The owners of a beautiful new luxury home on the west side of Mercer Island decided to include solar in their plans. Solar Power World Top 400 Solar contractor NW Electric and Solar used 12 APS microinverters (distributed through Blue Frog Solar) and 24 itek modules for the flat-roof installation, which receives generous solar exposure as the sun arcs through the southern sky each day. The 6.24-kW installation was completed in August .
Anther installation using Blue Frog/APS microinverters, the uber-green Grow Community, placed as runner-up in Solar Builder magazine’s 2014 Project of the Year awards. The Bainbridge Island, Wash., housing development is designed as a net-zero energy community. The installation includes 260-W modules by itek Energy and racking by SunModo. The installer is A&R Solar of Seattle. The project is being developed by Asani with construction by PHC Construction.
Blue Frog now also offers the new YC1000 microinverter from APS, a 3-phase microinverter, handling 277/480 grid voltages with 900 watts maximum output, ZigBee communication and an integrated ground. Each microinverter handles up to four PV modules while up to 11 units (44 modules total, 60- or 72-cell) can be linked in a single 15A circuit. And the unit is offered at a price point competitive with conventional “string” inverters.
The inverter’s warranty is fully backed by APS corporate. In addition, Blue Frog offers a 25-year extended warranty free of charge. If you happen to prefer just a 10-year warranty on your equipment, the cost is $20 less per unit.