QuickBOLT is QuickScrew’s answer for asphalt roof. The company became involved in the solar industry after the recession.

Greg Wiener started out by selling nails and staples to furniture and cabinet makers. He realized that if he added some other supplies, he could make it a business. And so he founded QuickScrews, first working out of his garage.

After a few years, Wiener noticed a lack of fasteners specifically made for woodworkers. He partnered with an importer and was taught how to obtain quality products from Taiwan quickly.

Wiener noticed cabinet makers required especially particular screws. They wanted them with the coarse grip of dry wall screws, which often break in wood, and the strength of a sheet-metal screw, which spin out or split the wood.

Wiener developed an ideal combination of features, and over 15 years, QuickScrews grew to be one of the largest providers of woodworking screws in the United States, boasting an inventory of more than 900 products.

The company’s large selection of high-quality products preferred by woodworkers, combined with its ability to work with the best factories in Taiwan, allowed it to grow.

In 2009, however, the recession hit. A well-documented result was the halt of new home construction. The need for cabinets plummeted, and QuickScrews lost 40% of its business.

Simultaneously, Wiener’s wife, Debbie, had become interested in the emerging market for green technology. She encouraged her husband to take an interest in it.

Located down the road from QuickScrews was Solar Universe, a solar franchise network founded in 2008. Rick Gentry, vice president at QuickScrews, decided to pay them a visit.

“I told them, ‘We want to supply a great product to solar,’” Gentry says. “I asked, ‘What do you use a lot of, and what do you have a hard time getting?’”

Solar Universe showed Gentry a mounting bracket from a local manufacturer. They used it often, but had concerns about quality and were looking for a supplier that could keep stock for them.

“We worked with Solar Universe, made some prototypes and tested them,” Gentry says. Solar Universe immediately produced an order for a year’s supply.

The installer was QuickScrew’s only customer that whole year. But soon CED Greentek became a distributor and started to sell the QuickScrew’s bracket. Product began to move.

“We realized that if we really wanted to stay in the solar business, we needed more product,” Gentry says. “We repeated the same steps that we used to create our QuickScrews line: Ask the customer what their problems are, and find the solution.”

QuickScrews has gone on to add 14 new products and were awarded a patent on their QuickBOLT. It’s quadrupled its solar business in two years, and it continues to grow.

The solar products provided by QuickScrews can be seen at SolarRoofHook.com. While the inventory focuses mainly on tile-roof products, the company is looking to expand into solutions for asphalt shingles.

“I think we’re just scratching the surface,” Gentry says. “We have so many different roof styles to tackle, but we will go at them one by one until we have the same deep variety that we have with our wood screw line.” SPW

Solar Power World

Solar Power World

It’s always great to see solar manufacturers going solar themselves. Makes sense, right? For example, Hanwha Q CELLS has put a 500 kilowatt PV system into operation on the rooftop of its own car park. The plant comprising of about 2,000 Q CELLS modules will produce around 9,44 gigawatt hours and save around 5,000 tons CO2 emissions over a period of 20 years. The system’s east-west orientation doubles the performance density compared to a south orientation and maximizes the yield based on the available roof surface. Furthermore it covers performance peaks during longer time periods per day through lengthening power production time and avoiding the noon spikes which are typical for south oriented solar systems.

Hanwha Q CELLS will consume 100% of the electricity from the system on-site. The rooftop plant will power the R&D center and the production lines as well as the office buildings at the company´s headquarters in Germany. Thus the PV provider shows that on-site consumption of self-produced solar electricity sustainably reduces operating costs and pays off for industry and commerce – in Germany and beyond.

The half megawatt PV facility was built in just 11 days. “Despite bad weather conditions we succeeded in completing the PV plant in very short time,” said Lutz Novy, Project Manager of Hanwha Q CELLS’ Facility Management. Andreas von Zitzewitz, COO at Hanwha Q CELLS added: “Producing and consuming our own solar electricity makes a lot of sense for us, both in economic and in ecological terms.” As a company from the renewable energy industry Hanwha Q CELLS aims to further increase the part of on-site produced green electricity at its site in Thalheim. The PV system thus contributes to the sustainability strategy of the company.

Industry and commerce shave their peak consumptions and cut their electricity bills
The project at Hanwha Q CELLS’ headquarters illustrates how commerce and industry can sustainably cut their electricity bills by producing and consuming their own solar energy. “Prosumers” (produce & consume) of solar energy benefit in two ways. Firstly the cost of self-consumed solar electricity is considerably lower than the cost of the electricity provided by the grid in many countries. Each kilowatt-hour from the PV system substitutes expensive grid electricity and also hedges the company against rising electricity prices in the future.

Secondly photovoltaic systems are perfectly suited to lower the overall electricity cost by reducing expensive peak demand. In the case of Hanwha Q CELLS these peaks happen during the summer months, when the production lines require energy intensive cooling. Here the PV system is especially valuable, because it covers the peaks of electricity needed during the sunniest and thus hottest days between June and August. This so-called “peak shaving” leads to lower peak demand for electricity from the grid (please see attached chart). The PV system enables Hanwha Q CELLS to save approximately 8% of the annual peak demand cost. Andreas von Zitzewitz said, “Hanwha Q CELLS just like any commercial or industrial company benefits from self-consumed PV electricity in two ways: Firstly it sustainably decouples the operating costs from constantly rising electricity prices and secondly it reduces the expensive peak demand costs by lowering the company´s peak consumption.”

Solar Power World

The PWRstation 100kW is comprised of ten retractable 10kW PWRstations built into a standard 40-foot long intermodal container designed for transport via ship, train, truck, or cargo aircraft. Once landed, the rugged, fully loaded, standalone powerhouse opens its side panels and deploys the equivalent of 340 standard-sized high performance solar modules in a matter of minutes to deliver a whopping 100kW of solar energy, enough to power a large industrial mining outpost, refugee camp or small town. PWRStation Corp will also be making available a 20-foot long, 50 KW version.

Like its smaller product brethren, the Super Class100KW is based on the PWRstation’s design principles of transportability, retractability, integration and rapid activation. The 100kW will be available in two options including a “canopy”-style version allowing for space usage under the retractable panels, providing shading areas, and a standard ground version. The PWRstation 100 KW is designed to take full advantage of existing global logistics infrastructure.

“We are extremely excited about PWRstation’s new super class product concept,” says Ludovic Roche, PWRstation’s Co-founder & CEO Americas. “We foresee heightened interest by industrial, military and humanitarian segments that are increasingly demanding clean, renewable and affordable energy. Like all our products, the company’s powerful super class version is self-contained, including panels, inverters, and wiring; and designed to simplify shipping logistics, speed delivery and optimize shipping costs using today’s standardized global intermodal logistics system.”

Robert Albertella, PWRstation’s Co-founder & CEO EMEA based at the company’s head offices in Switzerland adds,” we received such positive industry feedback during the recent SPI show in Vegas that we decided to accelerate the development of our super class product concept. We anticipate strong worldwide demand for our new super class solution because it is designed to respond to a100kW energy footprint requirement that is not readily met by today’s solar offerings; and at the same time takes advantage of existing global infrastructure to facilitate transport and reduce costs.”

PWRstation develops pre-assembled retractable solar energy delivery systems engineered in Switzerland, built in the US by Schletter Inc, a German-based global solar mounting manufacturer, and distributed through alliance partners to residential, business and government end users for grid, off-grid and mobile energy applications in North and Latin America and EMEA.

Solar Power World

Regina Wheeler
Chief Executive Officer Positive Solar Energy

Times have changed since solar and wind power first became available. Across the country, the cost of coal is going up, and the price of clean energy – like wind and solar – is coming down. Employment trends are changing, too. Today, more workers are employed in the clean energy industry than in coal mining nationwide. Since 2012, New Mexico’s solar industry has added nearly 1,000 new jobs. Almost 2,000 New Mexicans now work in our state’s growing solar economy.

As owner of a local solar company, I’ve seen the remarkable transition to clean energy take root in our region. Solar electricity costs less than grid energy, and home and business owners are taking advantage of the opportunity to fix their energy costs for the long run. We’ve added 30 employees in the past year to keep up with demand. It is a really exciting time.

In our region and throughout the United States, communities are moving away from dirty, expensive coal and toward the growing clean energy industry. These trends are why I was so shocked to learn that instead of investing in new technologies and growing industries, PNM and Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities propose to double down on dirty coal and lock ratepayers into a future of expensive, outdated coal-fired power.

PNM and Los Alamos DPU are currently considering the purchase of the San Juan coal mine in order to ensure San Juan Generating Station continues to burn coal for years to come. This proposal would prolong the life of one of our area’s worst public health threats and lock ratepayers into huge risk. Just like you wouldn’t sink more money into an old, beat-up clunker car, we shouldn’t allow our electric utilities to sink our money into a plummeting investment like coal. As the cost of coal continues to skyrocket and mines continue to shutter, our community deserves better than to be locked into a future that relies on dirty, unhealthy and expensive coal-fired power.

Here in New Mexico, we’ve seen the benefits of increased investment in renewable energy: cleaner air and water for our communities, more jobs and economic opportunities for working families, and huge savings for homeowners and small businesses.

Look at some of our neighboring states and you’ll see the same thing. In Colorado, Xcel Energy – one of our nation’s five largest utilities – will soon get nearly 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources. Colorado’s investment in renewable energy has propelled it to a top ten ranking for solar jobs in the country. In Texas, Austin Energy announced earlier this year that it is now buying solar power at less than half the price of coal, lowering electricity prices for all Austin consumers.

Clean energy is powering more and more of our state and creating more and more jobs. Rather than investing inexpensive, dangerous coal, we all need to encourage PNM and Los Alamos County to embrace a future powered by clean, renewable energy.

By Regina Wheeler, Positive Energy Solar CEO. Regina is committed to building successful business models in New Mexico that conform to the triple bottom line philosophy of “people, planet and profits.”  Wheeler joined Positive Energy Solar in 2011 after transforming environmental services for both Los Alamos County and the City of Santa Fe. She works tirelessly with green business coalitions in New Mexico to create a culture of sustainability and economic vitality. Positive Energy Solar is a 2014 Solar Power World Top 400 Contractor. 

Solar Power World

Scheduled for November 25-27, 2014 in Nuremberg, Germany, SPS IPC Drives is Europe’s leading exhibition for electric automation. Moxa will display its industrial networking solutions, including wired and wireless remote automation, industrial Ethernet, serial connectivity, industrial computing, and IP surveillance, in booth #9-231.

“Moxa’s Industrial Ethernet Solutions are tailor-made to unlock automation network convergence for demanding industrial applications,” said Todd Desso, Strategic Business Manager for Moxa. “As a leader in factory automation, Moxa is looking forward to presenting at SPS IPC Drives its very latest Ethernet-centric products.”

At the forefront of Moxa announcements at SPS IPC Drive will be EDS-405A-PTP five-port managed Ethernet switches featuring IEEE 1588v2 PTP (Precision Time Protocol) hardware time stamping, an innovation that ensures the most precise time synchronization of networks running the company’s Turbo Ring and Turbo Chain topologies. Both topologies offer less than 20 ms recovery in networks with up to 250 switches.

Moxa EDS-405A-PTP switches support both IEEE 1588 Boundary Clock and Transparent Clock. While in Transparent Clock, the switches provide both End-to-End (2-step) and Peer-to-Peer (2-step) modes. They enable a high-precision time accuracy of less than 1 μs.

The switches support Modbus TCP, PROFINET RT, and EtherNet/IP for better SCADA integration. Other management functions, such as IGMP snooping, IEEE 802.1Q VLAN, QoS, RMON and relay warning, make network planning more flexible and easy.

Solar Power World

Imergy Power Systems, a manufacturer of storage systems, says that Hawaii’s Energy Research Systems has signed a purchase order for four ESP5 vanadium flow batteries, marking the first orders for Imergy in the United States.

The ESP5 is capable of 5 kilowatts (kW) of capacity and can store up to 30 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity. Currently, over 200 Imergy vanadium flow batteries are installed worldwide, with customers ranging from residential users to remote off-grid commercial users to institutional microgrids.

The four ESP5s ordered by Energy Research Systems will be used by:
• Two residential customers, who are installing the ESP5 vanadium flow batteries in conjunction with new off-grid solar power systems.
• One microgrid customer, who is installing the ESP5 vanadium flow battery as it works to develop an off-grid microgrid to test various solar, storage, hydrogen production and other advanced energy technologies.
• One institutional customer, a technical school’s science center, recipient of both LEED™ Platinum and Living Building Challenge™ certifications. Their ESP5 vanadium flow battery will work in conjunction with a solar power system at the facility as the school evaluates how to take their entire campus off-grid using renewable energy and energy storage technologies.

With high energy costs, a stressed grid and ample renewable resources, Hawaii has been a leader in installing advanced energy technologies as it seeks to build a clean power grid for the 21st century.

“As these customers demonstrate, the combination of solar power systems and Imergy vanadium flow batteries are a cost effective solution for areas with high electricity prices or limited grid capabilities,” said Dr. Herve Mazzocco, Director of Business Development for Imergy Power Systems. “From residential island homes to advanced energy technology power testing facilities, a rapidly growing number of customers around the world are choosing to install Imergy vanadium flow batteries.”

Solar Power World

Borrego Solar Systems, a Solar Power World 2014 Top 400 Contractor, and the Town of Peterborough, New Hampshire, today announce the start of construction of a 944 kilowatt (kW) solar system—the largest in the state—on nearly five acres of former wastewater lagoons on the site of the town’s wastewater treatment plant. By tapping solar power as an energy source, Peterborough will save between $12,000 and $25,000 per year in energy costs or nearly $250,000 to $500,000 over the term of the agreement.

Peterborough received a $1.2 million grant from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Water Street Solar 1 LLC, a subsidiary of Borrego Solar. The grant and PPA have enabled Peterborough to install the system at no up-front cost. A PPA is a contract that transfers the cost of the installation and maintenance to a third party, which then sells the energy back to the town at a fixed and economical rate.

“By collaborating with Borrego Solar and seeking support from the state, we as a community were able to afford to go solar, in effect preparing us for a more financially sustainable energy future,” said Rodney Bartlett, Peterborough’s director of public works. “With this installation, we are not only saving on energy costs, but we are also protecting our budget from increases in electricity prices, employing local workers and offsetting 839 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of pulling 179 cars off the road each year.”

About 60 percent of the approximate 1.2 million kilowatt hours generated by the array annually will go to powering the plant and the remaining 40 percent will power the town community center and other Town facilities. The ability to apply a portion of the energy is possible through virtual net metering, approved by New Hampshire legislators in July 2013, enabling system off takers to apply energy generated at one of their sites to another one of their meters. In Peterborough’s case, the solar array will return energy to Public Service of New Hampshire, which will then resupply the energy to the town without charging the town distribution or transmission fees.

“Peterborough is the largest project to utilize virtual net-metering in New Hampshire—a signal of what is to come in solar energy distribution,” said Mike Hall, CEO of Borrego Solar. “By enabling municipalities to install solar on the most ideal site or where energy is needed most, and then applying that energy to other sites, allows for an even greater number of communities to take advantage of solar. Expanding opportunities for municipalities and businesses to go solar is key to reducing our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. ”
This is Borrego Solar’s second installation on a wastewater treatment facility, and sixth in the water treatment and distribution industry.

Solar Power World

Andalay Solar, a designer and supplier of integrated solar power systems, has commenced production of its solar modules this week in San Jose, California. It will begin shipping to customers next week. The modules are black-framed, 60-cell, multicrystalline, 250 watt modules.

“We’re pleased and proud to introduce our first line of products produced here in our hometown of San Jose, CA,” remarked Roger Pang, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “These are competitively priced and offer world class performance and reliability, along with Andalay’s patented Instant Connect technology. This technology eliminates conventional racking and offers a cleaner look, safer wire management, and faster installation.”

“This is another progressive leap for Andalay Solar to offer Buy American-Act compliant solar systems. We have had a lot of demand for this product and are pleased to have brought this high performance quality product to market so quickly,” said Steven Chan, President and CEO of Andalay Solar.

Solar Power World

Enphase Energy has partnered with residential solar installer Groupe Solution Energie (GSE) to address sustainable solar development in France, Switzerland and Belgium. Enphase will be the exclusive inverter technology partner for GSE’s advanced solar photovoltaic solutions.

“Following thorough benchmark analysis, Enphase Energy clearly stands out as the best and only inverter technology partner for our smart solar home solutions roll-out in Europe”

“GSE is a formidable and pioneering force in the industry with years of experience in the field of end-user sustainable energy solutions in continental Europe,” said Olivier Jacques, managing director, EMEA, Enphase Energy. “We believe that the winning combination of the Enphase microinverter-based system, over hybrid DC technologies, and GSE’s innovative BIPV solutions provide a compelling offering to address the new self-consumption trends emerging in continental Europe.”

Founded in 2008 and with over 12,000 “turnkey” installations since inception in France, GSE is a key player in the French residential photovoltaic market. The company is already well-positioned to address next generation residential solar solutions in the upcoming smart grid environment. With relevant expertise in distribution, design, manufacture and installation, GSE provides a full range of end-to-end sustainable energy solutions and energy-efficient products, ranging from solar PV and solar thermal to insulation, heating and LED lighting – along with financial packages.

Enphase will supply microinverters for GSE’s integrated solutions:

-GSE In-Roof System, the leading integration system for framed photovoltaic panels with over 60 percent market share of residential installations (below 9 kWp) in France. From 2011 the GSE In-Roof System has equipped nearly 800 000 m² of roof per year
-GSE Ground System, a ground-fixing system designed for several use types such as supplementary PV installation and flat-roof gardens, optimized for self-consumption.
-GSE Sunshade, the first photovoltaic electric blind, an integrated system for façades, applicable without roof removal.

Furthermore, the GSE In-Roof System combined with the Enphase® Microinverters, will be the ideal solution to be coupled to the brand-new GSE AIR’SYSTEM, an hot air recovery system which gather the heat generated by the photovoltaic modules and recycle for heating needs and warming water inside the house.

“Following thorough benchmark analysis, Enphase Energy clearly stands out as the best and only inverter technology partner for our smart solar home solutions roll-out in Europe,” said Ylan Sabban, CEO at GSE. “The Enphase Microinverter system offers a number of advantages such as field-proven reliability, higher productivity yields and seamless flexibility, which make us extremely confident that we will provide an unmatched customer-satisfaction experience in the long run.”

Enphase continues to see robust demand for its market-leading microinverter technology with current and new customers from larger companies like GSE to smaller professional solar installers. The company has shipped more than 6.4 million microinverters worldwide, which are installed in 197,000-plus systems, accounting for over 2.5TWh of energy produced.

Solar Power World

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus says that Navy and Marine Corps housing units in the San Diego area will receive rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems through a purchase power agreement between Lincoln Military Housing and SolarCity, a Solar Power World 2014 Top 400 Contractor. The deal, one of SolarCity’s largest residential undertakings under its SolarStrong Initiative, will provide solar power to nearly 6,000 homes across 27 privatized neighborhoods, with pending design and interconnection approvals could generate 20 megawatts (MW) or more of solar energy.

“Securing renewable energy is a top priority across the Department of the Navy and is crucial to ensuring both mission resilience and cost savings in the decades to come,” said Mabus. “This agreement is another step forward in moving the needle on our one gigawatt goal. We will continue to push forward and ensure projects like this are identified and executed to meet our 2015 deadline.”

Jarl Bliss, president of Lincoln Military Housing added, “For the last few years, we have worked closely with the Department of the Navy to find a renewable energy program which will greatly benefit our military families and support our Navy partner in reaching its renewable energy goals. Through this agreement with SolarCity, Lincoln projects savings of at least $60 million over the 20-year term that can be reinvested in project sustainment.”

San Diego Family Housing, LLC comprised of Lincoln/Clark San Diego, LLC and Department of the Navy (DON), has agreed to purchase all electricity produced by the systems at below the cost of brown power over the 20 year term of the agreement — resulting in long-term savings which will be reinvested in the communities, providing military families residing in the Public Private Venture housing with an improved quality of living.

SolarCity will be responsible for the design, installation, monitoring and maintenance of the PV systems, and this project is part of SolarCity’s SolarStrong initiative to provide solar energy to military housing communities across the country. SolarCity currently employs more than 300 veterans.

“Energy in the United States needs to become cleaner, more secure and more affordable, and few realize this more clearly than the leadership of the Department of the Navy,” said SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive. “With this SolarStrong project, Lincoln Military Housing is contributing to the well-being of its residents, and to the nation.”

“I am pleased that the DON, Lincoln Military Housing and SolarCity are part of this innovative public-partnership to help the DON meet its renewable energy goals, allowing thousands of military families to benefit from clean energy, and to help our state address the impacts of climate change,” said Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), who represents the military communities of Beech Street Knolls, Gateway Village, Holly Square, Park Summit, Silver Strand, and Village at NTC.

“These projects on off-base military housing represent a great step forward in helping the Department of the Navy reach their ambitious renewable and energy independence goals,” said Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo) who pushed for legislation this year to clear the path for more clean energy development at California military bases. “This collaboration between SolarCity and the Department of the Navy will improve energy security, increase our energy independence, and provides another example of how innovative companies can partner with government agencies to lead this state and the nation toward a cleaner economy.”

“Bringing solar power to thousands of military-family homes across San Diego makes all the sense in the world,” said U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) whose 52nd congressional district includes San Diego. “As the military continues its effort to move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable sources, solar will be a key part of the arsenal. And many of our region’s veterans have been able to put their skills to work at solar installation companies, including Solar City, making this project a great combination for the San Diego’s military community.”

This project is also part of a larger, guided effort spearheaded by Secretary Mabus to identify cost-effective renewable energy projects for DON installations in order to achieve the Secretary’s goal of producing or procuring one gigawatt of renewable energy by the end of 2015.

Solar Power World

JA Solar, manufacturer of high-performance solar power products, says the rated power of its solar modules assembled by 60 multi-crystalline silicon (“multi-Si”) cells has reached a new milestone of above 280 W.

This newly achieved result, which has been independently confirmed and certified by TUV Rheinland of Germany’s Shanghai Testing Center, sets a record-high >17.2% conversion efficiency to date for the PV panels consisting of 60 regular industrial size (156×156 mm2) multi-Si cells and using a single standard junction box.

“This latest result of above 280W output power achieved from multi-Si modules with 60 cells is the continued effort of our R&D follows JA Solar’s recently announced progress in reaching new efficiency record of multi-Si solar cells.” said Mr. Jian Xie, president of JA Solar, “this new milestone once again demonstrates JA Solar’s devotion in enabling cost-effectively manufacturing high-performance solar cells and modules to meet the growing demand for high-performance solar power products.”

“The output power of these record-setting solar modules we’ve just made can be further improved by fine tuning our module assembly process and encapsulation materials,” added by Mr. Yong Liu, Chief Operation Officer of JA Solar. “At least another five watts increase is definitely achievable. That will add significant value for our down-stream customers in terms of increasing power generation and reducing installation cost.”

Solar Power World

What kind of insurance does a solar installation company need? Do electricians have similar exposures or risks to roofers? Knowing how to properly insure your solar business can be confusing. To clear things up, we spoke with Scott Foyer and Matthew Burrows of Travelers Insurance. Listen to the conversation here.

Read more about solar insurance in our Q&A here. 

Solar Power World

Insurance can be confusing. We asked representatives from Travelers Insurance and Southern Solar Systems, a 2014 Solar Power World Top 400 Contractor, about insuring your solar business. Here’s what they said. 

Photo courtesy of RevoluSun

Solar Power World: What kind of insurance does a solar installation company need? Does it depend on scale, segment or state?

“The insurance needs of a company installing solar depends on many factors. Every company should purchase a standard suite of property and liability coverage: workers’ compensation, auto, general liability and property coverages. But the amount of coverage varies depending on the type of solar installation (rooftop versus utility scale farms), the legal environment of the state you are working in and the terms of each project contract. We also recommend professional liability coverage if there is any design work done by, or on behalf of, the contractor.”
– Matthew Burrows, Senior Product Director of Travelers Construction

“If you are acting as the general contractor or working with large commercial or utility systems, you may want to purchase a builder’s risk policy to cover the entire project including the loss of income for the project owner. But if your installation company works as a subcontractor, or on smaller residential projects, you may only require an installation policy. Both policies usually include transit coverage (which covers the transportation of materials to the job) and temporary storage (if materials need to be temporarily stored off-site prior to installation).”
-Scott Foyer, National Construction Practice Lead for Travelers

“As mainly a commercial EPC, we normally only require general liability and workers’ compensation. General liability and workers’ compensation coverage levels normally do not change for residential and small commercial work.”
-Chris Shearburn, Southern Solar Systems

SPW: How does a solar contractor begin to approach purchasing insurance?

“It’s important to work with an agent or carrier who has the resources and dedicated technical staff to address the specialized needs of a solar contractor. Look for a carrier that can offer a variety of support, including educational materials and training specifically for construction hazards.” – Foyer

SPW: Do electricians have similar exposures or risks as roofers?

“Yes. Many contractors involved in installing solar panels may not feel they are roofers per say. But if you’re going to be working on a rooftop, you are exposed to many similar risks as a traditional roofing contractor, such as falls from heights. Anchoring a system to a roof involves penetrating the roof, creating potential liabilities similar to what a roofer would have, which the insurance carrier needs to take into account.” – Burrows

“If you’re the general contractor, you are ultimately responsible for the electrical and roofing side of the project. Any subs will carry this liability along with you.” – Shearburn

SPW: Do you have tips or best practices for working with insurance providers?

“It’s important to be open when communicating with your insurance company. During the quoting process, the more information an insurance provider has about your operations, the better job we can do to help you craft the appropriate coverage and potential safety programs best suited for your company. Timely communication is also critical when reporting claims because the sooner we can get involved, the quicker we can resolve it.” – Burrows

“We recommend reporting any changes in your operations to your agent or broker so they can alert your carrier who can make sure to update your policy so you are protected.” – Foyer

Listen to our podcast with Travelers to learn more. 

Solar Power World

NRG Home Solar, a leading residential solar company, has announced the opening of two new California offices in Merced and San Diego, adding to the NRG footprint in the state. These offices will add to existing presence and further build on the company’s comprehensive energy operations around the state including the recent expansion of the NRG eVgo electric vehicle charging network.

As part of the solar expansion, NRG Home Solar plans to hire more than 100 new employees in order to support its rapidly growing residential solar services in the Golden State.

“As residential solar becomes increasingly attractive – economically as well as environmentally – to California homeowners, so does NRG’s growing ability to provide solar-driven home energy solutions to Californians seeking the many benefits associated with generating most of your own energy cleanly and quietly,” said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy. “The distributed clean energy movement is about personal empowerment and playing your role in creating a sustainable future and we believe that is the future that the vast majority of Californians envision for themselves and their State.”

NRG Home Solar is also offering solar loans for the first time to homeowners starting in California and expanding to other states. The company now offers both leasing and loan programs, allowing homeowners and NRG Home Solar customers to have wider finance options as they look to install solar at home.

“We are excited to be rapidly expanding in a state like California that is committed to solar growth and affordable home energy solutions,” said Kelcy Pegler Jr, President of NRG Home Solar. “This expansion allows us to meet growing consumer demand as more and more California homeowners look to lock in lower energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint with rooftop solar.”

NRG currently operates multiple utility-scale solar projects, including some of the state’s largest photovoltaic fields and the world’s largest solar thermal project, as well as fast-start generating units that enable more renewable integration into the power grid. The expansion of NRG Home Solar represents the company’s latest move toward expanding the amount of solar power in California and throughout the country.

NRG Home Solar is a leader in the residential solar industry in several states across the U.S. The company, part of NRG Home, is looking to hire candidates in a range of positions and levels in locations around California. Candidates interested in employment opportunities should contact NRG Home Solar at www.nrghomesolar.com/careers.

NRG Home Solar
www.nrghomesolar.com

Solar Power World

Phono Solar, a Bloomberg-rated Tier 1 PV Module Maker, has announced the commissioning of the Pflugerville School District solar project. The 1.94 MW project will achieve approximately $1 million in savings after accounting for the cost of the solar panels and eliminate more than 51,300 tons of carbon pollution over the systems’ lifetime. The project will power 11 school sites for the next 25 years with renewable, solar energy just outside of Austin, Texas.

Collectively, the combined system will generate more than 2.7 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy annually, enough to power more than 200 homes for one year. The District estimates they will avoid $6.9 million in electrical costs by producing their own electricity over the life of the project.

“The solar project is the biggest initiative the Pflugerville Independent School District has undertaken in terms of energy management and sustainability,” said Stephen Waldron, District Energy Manager. “The District is doing everything we can to reduce our operating expenses and lower taxpayers’ burden. Our solar project not only allows us to lower our operating costs, it also allows us to create a more sustainable learning environment for our students and staff while reducing the Districts’ overall environmental footprint. This project’s carbon savings is tantamount to planting more than 38,000 trees or removing 313 cars from the road annually. We’re proud to set an example of environmental leadership for our students and our community.”

The Austin City Council last year approved performance-based incentives for solar installations for the Pflugerville School District. The district received $3.9 million from Austin Energy’s incentive program for the project. Austin Energy encourages non-profits, including school districts, to participate in the program because they are ineligible for IRS benefits such as tax credits and accelerated depreciation due to their non-profit status.

The complex system of one ground mount, two rooftop, and eight hybrid rooftop and ground mount arrays were installed using 6,480 Phono Solar modules. The 300 Watt polycrystalline Diamond Series PS300P-24/T modules were ideal for the project due to their high quality, good value proposition, and flexibility to meet the project’s changing logistical demands.

“We were honored to be a part of this project. The Pflugerville School District is a model for school districts in Texas and across the country on their commitment to renewable energy and realizing substantial energy savings. Secondly, this project is a great learning tool for its students in science and economics”, said Bob Onofrey, Vice President Sales, Phono Solar North America.

Phono Solar
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Solar Power World

At the recent Solar Power International 2014 show in Las Vegas, Nevada, one company hosted a clever competition. Solar sales software developer OnGrid asked its booth visitors to share their best tip for how to sell more solar to happier customers. Here’s 12 of the best responses they received and the one that came out as winner.

12. Break it down

Break it down to the basics – this is not rocket science. Once they understand they’ll buy! – Toby Mullen, Denali Solar

11. Demonstrate integrity 

Integrity is everything -Eric Vaughn, Lenzi Solar

10. Know financial requirements

Know your customer’s hurdle-rate! -Alex Kaffka, Allana Buick & Bers

9. Love people 

Love working with people and show it. -A.H. and R.P.

8. Follow the golden rule 

Do to others as you would unto yourself. -James Chun and CJ Lee, Solar N Power

7. Be honest

Be honest. Solar sells itself. -Elizabeth Moats, Solar Holmes

6. Ask questions 

Never assume you know your customers’ needs. Ask questions! -Jeff Croisetiere and Shannon Schmidt, Solar Tech Inc.

5. Monitor and follow up 

ALWAYS include a good monitoring system on all your installations and schedule a follow-up call every month for the 1st year. -Carlos Lopez-Maisonave, PV Systems of PR

4. Know solar

Don’t talk the most. Know the most! -Kevin Holme, Solar Holmes

3. Do due diligence 

Don’t guess on annual savings from solar. Get an accurate tool that does savings analysis for you. It will save time, standardize your sales system, and make you more sales! -Kevin Clements, KRC Enterprises

2. Consider demand management 

Don’t underestimate the value of load (kW, not kWh) offset. -Tripp Hathaway, Hannah Solar

and the winner is….

1. Have great install teams!

Customers remember the 3 days the installers are there more than they remember the sales process – Have great install teams = more referrals. -Dana Smith, SolarCraft

Smith won a free year of OnGrid software loaded on a tablet, a unique proposal design and 4 hours of training with an OnGrid solar sales professional. Congratulations!

Solar Power World

The Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup 2014 , a solar boat championship competition, finished just 4 months ago and already 21 teams have signed up for the second edition of the Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup 2015; commencing from the 9th to 11th July 2015. Registration is still open, and more international teams can be expected in the coming months.

The 21 confirmed participants so far, shall be coming in from all around the globe; Poland, Netherlands, Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Italy, USA, Monaco and Russia. Several of the 2014 teams have already confirmed their attendance; CLAFIS Private Energy, Laguna Creek High School GETA, Dutch Solar Boat Team and many more.

Solar1 had a fantastic inauguration into the world of solar boat racing and are so pleased to have received amazing feedback, support and great media coverage in response to the event.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to demonstrate this innovative technology, and highlight the creations and advances that universities, their students and also private organisations bring to us in a very new world of racing”. Sergei Dobroserdov, CEO of Solar 1

Predominantly the participants of the Solar1 Cup have been that of the student variety. These young adults have chosen to take part in this, as part of their studies or in many cases, as extra curricular activities truly demonstrating their passion. These intricately designed vessels are astonishing, and could be easily perceived to be the works of well established technological designers and professors with years of experience.

“If this is what these young students can design and achieve now, I am very excited to see what our future holds with them at the helm” Sergei Dobroserdov, CEO of Solar 1

Since the 2014 event in July, Solar1 has been in the media all over the world; from Europe, the Middle East, and USA and even as far as Brazil. Thanks to this, Solar1 has been able to attract and encourage several new teams like; iD Design, YTU (Yildiz Technical University) and many more. Not only are there several new teams, but Solar1 have also attracted a new international collaborative partner with a Brazilian solar powered boat competition, Desafio Solar Brasil.

Desafio Solar Brasil, held an event not dissimilar to that of Solar1’s, but in the glorious city of Búzio, Rio de Janeiro from the 12th to 16th November 2014.

Solar1 will be granting Vento Sul Team, B class winners of Desafio Solar Brasil, the opportunity to come and compete in the Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup 2015, open class. Vento Sul Team, will receive a paid trip to the wonderfully sunny Monaco, for three days of exhilarating racing in the Mediterranean Sea.

Solar Power World

UNFI (United Natural Foods, Inc.) partnered with Meridian Solar, a Solar Power World 2014 Top 400 Contractor, to build a 655-kW roof-top solar electric system on its 590,000 square foot distribution center in Lancaster, Texas. Using energy harnessed from the sun, UNFI can now store and deliver its more than 65,000 products while adhering to their corporate responsibility commitment. Meridian Solar, the leading Texas-based EPC, was responsible for the design, engineering, procurement, and implementation of the system.

“Meridian demonstrated a clear understanding of the market, the permitting and approval process, and return calculations necessary to undertake a project of this scale. They’ve been a pleasure to work with and a great partner for us on this solar project,” says Tom Dziki, Chief Human Resources and Sustainability Officer at UNFI.

UNFI is no stranger to investments in sustainability. Through their green building, fleet efficiency, water conservation, and solar energy initiatives, UNFI demonstrates that large, publically traded companies can make a difference. UNFI’s new solar investment in Lancaster, which is the fifth solar energy system that UNFI has procured, will generate an additional 1,021,035 kWh of clean energy annually, bringing UNFI’s total renewable energy production to over 5 million kWh per year

In addition to reducing their electrical usage from the grid, UNFI will also be accumulating environmental savings with each kilowatt-hour generated. For example, during the first year of operations, UNFI’s Lancaster plant is projected to generate 1,021,035 kWh. This clean energy is the equivalent replacement of 704 tons of CO₂, the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 148 passenger vehicles, or annual energy use of 64 homes. The 655 kW solar electric system also produces enough electricity per year to match the carbon sequestered by 577 acres of US forests in one year.

“UNFI is an ideal partner for Meridian Solar. It is inspiring to understand all of the efforts put forth by UNFI to be a socially responsible corporation and leaders in sustainability,” says Andrew McCalla, Meridian Solar’s President and Founder. “We look forward to furthering our partnership with UNFI to expand their renewable portfolio and help them meet their sustainability goals.”

Project Details:

Modules:  2,255 ReneSola 295W
Inverters: 2 Advanced Energy 260W
Racking: PanelClaw Polar Bear

Solar Power World

Canadian Solar, module manufacturer, says Sunrun, residential solar installer, has approved Canadian Solar as its qualified vendor. Through AEE Solar, a subsidiary of Sunrun and a distributor, consumers and PV installers can choose Canadian Solar’s products in their Sunrun home solar system.

“Sunrun is one of the solar industry’s fastest-growing and leading companies. We are very happy to work together with Sunrun to promote the development of solar energy. This partnership is another strategic move that will allow us to maintain our market position and grow as North America’s largest solar manufacturer,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar Inc.

Sunrun’s PV module qualification process is one of the most rigorous in the residential solar industry. It consists of a multi-step process that includes extensive product analysis, factory audits, testing, and risk assessment to evaluate solar module manufacturers. The process ensures that qualified PV modules meet long-term energy production standards. Sunrun’s attention to details reinforces its commitment to offer homeowners the best customer experience and provide its partners with significant competitive advantages, including access to high quality solar products.

Sunrun’s business model allows homeowners to go solar without the high upfront cost. The company designs, installs, finances, insures, monitors, and maintains the solar panels on a homeowner’s roof, while families pay just for the electricity at a lower rate than their current utility.

Solar Power World