Building a PV array to face diverse site factors such as wind, moisture and hurricanes can be very challenging. Roof Tech’s experience of deploying PV arrays in Japan is now having an influence in the U.S.

Each PV module is secured with multiple fasteners to spread the mechanical load evenly over the roof surface, as well as to alleviate torsion applied to a roofing system from thermal stresses. The thermal contraction and expansion of an aluminum array with a high coefficient of thermal expansion has the most movement on top of a roof. Roof Tech’s design, with the rail as the module frame, has mitigated effects to the degree that the distance between adjacent rows can be as low as 3mm (1/8”). Notice that mid and end clamps are 4” wide. This is for the purpose of distributing the clamping pressure on a larger surface of the PV panel frame.

The next step is the sealing of each attachment point with RT Butyl tape. Butyl was first developed in the early 1930’s and is the most important material today for the inner linings of tubeless tires. Among its traditional applications are pool linings and flexible flashing for construction.

Butyl rubber’s unique combination of barrier properties, high damping, resistance to ozone, weatherproofing and heat aging make it the ideal choice for many construction applications. For instance, butyl rubber is commonly added to asphalt compositions in roofing material manufacturing to improve the weatherproofing and low-temperature properties of the asphalt.

Roof Tech’s RT Butyl tape is easy to mold yet highly resistant to punctures. Butyl tape retains its elasticity and strength when exposed to service temperatures between -40° F and 248° F. Even with extreme fluctuations in temperature, butyl tape allows for expansion and contraction while preventing moisture from passing through. It has an effective life of 20+ years and is resistant to aging weather, mildew, acids, alkalis and salts. No matter how the attachment of a
PV array is achieved, the ultimate sealing point is at the penetration in the roofing paper, where a lag or fastener gets attached to the frame or roof sheathing and this is conventionally accomplished with the use of sealants. If you pick up a sealant and check the upper service temperature for the product, you may find a maximum of 200° F. RT Butyl performs at higher temperatures (248° F), which indicates greater endurance from heat distress.

At Roof Tech’s parent-company Yanegiken, a product is not released to the market before diligent testing. Complete roofing sets were tested under constant UV light, 145.4° F temperature, 50% humidity and a frequent water spray inside the Carbon Arc machine. The specimens were monitored and at 7,500 hours (almost 1 year later), the specimens were evaluated. RT Butyl tape was still flexible and performing its job.

Photo: Hurricane simulation at Yanegiken Laboratory, Japan.

As far as metal flashing concerns, the code is simple: roof-mounted PV system flashings must be installed in a manner that prevents moisture from entering penetration through the roof plane (IBC & IRC 2012). The current suggested guideline by the NRCA (National Roofing Contractor Association) for the installation of a PV system on a steep slope asphalt shingle roof shows the metal flange to be applied underneath the roofing paper (upper underlayment) for the proper water shedding. However, such step can only be accomplished along with the installation of a new roofing system; it is the proper way to produce a water shedding flashing mechanism. This can’t be done on a retrofit installed above an existing roof, which is the case for a majority of installations in the U.S.

The array installation would normally take 2 hours with a rail based system. Once the installer got to understand the process, the time for similar array assemblies dropped to 40 minutes. (Photo courtesy Border Solar)

The roofing paper is commonly called a secondary layer to protect the roof decking. I, on the other hand, refer to it as the first layer, because it’s the first one to be applied, and if the roofing material (or anything else) fails, the roofing paper is the layer that will protect the decking from moisture intrusion. With this in mind, the removal of nails to allow for proper placement of metal flashing actually creates a hole in the roofing paper, an entry point for moisture. The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing does not recommend water shedding flashings on the roof where there is potential ice damming, such as eaves or overhangs. It is recommended to use waterproof flashings in areas where ice damming may occur.

The separation of shingles can be treated as a failure to seal the roof, drastically reducing the warranty from the roofing manufacturer. For instance, a GAF roofing product had its warranty reduced from 50 years to 15 for a failure to seal correctly. A roofing manufacturer will want to be more involved in recommending PV systems that will be installed on its rooftop.

A recent installation in Southern Texas by Border Solar where RT-[E] Mount is placed on a Tile Roof (asphalt roofing system installed underneath the array). It’s a great looking array and the extra cost of the asphalt roofing installation can be offset by the additional installation time when installing PV arrays on top of tile roofs.

Roof Tech is founded on 40 years of experience in the roofing industry with over 400,000 PV residences in Japan, all sealed with the same butyl tape. RT-[E] Mount is a fully waterproof PV mounting system that is tested, certified and code compliant.

Based on extensive testing for water resistance and durability, the ICC Evaluation Report is available online. Professional Engineering (PE) reports for the attachment to the roof decking (OSB 7/16”, Plywood 15/32”), as well as for rafter installations are also readily available on the support page at roof-tech.us/support/.

By: Milton Nogueira, Senior Business Development Manager at Roof Tech

Roof Tech
www.roof-tech.us/

Solar Power World

In a recent webinar Bob Magyar, senior business development executive for VARTA Storage Group, and Mark Iannucci, founder of Emergency Management Consulting and Training, discussed the state of battery storage in the U.S. Here’s a recap of their Q&A with listeners. You can watch the full webinar here.

Kathie Zipp: What considerations would you recommend for adding battery storage to an existing residential solar-PV system?

Bob Magyar: The primary consideration for adding battery storage to an existing PV system is to make sure that the inverter is properly sized to the PV system. If you put a 6.8 or 7-kW battery storage inverter onto a 10-kW system you’re going to produce more electricity than the inverter and the batteries are sized to take, shortening their lifespan. If a customer is interested in battery storage and has a 7-kW system, adding a 5 or 7-kW storage system would work. However, if they have a bigger system, you’re going to need a bigger size inverter.

KZ: What parts of the country do you see battery storage taking off?

BM: According to our research—anywhere in the country that is experiencing more extreme weather or where you see an electric utility that might be struggling to keep up with its infrastructure is prime for battery storage. Here in the Northeast, some of the smaller utilities are forced to battle again and again as summer and winter storms come through and hardwood trees keep tearing up the grid. Many of us know the same situation exists in the Midwest. The demand response situation is fairly universal throughout the United States: Eastern Massachusetts through Northern New Jersey, Philadelphia and other high-density populations such as Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth. Probably the most advanced market is California and Hawaii where government programs are really pushing the use of storage.

KZ: I understand that labeling PV systems can be helpful for first responders. Where would contractors get these labels? Are there any requirements for how they are applied?

Mark Iannucci: Yes, once the installers get manufacturer recommendations they can go to different local municipalities and receive a blown-up label that they can apply. Whether it’s a label that’s applied to the outside of the building, inside or downstairs, local governments can come to a common agreement on where is best for emergency management response.

BM: I’d like to add that there are a lot of good sources for labeling online. If you search “battery storage labels” or “PV solar labels,” a number of sources will sell individual labels, as well as packs. Mark has the right focus: it’s really going to depend on what’s required by the local municipality.

KZ: What are the requirements for venting hydrogen generation from the batteries?

BM: There are two types of lead-acid batteries: flooded and valve-regulated. The flooded battery is older and has to be watered regularly. It has ventilation caps and will give off hydrogen gas. A valve-regulated battery has caps that turn the hydrogen back into water. In other words, the battery is self-watering, which may be a large consideration when you’re working with a non-integrated system. Obviously, you want ventilation in terms of the batteries themselves, as well as the overall installation. Typically, manufacturers are already aware of the ventilation systems. A number of the fully-integrated systems have forced air ventilation with valve-regulated batteries, which removes any possibility of hydrogen buildup inside the cabinet and keeps the system cool. The inverters have a certain level of resistance. If you have a fully-integrated system, look for a system that has forced ventilation. If you have a non-integrated system, pay attention to the type of lead acid battery, and vent accordingly.

KZ: Do you have any tips about how to work with first responders?

MI: Being well-informed and better educated helps the fire service be more confident. Most local governments will get involved when the systems become more prevalent. When installers start to place these systems they’ll know what the fire department wants, whether it’s labeling or something else. This will make the first responders’ jobs easier. Computers can help with indexing housing on dispatch systems. Anything that can give responders additional information makes their job better. As we like to say in the fire service, “the only surprise for us is no surprise at all.”

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Complete Solar, a residential solar company, published its newest study on utility solar interconnection times. Before solar homeowners can start saving money, they must obtain permission from their utility. The study analyzed data collected from around 1,500 solar installations, between 2010 to 2015, to measure the efficiency of various California utility companies in approving solar interconnections. The report suggests California home solar owners lost $4,782,016.93 of production over the last four years while waiting for utility companies to interconnect.

“In California, interconnection time is incredibly important. It determines when solar will start saving the homeowner money,” said Will Anderson, CEO of Complete Solar. “We’re looking at over a million days worth of interconnection days and lost production over the last four years. Hopefully, this will also help motivate utility companies to step up their game.”

After sifting through years of data, the results were clear: The fastest utility companies give same-day issuance, while the slowest ones take more than a month. In terms of money, homeowners are losing an average of $4.02/day without interconnection. This adds up to about $59/week and $113/month. With tens of thousands of homeowners switching to solar, the cost of delays adds up.

Sacramento Municipal Utilities District, Palo Alto Utilities, PacifiCorp, Alameda and SDG&E take the least amount of time, averaging 0 days to 2 weeks.  PG&E, SCE and Pasadena run longer with an average PTO issuance time of between 3 weeks to 1 month.

See the complete report with a breakdown of utilities here.

Solar Power World

Nexamp and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in southern New England, recently announced the construction launch of a 2.3-MW community solar facility located on 12 acres of the resort’s property. Earlier this year, Nexamp acquired the development rights for the project from EOS Ventures. The project, which is expected to come online this fall, significantly expands Jiminy Peak’s renewable energy program, while extending the environmental and cost-saving benefits of solar to up to 200 neighboring homes and small businesses.

By adding the new solar power facility to Jiminy Peak’s existing 1.5 MW wind turbine, 75 kWh cogeneration unit, and extensive conservation efforts, the Resort estimates it will be able to offset 90 percent of its total energy needs from local renewable resources, making Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort one of the greenest resorts of its kind in the nation.

“It’s important to us that we operate our resort as good neighbors and good stewards of the environment, which is why we’ve worked so hard to leverage as many renewable energy sources as we can,” said Tyler Fairbank, CEO of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. “We are particularly thrilled to be adding solar energy into the mix in such a way that the neighboring community can benefit from the facility too.”

Once completed, the Jiminy Peak project will represent the largest community solar project of its kind in the Northeast, enabling residents, non-profits and small businesses near the resort to directly benefit from the project through Nexamp’s Solarize My Bill community solar program. Participants will receive 15% savings on their electricity generated by the project with no cost to enroll.

“Solar is truly a community investment,” said Zaid Ashai, CEO of Nexamp. “Smart policies like net metering in Massachusetts allow us to work with great partners like Jiminy Peak to meet their sustainability goals, provide local jobs and infrastructure investment, and deliver significant energy savings to neighboring consumers. Leveraging commercial-scale solar facilities to benefit communities is how we’re going to build a stronger, smarter, and more efficient energy economy in Massachusetts and beyond.”

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The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires bonding electrically conductive materials and equipment to establish an effective ground-fault current path.

In general, bonding a piece of equipment means connecting it to an equipment grounding conductor (EGC) that is bonded to the overall grounding electrode system. The goal is to take all of the metal in a system that could become energized during a fault (besides the current-carrying conductors) and connect them together so they are effectively one piece of metal. That “one” piece of metal is then connected, by EGCs, back to the source of power, completing a circuit for any fault current. Bonding prevents a host of possible risks and dangers.

“Imagine: the insulation on a PV source circuit wire becomes damaged, and the current-carrying part of the conductor makes contact with a frame or rail,” said Brian Mehalic, PV Curriculum Developer and Instructor at Solar Energy International. “Now that metal, which is not normally part of the circuit, has potential voltage relative to whichever pole in the DC circuit is not faulted, and may even be carrying current during system operation. This is a dangerous situation, because there is now the possibility of a fire, as well as a shock hazard.”

Regardless of system voltage, equipment grounding is required on all PV systems. Appropriate bonding and equipment grounding limits the voltage imposed on a system by lightning, line surges and unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines. It also limits the voltage-to-ground that can occur on normally non-current-carrying metal components, ranging from frames and rails to conduit and enclosures.

“Bonding and grounding PV systems ensures public safety, as well as the safety of PV installers and field electricians,” said Andy Zwit, Codes and Standards Manager at ILSCO.

Excluding modules, the majority of components in PV systems are bonded like any other electrical system. For example, grounding busbars are connected to the metal chassis of enclosures, such as disconnect switches, combiner boxes and inverters, and then an equipment grounding conductor (EGC) is connected to the busbar, Mehalic explained.

Using approved mechanical connectors and bonding washers are two popular bonding and grounding methods. Mechanical connectors can be mounted to a module or racking frame with lay-in features which accept a copper wire that bonds and grounds components, said Zwit. Bonding washers are used in conjunction with hold-down clamps and bolted joints on the racking system. The washer fits over the bolt, and when tightened to the prescribed torque value, pierces through oxidized or coated surfaces, providing a solid bond between metal parts.

A number of factors make the grounding and bonding of a PV system difficult. PV systems are exposed to the elements, which can result in atypical situations where the usual practices for bonding may not perform as intended. For example, many listed grounding lugs are not designed to be installed outdoors; using a lug that is not rated for outdoor use can lead to premature failures in the intended path for fault current, hampering the functionality of overcurrent and ground-fault protection devices, said Mehalic.

Expansion and contraction from thermal cycling, as well as different expansion rates for different materials – such as steel, aluminum, copper and PVC – can result in loose connections over time, even when the equipment was initially installed properly, Mehalic explained. Proper installation isn’t a given, though. The anodized coating on module frames and racks requires appropriate connections and hardware to penetrate the anodization, also preventing corrosion where the bare aluminum has been exposed.

Additional difficulty in grounding PV systems results from the interactions of dissimilar metals used for racking structures, module frames and grounding devices, he added. When combined with moisture, these interactions can lead to corrosion and failure.

How do you know if a system has been properly bonded? From a manufacturer’s point of view, the testing done to comply with UL and CSA standards ensures products meet requirements for safety, repeatability and longevity, said Zwit.

“In the field, an installer should follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions for PV system components and the guidelines set forth in the NFPA-70 NEC Handbook, as well any requirement dictated by the local AHJ,” he said. “Following installation, but before energizing a system, there are several methods that can be used to test and ensure a system is properly bonded and grounded.”

“System grounding, as well as equipment bonding and grounding, must be addressed in detail during the design phase, with equipment and connection methods clearly stated,” said Mehalic. “Without a proper understanding of the intended design, the installer’s job is much more difficult. Special attention must be paid to the types of connections that are unique to PV systems – such as module-to-rack bonding, outdoor use of lugs and dissimilar metals in close proximity.”

Solar Power World

Mosaic, a leading residential solar loan financing platform, adds Ginlong Solis PV Inverter on its approved vendor list (AVL).

In the US, the first wave of growth in the residential solar market can be attributed to third-party financing for leases that make solar affordable to the masses. More recently, a wide range of loan products has been introduced to the market.

However, solar financing has created a barrier for new inverter entrance in the US market. Several years ago, Susanna Huang, General Manager, Ginlong Solis USA, was knocking on the door of a top solar financing company, asking for advice how Ginlong could be on their AVL list. “Before talking to us, you should have a large installation base and a proven track record in the US. Otherwise, it won’t worth our investment for evaluation,” she recalled they said. But without solar financing, how could a manufacturer achieve a large installation base? she was puzzled by this “Chicken and Egg” dilemma.

Then, things begin to happen in a “magic” way since last year. The top solar leasing companies started their search for the next highest quality inverter with affordable pricing from Asia last year. DNV GL, a world leading technical advisory firm, expanded to inverter 3rd party qualification testing and evaluation and Ginlong Solis PV inverter is the first evaluated. Ginlong Solis inverter customers become our “raving fans,” the best salespeople of the company. The next, Ginlong Solis PV inverter is on the Mosaic AVL for financing, letting in much needed “fresh air” in the industry.

Founded in 2010, Mosaic has gotten good publicity with its crowd-funding model to match investors with solar project developers in the United States. It is offering a residential solar financing platform now. Mosaic attracts great talents with its unique business model and great potential. “Mosaic is participating in the highly disruptive space of peer-to-peer lending, which is experiencing tremendous growth in the U.S. right now, and it’s bringing that business model to solar, another high growth industry. Mosaic is therefore at the intersection of two rapidly expanding market opportunities, which bodes well for our success,” said Bruce Ledesma, who explained his reason for joining Mosaic as COO in 2014. (Former SunPower executive Bruce Ledesma joined Mosaic as COO in 2014.) Last month, former SolarCity CFO Robert D. Kelly is named a member of Mosaic’s Board of Directors.

The US PV inverter vendor landscape is changing in front of our eyes. Ginlong Solis is competing on a more leveled competitive playing field now for success.

Solar Power World

CEO of CyboEnergy, George Cheng

California-based CyboEnergy, a division of industrial automation company CyboSoft, has developed what it calls a “mini inverter” with benefits of both central inverters and microinverters. At its booth at Intersolar 2015, the company showed how its CyboInverters can operate in either on-grid or off-grid mode. A time-based grid power feature also allows energy to be stored in batteries and sent to the grid during peak power hours to help grid stability.

We followed up with CEO George Cheng to find out more.

Solar Power World: What is your background, how did you come to be in the solar industry?

George Cheng: In 1994, I cofounded CyboSoft, an industrial automation company. Its control products have been a major breakthrough and deployed on a large scale in oil and gas drilling, and building, pH, industrial and equipment control. I am always exploring what important things we can do to make a difference. In my view, our world is facing at least the following critical threats:

• Global warming and climate changes
• Ever increasing pollution to the environment in air, water, soil, and food
• Shrinking natural resources and explosive growth in world population
• Aging society with healthcare needs and out of control cost

It is profound to see that automatic control is very much related to these critical issues. For instance, control difficulties slow down the adoption of renewable energy. So, we saw the need and opportunity to enter the solar industry.

SPW: Tell me more about CyboEnergy. How was it founded and what kinds of products does it offer?

GC: CyboEnergy was formed to apply CyboSoft’s control technology to the renewable energy industry. We developed on-grid, off-grid and on/off-grid solar power inverters with multiple input channels to provide flexibility and seamless integration of DC sources including solar, wind and batteries. A CyboInverter has four input channels, each of which has its own control and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to eliminate partial shading problems and maximize power production.

Because a multi-channel power inverter is a multi-input-single-output, high-speed, nonlinear system, it is very difficult to use a traditional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller or model-based method to control it. CyboSoft’s model-free adaptive (MFA) technology enables us to control the CyboInverter to synchronize with grid AC with four varying DC sources, and meet the stringent UL1741 / IEEE 1547 standards. The multi-channel CyboInverter was awarded the 2013 Global Product Differentiation Excellence Award by Frost & Sullivan.

SPW: Let’s focus in on your on/off-grid solar inverter. What does it offer solar contractors, that other models don’t?

GC: Climate change is becoming more catastrophic and power grid shutdowns are more frequent and severe, resulting in loss of production and personal hardship. On-grid inverters are designed to deliver power to the grid but cannot run as off-grid inverters to power AC loads, yet off-grid inverters cannot send power to the grid when the grid is on so the solar energy is wasted. The on/off-grid CyboInverter combines both functions in one inverter to offer grid flexibility.

The inverter can offer solar contractors the following benefits: (1) the ability to do “plug-and-play” installation for small to large on-grid solar systems with backup power, (2) seamless integration of solar, wind, hydro and battery for grid power balancing and AC power arbitrage, and (3) exceptional economic benefits for both customers and solar contractors.

SPW: There’s lots of inverter options out there. What’s industry response to the model been, and how do you compete with other major players?

GC: Response for the on/off-grid CyboInverter has been overwhelming. On the market, a few string inverters also have the ability to provide backup power when the grid is down but they lack the key functions including panel-level MPPT, immunity to partial shading and ease of installation. In addition, the “Rapid Shutdown” requirements by NEC2014 will be enforced, which will make string inverter based systems much more costly to install. On the other hand, microinverters are too small to provide sufficient power to run AC loads in off-grid situations.

Our go-to-market strategy is to work with key partners that integrate CyboInverters to offer unique and useful systems in certain market segments. For instance, WindStream Technologies’ SolarMill was recently featured on the NBC Today show. A typical SolarMill has three solar panels and one wind generator, which are connected to four input channels of a CyboInverter. This unique and useful system can harvest both solar and wind energy for small to large installations. CyboInverters are delivered by WindStream as part of SolarMill for their on-grid customers in the global market.

SPW: Where is the inverter deployed? What types of applications is it best for?

GC: CyboInverters have been deployed in on-grid and off-grid solar systems around the globe. The family of CyboInverter products are well suited for: (1) on-grid solar systems with ease of installation, excellent power production, and best system per watt price, (2) on-grid solar systems with backup power capability, (3) on-grid systems with solar, wind, hydro and battery inputs for seamless DC source integration, energy storage, grid power balancing and AC power arbitrage, (4) small microgrids to provide electricity to schools, clinics, stores, homes, factories, farms, etc., in rural parts of the world, (5) off-grid PV solar heating and cooking, and (6) AC coupling when integrating with large off-grid battery inverters.

Solar Power World

Daniel Hill, Tabuchi Electric

Japanese solar inverter manufacturer Tabuchi Electric announced its entrance into the North American market this year at Intersolar NA, where it also launched its residential solar + storage solution. We connected with Daniel Hill, Tabuchi Electric Director of Sales and Marketing, to learn more. Here’s what he said.

Solar Power World: What opportunity do you see for international manufacturers in the U.S. solar market? What expertise do you bring?

Daniel Hill: Tabuchi has a strong heritage in Japan with nearly a century of experience manufacturing high quality electronics. We will continue manufacturing in Japan, but we see great opportunity in the U.S. solar + storage market. Japan was the second largest market for PV growth in 2014 and will continue to be a successful market for us. In concert, the U.S. solar market is growing at an exciting rate and our company is big enough to meet that demand now.

We’ve learned a number of valuable lessons from the Japanese market, including the importance of working with utilities. Some of the utilities in Japan started to regulate when and how much energy can be exported from solar systems. To address that challenge, we have developed a solar + storage system that can be easily manipulated to comply with utility energy standards.

Tabuchi Electric 10-kWh lithium-ion battery

SPW: What does your inverter and storage system consist of? 

DH: Tabuchi’s EneTelus Intelligent Battery System (EIBS) is a grid-friendly inverter and storage system that is easy to install and delivers energy management and cost performance to solar installers and homeowners alike. The system combines a solar and storage all-in-one 3 MPPT 5.5-kW inverter with a 10-kWh lithium ion battery. When we selected a battery partner, Tabuchi tested all the top battery technologies and chose the safest and highest performing brand. The EIBS system is optimized for reliability and faster payback, as well as simple installation. It also comes with a 10-year warranty.

SPW: Why is a lithium ion battery a good choice for storage units for residential applications?

DH: The biggest advantage of our lithium ion battery is that it can be cycled 3,000 to 5,000 times over a 10-year period. Its long lifespan gives homeowners flexibility to use their system to save energy and money throughout the year. In contrast, lead-acid batteries cannot be cycled at the same rate.

Tabuchi Electric EIBS solar inverter

SPW: How does the solution benefit homeowners?

DH: Tabuchi’s solar + storage system reliably reduces peak loads and demand charges for homeowners. If homeowners want to take advantage of time-of-use rates, they can charge their battery in the morning and then use that energy in the evening when electricity rates are high. Demand charges are commonplace for commercial buildings but are starting to be seen on the residential side too.

SPW: How does the solution benefit residential installers?

DH: Tabuchi’s system is incredibly easy to install, so installers love it. Our system is the only one on the market that’s all-in-one.

Solar Power World

The D.R. Templeman Company, a family-owned manufacturer of springs and wire forms based in Plainville, CT, today announced it is installing a 360 Canadian Solar-panel, 111-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftop of its manufacturing facility. The company selected Standard Solar to develop the project and install the system.

Templeman Facility – One Northwest Drive, Plainville, CT

The array, expected to produce 127,000 kilowatt-hours of power per year, will cover 100 percent of the manufacturing facility’s energy needs and offset nearly 90 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually which is equal to the amount of CO2 emissions sequestered each year by a 70 acre U.S. forest.

“As a manufacturer with a 77 year history, we realize the importance of preserving the environment. We are committed to doing our part by controlling the usage of resources in our manufacturing processes,” said Richard Williams, President, Templeman Co. “Our decision to go solar directly reflects our company values by actively promoting sustainability through the efficient use of clean, renewable resources. Standard Solar has been extremely helpful throughout the design, application and financing processes and we are very grateful for their guidance and expertise.”

Founded in 1938, The D.R. Templeman Company is one of the region’s leading spring manufacturers. It supplies springs and wire forms to a broad market that includes medical devices, electronics, inspection instruments, alternative energy devices, electromagnetic controls, appliances, hardware, locks, hand and power tools, consumer products, packaging, fire protection equipment, jewelry, motors, pumps, valves and more.

The project is being funded through an operating lease. This type of financing is designed to make the acquisition of solar affordable by combining tax efficiency with the Connecticut Zero Emissions Renewable Energy Credit Program (ZREC). The Connecticut ZREC program provides utility customers who generate their own power using zero emissions renewable processes, such as solar photovoltaics, with production based payments for 15 years, in addition to their avoided electric cost savings.

“The D.R. Templeman Company has a great history of commitment to its surrounding community and preserving the environment,” said Scott Wiater, President, Standard Solar. “We celebrate their foresight in capturing the value of solar and putting their home state’s ZREC program to work for them.”

Solar Power World

Stenrick, SimpleRay president and CEO: “APS fits in well with our philosophy by offering low-cost, well established microinverters. They’re easy to design with, and fit our customers’ needs well.”

Solar distributor SimpleRay has added the APS microinverter line to its product offerings.

Driven by the maxim “We simplify solar,” SimpleRay is a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree, and has ranked No. 318 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies in the USA.  The company was founded by Geoff Stenrick in 2007, with the goal of giving solar installers a better distribution experience. The company serves small and mid-sized installers throughout the Midwest, offering product and system-design expertise and a consultative sales approach.

“We want to make sure we have the best products on hand to match each installer’s projects,” said Stenrick, SimpleRay president and CEO. “APS fits in well with our philosophy by offering low-cost, well established microinverters. They’re easy to design with, and fit our customers’ needs well. They’re a great fit for us overall.”

“SimpleRay has built their business by providing very high quality service to installers,” said Thomas Nelson, APS vice president of sales, USA. “That’s an outstanding match for APS and our own focus on providing the best products and top value for our installation partners.”

APS is currently offering A+ Rewards, a rebate program for installers. The program offers up to $15 back per microinverter purchased from participating distributors through Sept. 30, 2015, with additional incentives for first-time installers.

APS flagship products include the YC500, a dual-module microinverter, and the YC1000 true 3-phase unit, purpose-designed for commercial applications and offering a 1:4 microinverter-to-module ratio to lower system costs. Both units will be offered by SimpleRay through its distribution channels.

Solar Power World

LG Electronics USA and Borrego Solar Systems Inc. are expanding their collaboration for installation of LG’s high-efficiency solar modules to the U.S. commercial market.

Solar Power World

Adding to its portfolio of leading utility-scale, fixed-tilt solar projects, SunLink Corporation has been selected as a project partner for a 148.5 MW solar PV portfolio project under development in the southeastern United States by Blattner Energy, a power generation contractor and leading provider of renewable energy construction in North America. SunLink will supply Blattner with its Large-Scale GMS Landscape mounting system together with a comprehensive range of engineering and onsite project management services.

“It takes proven engineering solutions, sophisticated products and a higher level of project-related services to support our nation’s largest solar projects. Our partners turn to us because we deliver on all three counts, and they attest that we shine when it comes to utility-scale solar system optimization and valued project services,” said Michael Maulick, CEO of SunLink. “Blattner selected SunLink based on our demonstrated ability to accommodate the many demands associated with complex projects, coupled with our ability to help our partners overcome obstacles and deliver a superior customer experience. Together, our shared dedication to quality outcomes helps us both operate more competitively in the market.”

This latest project adds to Blattner’s renewable energy portfolio of more than 25,000 MW of wind and solar power completed or under contract across North America. The Southeast is one of the fastest growing solar markets in the U.S., and it is attracting the nation’s top solar companies, like Blattner and SunLink, that are bringing both economic and environmental benefits to local residents.

“Blattner prides itself on creating a better construction experience for our clients, and a cornerstone of that mission is building successful relationships with our project partners,” said Scott Blattner, president of Blattner Energy. “SunLink brings a solid technology platform to the table. More importantly, their responsiveness, support and genuine desire for project success align with our commitment to delivering exceptional client service.”

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Operations and maintenance (O&M) is a growing market within solar. In the early years of the industry, O&M was looked at in basic terms as fixing a broken inverter or cleaning panels—ensuring the project is operating and is maintained. As solar installations have took off, so too has the need for preventative maintenance to guarantee systems are working to their potential.

“People have not looked at O&M deeply enough in their fleets, and they really need to think about what that means over 20 years,” said Marty Roger, vice president of global service and support for Next Phase Solar, an O&M provider that was recently bought by inverter manufacturer Enphase. “If we manage the solar asset and keep them performing and as fresh as possible, there is an overall savings for the financial institute. By doing the proper preventative maintenance and O&M, you keep that asset fresh and you keep the financial institutes happy with their asset performance.”

O&M includes everything from preventative maintenance tasks (like module cleaning or thermal scans of inverters) to proactive services (like system monitoring and enhanced reporting).

“Effective O&M is more than just tactical duties, such as following a maintenance manual, module cleaning or ground maintenance,” said Don Buck, director of global service business development and service sales for the Americas for SMA America, an inverter manufacturer and full-service O&M provider. “O&M must also mitigate risk factors by proactively identifying potential issues and addressing them before they can impact an owner’s bottom line.”

O&M is important across all PV applications because it protects power production and maximizes ROI. With proper O&M, residential customers experience greater power output and a reduction of energy bills, commercial customers benefit from less system downtime essential to day-to-day operations and utility-scale customers ensure long-term viability and profitability.

Installers and system owners are starting to look at O&M services more proactively. Instead of just working with the “break-fix” model (replacing a panel that’s cracked or an inverter that isn’t working), preventative maintenance is making its way into packages. In order to have the most efficient system, Roger said it’s important now more than ever to separate the installer from the O&M provider.

“As people are really gearing up to install more solar, installation crews are focused on being efficient at installation, so it’s an opportunity for the O&M piece to be very efficient with O&M,” he said. “In the past, installation crews would go off to do maintenance on a system, but it would take them away from being efficient on [installing] new systems. We have a large [O&M] fleet around the country, and they can go manage those systems in an efficient way, because they’re not trying to do something else in between.”

This post-installation expertise is really beneficial to the end customer.

“When we go to a site, we’re very quick at analyzing what the problem is and taking corrective action,” Roger said. “If it’s someone who doesn’t do that as a day-to-day thing, then they could waste a lot of time trying to figure out the problem.”

When everyone in solar is trying to cut costs and save time, O&M can help.

“Reducing soft costs is as important to PV today as it will be tomorrow,” Buck said. “O&M costs will decrease as processes become more efficient and this market segment achieves economies of scale. O&M is relatively new and it will naturally reduce in cost as it becomes more widespread and technology improves, much like PV devices (such as inverters) have themselves. O&M will continue to be a vital part of the PV landscape because a properly maintained solar system can increase yield up to 30%, accelerating investment payback.”

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A new Leaderboard Report from Navigant Research examines the strategy and execution of 15 leading project developers/integrators of microgrid controls platforms, including vendor profiles and rankings, providing an objective assessment of these companies’ relative strengths and weaknesses in the market.

As utilities become more curious about the technology’s applications and potential business models, the list of companies entering the microgrid controls space continues to grow. Currently, the most successful companies in this market boast robust project portfolios, have highly functional microgrid controllers, and have developed sustainable and innovative ways to monetize their solutions. According to a new Leaderboard Report from Navigant Research, Schneider Electric, Optimal Power Solutions, and Princeton Power Systems lead the microgrid controls market in terms of strategy and execution.

“Companies both large and small are finding opportunities in the broad microgrid space, but the key determination in the controls developers/integrators market is the approach to optimizing a microgrid,” says Peter Asmus, principal research analyst with Navigant Research. “While competition is still wide open, the 15 companies included in this report all have a stake in how the market responds to technologies that allow disparate distributed energy resources to work together as a system, whether the microgrid is connected to a utility grid or is functioning in island mode.”

Of the 15 companies profiled in this Leaderboard Report, three emerged as market Leaders and the other 12 followed closely as Contenders, demonstrating that no single company dominates the microgrid market. Competition among vendors is close, according to the report, as all 15 vendors profiled fell within 20 points of one another.

The report, Navigant Research Leaderboard Report: Microgrid Controls, examines the strategy and execution of 15 project developers/ integrators with microgrid controls platforms and rates them on 12 criteria. Using Navigant Research’s proprietary Leaderboard methodology, vendors are profiled and ranked with the goal of providing industry participants an objective assessment of these companies’ relative strengths and weaknesses in the global microgrid controls market. All of the companies rated are positioned to emerge as market leaders, as no single company dominates this market.

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CyboEnergy, developer of what it calls the world’s first solar power mini-inverter that possesses the key merits of both central inverters and microinverters, announced it has released an On/Off-Grid Solar Power System Design Guide. This guide will help customers and installers to design on-grid and on/off-grid renewable energy systems with battery storage to provide backup power when the grid is down. CyboEnergy’s latest innovation, the On-Off/Grid CyboInverter, is the core product that enables this design.

CyboEnergy CEO, Dr. George Cheng said, “Response for the groundbreaking On/Off-Grid CyboInverter has been very positive since the product was released in June 2015. A number of On/Off-Grid CyboInverters have been successfully installed in different countries. Because there are no comparable products on the market, we developed this guide to provide a systematic approach for customers to design and build cost-effective and useful on/off-grid solar power systems.”

As an example, the following diagram shows a 6KW on/off-grid solar power system where three On-Grid CyboInverters and an On/Off-Grid CyboInverter twin pack are used.

Each On-Grid CyboInverter is connected with four 300W solar panels, offering panel-level MPPT to maximize power production. The On/Off-Grid CyboInverter Twin Pack has a Master and Slave Unit working as a group, each of which connects to one 300W solar panel and a set of 36V batteries. When the grid is on, the system can generate up to 4.2KW power to the grid. When the grid is down, all inverters will shutdown immediately based on the UL1741 safety requirements. The On/Off-Grid CyboInverters will then switch to the off-grid mode automatically to run the connected AC loads on the off-grid circuit. Since this is a scalable design, a larger system can be implemented with multiple on/off-grid sub-systems of different sizes. The total on-grid output power from each sub-system can be combined in an electric panel to be sent to the grid. Each sub-system will have its own independent off-grid circuit to power the connected AC loads when the grid is down. This enables a “plug-and-play” installation by using On-Grid and On/Off-Grid CyboInverters.

The CyboEnergy On/Off-Grid Solar Power System Design Guide is in an easy to understand format with graphics, drawings, comparison tables, and highlighted text. It is useful for companies, solar installers, and homeowners that want to build a useful and easy to install on/off-grid solar power system for homes and facilities, especially those where backup power is a necessity but not available, including: nursing homes, clinics, data centers, hotels, stores, etc.  To purchase CyboInverters or request an Installation Guide, please contact CyboEnergy or its distributors.

Learn more about CyboEnergy in our Q&A here.

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REC Group, the largest European brand of solar panels, grabbed the number-three slot among solar panel suppliers to the U.S. residential market during the first quarter of 2015, according to the most recent GTM Research U.S. PV Leaderboard report. The company also claimed the top position among module companies supplying the California residential sector.

REC saw its estimated share climb to 14% in the U.S. state residential markets sampled in the report, up from 6% in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 2.7% for the first quarter of 2014. For California, the Q1 2015 data showed REC with an estimated 22.5 megawatts (MW) of total installed capacity, ahead of the next competitor’s supply to the California residential market.

Despite the scheduled sunset of the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) from 30% to 10% at the beginning of 2017, REC management believes the U.S. solar market will continue to see solid growth, especially in the residential and commercial sectors. Factors such as a variety of low-cost capital options for solar photovoltaic (PV) and ongoing system cost and soft cost reductions will offset the potential ITC-related effects on the market. The company is pursuing and signing major utility supply deals in the U.S. as well, since demand for REC’s high-quality, tariff-free panels remains robust.

“The latest GTM Research PV Leaderboard reflects REC Group’s impressive surge in the U.S. residential solar sector over the past several quarters,” said Steve O’Neil, CEO of REC Group. “Our overall U.S. business accounted for half of the company’s module shipments during the most recent quarter. The U.S. continues to be a strong market for us, with 818 MW of PV panels scheduled for delivery to REC’s residential, commercial, and utility customers in 2015 and 2016.”

The GTM Research U.S. PV Leaderboard combines detailed project-level data with survey data collected directly from installers and suppliers to produce the most comprehensive market share estimates available for the U.S. solar market. The report, published quarterly, provides national market share estimates for installers, panels and inverter manufacturers as well as selected state-by-state breakdowns.

REC Group will be showcasing its high-quality, tariff-free solar PV panel solutions in Booth 3505 at Solar Power International 2015, which takes place at the Anaheim (CA) Convention Center on September 15-17.

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Earlier this summer, SolTerra began construction for a new LEED Platinum-designed apartment building – Atlas in Newcastle, Washington. The company is a fast-growing design+build firm focused on reconnecting people with nature. SolTerra is creating some of the most sustainable, livable, and innovative mixed-use buildings in the Pacific Northwest.

“We are creating cost-effective living spaces for people and families who care about their impact on our planet,” says Brian Heather, co-founder of SolTerra. “Through our mixed-use projects, SolTerra is demonstrating that renewable energy and sustainable development are feasible and beneficial to individuals and society alike,” he added.

The Atlas complex will include 98-units in a 6-story building with underground parking for residents, as well as patrons of the Newcastle Library next door. It also includes two-thousand square feet for ground-floor retail space.

The project will feature lush green living walls, eco-roofs, a large storm water retention facility, roof top solar, and private and public roof terraces. Each SolTerra design incorporates a unique feature. Atlas includes a wall of built-in bookshelves in every apartment, and a large outdoor courtyard accessible to all residents on the second floor.

“This new SolTerra project provides a beautiful, sustainable living space for our community,” says Steve Buri, Mayor of Newcastle. “The LEED design also raises the bar for what we might expect from future city development projects.” Atlas design elements focus on sustainability. For example, anticipated energy use will be 30% less than typical new buildings built according to Washington Code; 9,100 square feet of vegetated, eco-roof will insulate the roof and help manage storm water; a 400-square foot living wall will absorb carbon emissions and help cool the building; and drought tolerant landscaping and a high-efficiency irrigation system will reduce water demand for irrigation by 71%. SolTerra has several projects underway in the Pacific Northwest.

The Atlas project in Newcastle is expected to be completed by Summer 2016.

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Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and leaders from Bristol Community College (BCC) and its partners unveiled New England’s largest solar parking canopy to date, a 3.2-MW solar array covering 800 parking spaces on five acres of the College’s Fall River Campus.

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David Kingery, Director of Sales with Horizon Solar Power

Horizon Solar Power, a southern California-based solar installation company, was founded in 1998 and has installed more than 2,000 residential installations since 2008. Over the past three years, the company has undergone tremendous growth: 95 employees in 2012 turned into 540 in 2014, and 2/3 of the company’s total installation capacity was installed just last year.

I spoke with David Kingery, Director of Sales with Horizon to ask what has enabled their success as a company and if any particular challenges came as a result from growing so quickly. The company has offices in Hemet, Redlands and Palm Springs, and offers free solar site inspections, as well as financial analysis, solar system design and panel installation.To learn more, visit them at horizonsolarpower.com.

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