received Photon Magazine’s award for Best Polycrystalline Solar Module 2013 in a ranking of 151 panels from 119 manufacturers around the world. A maximum degradation rate of only 0.6% per year places them in the top tier of long term durability and performance. Standard industry size and electrical specs for a 60 cell module make them highly compatible with similar, existing panels or ideal for a brand new array.

Q CELLS panels carry UL and CE certification making them viable for installations just about anywhere.

Solar Power World

Soltage-Greenwood announced the official commissioning of a 2.7-megawatt (MW) solar power system located on Casella Waste Systems’ Coventry, Vermont landfill site.

The array is the largest solar project built on a landfill site in Vermont, and is expected to generate three million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually from more than 9,000 solar panels. Energy will be sold through a 25-year power purchase agreement to Vermont Electric Power Producers Inc. (VEPP Inc.), a purchasing agent appointed by the Vermont Public Service Board under Vermont’s Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development (SPEED) Standard Offer Program.

“We are pleased to announce the completion of this solar facility on the Coventry landfill site,” said Jesse Grossman, Soltage Co-Founder and CEO. “The Coventry project is an excellent example of how solar technology can provide affordable and reliable power to domestic energy consumers.”

The solar array is located on the buffer zone for Vermont’s only active landfill, and was designed and constructed by Borrego Solar Systems Inc. Soltage-Greenwood brought the project from shovel-ready to commissioned status, and invested capital financing for the project as part of a previously announced $40 million investment in solar power by a consortium of investors led by John Hancock and the Libra Group.

“We’re excited to officially commission the Coventry solar power plant and add new solar power capacity in Vermont,” said Camilo Patrignani, Greenwood Energy CEO. “This project demonstrates how renewable energy can succeed when access to upfront capital and a turnkey development approach are paired with supportive government policy.”

Casella Waste Systems, which owns the Coventry landfill, was the original development partner on this solar power system project. When combined with Casella’s existing 8MW on-site methane-to-energy facility, all available property is now being used to generate clean power.

“This project illustrates the spirit of collaboration at its best,” said Joe Harrison, project developer at Borrego Solar, a Solar Power World Top 400 Contractor. “All parties had an eagle eye on getting the project completed and brought online as quickly and smoothly as possible.”

Solar Power World

ILSCO announces a new product line – BPad solar bonding connectors with an exclusive Viritium plating process.

This Viritium green plating process designates the ground points when these connectors are installed. Solar bonding washers (type SBW), clips (type SBC), and jumper cables (type SBJ) are manufactured from 300 series stainless steel to ensure maximum strength and durability. Approved for use with anodized aluminum, mill finished aluminum, and galvanized steel rack mounting systems. Conical contact points penetrate the mounting surface to create a solid bond. The BPad offering is UL 2703 Recognized as well as UL 467 Listed for grounding and bonding.

ILSCO celebrates 120 years of service to the industry in 2014 and continues to make strides as a component manufacturer to the solar industry.

Learn more at http://www.ilsco.com/

Solar Power World

SunEdison, in partnership with BlueWave Capital of Boston, recently completed a 1.8 MW solar power plant constructed on a remediated EPA Superfund site in New Bedford, Mass.

The system was developed on approximately 10 acres of land on the remediated Sullivan’s Ledge landfill site and represents another significant step towards meeting the City of New Bedford’s goal to satisfy 60% of their electricity needs from solar power. The City of New Bedford is the owner and host of the site and will purchase the net metering credits generated from the system.

“Projects like Sullivan Ledge demonstrate the opportunities that can be achieved through solar,” says Steve Raeder, SunEdison’s managing director of sales. “Working on a Superfund site can be challenging, but together with BlueWave Capital we successfully transformed a site that was once used to dispose of hazardous materials into a model solar project that will provide energy savings to the City of New Bedford for years to come.”

SunEdison partnered with BlueWave Capital to develop the project, arranged construction financing and permanent financing for the project, and managed local partners to provide EPC services. This project marks the second of three solar projects that SunEdison and BlueWave have developed for the City of New Bedford, a community that has been recognized nationally as being a leader in renewable energy.

“Sullivan’s Ledge marks the latest chapter in the New Bedford solar success story,” says John DeVillars, the managing principal of BlueWave Capital and the former regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. “We are proud to have been a part of an exceptional team of professionals from the City, the EPA, the Massachusetts DEP and, of course, SunEdison. This team has done a masterful job on an extraordinarily challenging project.”

In addition to owning and hosting the site, the City of New Bedford signed a 20-year net credit purchasing agreement with SunEdison at rates that will significantly reduce its electricity costs. The savings generated from the Sullivan’s Ledge system are estimated to total over $76,000 annually and $1.8 million dollars over the term of the agreement.

“My administration is dedicated to furthering the City of New Bedford’s commitment to improving our city through solar projects such as Sullivan’s Ledge,” says Mayor Mitchell of New Bedford. “Not only does the new system reduce energy costs, it also deepens community awareness of the many solar opportunities available.”

Solar Power World

Radian Generation (RadianGEN), a provider of ongoing solar asset management and consulting services, recently entered into an asset management agreement with Renewable Energy Trust Capital (RET Capital) for 44 MW of solar projects in California.

RadianGEN will provide financial asset management, contract administration, compliance and technical oversight service for the two utility scale projects owned by RET Capital. RadianGEN is a member of QuietStream Financial’s portfolio of asset management service providers that work together in the commercial real estate, renewable energy and affordable housing investment sectors.

Given the contractual obligations demanded by utilities, RET Capital has brought RadianGEN on board for its approach and experience in managing solar projects effectively and efficiently. RadianGEN provides the comprehensive management necessary to ensure that RET Capital’s solar projects will perform and deliver the expected return on investment.

“RadianGEN and its leadership team have a solid track record of providing comprehensive solutions for asset management and we look forward to working with the team on these solar generation sites,” says John Bohn, CEO of RET Capital.  “Their experience and approach will ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of our portfolio management.”

RET Capital is a privately held company that makes sponsor equity investments in solar PV power generation facilities. RET Capital works closely with its asset partners – project developers, EPC providers, IPPs and utilities – to acquire projects with long-term contracted cash flows. The RET Capital team assists its asset partners in meeting their objectives through innovative structuring and design of portfolio acquisition and joint ownership opportunities.

“RET Capital is building a leading and competitive investment platform for the renewable energy industry,” says Chad Sachs, CEO of RadianGEN. “We have been impressed by their ability to source, diligence and execute on project opportunities in the sector.  We are excited to support RET Capital’s growth in the utility scale solar sector.”

Want more? Try these articles:

RadianGEN Provides Services To Dominion

How Consultants Can Save Your Projects

Solar Power World

System reliability is always paramount and Bakersfield 111 Solar Park presents industry-leading tracker manufacturer, Array Technologies, Inc. (ATI) and ET Solar’s turn-key solar financial solutions provider, ET Capital, with an interesting case in point. Not only does the 1.8 MW DC facility need to operate properly in the extreme temperatures of the desert-like summers typical of the San Joaquin Valley, but also withstand winds in excess of 105 MPH. Given these conditions, not just any tracking or racking system would do.

The DuraTrack HZ single-axis solar tracker was chosen to meet the reliability requirements for Bakersfield 111 Solar Park. The advanced tracking system is designed to withstand site wind gusts, in this case of up to 110 MPH, without the need to stow. In addition, the DuraTrack HZ’s closed, rotating gear drive system can withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures in excess of 124° F. Another key feature is the DuraTrack HZ’s ability to minimize failure points by linking up multiple rows of modules with a flexible driveline. Since each motor drives approximately 17 rows of 60 modules each, the Bakersfield 111 Solar Park employs only 6 motor units to track more than 6,000 ET Solar 300W photovoltaic modules.

With outstanding environmental adaptability, cost-effectiveness and superior performance, ET Solar’s photovoltaic modules satisfy the demand of customers, and bring more returns and benefits for them. More importantly, ET Capital’s tailor-made financial solutions greatly minimize the potential financing risks of Bakersfield 111 Solar Park, and ensure the implementation of project progress as planned.

“Working alongside ET Capital has been a positive and eye-opening experience,” explained ATI Founder & CEO, Ron Corio. “Their impressive portfolio and skilled team have been integral to the formation and development of this project.”

“ATI’s differentiated technology and excellent tracking system will be valued by our customers,” said Dennis She, President and CEO of ET Solar, “The collaboration with ATI enables us to deliver safe and green solar electricity on an even broader basis.”

Once completed, Bakersfield 111 Solar Park will feed into Pacific Gas & Electric’s electricity grid.

Array Technologies
arraytechinc.com

ET Solar
http://www.etsolar.com

ET Capital
http://www.etcapital.us

Solar Power World

Marathon Special Products recently added the Mini Bulk Fastening Power Block (Mini BFPB) to its Power Terminal Block product line. This addition will fill a void in the market for UL approved terminal blocks to distribute power at high amperage and voltage levels in a smaller footprint, says the company.

The Mini BFPB is available in multiple configurations to suit individual requirements. This product is ideal for power distribution options when terminating flexible stranded wire with crimp lugs or flexible bus bar. It accommodates din rail spacing, is available in 750 and 1500 amp models, and the modular construction allows for assembly of one or more terminal positions.

The Mini BFPB is suited for use across multiple industries including industrial controls, commercial HVAC, solar, and oil and gas. This product offers SCCR 25 kA rating with no over current protection device. Hinged covers are also available for added safety.

Want more? Try these articles:

Marathon Special Products’ Solar Fuse Holder Terminates To Standard Bus Bar

2014 Trends: Solar System Components

Solar Power World

The Double Stud XL Flashing from Zilla.

A new patented Double Stud XL Flashing from Zilla is designed for attachment to sheathing or structural members allowing for faster, flexible and aesthetically pleasing solar mounting installations on pitched composition roofs.

Building on the strength and versatility of the popular Zilla Double Stud Flashing, the Zilla Double Stud XL Flashing provides for our most flexible installation ever. By allowing attachment to sheathing, time, effort and energy are saved by removing the need to search for and attach to the roof structure.

Features include:

Patented base plate design with multiple attachment points provides speed and flexibility in the field for securing to sheathing or structural members

Low profile patented design incorporates a metal-to-metal compression zone that creates a complete water tight seal while ensuring integrity of the structure during expansion and contraction

Compatible with Zilla flush mount system or any solar mounting system of your choice

Read more here.

Solar Power World

Fluent Home,  provider of home automation and security products, has begun a partnership with Sunrun, a residential solar contractor. This partnership will bring the best of the home security and solar energy worlds together under one roof for California residents.

Graham Wood, President of Fluent Home, explains the motivation for expanding into the solar market: “We’ve seen incredible growth in the solar industry in just a few short years and we wanted to bring the benefits of solar energy to our customers. Partnering with Sunrun and creating the “Fluent Solar” division allows us to combine our expertise in the home with the glowing reputation of Sunrun’s products and services to consumers across North America.”

With the combination of Fluent Solar and Sunrun, homeowners can attain solar energy with no upfront costs and have state-of-the-art solar panels installed on their home. If eligible, a customer will simply sign a contract that allows Sunrun to install panels on their roof, essentially leasing the roof space. The customer then pays for their utilities to Sunrun at a fixed rate all year round at a discount of up to 30% of customary utility prices, regardless of the weather conditions.

Fluent has a unique approach to bringing solar energy solutions to the home. Fluent’s sales model has always focused on creating a personal customer service experience right in the comfort of customers’ own homes. Courtesy of Sunrun’s amazing solar products, Fluent plans to create a home that’s not only better for the environment but also better for the family.

Solar Power World

INGECON SUN POWERMAX U

Ingeteam has reached 75 MW in PV inverters supplied to the United Kingdom. This figure started with just three 5-MW solar plants in the county of Cornwall, in the south-east of England. Moreover, the operation and maintenance agreements signed by Ingeteam in Full Service modality exceed 40 MW.

Almost all the units supplied were INGECON SUN PowerMax central inverters with power outputs of more than 1 MW. Thanks to their maximum efficiency rating (99.1%).

Most of the inverters were supplied inside some Power Stations, equipped with all the items and devices required to ensure the LV/MV transformer requirements. The power station also guaranteed the safety and protection for human beings and electrical equipment alike.

José Luis González, the Sales Director of the Ingeteam Solar Area stated that “we’re really pleased with the results obtained and with the good performance of our equipment in the United Kingdom. This market has gradually gone from strength to strength over the last few years and we hope that we’ll have the opportunity to continue to play a part in its future development”.

This year, Ingeteam is to be present for the first time in the leading solar energy trade fair in the United Kingdom: Solar Energy UK, to be held from the 14th to 16th October (Stand #A34, Hall 3).

Here, Ingeteam is to showcase the INGECON SUN 3Play, its new three-phase inverters for commercial facilities and large PV plants. These inverters feature a power output range from 10 to 20 kW and have maximum efficiency levels of 98.5%.

Likewise, visitors to the fair will also have the opportunity to view the inverters installed in almost all the plants operating in the United Kingdom with Ingeteam’s technology. Namely the INGECON SUN PowerMax, with four power blocks and an output power of 1,070 kVA.
As far as the domestic sector is concerned, Ingeteam is to exhibit its new family of single-phase inverters, the INGECON SUN 1Play, with a power output range from 2.5 to 6 kW, and maximum efficiency levels of 98.4%, thanks to its dual MPPT input.

Solar Power World

Polar Racking’s PRU ground mount accommodates all types of foundations, solar modules, array orientations and string sizes. As part of Polar Racking’s complete ground mount solution, the company offers many services including site surveys, project engineering, foundation design and supply.

Polar Racking’s PRU ground mount

Features include:

• Turn-key solution for your project which includes: geotech testing, foundation design, site pull tests, foundation supply + installation and racking design + installation
• Foundation design solution for every soil type with corresponding and compatible rack
• 2.5″ adjustability in all direction with up to 2 degrees in angularity
• Tilt angle range between 5 to 45 degrees
• Integrated bonding and wire management
• Various hardware and bonding option to suit every project’s budget
• Pre-panelization option to lower installation time and labor costs

Polar Racking also has systems available for the following applications.

Roof top:

• PRB – All new ballasted roof top solution that is easy to install and competitively priced
• PRR – All new rail design that allows for faster installs with its snap-in place components and integrated bonding
• PR2 – Flat roof ballasted grid connection system. Perfect for roofs with low capacity and cold weather installations

Ground mount:

• PRU – Utility scale ground mount racking, turnkey solutions with any type of foundation, custom designed for your project requirements
• PRP – Solar Carport system with integrated wire management and drainage is highly configurable, easy to assemble and cost effective

Learn more here from Polar Racking or visit their SPI booth at #3509.

Solar Power World

HatiCon Solar

HatiCon Solar has introduced its UL-467 listed HatiBond splice technology. Speed and ease of solar PV installations are drastically improved with the use of this splice, according to the company.

The new technology installs instantly with no tools, cutting, drilling or hardware. Insert the splice into two HatiCon Solar rails to create a structural and electrically bonded connection; no bonding lugs or copper wired required. The revolutionary HatiBond splice technology improves the speed and ease of PV installations, saving time and cutting costs. HatiBond splices are now available for purchase.

HatiCon Solar will be presenting HatiBond technology at this year’s Solar Power International (SPI) conference. Attendees can get up close and personal with hands on product demonstrations and see for themselves how this product can transform the way PV mounting systems are installed.

Just for stopping by the HatiCon Solar booth (#2515) attendees can enter to win an Apple iPad Mini. HatiCon Solar is focused on designing simpler, faster and better PV mounting systems and components.

HatiCon Solar
www.haticonsolar.com

Solar Power World

A new solar project in Silver Lakes, a planned community of more than 3,000 residences in San Bernardino County, Calif., will be the first to take advantage of Southern California Edison’s new NEMA program. A revolutionary step forward for distributed solar generation, this program allows a utility customer, such as Silver Lakes’ homeowners association, to use electricity from a solar facility on its property to offset electricity usage from multiple meters located on contiguous properties owned or leased by the customer.

The planned Silver Lakes solar project.

Clean power generated by the 831-kW PV system will offset electricity consumed by Silver Lakes’ community amenities, such as pools, clubhouses, restaurants and sports facilities. Construction will commence in October, with completion expected by the end of the year.

The project was developed by SK Solar, who gave shape to the unique net metering opportunity, pulling together various partners to create a viable solution for engineering, permitting, financing and ultimately, construction. As one important piece of the puzzle, Silver Lakes has entered a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Pacific Power Renewables, which will allow the homeowners association to see savings in the first year of solar production. Throughout the life of the PPA, Silver Lakes will experience total estimated savings of over $3 million thanks to this innovative net metering program and PPA set-up.

“Pacific Power Renewables is proud to be part of this unique project, pioneering a new aggregate metering tariff with SCE,” stated Dan Powell, CEO of Pacific Power Renewables. “PPR is providing the construction finance, long term ownership and management of this high tech solar array and we’re looking forward to a long term PPA partnership with the great community of Silver Lakes.”

“The Silver Lakes Association is excited to partner with SK Solar, and our investment partner Pacific Power Renewables, to insure energy reliability and affordability into the future,” stated Greg Heldreth, President of Silver Lakes Association (SLA). “Following the solar project installation and interconnection, the reduction in current and projected future electricity bills are estimated conservatively to be $1.5M to $3.5M over 20 years. These savings represent an important opportunity for SLA to control future assessment increases by offsetting increasing electrical energy costs with clean, quiet, and efficient solar energy.”

Leading solar development company SK Solar will also build the project, which will feature 315-watt Sunmodule XL 72-cell solar panels from SolarWorld mounted on DuraTrack HZ single-axis trackers, customized with a 60° range of motion, from Array Technologies, Inc. (ATI).

Boris von Bormann, CEO of SK Solar, Inc., said, “We at SK Solar are excited to stand behind this great project for the community of Silver Lakes. We are thrilled in bringing all the pieces together to make this project a success, starting with Silver Lakes Association as the client who will be benefiting of the solar installation’s yearly energy output to cover almost 80% of their energy usage, involving Pacific Power Renewables as the financing arm of the project and ultimately getting quality partners involved such as SolarWorld and Array Technologies to ensure reliable and excellent equipment. This project has proven to be a great step for everyone involved. We are thrilled to serve the community of Silver Lakes and proud to be bringing them closer to producing clean energy for the next generation to come.”

Silver Lakes Solar Project will become a highly visible symbol of California’s commitment to an economy propelled by competitive, reliable, and clean energy resources. The power plant will serve as an instrument for learning how to integrate solar energy into a complex power system via net aggregate metering.

“This revolutionary aggregate net metering program will allow cutting-edge companies and associations, such as Silver Lakes Association, to take advantage of electricity cost savings provided by solar energy at a long-term levelized cost of electricity,” indicated Ron Corio, CEO and Founder of ATI. “Array Technologies is pleased to be a part of this project and contributing the solar trackers that will provide smooth and continuous production throughout the day, including high-energy demand hours.”

The solar arrays at the Silver Lakes site are capable of generating over 1.8 million kilowatt-hours per year, more than enough to power over 300 homes and to offset 2,887,121 lbs of CO₂ annually for the next 20 years. The system is scheduled to be interconnected by the end of the year.

About Silver Lakes Association:

Silver Lakes Association is nestled in the quiet oasis of the Mojave River Valley, located in Southern California.  A master planned community comprised of 3,459 residential properties with 2,726 lots currently built, the community offers a 27-hole championship golf course, two shimmering lakes, sandy beaches, shady parks, an equestrian center, tennis courts, fine dining, fitness facilities and miles of scenic landscape.

Silver Lakes gives families, youth, and seniors alike, quality, affordability, recreation and security in an upscale setting.  Residents enjoy a hassle-free high desert resort lifestyle with clean air and picturesque vistas. Everyday comforts such as restaurants, an elementary school, middle school, high school, shopping, gasoline, and hair salons are within walking distance.  A year-round playground for all who enter, this resort atmosphere presents the ideal escape from metropolitan costs, congestion, and crime.

About SK Solar:

Founded in 2003, SK Solar has designed and installed over 100MW of solar systems internationally. Building on the company’s experience in wind and hydro power, SK Solar has been helping customers be more successful by offering technologies that improve solar production and systems that deliver long-term financial benefits. SK Solar provides home owners in the residential market as well as business owners in the commercial segment viable options to save money on their electric bills as well as define the right energy strategy for the long-term. For more information visit www.sksolar-usa.com and connect with us on Facebook.

About Pacific Power Renewables, INC.:
Pacific Power Renewables, INC (PPR), of Auburn, CA  is a leading solar project developer and PPA provider for large energy users. We develop, build, finance, and operate solar power systems. Since 2002, Pacific Power Renewables has installed over 100 plants that combine to produce more than 20 megawatts of clean, efficient solar energy. www.pacpower.biz

SolarWorld REAL VALUE:

SolarWorld manufactures and sells solar power solutions and in doing so contributes to a cleaner energy supply worldwide.  As the largest solar producer in the United States and Europe, SolarWorld employs about 3,200 people and carries out production in Hillsboro, Ore., and Freiberg and Arnstadt, Germany.  From the raw material silicon to solar wafers, cells and panels, SolarWorld manages all stages of production ‒ including its own research and development.  The company maintains high social standards at all locations across the globe and is committed to resource- and energy-efficient production.  Headquartered in Bonn, Germany, SolarWorld was founded in 1998 and has been publicly traded on the stock market since 1999. For more information, visit www.solarworld-usa.com.

About Array Technologies:

Array Technologies is the worldwide market leader in tracking solutions for utility, commercial and residential solar electric systems, with more than 2 gigawatts shipped and installed across the globe. Array’s innovation and leadership in ground mount fixed-rack and solar tracker design has established the industry standard for cost-effective, robust, reliable and easy to install PV solutions with over two decades of field experience. Headquartered in Albuquerque, NM, Array Technologies’ ground mount solutions are engineered and manufactured in the USA. For more information about Array Technologies, Inc., please visit arraytechinc.com, connect with us on LinkedIn, follow us on G+ and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Solar Power World

Groundbreaking for the Houghton solar project.

Houghton College in Houghton, New York, has broken ground on a 2.5-MW solar energy installation that will provide more than half of the school’s electricity consumption and reduce its energy costs by approximately 46%. Expected to be completed in December, this installation will be the largest solar project on a college campus in Western New York and one of the largest in the entire state.

The project was designed and will be built by Borrego Solar Systems, a designer, developer, and installer of grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (as well as a Solar Power World Top 400 Contractor), and is financed by General Energy Solutions (GES), a global solar module manufacturer, system financier and owner, through a power purchase agreement (PPA) that covered all upfront costs. The system will generate an estimated 2.9 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in its first year of operation — enough electricity to power 370 homes annually — and allow the college to realize a first-year 23 percent greenhouse gas reduction and save up to $3 million over a 25-year PPA contract period.

“By hosting one of the largest solar projects on any college campus in New York state, Houghton College is not only demonstrating its support for forward-thinking innovation and technology, but also a commitment to long-term environmental sustainability,” said Brian Webb, sustainability coordinator for Houghton College. “This solar facility will allow us to replace fossil fuel-generated electricity with clean, renewable energy straight from the sun. This translates into cleaner air and water, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and a healthier climate for future generations.”

The project has been made possible in part by New York’s solar policies that have supported rapid development through incentives, supportive permitting procedures and other programs to get more solar deployed. This past spring, the State’s NY-Sun initiative awarded $46 million for large-scale solar energy projects through the NY-Sun Competitive PV Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Edwin Jou, GES Senior Engineering Manager, said, “We are particularly pleased to work with Houghton College, an institution that has achieved an admirable standard of environmental stewardship. This solar system creates a lasting impact on their community and serves as an example for other institutions.”

“Houghton College has shown commendable dedication to sustainability through its many energy efficiency initiatives, and this solar installation marks a huge milestone in its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint,” said Amy McDonough, senior project developer at Borrego Solar. “The system will provide ongoing economic and environmental benefits to the school.”

For two years running, Houghton College was named by the Princeton Review as one of the top “Green Colleges” in the nation, having implemented multiple conservation and stewardship projects, including a recently announced commitment to reduce the amount of paper used by faculty and staff by as much as 20 percent, and pursuing Tree Campus USA designation by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of the substantial efforts made on campus for the good stewardship of trees.

Solar Power World

Allied Moulded Products offers a new compression molded Control XL Series 40″ x 32″ fiberglass enclosure (part numbers AMXL403212L3PT and AMXL403212L3PTW).

The compression molded Control XL Series 40″ x 32″ fiberglass enclosure offers durability and strength without the excessive weight of a comparable metal enclosure. It is molded with Allied’s ULTRAGUARD formulation, thus maintaining its aesthetic and structural integrity when exposed to extreme environments. Standard features include molded-in back panel brass inserts, as well as compression molded foot brackets for wall mounting installation. The formed-in-place polyurethane gasket system provides a watertight seal to maintain its NEMA 4X rating, and it features a 316 stainless steel 3-point latching handle system.

“The new Control XL Series enclosure is a great addition to our already-full line of fiberglass reinforced polyester enclosures. The 40″ x 32″ size, a consistently requested size, is spacious and ensures full-panel access for [Allied Moulded’s] customers. It has the same features and strength of our existing fiberglass enclosures, and is available at an economical cost,” explains Bill DeRoche, national sales manager for Industrial Products at Allied Moulded.

For more information about the compression molded Control XL Series 40″ x 32″ fiberglass enclosure, visit www.alliedmoulded.com.

Solar Power World