Quantcast
Channel: Solar Power World
Viewing all 4445 articles
Browse latest View live

Ampt shares trends for higher voltages and optimizers in 2015

$
0
0

From system voltages to string optimizers, Managing Editor Kathie Zipp spoke with Mark Kanjorski of Ampt to get his insight into trends for 2015. Here are some highlights.

Mark Kanjorski of Ampt

Mark Kanjorski of Ampt

Trend 1: Moving toward 1,500V
“Companies are looking for ways to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), which essentially compares the expected lifetime costs of a PV power plant with its expected lifetime energy generation in cents per kilowatt-hour. This can be done by lowering the upfront cost of the system or increasing system performance. Raising system voltages helps lower the upfront cost of the system by lowering component cost. For example, moving from a 1,000-V system to a 1,500-V system allows 50% more modules to be connected in a series. This reduces the number of parallel connections and associated hardware by almost a third. Increasing the system voltage also allows the inverter to operate at a 10% to 40% higher power.

There are some challenges to higher voltage systems. Right now there are a limited number of components rated for 1,500V. Those that are available aren’t priced at an optimal point for project cost savings, yet. There are also some unknowns with regard to reliability of 1,500-V systems, mainly on the modules and inverter side. Lastly, there’s uncertainly around when different markets will adopt relevant electrical codes.

All together, the promise of moving to higher voltages is there, but doing so right now is a significant undertaking.

An alternative is using DC power optimizers in 1000-V systems, to deliver the equivalent economic benefits of a 2,000-V system. These benefits can be realized today using widely available 1,000-V rated components. DC string optimizers allow designers to double the string length. With 100% longer strings, the cost of combiner boxes and wiring for the system decreases by 50% while the inverter’s rated output power increases by 40% to 70%.”

Trend 2: Using more string inverters in large projects
“LCOE is the metric of merit when evaluating the economics of solar. An example where efforts to lower LCOE are primarily focused on improving performance can be seen in the recent trend of using string inverters in large-scale PV power plants in the 10-MW range.

String inverters increase the resolution of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in the field (focusing in on fewer modules at a time) compared to central inverters. A higher resolution of MPPT allows the system to recover more energy that would otherwise be lost due to electrical balances—also known as mismatch. Although systems using string inverters cost more per watt than those using central inverters, the difference is now reaching the point where the performance advantage can be worth the added expense, even on large systems.

So, if you’re looking at performance, using string inverters instead of central inverters can achieve a lower cost of energy. But, you are still paying more for the system on day one, so it is a benefit that is realized over the lifetime of the system.”

Trend 3: Using string optimizers along with central inverters
“Another option to achieve higher system performance in larger projects that saves cost from day one is using DC optimizers with central inverters. Like string inverters, the optimizers help increase the performance through using MPPT, but do so at an even higher resolution (focused on as few as every 10 modules, compared with every few dozen or hundreds with string). Plus, DC optimizers enable the central inverters to achieve a higher rated output power, which lowers their cost per watt. So, a system with optimizers offers the best of both worlds by performing better at a lower cost on day one.

Lowering LCOE is the goal. However, we may short change ourselves when we focus on either cost or performance instead of both. It is possible to find innovative solutions that deliver a true spend-less, get-more value proposition. In doing so, we accelerate the adoption of solar.” SPW

To hear the full podcast interview with Mark, listen here

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World


Lockheed Martin installs solar on Florida training facility

$
0
0

Lockheed Martin contracted Advanced Roofing and Advanced Green Technologies to design and build a massive 2.25 megawatt solar carport at the global security and aerospace company’s Mission Systems and Training facility in Clearwater, Florida. The project will be the largest private, non-utility owned solar array in Florida and is expected to produce 3.33 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

aet project

The solar carport will cover 151, 400 square feet of the facility’s parking lot with 7,260 solar modules to provide shade for 534 cars. At completion, the project is expected to cut electricity purchases for the facility by up to 60 percent, according to Lockheed Martin’s estimates. The project also uses Sungrow inverters and custom-fabricated steel racking designed by Advanced Roofing.

Advanced Roofing, Florida’s largest commercial solar contractor, competed with a field of national and Florida-based firms for the contract. The company will serve as general contractor, with sister firm Advanced Green Technologies providing construction and installation.

“Since the facility’s operations will be in full swing throughout the construction schedule, precise phasing will be crucial to expedite our work and minimize disruption at the site,” said Clint Sockman, vice president of Advanced Roofing and Advanced Green Technologies. As the state’s largest commercial re-roofing contractor, Advanced Roofing will draw on its decades of experience with large, complex projects at operational corporate, federal, healthcare, education, manufacturing and retail facilities.

Construction of the fast-tracked, multi-phased project begins this month and will employ more than 40 workers on-site, with completion set for summer 2015. In addition to design, procurement and construction of the solar carport, Advanced Roofing’s contract includes resurfacing the entire 6.65-acre asphalt parking lot at the facility.

Advanced Roofing will first resurface half the parking lot, and then install the carport’s foundations and structural steel superstructure. The contractor’s crews will then install the solar panel canopy, using high- efficiency Hanwha SolarOne S-series modules, and will add the full under-canopy LED lighting system. The first phase will be in use as the second-phase parking lot work commences.

Throughout Florida and around the nation, offsetting energy costs with solar carports is a growing trend for corporate, healthcare, hotel and government facilities. A recent national study by GTM Research projected a 76 percent increase in solar carports from an estimated 2014 annual installed capacity of 180.2 megawatts to an estimated 318 megawatts in 2016.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

SMA Solar Technology AG surpasses 1 GW of O&M contracts

$
0
0

In just over one year, SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) has earned more than 1 GW of operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts worldwide. Since launching its plant-wide O&M services in late 2013, SMA has assumed operational management of 840 MW of PV in North America and 180 MW in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The company plans to further expand its O&M services in North America and Europe by leveraging its outstanding service expertise and large installed base.

“We built our plant-wide O&M product on the success of our already top-ranked service portfolio, which has become the gold standard in the solar industry. In the short time since SMA launched O&M services, we’ve been entrusted with some of the largest PV power plants in the world. Reaching this global milestone of more than 1 GW of O&M signals SMA’s investment in this key market and is a clear indicator of the company’s leading status as an O&M provider,” explained SMA Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Pascal Urbon.

In North America alone, SMA currently maintains Canada’s two largest PV systems: the Kingston Solar project and Grand Renewable Solar power plant. Both located in Ontario and powered by SMA Sunny Central inverters, the systems total 140 MW DC and 130 MW DC, respectively.

Last August, SMA expanded its service reach by acquiring Phoenix Solar AG’s European O&M business, in which it assumed operational management of established PV plants in Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

SMA’s plant-wide O&M provides comprehensive services that increase performance ratios, protect power production and simplify long-term planning. It is available in three plans—Preventative, Proactive and Performance—or individual services that can be integrated in a flexible fashion, resulting in a highly customized O&M solution.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

US Solar and #SolarChat to host Florida Women In Solar Energy event

$
0
0

US Solar is excited to announce that they will be participating in a historic, national, round-table event Tuesday, February 24, 2015, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event is #nationWISE and is a national event being organized by Women In Solar Energy (WISE) across 15 different cities in America. US Solar and #SolarChat will be hosting the Fort Lauderdale location at Grille 401.

The goal of the event is to facilitate important conversations about women in the solar industry. WISE states that: “A recent survey of the industry revealed that women only make up about 20% of the solar market and there is almost no data on the HR practices of solar companies around the country. As this workforce grows at such a fast a pace, the solar industry is in a unique position to lead the way on women’s issues.”

Alissa Jean Schafer, Marketing and Media Director of US Solar, is looking forward to co-hosting the #nationWISE event. “It is important for the solar industry as a whole to make time for thoughtful discussion regarding best-practices in developing and maintaining a diverse workforce.” Said Schafer. “The #nationWISE event is great opportunity to do just this. It is an especially exciting time for solar in the state of Florida. Our solar industry is bit ‘younger’ here, so now is the time to implement strategies that will allow the workforce to develop to its best potential.”

Raina Russo, founder of #SolarChat and Identity3 partner, has extensive experience in facilitating discussions targeting key issues in the solar industry, such as diversity. “Among the conversations #SolarChat has facilitated in the industry, my personal favorites have been the highly attended chats on the role of women in the solar decision making process and how we as an industry can better market to them. Our research at Identity3 highlights women as the ultimate CPOs (Chief Purchasing Officers), bearing the responsibility of initiating the solar conversation, doing the legwork and ultimately influencing or making the solar decision in the typical U.S. household. Igniting a conversation around advancing more women within the industry is absolutely key to raising the bar in solar on multiple fronts. I am honored to be a part of this #nationWISE movement and look forward to doing my part in ‘lighting’ up The Sunshine State.”

The roundtable is Tuesday, February 24, 2015. It will be held from 6-8 PM and Grille 401, located at 401 E. Las Olas Blv., Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Registration is free, and attendees can RSVP at: http://www.solwomen.org/nationalroundtable

Fort Lauderdale

 

 

 

 

 

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Pecan Street launches free “check engine light” service for solar panel owners

$
0
0

Pecan Street has launched a free service to help solar panel owners discover maintenance issues with their systems nearly as soon as they occur.

Pecan Street Sol is a check engine light for residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, providing customers with near-real-time maintenance status and performance information. The service automatically detects problems that could significantly reduce the amount of electricity being generated.

The service is available nationwide for solar PV system owners who have eGauge and eGauge-compatible energy monitoring systems installed with their panels. Sol is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, and a web portal version is forthcoming. As with the service, the Sol mobile application software is free.

“We developed Sol when we discovered that even tech-savvy owners who monitor their generation were finding it nearly impossible to know if their solar systems needed maintenance,” said Pecan Street CEO Brewster McCracken. “The good news we found is that solar PV systems are nearly maintenance free, and even when they do need maintenance, it’s usually something inexpensive and simple to fix. With Sol, solar system owners can ensure that even more of their electricity is provided by the carbon-free power plants on their roofs.”

Pecan Street developed the service after its analysis of over 250 residential solar PV systems in its research trials found that many solar system owners were not detecting maintenance issues on their solar PV systems. Even though nearly all of these maintenance issues were so minor that they would typically cost less than $25 and take less than an hour to fix, the solar PV systems were in many instances going offline for weeks to months because the maintenance issues were undetected.

The service is the first to leverage Pecan Street’s energy signal diagnostics tools.

The Pecan Street report that led to the development of this service is available online.

“Homeowners invest in solar for various reasons,” said Greg Greenan, vice president at eGauge Systems LLC. “But all of them want to maximize their return on investment. This service leverages the power of eGauge’s energy monitoring products to help solar PV owners protect their investments and to provide them with instant performance feedback. It’s a significant addition to our product offering and we look forward to making it available to our customers.”

Pecan Street Sol integrates generation data for solar PV systems that use eGauge, LightGauge (Lighthouse Solar), Hot Purple Energy, Revolve Solar and other eGauge-compatible devices. The service also provides up-to-date information on the value of the energy being produced and the energy being consumed in the home.

Smartphone and tablet owners who do not have solar panels installed or do not have eGauge-compatible systems can still install Pecan Street Sol on their phone or tablet to see how the service works.

As with all of Pecan Street’s research, the anonymized solar PV data is available for free to university faculty and students around the world at Pecan Street’s Dataport. Pecan Street has developed and operates what appears to be the world’s largest research database on appliance level customer energy and water use, solar panel performance and customer response to behavioral interventions.

The site provides online search and visualization tools for Pecan Street’s extensive real-world, real-customer energy research network of over 1,200 homes in California, Colorado and Texas.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

SunEdison, GRID Alternatives to connect skilled solar workers with jobs

$
0
0

SunEdison and the SunEdison Foundation announced a $5 million contribution to their philanthropic partnership with GRID Alternatives, the nation’s largest non-profit solar installer. Together, the organizations are launching a two-year initiative called RISE to connect the industry’s growing demand for skilled workers with communities that need jobs, and to build a more inclusive solar workforce. Building on the successful 2014 SunEdison and GRID Alternatives partnership to bring more women into the solar industry, the RISE initiative will provide underserved communities with solar job training and job placement through GRID Alternatives’ workforce development program. The $5 million contribution is both financial and in the form of solar panels.

SunEdison Inc Workforce Initiative“This partnership is making solar more accessible for everyone in America. For lower income families, that means lower electricity bills, more money for necessities, and the opportunity to receive valuable job training,” said Ahmad Chatila, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunEdison. “I’m very proud that with this contribution, SunEdison is truly helping the people who need it most.”

The RISE initiative will provide hands-on training and real-world solar installation experience to over 4,000 people across the country. In addition, the initiative will connect job trainees with solar companies looking for skilled workers. As part of the initiative, GRID Alternatives will provide 40 individuals with one-year paid fellowships in GRID Alternatives’ offices around the country through its SolarCorps program, and SunEdison employees will donate over 2,000 hours of their time installing solar systems for low-income families and supporting job-readiness for trainees.

“The solar industry is adding jobs at a rate of more than 20% year over year,” said Erica Mackie, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GRID Alternatives. “This is an incredible opportunity to connect an industry that needs good people with people that need good jobs, and that’s just what this partnership is doing.”

“The RISE workforce diversity initiative will help put climate policies to work for all Californians, by engaging those communities who need the most help with pollution, energy bills, and job opportunities,” California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said.  “GRID Alternatives and SunEdison’s partnership is a model for California – their job training program gives women and members of underserved communities the skills they need to secure jobs in the solar industry.”

“I have no doubt that the RISE initiative’s hands-on training and recruitment program will ensure that there will always be a ready reservoir of local talent as the industry continues to expand,” stated New York State Assembly member Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx). “And with the explosive growth in demand for solar in New York we’ll need these people. New York’s supportive policy environment for solar development and job creation is starting to pay dividends, with the Empire State now ranked 4th nationally in solar jobs. It is particularly encouraging to see that this robust job growth cuts across all income strata, including helping to expand the pool of minorities in the workforce.”

SunEdison and GRID Alternatives are also working with the White House this week to help President Obama meet his goal of installing 100 megawatts of solar capacity on federally assisted housing in a way that provides job training opportunities to the residents of those communities.

Individuals interested in getting more information on the initiative are invited to visit gridalternatives.org/rise.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Tradewind Energy sells two Georgia solar projects

$
0
0

Tradewind Energy, an independent wind and solar project development company, reached an agreement to sell two solar projects in Decatur County, Ga. to Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power.

The Decatur Parkway Solar Project and the Decatur County Solar Project are expected to produce 80 MW and 19 MW respectively of solar energy when each project comes on line, which is currently scheduled for late 2015. Decatur Parkway will be sited on more than 750 acres, while the Decatur County project will be on nearly 170 acres, with both projects being located in or adjacent to the Decatur County Industrial Air Park north of Bainbridge, Ga.

The Decatur projects were sited by Tradewind, and development began in June of 2013. They were among just 10 projects selected last year through Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power’s 2015 Advanced Solar Initiative bid process. The two Decatur projects represent nearly 20 percent of the total 515 MWs of capacity procured by Georgia Power. Power generated at both sites will be purchased by Georgia Power under long-term contracts. Georgia Power will receive the renewable energy credits (RECs) from the Decatur County Solar Project, and Southern Power will retain the RECs from the Decatur Parkway Solar Project, which it may sell to third parties.

“We were thrilled that our Decatur County projects were selected by Georgia Power for this exciting opportunity, and since being selected we have found Southern Power to be an ideal partner for us to bring these projects to completion,” said Rob Freeman, CEO of Tradewind Energy. “We want to thank the officials in Decatur County for their tremendous leadership in helping to make these projects a true win-win for all involved.”

These projects mark the second and third utility scale solar projects to be acquired and built by Southern Power in Georgia.

“With these two projects, Southern Power and its partners have developed more than 640 MW of solar generation across America since 2012,” said Southern Power President and CEO Oscar Harper. “We are pleased to partner with Tradewind and acquire the Decatur Solar projects – adding renewable resources to further strengthen our growing energy portfolio.”

The projects will also benefit the local community.

“This increase to our tax rolls will provide a huge benefit to the citizens of Decatur County and our Public School System,” said Rick McCaskill, Executive Director of the Development Authority of Bainbridge-Decatur County. “This has been a team effort among the county, Tradewind, Southern Power and neighboring industries such as the bio-polymer company MHG. Working with quality organizations such as Tradewind Energy and Southern Power has given the county a comfort level that these projects will be built to high standards.”

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Q CELLS solar modules power German bakery

$
0
0

The Germany-based bakery and confectionery company Seßelberg-Betriebs-KG relies on self-consumption of solar power. The company from the North German town of Neustadt/Holstein-Ostsee, started operating two PV plants with a total output of 99.5 kWp on the roofs of the administrative buildings and baking facilities several weeks ago, as announced by the bakers’ guild member and Hanwha Q CELLS today. The Seßelberg bakery is using the rooftop solar applications, constructed of Q CELLS modules, to reduce its operating costs. The self-consumption systems produce around 81,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy a year. This is enough to power about 20 homes yearly. The bakery uses over 80 percent of the total amount of electricity to run its baking facilities and for supplying power to its administrative buildings. In other words: even without a storage system, the plant still achieves a very high share in self-consumption. Plus, CO2 emissions are reduced by approx. 50 tons. The international PV supplier delivered around 400 high-performance Q CELLS Q.PRO G-3 solar modules of the 250 watt-peak (Wp) power class. The plant was constructed by installation company dibu energie, Jan Bruhn.

DHanwha Q CELLS is supporting commerce and industry in cutting their electricity costs and in taking an active role in climate protection. The project in the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein is yet another example. Master baker Andreas Seßelberg owns the plant and says, “For me, it’s about energy optimization. And about making baked goods using the energy of the sun.” Seßelberg, who holds a degree in Trade Business Administration, goes on to say, “We save 25 percent of the electricity costs in the long run.” Jan Bruhn, owner of dibu energie, headquartered on the island of Fehmarn says, “We chose to partner up with Q CELLS, because the quality is right. Getting ahead through innovation is more important than ever today.”

Fixed FiT are becoming less common in Germany and being phased out in Europe overall. At the same time, energy prices are going up, for example, in Germany. This is increasing the attraction of self-consumption of solar energy more than ever, especially since grid parity is attained in many countries. “We are pleased to be working productively with a company like the Seßelberg traditional bakery. We’re demonstrating that the use of self-generated solar power makes a lot of sense for a wide variety of economic sectors,” says Marco Schweitzer, who is responsible for Hanwha Q CELLS’ sales activities in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein. “Despite the amendment of the Renewable Energy Act, we still see major opportunities for the self-consumption business model. With power from their own PV plant, the electricity costs of energy, commercial and industrial enterprises are dropping for the long term. We’ll resolutely expand  this customer segment in the future,” adds Michael Geib, Hanwha Q CELLS’ Head of Sales for the DACH region.

The bakery uses its own grain mixes, prepares its own sourdough every day and relies on its own quality products.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World


APS partners with Glenn International for Caribbean, Central America markets

$
0
0

APS microinverters will be represented by Glenn International in the Caribbean and Central America regions, in a first-time partnership between the companies. The agreement extends APS’s product reach in the fast-growing Latin America solar market.

Headquartered in Puerto Rico, Glenn International is a leading supplier of electrical, lighting and telecom equipment for the Caribbean and Central America. The company also maintains offices in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad. Solar equipment is marketed and supported by the company’s EcoGlenn division. “APS microinverters are very high quality, the best the industry has to offer,” said Ignacio Diaz, Director of Sales and Marketing for Glenn International. “Our customers will benefit greatly as we add them to our product line.”

APS microinverter technology is ideally suited for the Caribbean region, where grid standards can vary from one market to the next. APS’s proven chip-based architecture can be configured for any grid standard anywhere in the world. “Glenn International has a long-established presence in the Caribbean and is very knowledgeable of solar,” said Thomas Nelson, APS Vice President of Sales. “We’re very pleased to partner with them to bring our advanced microinverter products to more customers in what has become a dynamic region for solar.”

The partnership is the latest between APS and a top-tier distributor to bring the company’s advanced microinverter products to new international markets. APS recently introduced the YC1000, the world’s first true 3-phase, four-module microinverter, specially designed for large-scale commercial applications. APS’s flagship product, the YC500 microinverter, handles two PV modules with independent monitoring and 500W maximum output.

Glenn International

www.glenninternational.com.

APS

www.apsamerica.com

 

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Q&A with distributor Affordable Solar

$
0
0

Albuquerque-based Affordable Solar started in 1998 when President and CEO David Hughes sold solar panels out of a trailer parked in his backyard to people interested in going off-grid, or as he says, “back-to-the-landers.” Once the grid-tied market took off in the early 2000s, the wholesale distributor secured a strong foot-hold in the market. Affordable Solar today sells more than 100,000 solar panels each year throughout the entire United States. Associate editor Steven Bushong visited Affordable Solar’s headquarters in February to chat with Hughes and Nestor Tarango, director of sales.

Nestor Tarango, director of sales for Affordable Solar

Nestor Tarango, director of sales for Affordable Solar

How does Affordable Solar function as a distributor?
We gear a lot of our services toward the residential installer looking to grow their business. We do that by opening local warehouses in key markets to avoid high costs of shipping. We try to move all the procurement and logistics aspects of the installation business in-house and let the installer focus on what they do best, sales, marketing and installation. We can save installers 20 to 40 hours a week just in planning.

One of the biggest things we do is help people with their go-to market strategy. If an installer buys from a manufacturer, they’re a very small customer. However, working with a distributor gives them personalized attention and offers other services the installer can take advantage of.

We’re able to leverage best practices we see across the industry and create business partnerships that allow everyone to grow. One way we do that is through sales training. Tailored training programs give installers and sales teams the tools they need to differentiate their business and reduce soft costs, resulting in higher margins.

Why is it important for distributors such as Affordable Solar to also know the installation side of the business?
One of the benefits of being in business since 1998 is that we have seen installation companies make the same mistakes over and over again. We’re able to help installers avoid making those mistakes.

The two most important things an installer can focus on are customer acquisition and installation efficiency. The more insight you have in the business, the more you can drive value. There are different things installers doing five to 10 systems a month focus on compared to installers doing 30 to 50 systems. We help our customers understand what other installers in the country are doing, and how to avoid making the classic mistakes.

We minimize the time installers spend fussing with individual orders to streamline the installation process. For example, rather than emailing back and forth for every job, installers can use our online platform to organize jobs, get systems designed and coordinate delivery. The only reason we know to do that is because we have almost 20 years of industry experience.

What kind of project support do you provide to installers?
Oftentimes a solar contractor may not have the experience or résumé to win a large project, so one of the things we will do is partner with them. We offer commercial project support, which makes our customers much more competitive on those big jobs. We can also bring financing to the table that they can’t get on their own. We consider ourselves a business partner and help our installers gain legitimacy through our experience.

Why should installers turn to a distributor vs. a manufacturer?
Few contractors have been in business for more than five years, so it’s difficult for them to get credit with the manufacturer. If you’re going to buy a container of panels and put them in the warehouse somewhere, you’ll need cash to do that. If you’re growing quickly and have a lot of expenses, it makes more sense to use your cash for building your sales and installation capacity than for putting it in expensive inventory. You also have to commit to high volumes or minimum purchases with manufacturers. Working with a distributor usually means the ability to get credit and have better customer service.

Another issue with manufacturers is once you get the inventory, you have to manage it. It’s expensive to have that much money tied up in the warehouse and have internal staff coordinating with installation crews. With a distributor, they are coordinating all of that for you.

Manufacturers are still in a consolidation stage. Because of that, they’re a little desperate. They’re selling to anyone. We’ve seen several module manufacturers that have gone direct and shortly after have gone out of business. They aren’t moving enough modules, so they’re directing reps to sell smaller, but manufacturers aren’t built for that. It leaves installers without material, and they’re frustrated. We’re seeing installers come back to distribution because their businesses are growing fast, and they don’t have time to manage inventory and deal with delays in the supply chain.

What should an installer look for in a distributor?
There are some distributors that are purely transactional brokers. You go to them with a list of components, and they tell you if they are in stock. There is a transaction, and that’s it. Then there are distributors like us—we’re invested in helping our dealers spend less time focusing on logistics and more time winning jobs. We ask installers their goals and work to help them achieve those goals.

Installers should ask: How does my distributor help me grow my business, acquire more customers and save time and money? SPW

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Distributors: Friend to the solar installer

$
0
0

By Marcy Bradshaw-Angier, marketing manager at Fortune Energy

Solar distributors can be a great friend of the solar contractor by helping them reduce product cost, save time, design projects and obtain financing. When distributor relationships are strong, it can make even a small solar installation business feel it has the resources and support of a much larger company. Distributors are all about making connections, signing deals and reducing the bottom line for installers.

Through contacts made at tradeshows, industry associations and news sources, distributors talk to a wide range of people involved in solar. For example, we at Fortune Energy speak directly with our installer customers to understand which products they like to use and which their customers prefer. This abundance of information, in addition to hours of research into various brands, allows distributors to recommend the best products for each project.

The distributor’s goal is to offer top tier brands with quality warranties and provide free manufacturer training opportunities. To do this, distributors work with manufacturers to set up meetings, take factory tours, gather technical details and research warranties before negotiations even begin. Once contracts with manufacturers are signed, solar contractors see the benefits in reduced component rates, which they can pass on to their customers.

Contractors can view distributors as part of their business plans to help them reduce their bottom line. Distributors can help contractors save time, offering all of the project supplies and services they’re looking for at one stop. Many distributors even offer order pick-up at a local warehouse to save money on shipping. We have warehouses at multiple locations and offer short-term storage to contractors if they may need to delay their pickup or delivery.
Distributors also have great resources to help with special orders and additional services. These can include a staff of professional design engineers to help with project design and relationships with solar finance companies with resources for contractors to share with their customers.

Solar distributors can be a great partner for contractors. With volume discounts, project design services, financing connections, warehouse storage and personal account managers, distributors can assist contractors through the entire project. A wholesale solar distributor can increase the bottom line of a solar install business, and all contractors—large and small—should take advantage. SPW

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

North Carolina ranks fourth in the U.S. for installed capacity

$
0
0

A new report from Duke University, The Solar Economy: Widespread Benefits for North Carolina, found that public policies such as North Carolina’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Investment Tax Credit have made North Carolina first in the south and fourth in the nation for installed solar investment, creating jobs and boosting the economy across the state. Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), applauded the study’s findings.

“Duke’s findings are consistent with our experience across the United States: Smart, forward-looking solar policies can be a huge boon to local economies, while decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels,” Resch said. “Today, there are 5,600 people working across the value chain in North Carolina, a more than 40 percent increase from a year ago. But, as the report notes, this incredible growth is at risk unless policy makers continue to support North Carolina’s ability to attract companies in the solar industry, create jobs and promote economic development.”

The 722 megawatts (MW) of solar energy currently installed in North Carolina ranks the state 4th in the country in installed solar capacity and is enough to power 79,000 homes. In 2013, $787 million was invested in North Carolina to install solar for home, business and utility use.  This represents a 156 percent increase over the previous year, and when all the numbers are in for 2014, investment is expected to have grown again.

The following facts come from SEIA:

  • There are currently more than 161 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in North Carolina, employing 3,100 people.
  • In 2013, North Carolina installed 335 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 3rd nationally.
  • The 722 MW of solar energy currently installed in North Carolina ranks the state 4th in the country in installed solar capacity.  There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 79,000 homes.
  • In 2013, $787 million was invested in North Carolina to install solar for home, business and utility use.  This represents a 156% increase over the previous year, and is expected to grow again this year.
  • The price to install solar on homes and businesses has dropped steadily across the country — by 8% from last year and 34% from 2010.
Source: SEIA

The location of solar companies in North Carolina. Source: SEIA

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Webinar: Drowning in solar data, but starving for knowledge?

$
0
0

Live webinar is March 19, 2pm EST. photo (1)

Is solar PV data providing actionable knowledge to ensure solar profits? How are the different aspects of portfolio management, i.e. operations, maintenance and asset management, being served by analytics, or not?

This webinar from Alectris addresses the challenges, solutions and case studies related to solar data generation and intelligence for operations, maintenance and PV management. Data options and generation are growing in size and complexity as it is generated out of 70.8 gigawatts annually by 2018* The interactive webinar format will give attendees an opportunity to learn from peers as we seek to uncover opportunities turn solar “big data” into an integrated solar OPEX reducing machine.

Webinar attendees will learn:

  • Industry challenges including peer input related to Technical (O&M), Financial (asset management, AM) and Administrative (AM) data generation, interpretation and report generation
  • OPEX reduction opportunities in O&M reporting including leveraging IT platform developments to yield reliability improvements and spare part stocking level intelligence
  • A study of Solar ERP (enterprise resource platform) developments to reduce OPEX and increase profits for European based solar plants

Register for this webinar here.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Contractors Corner: SunHarvest Solar & Electrical

$
0
0

When Brandon Cheshire founded SunHarvest Solar & Electrical in 2009, he was ready to use his years of electrical experience to bring renewable energy to homeowners in the Phoenix area. He didn’t expect to spend most of his time fighting for acceptance.

“I haven’t really wanted to get involved in public policy, regulation or politics, but it seems like I’m wearing a second hat nowadays that’s more of a lobbyist or a political insider,” Cheshire said. “I meet with senators and regulators and try to convince them that solar is an economically viable solution and it should be embraced instead of resisted.”
The regulatory atmosphere of SunHarvest’s service area in Arizona is tough right now.

group5“We have the two largest utility companies in the state that have tried to pass a solar fee of $50 to $100 a month for their solar customers,” Cheshire said. “The regulated monopoly was able to get a 70-cents-per-kilowatt fee initiated for solar customers, and that is per month. The second utility is currently accepting public comments for a similar revenue tax on the sun.”

Even with the setbacks, SunHarvest—which works on mostly residential systems—is on track to install close to 200 kW each week in 2015.

“Our local governments are doing great things to invest in solar,” Cheshire said. “When you get down to the local levels like the city councils and mayors, they’re doing a handful of things and have passed solar generation standards by 2020 or 2025 that are very progressive. The fight is always going to be with the state and the federal government and the regulatory interests of a few, but decisions are paving the way for states to adopt more aggressive implementation standards.”

Cheshire believes more consumers will catch on to the benefits of solar in the near future.

toralba1“I believe solar will be as ubiquitous as cell phones in five years,” Cheshire said. “If I had to make a prediction, I believe this will be out of environmental and scientific necessity. I’d like to quote Jimi Hendrix here, and he said that we’ll have peace when the power of love overcomes the love of power. I believe that the will and urgency to adopt solar will be evident and prevalent in five years.”

SunHarvest Solar’s unique blend of services allows customers to choose the company’s level of involvement.

“We have somewhat of an ala carte brand of services,” Cheshire said. “We’ll work with the customer who is the do-it-yourself and the survivalist, and they want to do everything [and] just need a licensed contractor to certify and inspect. We’ll offer the full spectrum where the homeowner just needs to sign and give us access to their roof and everything is done for them. [We] will really cater to both those sides and anything in between.”

whitneyAt the end of the day, the enjoyment Cheshire feels by providing homeowners with renewable energy is still there.

“I love creating positive change and powering citizens and consumers alike and the satisfaction received from an honest day’s work,” he said. “Turning on a little power plant that you just spent the day building is incredibly rewarding on so many levels. Plus, we’re doing our part and leading by example and hopefully providing a legacy for our progeny.” SPW

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

DuPont, TSEC partner on high efficiency solar panel

$
0
0

DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions and TSEC Corporation (TSEC), will showcase TSEC’s newest “V-Series” high-efficiency solar panels for the first time during PV EXPO 2015 in Tokyo, Japan, from Feb. 25 – 27. The solar cells in the V-Series panels are made using new DuPont Solamet photovoltaic metallization pastes that have been customized and optimized to help achieve more efficient conversion of sunlight to electrical energy, significantly improving the panel’s power output. The panels also are protected by DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film-based backsheets that are proven to deliver long-term reliability for 25 years or longer, under all-weather conditions.

“What TSEC and DuPont have achieved with V-Series represents an important technology advance for the solar energy industry,” said Tim Chang, Asia Pacific regional business director, DuPont Microcircuit Materials. “With Solamet pastes optimized for TSEC’s V-Cell manufacturing process, we’ve hit our conversion efficiency target of over 21 percent – not just in the lab, but in production. And the use of Tedlar film-based backsheets will help extend that power production advantage reliably for 25 years or more. Our collaboration has brought together a compelling combination of materials and manufacturing that further differentiates both companies’ offerings from the rest of the field.”

TSEC signed an agreement with DuPont in late 2014 establishing a collaboration under which DuPont would create customized silver paste materials suited for lower temperature processing in order to boost the efficiency of TSEC’s proprietary Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) solar cell architecture. Use of the new Solamet silver pastes on the front and rear side of the solar cells allowed TSEC to gain an additional 0.15 percent conversion efficiency to push the total to over 21 percent, its highest yet for this type of solar cell. Increasing efficiency helped improve the power output of the V-Series panels to more than 300 watts and 360 watts in 60-cell and 72-cell configurations, respectively. Higher efficiency also lowers overall system costs and improves the return on investment for solar energy systems.

“TSEC strives for the best quality solar panels at the lowest cost of ownership,” said C.J. Hung chief operating officer, TSEC. “By integrating the most efficient and most durable materials in our V-Series solar panels, we’ve reached key cost and quality milestones and we’ll continue to work together with DuPont on next generation advances.”

On Jan. 26, 2015, TSEC announced plans to increase its investment in research and development to further boost efficiency and to work more closely with governments, research institutions, and value chain partners on technology development to benefit key solar growth markets including the United States and Japan. Through the collaboration in R&D, DuPont and TSEC together are innovating for a more sustainable future.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World


Connectors allow mixing classes of conductors

$
0
0

ilscoILSCO has enhanced its Nimbus 4Flex line of pre-insulated connectors. Nimbus motors are available to order as single catalog numbers or as pre-configured kits for specific motor applications. With Nimbus motors the installer can mix any class of copper and/or aluminum conductor without concern for expansion, contraction, and galvanic corrosion.

ILSCO’s screw design improves vibration resistance, compresses conductor without damage, and eliminates the need for ferrules making it reusable. These products provide a superior connection to traditional installation methods such as wire nuts and split bolts with tape.

The kits simplify Megger testing for motors; easily disconnect and reconnect without the cost of additional materials while reducing labor expense. The offering features color coded screw caps with embossed lettering to simplify motor hook-up and are ideal for use in motor and generator applications.

The entire line of NIMBUS connectors are UL Listed, CSA Certified, RoHS Compliant and dual rated for copper or aluminum conductor.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Tigo offers universal platform for any smart solar module

$
0
0

Tigo Energy introduces its TS4 platform. This solution is composed of a TS4 base with a new standard interface applied to any PV module and a TS4 cover that contains MLPE electronics (each cover has different functionality) that can plug into the base. The TS4 platform provides superior flexibility for installers to choose from a wide variety of features, functions, and price points. The TS4-D (diodes) is priced the same as a traditional Jbox with all the TS4 platform benefits at no additional cost.

tigo

 

Tigo offers five TS4 covers that are compatible with this platform. Each cover offers unique MLPE functionality, at varying price, that provide distinctive features and benefits. This gives installers the freedom to select the right features for any given project or budget.

Installers can choose from module-level monitoring, safety (2014 Rapid Shutdown compliant), optimization, and longer strings.

Customers can also standardize on TS4-D, at the same cost as a traditional module, but with the ability to easily remove the diodes and upgrade in the future as needed. They may buy only TS4 based PV modules for any project need.

tigo1

 

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Solar Speaks: Creating solar storage out of waste

$
0
0

Remember vanadium from your high school science class? We spoke with Imergy President Tim Hennessey who told us how his company is using a lower-cost vanadium waste product to create batteries that can last longer and hold more power than many other options out there. Listen to learn more.

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Seven ways to sell with solar design software: collaborative selling

$
0
0

As the solar industry continues its exponential growth, installers need creative ways to continue scaling their teams while maintaining their effectiveness. Many of the easiest solar deals have been closed, so the sales techniques that worked for the first 600,000 homes that went solar are not guaranteed to work for the next two million.

One of the keys to successful sales is understanding the customer and tailoring a sales approach based on his or her unique needs and priorities. A good salesperson will customize their approach based on the customer’s engagement level, urgency, decision drivers and price sensitivity.

Think about sales techniques like a set of golf clubs: A skilled golfer assesses the unique situation of each shot, and chooses the appropriate club each time. In the same way, a good salesperson will thoughtfully select the sales technique for each customer interaction.

Advanced software tools help enable new sales techniques that were not available in the past. In this series, we will describe the most common sales techniques and show how software tools can help you use them yourself.

helioscope-1

Advanced solar design software, such a HelioScope by Folsom Labs, lets a salesperson and customer collaborate on system design. Collaborative selling gives the customer a feeling of ownership over major project details, such as location and components. This technique, though more time-intensive than traditional sales techniques, is more likely to lead to a sale.

Part 1: Collaborative selling

The technique

In a typical system sale, you propose a project to a customer, complete with a design and equipment set. Inevitably, this sets up a dynamic in which you must explain and defend each aspect of the design. As customers ask questions, even well-intentioned ones, an adversarial dynamic can develop between a salesperson and customer, where you are on the defensive, and the customer is on the offensive.

As an alternative, why not let the customer design the system—or at least the basic parts of one? Meet to discuss a potential project, without a formally pre-configured array in-tow. Instead, talk through the 3 to 5 main system design aspects with the customer, letting them decide which direction they want to take with each step. Each decision should have two (or three at most) options. You should be able to explain the pros and cons of each.

This technique places just the 3 to 5 most visible system details (system size, component choice, etc.) into the hands of the customer, which makes them feel like an intrinsic part of the project development. A salesperson still controls the process and options that are on the table, as well as the majority of engineering decisions. In fact, 90% of the system design decisions is still be in the hands of the installer—important details such as the module layout, racking choice, grounding and code compliance. These details are too technical to be driven by the customer. This is a lot like automobile sales: The customer can specify the color of the car, the type of trim, and the size of the engine, but there are still hundreds of engineering decisions that are not up to the customer.

The key to this technique is making the process (and system details) feel like the customer’s idea—and therefore, having them feel ownership for the ultimate system.

What it looks like

While this sales method may sound complex, the process doesn’t have to be difficult. And with advanced solar project design software, you can design projects with the customer, right in their own office or living room, further reinforcing the fact that they are having real design input.

Generally, three to four design decisions lend themselves well to this type of customer collaboration. They are as follows:

Location: Where should we put the array (rooftop, carport arrays, or ground-mounted array)?

helioscope-2

System size: How large should the array be? Is the customer looking for a partial offset of their usage, or full offset?

helioscope-3

Components: What kind of equipment should we use? Crystalline modules, American-made modules, or high-efficiency modules? Central inverters, Microinverters, or optimizers?

helioscope-4

Finance: How should the system be financed? Does the customer prefer a PPA, lease or cash?

When this sales technique works best

Engaged customers: This technique works well with customers that want to be highly engaged in system design. For example, if a customer is already tracking their energy consumption, this is a good sign that the collaborative sell will work. Also, ask how they purchased their last car. If the process involved a lot of research, this also indicates that the customer will want a similar level of engagement with their solar array.

VP of Operations: With commercial customers, you will often have a range of decision makers, from the business owner to the operations team to the legal team. If the main point-person on the project is the operations lead, then this technique can work very well. The VP of Operations needs to be able to explain the system choices to the rest of the team. So by including them in the decision-making process up-front, you set them up for success internally with the rest of their team.

Advantages

Customer ownership: Because the system is designed based on the customer’s decisions at each stage, they will feel a much greater sense of ownership over the final product – and you will have a much higher rate of success with the deal.

Competitive success: If a competitor comes knocking on the same customer’s door with an alternative proposal, the business is not just competing against you – they’re competing with the customer’s own decisions. Plus, the customer is that much more likely to come back to you if any other installers propose a different approach.

Disadvantages

Time investment: This technique takes a longer time with the customer, so if your deal time gets shortened, you may need to abandon this approach in favor of one with a faster result.

In closing

Customer collaboration is often overlooked when we are strapped for time and want to get proposals out the door as quickly as possible. But when used well, this technique can turn 50-50 chances into a guaranteed close.

 

Paul Grana is the co-founder and head of sales & marketing for Folsom Labs.

 

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Fighting Dirty: Manual Washing vs. Automatic Cleaning of Solar Modules

$
0
0

If only a solar project was truly finished once you hooked it up to the grid. We now know better than to expect an array to function at peak production for 20 years without a little upkeep. O&M has grown into a huge business, and module washing is an important segment that shouldn’t be forgotten. Just as quickly as system owners have recognized a need for panel cleaning, new technologies have entered the market. No-touch robots offer an alternative to manual washing, and now some techniques avoid water altogether. Both sides say they’re better than the other—manual washing may be more precise and of a higher quality while automatic/robotic cleaning might be quicker and can be scheduled more frequently. What method works best for your system?

Manual Washing
Elite Module Washing, based out of Longmont, Colo., is a manual panel washing team that mobilizes to nearly any location in the United States and abroad. Rather than have Elite affiliates in various cities, CEO Bryan Dirkes said having one team allows him to make sure everyone is qualified and properly trained.

“We hire everyone locally here out of Colorado, and we travel to the sites with our set crews,” he said. “Everybody knows their job, everybody knows what they’re doing. There isn’t any training each day or worrying about if so-and-so can do this.”

Elite (1) Elite works mostly on utility-scale sites and usually won’t take on a new customer unless it’s at least 40,000 panels. Contracts are based on how dirty the geographic region is—arid and agricultural areas tend to be dirtier than others and require more frequent cleanings. Often, the beginning of summer is Elite’s busiest time because a lot of customers want panels cleaned at the height of the solar season to get maximum output.

Elite only uses water and a soft bristled brush to clean panels. Through local water hookups, the crew filters the water to make sure it’s at 0 TDS (total dissolved solids). Dirkes said that even though there are biodegradable soaps, the amount you would need to clean a large utility site with 1 million panels is too much to be comfortable with soaking into the ground. Water does a great job alone.

“Glass is already porous by nature. It has little divots you can’t see with your naked eye,” he said. “If you use any sort of soap or a squeegee for that matter, it’s going to end up filling those pores and you’ll get dirt, soap particles, anything stuck. Your glass is eventually going to haze over time.”

Elite prefers brushes over squeegees because they also help to clear gunk around the frame.

Elite (4)“Our brushes get in between the frames a bit. A lot of companies that use squeegees don’t have that capability,” he said. “They pull that squeegee down and it crams that dirt into that bottom rail. If it happens to flip to the other side on a single-axis tracker and it rains, then all that mud and grime is just going to be coming down the top of that panel. It totally defeated the purpose of cleaning. The brushes help push that stuff out of there and a rinse knocks it off completely.”

While Elite is contacted after owners notice production has slipped, Dirkes said most business comes during initial budget proposals before projects are even built. The company is currently bidding on projects that won’t begin construction for another year or two. This proves that everyone is taking panel washing more seriously.

“We’re always improving on our equipment and our procedures. By doing that, it can only make us better and faster,” Dirkes said. “We’re continuing to strive toward anything we can do to speed up the process or lower the price on something as vital as module washing.”

Automatic Cleaning
Heliotex has been manufacturing automatic cleaning systems since 2008 and has installations worldwide but focuses on California and Arizona. There are no moving parts or robotic elements; the Heliotex system looks like a sprinkler, with nozzles positioned every few panels. The system runs a wash (with soap) cycle and a rinse cycle, with adjustable frequency. No tools are used, and panels are cleaned just by gravity.

Heliotex (1)While the company suggests a one-minute wash and rinse cycle once a week, some installation areas may need more. Take a rooftop solar system next to a cement manufacturer. That constant cloud of dust should be cleaned weekly (if not daily). Heliotex owner Gene Hunt’s motto is to “clean it before it gets dirty.”

“Every day that you’re not cleaning the panels, it’s going to get dirtier,” he said. “There are two things with cleaning: You must use clean water, and don’t allow the panels to get dirty. Once they’re dirty, it’s harder to get clean.”
That’s why Heliotex persuades customers away from manual cleaning once or twice a year. With the Heliotex system, a quick and automatic spray on a weekly basis boosts production.

“Our system affords the opportunity to keep your panels clean every day, not just two to four days a year,” Hunt said.
The system operates in the overnight hours to 1) not interfere with the electricity-producing daytime, 2) prevent damage to the panels (you don’t want to spray water on hot glass at high noon) and 3) avoid soap and water drying prematurely. Heliotex has its own soap concentrate for use during the wash cycle that Hunt said complies with all EPA conditions and is biodegradable even over time and continual use.

Heliotex (2)Wash and rinse cycles do not always have to be run in succession. Hunt said that while washing doesn’t have to be done every week, rinsing more frequently does help keep panels clean without having to use the soap.

“The panels might not be too dirty so they’ll clean once a month but run just water cycles in between,” he said. “It ensures that you don’t get an accumulation of particulates on the panels.”

Frequent rinses takes away the concern of bird droppings and other debris baking on and really needing some elbow grease to remove.

Heliotex prices its systems by square-feet not kilowatts. The biggest requirement is access to water and water pressure. Heliotex will install various pipes and pumps if necessary to make sure the spray on the panels cleans them effectively. Rather than being an annual O&M cost, the Heliotex system can be looked at as a complementary installation to the solar array and take advantage of various tax rebates. SPW

WATER-FREE CONTENDERS

Drought-stricken regions are usually the ones with the most solar installations. So why not use a waterless cleaning system? Here are two robots fresh to the market.

Ecoppia E4

Ecoppia E4

Ecoppia’s E4
The E4 water-free, robotic solution from Ecoppia cleans panels every day with a soft microfiber and gentle air flow. Floating over a frame that travels alongside each row of panels, Ecoppia claims the E4 removes 99% of dust during its daily cleanings. Each E4 robot has its own solar panel, so no power is taken from the solar row it’s cleaning. Headquartered in Israel, Ecoppia has cleaned more than 5.1 million panels since forming in 2013, mostly in the dusty, desert regions of the Middle East.

 

Ecovacs Robotics RAYBOT

Ecovacs Robotics RAYBOT

Ecovacs Robotics’ RAYBOT
Household robotic innovator Ecovacs Robotics just recently introduced the RAYBOT, a waterless solar panel cleaning robot. The small robot suctions to panels tilted up to 55° and sweeps, blows and vacuums dust and dirt. A detachable battery is easily replaced when power runs out. Ecovacs is currently conducting final tests for the solar robot in China and California and expects RAYBOT to launch later this year.

 

 

LinkedInTumblrStumbleUponRedditFlipboard

Solar Power World

Viewing all 4445 articles
Browse latest View live