EcoFasten Solar has announced the launch of its newest product, the Rock-It System, a rail-free solar roof mount. The Rock-It System conforms to UL 2703, bearing the ETL Listed mark by Intertek Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), and holds a Class A Fire Class Resistance Rating when using Type 1, listed PV modules.

Product compliance was determined through rigorous, uncompromised testing. UL 2703 is comprised of three required testing parameters:

• Integrated Grounding and Bonding
• Fire Classification
• Mechanical Loading

EcoFasten Solar designs, engineers and manufacturers patented, watertight solar roof mounts and components from their facilities in Morrisville, Vermont. Working closely with leading solar developers, racking system providers, roofing manufacturers and commercial installation companies, the EcoFasten Solar line of products were designed with the installer in mind.

Solar Power World

The time has come to think about your marketing. Are you successful and looking to do more, bombing miserably or have no idea where to start? Don’t worry, no matter what stage you’re in, we’ve all lived through it. Luckily, the information we need is at our fingertips. Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Nancy Edwards, principal of Clean Power Marketing Group. Nancy built her career in the entertainment industry and in 2010 moved to renewables. She has extensive knowledge on marketing best practices and shares her tips on creating a successful campaign.

Stacy Combest is the marketing manager at WTWH Media, the publisher of Solar Power World. 

What is important to consider about your audience when beginning to market to them?

Thank you for asking first about audience! In the Wild West world of solar, it’s tempting to gallop straight into tactics, but it’s so important to think first about who your audience is and what they care about. Of course, you want to zero-in on specific demographics, and in residential solar, that’s age, income bracket and specific zip codes, if available. In the commercial market, segment your customers by industry, not size, and you’ll be much more relevant in your communications.

The second aspect crucial to consider about your audience is why they care. In the commercial world, people are most often motivated by financial returns. But certain segments (public education, for example) care about the broader benefits of solar.

How should a company handle presenting its strengths and weaknesses?

It’s always better to focus on your strengths, but understanding your weaknesses from a customer point of view can help you navigate difficult conversations. If you know, for instance, that you are one of the more expensive solar contractors in your community, be ready to answer why. Is it because you offer a superior product? Is it because your service is outstanding?

How should your message address the competition?

The first rule of effective messaging is to talk to your customers, not your competitors. Certainly, it makes sense to highlight the competitive differences your company offers, but focus on your strengths and not your competitor’s weaknesses. And of course, always be sure you can deliver whatever you promise.

How often should a company change or update its marketing slogan/campaign?

I’m going to get a bit heretical here: I’m not a big fan of marketing slogans. I don’t believe any customers will knock down your doors because of a catchy slogan. But I do believe marketing taglines or slogans can be helpful in that they’re a constant reminder for your employees. If your message is “We are the solar experts,” then your field staff better be trained and ready for any question.

Nancy Edwards is principal of Clean Power Marketing Group.

When it comes to campaigns, it is better to err on the side of redundancy. Remember the frequency rule of three: A prospect needs to see your message at least three times in rapid succession before they’ll take action. While we’re talking action, is your campaign’s call to action obvious, easy and fulfilling? Every time you ask your prospect to respond, make sure there is an immediate reward. Customer interactions should be rewarding and should always lead the prospect to the next natural step in a very fulfilling relationship.

Do you recommend testing a message? If so, how?

Message testing is always recommended, but if you think about it, you’re testing messages every time you talk to a customer. If you want to get semi-scientific, most email providers offer the ability to A/B test subject lines. If you’re trying to understand, for instance, whether your audience will respond better to a message of solar’s financial benefit vs. an environmental message, do a simple A/B test against a subset of your audience with two different subject lines: “Save Money with Solar” vs. “Reduce your Carbon Footprint with Solar.” Make the messages distinct enough that the responses matter.

Do you have any additional advice for solar companies hoping to broaden their marketing message?

Effective marketing requires discipline and, like any good science, a bit of trial and error. Don’t be afraid to try new things in your marketing, but give your efforts time to work. If you need more guidance on how to create an effective marketing strategy, Clean Power Marketing Group is happy to help.

Solar Power World

SMA has rolled out a rebate program for its Sunny Boy 240-US micro inverter. Installers can now receive $10 cash back for each Sunny Boy 240-US purchased in the United States through December 31, 2015, with no quantity limitations.

Redeeming the rebate is simple and can be completed in two easy steps. First, installers must purchase the Sunny Boy 240-US from a participating SMA Authorized Distributor. Then, they must submit purchase information along with the receipt to SMA before the end of the following calendar month. Once that is received, SMA will mail a rebate check within 90 days directly to the installer.

“With each purchase of the Sunny Boy 240-US, installers will receive SMA’s legendary reliability, American-assembled quality and more cash back in their pockets,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America. “These benefits translate into significant  short-term margins and long-term O&M savings.”

The Sunny Boy 240-US is ideal for residential systems and rooftops with complex, shaded situations. It boasts an improved cabling concept that eliminates the need for a trunk and branch cabling scheme, increasing flexibility. Simple installation is achieved by pre-assembled AC plugs and connection cables used in a daisy chain configuration.

Furthermore, the Sunny Boy 240-US includes the exclusive Sunny Multigate-US, which provides reliable, distortion-free communication between the micro inverter and Sunny Portal by keeping the powerline communications on a private band. This groundbreaking technology enables greater energy production and superior reliability by mitigating the damaging effects of temperature-related stress commonly found under a module. The result is a drastically reduced failure rate when compared to other micro inverters.

The Sunny Boy 240-US is available via a streamlined ordering process and with warranty options that can be easily upgraded to 20 years with minimal investment. To locate an SMA Authorized Distributor, solar professionals can visit SMA America’s website and click “Where to Buy” to learn more about each distribution partner.

Solar Power World

MiaSolé, a Hanergy company, in partnership with McElroy Metal, has been selected by Siegel & Strain Architects as the provider of solar panels for the redesigned NatureBridge National Environmental Science Center in Yosemite National Park, California. The NatureBridge National Environmental Science Center will host residential environmental science programs in Yosemite National Park that offer students in grades K-12 the opportunity to learn hands-on science. The facility will also be used to provide professional development classes to adults such as Wilderness First Responder Recertification courses.

In early 2015, MiaSolé entered into a partnership with McElroy Metal to sell MiaSolé FLEX series thin-film solar modules as part of McElroy Metal’s solar panel solutions. The MiaSolé thin-film modules carry a 15.5% efficiency rating with a simple peel-and-stick application method that reduces balance of system costs by 20%. McElroy will offer MiaSolé modules factory laminated directly to their metal roof panels to create a lightweight, low profile solar energy solution durable in extreme, high wind and seismic zones and on buildings with limited load bearing roofs.

McElroy also markets complete solar kits for projects such as residential homes, storage units, and  most any commercial building. By providing square footage and location, McElroy can provide a complete, pre-engineered solar package with MiaSolé modules, inverter and balance of system components.

The MiaSolé and McElroy Metal partnership combines many advantages for architects, developers, builders, and contractors. The 25-year plus power output of the MiaSolé FLEX series modules compliments the long service life of metal roofs, providing the best life cycle cost to the consumer.

Solar Power World

REC Group has successfully completed tests to confirm that REC solar panels can be deployed in floating solar installations to the same exacting standards of reliability, performance and quality as on rooftops or in ground-mounted installations. Since the company has extended its product and performance guarantees to include floating solar installations, investors and users can rely on REC panels’ long-term reliability and optimized energy output for these innovative projects under way in several parts of the United States, Mexico, and other countries.

The costs of solar technology have dropped by more than 50% over the past six years and continue to shrinkwith solar energy reaching grid parity in more and more regions around the world. Analysts predict that solar will be the world’s most common energy source by 2050, with generation costs reaching ~2 cents per kilowatt-hour. The total installed capacity of solar photovoltaic is expected to increase to 4,600 gigawatts (GW) by 2050, up from ~150 GW today.

But in some regions, the greatest barrier to accelerated solar growth might be the amount of available acreage. No matter how much sunshine they enjoy, countries and regions where space is at a premium, such as the U.S. East Coast, Japan, U.K., and Hong Kong, are seeking alternative deployment strategies such as floating solar installations.

Putting solar on fresh water makes sense

With projects sized from a few kilowatts to several megawatts and more, floating solar installations have the potential to power thousands of households, and enable underused bodies of water to become solar-friendly real estate. A wide range of sites are suitable, including wastewater ponds at water treatment facilities and chemical plants, irrigation storage ponds at farms or vineyards, quarry lakes, and large storage reservoirs behind dams. A growing number of such installations have been built or are in various stages of development, including projects in California, Arizona, Texas, New Jersey, Mexico, Brazil, France, Japan, and Australia.

Heavy power users such as water treatment facilities, for example, could save hundreds of thousands of dollars per year by using electricity generated by a floating solar installation. Since lease payments for underutilized bodies of water are likely to be lower than land lease payments, a floating installation could be even more competitive compared to other energy sources. Owners of these “liquid assets” could benefit from modest revenue streams by leasing their water surface.

The benefits of floating solar installations go beyond the obvious economic advantages of distributed onsite power generation. In drought-impacted, energy-hungry areas such as California, the sun-blocking shade provided by such systems can significantly reduce water evaporation. The shading effect also hinders photosynthesis in the water and therefore results in less algae growth on the ponds themselves.

Arndt Lutz, senior vice president of REC Group and managing director of its North American business, is confident that REC’s high-performance solar panels will help pioneer this new direction. “For many investors, solar installations on water surfaces are uncharted territory, and there are very few projects worldwide to serve as benchmarks. We are delighted to extend REC’s product and performance guarantees to floating applications in North America. This gives U.S. and other regional investors and users greater investment security, while also delivering substantial ecological benefits.”

REC assured quality for floating installations

Floating PV systems experience different dynamic stresses compared to those encountered by standard ground-mounted installations. REC has performed rigorous component and panel evaluations in real and simulated floating conditions, including component salt spray, panel vibration, immersion and UV exposure tests.

The installation is relatively easy to implement, since the floatation structure can be assembled without heavy equipment. As an initial example, REC solar panels have been proven to be safe for installations on specially designed Hydrelio floating pontoons manufactured by the French company Ciel et Terre, with a water salinity not exceeding 25 mS/cm at 25°C (15 PSU).

Solar Power World

Quotes for very large solar photovoltaic projects in sunny parts of the United States are coming in at an astounding 5 to 6 cents per kWh. Certainly these projects enjoy economies-of-scale advantages compared to smaller or rooftop photovoltaic projects. There is, however, one other very important technology advantage—because the utility-size systems are ground mounted, trackers can be used to follow the sun throughout daylight hours. The advantages of trackers are dramatic, often increasing annual power production 20% compared to “fixed” (or non-moving) mounted systems. For most states in the lower 48 states, trackers will more than make up for their modest increase in upfront costs over the lifetime of a system, often leading to the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) in projects. Not only is annual production increased but also tracking systems produce more power during peak demand hours compared to “fixed” mounted systems.

Tracking the sun can lead to significant advantages

Very large PV projects are ground mounted, presenting a basic question for a utility, which is whether to use a fixed mounted PV system or a system that tracks the sun during the day? Key considerations include the total annual electricity production and the amount of electricity produced during hours when electricity demand is at its highest (“peak” hours).

PV Watts, available at http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/pvwatts.php and provided by the National Renewables Energy Lab (NREL), is a useful tool for examining the tradeoffs involved. The software predicts the power produced from a PV system under various configurations. If a sunny location, like Albuquerque, New Mexico, is selected, the software indicates a single-axis tracker would produce about 20% more energy compared to the same size (Wdc), optimally oriented/tilted fixed PV system. But the story is deeper than that. A tracking system will also produce more energy when a utility most wants it – when electric demands are at their peak.

Take for example the following hourly simulation of power production on a July 23 day in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The maximum production in hour 14 was set to 100 MWh. Notice how much more the tracker is producing during “on-peak” hours 8, 9, 10, and hours 15, 16, 17 compared to a fixed mounted PV system. In hour 13 the tracker and fixed system are forecasted to have nearly the same output because they are essentially operating at the same orientation at “solar noon.” There was also a cloud event in that hour which would diffuse the sunlight. Which raises a point about fixed versus tracker systems—the benefits of trackers can go down in areas where sunlight is scattered due to clouds.

Trackers typically add 2 to 10% additional upfront costs on large, utility-scale project. Recouping that added investment is certainly location dependent, but, generally speaking, single-axis trackers produce about 20% more energy compared to fixed mount systems just about anywhere in the U.S. However, the amount of annual energy produced in a cloudy location like Seattle is only about 60% of a sunny area like Albuquerque, which will greatly impact the economic tradeoff analysis.

One hurdle for trackers is an outdated perception of added maintenance requirements or lack of reliability. But that is an image of the past, as more mature tracker manufacturers are reporting 99.99% uptime with gigawatts of installations under their belt. Some recent innovations include simplified designs having fewer motors, self-calibration, and no required routine maintenance.

The utility-scale PV market is taking off

Turn the clock back just five years and solar power was largely viewed as a curiosity in the utility industry   Solar costs were multiples higher compared to its renewable competitor, wind energy; so high in fact that some states made “special” carve outs for solar in their renewable portfolio standards (RPS) so that solar would not be left out.

What a difference five years makes. The install cost for solar has steadily dropped, positioning solar to be the lowest cost renewable energy source available for many parts of the U.S. The following “cost per watt (AC)” graph was generated from Go Solar California, which has a database of all customer-installed solar projects available at https://www.californiasolarstatistics.ca.gov/reports/quarterly_cost_per_watt/, illustrating the dramatic drop in the install cost of solar.

Notice since 2007 the install price for smaller PV systems (under 0.5 MW) has dropped from around $10 per Watt AC to around $5. The cost for medium size systems (0.5 to 1 MW) are about 60% that of smaller systems around $3 per Watt AC today. Even larger PV tracking projects over 25 MW in size are now being installed for under $2 per Watt AC.

With the drop in solar costs, installations have soared. According to SEPA, the US market for PV ballooned to 6 GW in 2014, more than six times what it was in just 2010. The good times are expected to continue with a forecast of 12 GW of PV installed in 2016, representing a “gold rush” to take advantage of expiring federal tax credits. The soaring growth has in large part been driven by utility-scale systems, whose annual installations increased from near 0 GW in 2009 to 4 GW in 2014, and are forecasted to be around 7 GW in 2016.

2017 may, however, see a dramatic drop in the PV market size as the federal tax credits will be lowered unless the current law is changed. Hopefully solar will continue its downward trajectory in costs to offset the reduction in the tax credits. With the continued improvement in performance and cost of all major components including modules, trackers and inverters, it appears utility-scale solar is here to stay and is positioned to be a very competitive source of electricity going forward.

Written by Array Technologies, Inc.

Solar Power World

Neil Z. Auerbach is the CEO and Managing Partner of Hudson Clean Energy

With the dramatic decline in the price of solar panels, consumers now find solar to be an economical choice in an ever-increasing number of regional markets. The result has been a solar boom, especially in the residential sector, where the growth rate has been nothing short of explosive. But despite this growth, residential solar is still in its nascent stages, with a penetration rate barely nudging 1%. What will it require for residential solar to take its place at the table with other mature energy asset classes? One answer is compelling finance solutions, such as low-cost, easy-to-execute loans that require no down payment and offer consumers cost savings on electricity bills from Day 1. Such products have only recently been introduced in the residential solar financing market, but once their use becomes widespread, there will be nothing stopping the residential solar market.

Problems with PPAs and leases

The dominant financing products in today’s residential market are leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). But these carry inherent drawbacks that are a legacy of their origin in the solar commercial and industrial space. The primary drawback is that the homeowner doesn’t own the system—it is owned by the leaseholder or the PPA provider. Apart from Americans having a strong preference for ownership, the major liability of the lease/PPA model is that the leaseholder or PPA provider reaps the benefit of valuable state and federal financial incentives. One is SRECS, a state incentive that rewards producers of solar electricity, and another is the federal ITC for 30% of the upfront cost. Although the ITC for residential solar is due to reduce at the end of 2016, it has been, and remains, a powerful incentive.

Another major drawback of the lease and PPA models is that there is no opportunity for the homeowner to generate free electricity. Under these models, the homeowner just keeps on paying a monthly fee. Instead, through residential loans the homeowner owns the system free and clear once the term of the loan is up. Since solar systems are generally warrantied for 25 years and may have a lifespan of 30 years or more, this means the homeowner could ultimately benefit from years of free electricity. Still another drawback is that the lease/PPA model adds nothing to the value of a home—in fact, it may even detract from it. The loan model makes a home more valuable—typically more valuable than the outstanding loan balance.

What makes a good residential solar loan?

So if loans are better than the competing financial products, why do leases and PPAs dominate the residential solar financing market? The reason is that there haven’t been a lot of good residential solar loan products around—ones that require no money down, are low-cost so consumers achieve significant savings on their electricity bills from Day 1 and are easy-to-execute with online or over-the-phone approvals in a matter of minutes.

Traditional solar loan products typically have terms of 10 to 12 years, which means monthly payments will often be higher than the monthly electricity bill from the utility—a price premium that demands a greater commitment to renewable energy than many homeowners are willing to make. By contrast, longer-term loans translate to lower monthly payments, which means the cost of solar is lower than the cost of electricity from the utility from the very outset. SolarCity has blazed a trail with its MyPower loan, cast as a 30-year loan in the form of a PPA. Although very popular with consumers right now, SolarCity’s version of the loan doesn’t offer consumers what every loan product should provide: the promise of years of payment-free ownership of an energy asset on their roof. As loans with 15- to 25-year tenures become more widely available, homeowners will be able to enjoy the twin benefits of immediate utility bill savings and the promise of free energy down the road.

While leases and PPAs dominate today’s residential solar financing market, that can be expected to change with the introduction of better residential solar loans. When that happens, consumers will have the opportunity to adopt solar in ever-increasing numbers, and residential solar will be seated comfortably at the grownup table of energy service providers.

By: Neil Z. Auerbach, CEO and Managing Partner of Hudson Clean Energy

Solar Power World

Cenergy Power (Cenergy) and Poindexter Nut Company (Poindexter) have just finalized an agreement to expand Poindexter’s existing 1.1 MWdc solar capacity by another 1.4 MWdc. The expansion projects comprise of two solar photovoltaic (PV) systems sized at 297.6 kilowatts (kWdc) and 1078.8 kWdc for the Fresno County-based Walnut grower and processor. This latest expansion places Poindexter among Ag businesses with the largest distributed solar capacities in the Central Valley.

Due to Poindexter’s exponential load growth and rising utility power charges since the installation of its existing system in 2012, the addition of the new solar systems made a lot of economic sense and will boost Poindexter’s overall solar generation to nearly 4 million kWh of clean solar power annually. This reduces the amount of Poindexter’s utility power usage at its walnut processing operation by up to 85%. The environmental attributes of Poindexter’s solar arrays are equivalent to the avoidance of 3 million lbs. of coal burned from the earth’s atmosphere annually. Both Cenergy and Poindexter are eager to break ground on the expansion solar projects.

“After verifying several years of solar production from our existing system which proved to be on track with projections and the continuous growth of operation, I felt it made sense to expand our solar efforts. This expansion will provide a complete offset of the majority of Poindexter Nut Company’s farming acreage. We are very excited to work with Cenergy once more and look forward to breaking ground next quarter.” – Mike Poindexter, CEO, Poindexter Nut Company.

Solar Power World

Phoenix Contact’s EMpro EEM-MA600 energy meter is now listed as an Eligible System Performance Meter with the joint California Public Utility Commission/California Energy Commission’s Go Solar California!  initiative.  This listing allows the meters to be used in solar performance-based incentive (PBI) programs in California and in similar programs throughout the United States that reference the California standards.

EMpro energy meters play a critical role in collecting energy information from the AC circuits commonly found in and around solar electricity installations.  This includes circuits such as those used on the output of inverter stations, to power loads, and for power transmission and distribution in microgrids.

By combining the meter with various I/O and network communications options, EMpro is easily integrated into almost any system.  The EEM-MA600 meter offers a revenue-grade 0.5 percent accuracy class for concise sub-metering and data logging as required by various renewable energy programs, including Go Solar California! initiatives.

The Go Solar California! campaign is a multi-agency effort between the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission to make renewable energy sources a part of everyday life for millions of Californians.  The program encourages the installation of 3000 megawatts of solar energy systems and 585 million therms of solar hot water systems on residential and commercial properties by the end of 2016 through the use of tax incentives and subsidies.  Participants range from various state agencies and consumers to businesses and public utilities.

Solar Power World

California-based solar manufacturer Vasari Energy announced it has agreed to supply its high-efficiency, utility-grade solar photovoltaic modules for the development of a major solar power project in the Northeast.

In a $2.2 million deal, Vasari Energy will manufacture and ship more than 12,000 of its Vasari Energy brand 305-watt solar PV modules to the site. The ground-mounted system will connect to the electrical grid and provide a capacity of up to 3 MW. Vasari Energy finalized the purchase order on May 27.

Once completed, the solar PV system could generate enough power for more than 450 homes, making it one of the largest ground-mounted, grid-connected solar PV projects in the Northeast. The project will be financed through an investment-grade utility offtake agreement.

The deal marks another step for the growing California-based solar PV module manufacturer, which offers several lines of high-efficiency modules for commercial, industrial, agricultural, government and off-grid applications. Vasari Energy produces solar PV systems that give customers energy at costs that are competitive with utility rates.

“Industry is looking for utility-scale renewable energy sources to meet their need for growth, as shown by the fact that solar and wind lead fossil fuel sources in new generating capacity. Many companies know that it’s a good investment for the future,” said Vasari Energy Vice President Stephen Smith.

“Vasari Energy is positioned to supply the growing demand for renewable energy capacity through the production of a full line of solar PV modules that are versatile enough to meet the needs of a wide-range of projects for a variety of clients,” Smith said.

Vasari Energy’s diverse product line includes options for a wide-range of applications. The Vasari Energy high-efficiency 72 cell modules is ideal for utility-scale projects, while the durable 60 cell module fits most residential needs. With the E-12 Series, Vasari Energy provides a 12 volt module that meets the needs of off-grid systems.

Solar Power World

Fronius inverters compliant with HECO standards
Say Aloha to solar in Hawaii and enjoy the sunshine with simple compliance and installation with us. The Fronius Primo single-phase and the Fronius Symo three-phase 480V SnapINverters are compliant with new regulations by the Hawaiian Electric. They meet full frequency and voltage ride-through (FVRT) and new ultra-fast transient over-voltage (TrOV2) requirements in the state. They are now included on HECO’s qualified equipment list for these specifications. In addition to HECO regulations, the Fronius Primo inverters now come with a Hawaii setup to make changing the parameters a breeze.

Fronius Symo comes with fusing
The Fronius Symo inverters in the power classes of 20.0, 22.7 and 24.0 kW now come with fuse holders to avoid extra costs for additional fusing. The transformerless Fronius Symo is the ideal compact three-phase solar inverter for commercial applications of all sizes. The SnapINverter hinge mounting system, lightweight inverter and easy commissioning app make installation possible in under fifteen minutes. Features are available with the Fronius Symo including Wi-Fi and SunSpec Modbus interfaces for seamless monitoring and datalogging (with integration of Fronius Datamanager 2.0 card in one per 100 units), field proven Arc Fault Circuit Interruption (AFCI), NEC 2014 compliance, and Fronius’ superb online and mobile monitoring platforms.

Solar Power World

The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) and Hannover Fairs (Canada), announced that Solar Ontario’s 5th Annual Conference held from May 25–27, 2015 in Niagara Falls, Canada attracted 300 delegates from across Canada, the United States, Europe and China. Close to 40 percent of the delegates were first time attendees. Seven in 10 attendees were solar industry professionals and practitioners, and three in 10 were stakeholders, including government and utility officials. Solar Ontario 2015 conference delegates appreciated this year’s emphasis on high-level, forward thinking discussions.

“The costs of solar are rapidly declining, heralding a new era in clean energy production,” said John Gorman, President and CEO of CanSIA. A Deutsche Bank February 2015 solar energy report suggests solar capital costs for residential and commercial sectors are expected to decrease up to 40 percent in the next five years.

In his address to Solar Ontario 2015 delegates, Serge Imbrogno, Deputy Minister of Energy, said that solar power is responsible for thousands of jobs in Canada today. The Minister of Energy shared that Ontario has 1550 megawatts (MW) of solar power installed in the province with another 825 MW contracted and under development – enough to power about 300,000 homes. He also shared with delegates that Ontario has three procurements underway. A large renewable procurement that targets up to 140 MW, the FIT4 that is just over 240 MW and the microFIT program that continues with a target of 50 MW this year.

Ontarians’ Views on Solar Energy, Technologies and Policies

During a discussion focused on Envisioning the Future of Solar in Ontario’s Electricity System at Solar Ontario 2015, David Herle, Principal Partner of The Gandalf Group said, “The economy and job creation are top of mind concerns for Ontarians, and solar energy has an important story to tell on that front. While the industry is still hampered by old paradigms of solar energy reliability and high electricity prices, the benefits solar energy offers for improving air quality and fighting climate change are important to Ontarians. Solar power can also boost Ontario’s standing as a high-tech leader.”

Mr. Herle added, “Eighty-three percent of Ontarians want government policy to ensure electricity regulation that allows more companies to utilize solar power, and 77 percent believe government should invest in more solar power electricity generation and technologies that enable solar power. Additionally, 78 percent of Ontarians agreed that Ontario needs to be a leader in the development of clean technology such as solar energy in North America.”

Mr. Herle also shared with Solar Ontario 2015 delegates that about two-thirds of Ontarians support “Cap and Trade” regulations and that 75 percent of Ontarians feel that the government should allocate a significant portion of “Cap and Trade” revenues to solar energy and technologies that enable more solar power and help to cut carbon emissions.

Solar and the Future of Ontario’s Electricity Sector

During her Solar Ontario 2015 presentation, JoAnne Butler, Vice-President, Market and Resource Development at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), shared with delegates that solar is making an impact, especially when it comes to innovation, helping to lower costs and increase panel efficiencies. Solar is providing new opportunities for communities. Ms. Butler believes solar + storage will fundamentally affect how consumers relate with their electric utility when homes connect their solar power to the grid.

Cap and Trade Allowances, Auction Revenues, Recognized Environmental Concerns (RECs) and Offsets

Paula McGarrigle, Managing Director of Solas Energy Consulting, underlined for Solar Ontario 2015 delegates that there are many more details to come as the government “Cap and Trade” program is still developing. She noted that an output based allocation of allowances is better for renewables, and that renewable energy set asides provide a concrete set of allowances for renewables but put a false ceiling on renewable allowances. Ms. McGarrigle explained that Ontario joining an existing carbon market such as North America’s Western Climate Initiative (WCI) provides a trading platform, compliance system and trading and administrative requirements. She also said that Ontario will never get over-compliance with a carbon tax but with “Cap and Trade” there is an incentive to over-perform.

Commenting on the next Canadian-based solar power events, Larry Turner, President of Hannover Fairs (Canada), Inc., the Deutsche Messe subsidiary and organizer of Solar Ontario, Solar West and Solar Canada in partnership with CanSIA said, “CanSIA Solar West and Solar Canada, the country’s only solar power trade show and conference with nearly 2000 solar energy delegates, offer promising business connections and dynamic forums to explore solar technologies and policies. Attendees and thought leaders will connect, experience and discuss the most important issues and opportunities facing the solar energy industry today and into the future.”

Solar West is scheduled to take place from October 7-9, 2015 in Calgary, Canada. Discussions will focus on the future of the industry in the western provinces.

Solar Power World

As the solar industry matures, installers and building owners are thinking more carefully about the long-term O&M implications of roof-mount installations. In particular, they are considering the potential need to re-roof under a solar array.

Driving the possibility is the difference in expected lifetimes between commercial roofs, which can require replacement after 15 years, and roof-mounted solar arrays, which claim a lifespan of 20 years or more. The variation in lifetimes means the racking removal and reinstallation process can be as important a consideration as the initial installation.

SunLink’s Precision-Modular RMS

No longer is it sufficient to evaluate mounting systems solely based on one-time labor requirements. Instead, it has become imperative to add additional labor and logistics intelligence to the evaluation criteria, such as:

• How easy is it to remove one module? Several modules?
• How many operations are required to disassemble the entire system?
• Does it take as much time to reinstall the system as it did to install it the first time? (Remember, every minute the system is not generating power, it is not generating income, either.)
• Is it possible to stack the system components so they can be removed from the roof safely and without damage? If so, how complex is the methodology, and what packing materials are needed?
• How many fasteners are required? Are they standard? If fasteners are lost during disassembly, how difficult is it to procure more?

With long-term installation success in mind, the answers to questions such as these must be considered in choosing the optimal mounting system for a given project.

One of the most important considerations relates to the longevity of the racking supplier. With removal and reinstallation a possibility, it is important to be able to rely on project partners for assistance with the process whenever that time comes. And if proprietary parts are lost or damaged, it is essential to know that they can be replaced, even if that mounting system is no longer in production.

Simply, it is critical to not get caught unprepared. When choosing your next commercial rooftop mounting system, use these questions as a guide to avoid the financial pitfalls that have the potential to accompany the inevitable removal and reinstallation of a mounting system that has not been designed to facilitate the realities of roof maintenance.

By: Marc Clark, managing director at Sunlink, Canada

Solar Power World

Photo courtesy of Sunlight Solar Systems

Before the end of this year, at least 27 states are expected to adopt the new NEC 2014 rapid shut down 690.12 code. The code’s intentions are valid, with its basic mission to help firefighters shut down solar systems without getting shocked. But the NEC is an installation requirement, not an instruction manual, so there’s confusion concerning how to actually accomplish it.

Another issue is that as of March 2015, UL had not set a standard by which to test components to make sure they meet the code. Most inverter manufacturers hold that their products will most likely meet the UL standard as they expect it to be, and for some states this is good enough. Others fear not using a listed product could lead to inconsistency and actually make projects more dangerous for firefighters to service. Here’s a look at what’s going on in several states around the country.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts was the first adopter of the new code, passing legislation in January 2014 with amendments. The state believed that installing something to push forward the code adoption was better than waiting to install UL-listed equipment; Massachusetts didn’t see listed equipment as very important in the first place. To be safe, the state did release a list of inverters expected to meet UL standards as they were anticipated. Kevin Price, vice president of procurement and operations at Solect Energy, has been able to work with this legislation.

“Technically, there are currently products on the market to allow integrators and installers to meet the NEC 2014 requirements,” Price said. “The challenge is mostly increased cost associated with deploying a solution—added sensors, relays and wiring to string combiners—and the need for training of those installing and reviewing those installations. With all code changes, there is a period of getting familiar with the new requirements; however, the added benefit in safety to property and personnel is well worth the time and expense.”

Solect Energy said it has worked closely with local manufacturers, like Solectria-A Yaskawa Company, to use their inverters and combiners to meet the code. “On the residential side, it’s a matter of using a rapid shutdown-compliant combiner,” Price said. “For commercial rooftop applications, our first choice is using transformerless inverters placed on the roof within 10 ft of the array. If we need to use a central inverter on the ground, then we use an arc-fault-sensing and rapid-shutdown-capable combiner.”

States where 2014 NEC adoption is complete or underway. Source: electricalcodecoalition.org

The code is strictly enforced in Massachusetts, primarily by building and electrical inspectors or authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs). Price said a system will not be allowed to energize and send power to the grid until it meets the code. “The level of inspection does change from region to region, and we see different inspectors focused on different aspects of the code,” he explained. “We have our best results when we reach out to the AHJ early on to clear up any questions and prevent issues with final inspection.”

Utah

On June 11, 2014, the Utah Uniform Building Code Commission recommended the adoption of the 2014 NEC to the state legislature. The legislature will vote on the adoption sometime this summer.

Therefore, Marc Staker, master electrician at Sunlight Solar, reported the code is not being regularly enforced as of yet. “The local building departments and AHJs are not quite up to speed on the changes in the NEC,” he said. “With every design and installation we complete, we try to educate the inspectors on what is new and what to look for.”

Nevertheless, Staker said his team is ready. “We started installing the rapid shutdown hardware on our commercial installations last year to get some experience and decide which method works best for our systems,” he said. “Our electricians and engineers have completed the NEC code update courses and, with some education and on-the-job training, we have a firm understanding of the code updates.”

Colorado

Colorado is one of the toughest states in the U.S. in regards to prompt adoption of new code versions and strict enforcement. The Colorado State Electrical Board did adopt the 2014 NEC without amendments with an effective date of July 1, 2014, but enforcement of 690.12 has since been delayed twice, and, barring additional delays, is currently scheduled for enforcement July 1, 2015.

“We have had to ask for two extensions to delay the date of enforcement due to lack of available listed products,” said Jason Sharpe, general manager at Namasté Solar, adding that UL has been unable to release product compliance standards and manufacturers have been unable to produce listed and tested equipment that would be reliable for 20-year life cycles. “It has been an extremely challenging time in the industry with much confusion, frustration and disagreement among various industry stakeholders.”

Photo courtesy of Josh Valentine, The Atmosphere Conservancy

Sharpe explained his team believes that installing products not listed to a standard can be more dangerous than continuing to install systems according to best practices that have been used for years. “If a firefighter goes to service a system that doesn’t have rapid shutdown, they know how to handle it,” he said. “If they encounter systems that do not have equipment tested to meet one standard, the inconsistency may confuse them even more.”

Sharpe is also concerned the situation will worsen with the next code change. “In particular, the possibility that the code will evolve in 2017 to require 690.12 at the module has significant risk,” he said. “It is likely that this code is being developed too quickly, without proper industry-wide input, and that it will introduce significant cost increases, reduced reliability, reduced competition and questionable impacts on safety relative to the 2014 version.”

In all, many contractors, and even some first responders, agree that 690.12 is a work in progress, a step toward the goal of remotely turning off power close to the point of generation and making a PV system on a building “touch-safe.”

NEC 2014 effective date per state

Solar Power World

A screenshot from NREL’s PVWatts

Previously, doing a solar resource assessment involved setting up costly equipment onsite and waiting to see what happens. While this is still a relevant way of gathering information on large utility-scale sites (often because permitting already takes more than a year, and financers prefer high levels of certainty with detailed information), it doesn’t make much sense on commercial and residential projects under 10 MW.

“It would be a deal killer to sit and wait on development for a year just to collect ground level irradiance data,” said C.J. Colavito, director of engineering at Standard Solar.

There are more online tools and software options available today—many free thanks to DOE funding and NREL. These allow solar contractors to perform due diligence studies without ever leaving their desks.

Today, if Colavito is working on an individual project, he’ll look at local NREL TMY3 weather station data and compare it with other data sources. NREL offers data in typical meteorological year files, known as TMY3 files. These files are a mix of satellite and ground measurement data that show hourly values of solar radiation and meteorological elements for one year. Colavito downloads the files for free and imports them along with data from other sources into a custom excel-based analysis tool. He said these files are generally accepted as being fairly accurate for commercial and residential projects and can help contractors feel confident in guaranteeing production.

A screenshot from NREL’s Solar Prospector

Though the use of high-quality and accurate solar resource data is important for every project, Colavito said it’s less necessary to get third-party validated resource data on distributed generation projects. Many portfolios of commercial and residential projects are financed through project finance funds where projects are spread over a large geographic area and individual project risk is limited. Many large developers and EPCs have these funds, which can be backed by sources from banks to Google. Involved parties often like to see a solar resource assessment for multiple regions where projects will be located. Colavito said the analysis process is the same and just involves looking at data for more regions.

“For example, if we’re building projects in theDC metropolitan region, there’s three main TMY3 sites we’d look at: Baltimore, Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport,” he explained. “We would look at the local weather station data, plot it by year, graph it, compare it to yearly datasets from NREL and analyze it. Are we seeing a big difference between Baltimore and Reagan? If so, can we explain it or not? Doing this detailed solar resource data assessment helps us ensure data validity and confidently guarantee production.”

Solar Power World

SnapNrack, a manufacturer of solar panel racking systems and owned by Sunrun, will exhibit at Intersolar North America in San Francisco this year.

SnapNrack will unveil InvisiLight, the next evolution in rail less solar mounting solutions, as well as a junction box, the newest component of their wire management product line. These new additions are thoughtfully designed to make the jobs of solar installers easier while reducing the time and cost of installing solar.

The SnapNrack team will be available to answer all questions along with hands on displays. Installation demonstrations and fun giveaways will take place throughout the day on Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15 at their brand new booth. Live installations of SnapNrack’s Residential Roof Mount System are planned for 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. PST, on both days. The residential roof mount system features include integrated wire management, snap-in channel nuts, integrated bonding pins and no required drilling; all of these features and more will be on display as the system is installed.

SnapNrack is also proud to be the headline sponsor of the Innovation & Application Stage presentation series. They will have three presentations at that stage to talk about their new and innovative products.

• Tuesday, July 14, 2015 from 10:30am-11:00am – InvisiLight Rail Less Mounting System
• Wednesday, July 15, 2015 from 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – InvisiLight Rail Less Mounting System
• Thursday, July 16, 2015 from 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. – Wire Management Solutions

SnapNrack will exhibit at Intersolar at booth 9633 from July 14, 2014 through July 16, 2014. Intersolar North America is held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. For more information about Intersolar North America, visit www.intersolar.us.

Solar Power World

The HEC PLUS solar inverter by Power Electronics.

Power Electronics will present a portfolio of products aimed at professionals in the large-scale solar photovoltaic industry at the Intersolar Europe event, running from 10th to 12th June in Munich. The HEC PLUS (1 MW – 2.5 MW) inverter has been chosen as a finalist by a panel of experts for the Intersolar Awards 2015 in the “Photovoltaic” category. More information on the finalist inverter and the other Power Electronics products are below.

HEC  PLUS solar inverter, Intersolar Awards finalist

Solar Inverter HEC PLUS, a single inverter with a modular and redundant topology that provides performance with high availability and maximum efficiency at low loads. It is available with output voltages up to 460 Vac to increase its capacity to 2.5 MW at 50^o C and 3 MW at 25^o C along with new AC connecArticlestions that allow installation through the top or bottom.

FSDK recombiners will be featured with up to 40 inputs, isolating contactors, zone monitoring, and fuse sizes from 70A to 400A.

The HEC 1500 V solar inverter is available with a range from 1 MW to 3 MW, with a power stage with more than 8 years of continuous operation in the field. Designed to meet the needs of module manufacturers, EPC’s and developers who see the plant with a 1500 VDC design, an opportunity to reduce the price per watt and increase competitiveness.

FSDK: DC disconnection module

The protection module and FSDK disconnect is flexible, easy to install and improves O&M tasks. FSDK substantially reduces the time for fuse replacements and fault detection. Additionally, for those interested in the North American market, it meets the most stringent requirements of the NEC 2014.

PV Array transfer kit

With the installation of this kit, the inverter and PV system will be able to change both manually and automatically from a configuration with negative grounding to a floating system and vice versa.

PPC

Inverters reduce the active and reactive power according to the control algorithms voltage regulation (VRS) and power factor (PF). PPC monitors the interconnection point and at any time ensures optimum performance of the plant.

Power Electronics’ Battery Energy Storage System

BESS

A challenge facing large manufacturers is the integration of storage systems in the photovoltaic plants to improve network performance and support the development of renewable energy. The BESS solution contains a full turnkey solution comprising a lithium battery container connected to a bidirectional PCS inverter (Power Conversion System).

Solar Power World

A volunteer crew comprised of employees from sponsoring companies Enphase, Mounting Systems and JinkoSolar, installed the system which will produce over 40,000 kWh of clean electricity annually and save Wildlife Associates a quarter of a million dollars throughout its 25-year lifetime.

Today Everybody Solar announced that it has fully installed a 27 kW solar array for fellow nonprofit Wildlife Associates. With the help of 20 employees from Enphase, JinkoSolar and Mounting Systems, three of the project sponsors, and training and supervision provided by nonprofit installer SunWork Renewable Energy Projects, the system is up and running and will produce over 40,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually.

Everybody Solar announced in March that it had successfully met its fundraising goal of $78,500 to complete the project through its crowdsourcing portal, along with equipment donations of Enphase M250 inverters plus monitoring, JinkoSolar 305W modules and Mounting Systems Alpha racking. A $30,000 grant from the All Points North Foundation, a small, private foundation that supports projects that promote solar energy awareness and implementation, pushed the campaign past the finish line.

“It was truly a team effort to crowdsource the components, design, engineering, and installation of this solar project for Wildlife Associates,” said Youness Scally, Executive Director of Everybody Solar. “Wildlife Associates cares for non-releasable wild animals that provide an essential community service as ‘Wild Teachers’ traveling to schools and teaching kids about wildlife and natural resource conservation. Before this project, the organization would pay $9,000 a year to power its wildlife sanctuary, which houses 50 animals. With the new solar array, that amount will shrink to approximately $1,000 a year for the next 25 years. This significant savings will benefit the community and help fund future programs to make a bigger impact.”

“All of us at Wildlife Associates are simply thrilled to have this magnificent solar array not only for the substantial financial savings, but also for the important educational opportunity it presents. The nearly 80,000 Bay Area students who experience our science education programs in schools each year will now learn not only about wildlife and environmental stewardship but also about clean energy and the importance of solar power,” noted Bruce Holaday, Director of Wildlife Associates.

There will be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the scenic Wildlife Associates sanctuary on August 15, 2015 to celebrate the new solar array.

Solar Power World

The solar co-ops help groups of neighbors leverage their collective buying power to go solar together and get a discount off the installation price.

This week, Community Power Network (CPN) issued five separate requests for proposals from solar installers on behalf of solar co-ops. The RFPs cover co-ops in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia respectively. The solar co-ops help groups of neighbors leverage their collective buying power to go solar together and get a discount off the installation price. CPN provides technical assistance to the groups as well, educating members on solar and helping them select the appropriate system for their home.

“The continued growth of these groups demonstrates that the co-op model is a path to grow local solar markets,” said Anya Schoolman, CPN Executive Director. “The co-ops have expanded the pool of solar customers. I know from experience, the decision to go solar can involve a good deal of work. Having the support of a group of like-minded folks simplifies the process.”

CPN manages solar co-ops through its respective state affiliates: DC SUN, MD SUN, VA SUN, and WV SUN. Each state affiliate works closely with the co-ops to provide support that helps the co-op select one or more installer from the pool of bids. Typically, co-ops receive bids from 3-8 companies.

Since 2013, CPN has helped 545 homes go solar through 22 different co-ops. The total output of the systems accounts for more than 3 MW of solar energy and more than $9 million in retail sales.

Solar co-ops present a strong value proposition to solar installers and members alike. The co-ops lower installers’ cost of customer acquisition by giving them access to an engaged pool of potential customers. The group dynamic allows installers to purchase larger quantities of panels and other components from distributors.

The co-ops are designed within limited geographic boundaries. This limits installation team travel time as well as the number of trips installers have to make to permitting offices. Co-op members typically see a 20% discount by going solar with the co-op compared to the cost of an individual installation.

Installers interested in submitting an RFP can find them here.

Solar Power World

PsomasFMG, a leading Southern California solar power developer, has officially changed its name to PFMG Solar, which underscores its relationship with its customers (Partners For Many Generations).  Its new name, PFMG Solar, reflects its core business and company mission. It sets a larger foundation with which to continue to provide leading solar solutions to its partners and to also positively impact schools, students, and their local neighborhoods.

Solar Power World