SPW December 2013 - Vs1 PDF

Financing p.10 Inverters p. 13 AC Coupling p.
14
December 2013
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
top100+ PRODUCTS OF 2013
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ET Solar 12-13.indd 1 12/9/13 2:25 PM
THE FI RS T WO RD
Editorial
Advisory
Board 2013 Was A Great Year For Industry Innovations
Natalie Holtgrefe As the growth of the industry accelerated in 2013, so did the advances in
Solectria Renewables technology. From panels to inverters to racking-and-mounting (not to mention
operations-and-maintenance, monitoring and a host of balance-of-systems
Jose Gomez
(BOS) components), the innovations emerged practically every day.
Ingeteam
If you were an installer or an EPC, it was hard to keep up with them. Even
Steve Hogan if you visited every show, from PV America to SPI, you couldn’t possibly visit
Spire every booth to see what was new. Let your head spin no more.
We’ve brought you the product introductions we believe you can use to
Devon Cichoski make your business better. Understanding what’s available to you is the first
SolarWorld step toward providing the best installation possible to your customers.
As the products rolled in, the Solar Power World team, each of whom has
Marcelo Gomez a specific segment to cover (Managing Editor Kathie Zipp handles inverters,
Unirac Assistant Editor Steven Bushong handles racking-and-mounting, and yours
truly handles panels), noticed a few trends:
Justin Barnes
North Carolina (State
University) Solar Panels:
Center The emphasis in the panel segment this year was durability and aesthetics.
You’ll see more glass-on-glass panels, which are said to provide stronger
Scott Wiater panels better able to handle the rigor of long-term installations. Black panels
Standard Solar are also all the rage, as consumers are looking for alternatives to the traditional
blue-gray option.
Inverters:
What we heard nearly all year (so much so we had a webinar on the subject
in September) was the ongoing discussion of how microinverters and power
optimizers can enhance the power of systems. In other inverter segments,
manufacturers are pushing for more power density in leaner designs. We have a
selection of each kind here so you can compare models for yourself.
Racking-And-Mounting:
The theme of 2013 was simplification. With prices for panels coming down
precipitously over the past three years, the attention of the industry has turned
to bringing down the BOS costs. Racking systems are the centerpiece of those
systems, and manufacturers are finding ways to bring the prices down. Some
are moving away from traditional metal materials (aluminum and polymers are
What do you
think?
popular choices), while others are reducing the number of parts and tools it
Discuss this, and takes to install them (lowering labor costs).
other solar issues
at www.engineering As the industry hurtles toward what I’m sure will be another stellar year in 2014,
exchange.com
you can expect the innovations to come fast and furious. Take a look at what
great products came to market this year, and dream of what new technologies
await us in the new one. SPW
Frank Andorka
Editorial Director
fandorka@solarpowerworldonline.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 1
First Word_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 1 12/9/13 11:23 AM

Moxa Inc. Tel: +886 2 8919 1230 info@moxa.com www.moxa.com Reliable Networks Sincere Service
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[ SO L A R W O R K S ]
{ Solar Works Around The United States

Since 2000, more than 1,460 MW of residential solar installations have been installed
across the country and, in 2012 alone, rooftop solar installations nearly doubled the
installed capacity added in 2010. Here’s what else is happening:
Students Work With Bright Power For Bright Bread, Butter, Solar A Green Getaway
Non-Profit Minds Lockport, N.Y. Ogunquit, Maine
Woodland, Calif. Cedarville, Ohio The Crosby’s store at Lake Avenue and The Meadowmere Resort, the 2013
Students from high schools and a Cedarville University will cover Old Niagara Road is the first solar- Maine Governor’s Environmental
community college installed a solar 10% of its electricity needs with a powered convenience store in the region. Excellence Recipient, has
energy system for a local elderly 2.15-MW ground-mounted system. The store chain, a subsidiary of Lockport- installed a second solar array. The
woman. The students, who were Composed of 8,792 solar panels, the based Reid Petroleum, plans to add solar installation includes 70 panels and
part of an achievement program, installation was built by Melink Corp. power to another store by December. generates 18 kW, supplying power
worked with the nonprofit GRID and uses REC Peak Energy Series The 200-panel array will generate about to 36 of its 144 total rooms, with a
Alternatives, which has installed solar panels. Power will be delivered 20% of the store’s annual usage. 3- to 4-year payback.
more than 10 MW of solar, saving to the university’s main campus via
$100 million in energy costs for an underground cable.
more than 3,700 households.
Plant Begins Operations State Aims To Spur IKEA Expands Portfolio

Imperial County, Calif. Development Perryville, Md.
The Campo Verde Solar Facility has Des Moines, Iowa IKEA, the furniture retailer, will nearly
begun commercial operation. The The Iowa Economic Development double the size of a rooftop array
139-MW array consists of nearly 2.3 Authority received a $1 million completed in April at its distribution
million thin-film PV modules and grant from the U.S Department of center, the state’s largest such solar
is expected to generate enough Energy for a statewide program energy system. In addition, South
electricity to power nearly 48,000 to promote solar power systems. Florida will soon get its largest solar
homes. “Solar is an important part Several local governments will array, 4,620 panels installed on the
of our continued effort to provide take measures to reduce barriers roof of a new store set to open next
clean, safe, reliable and affordable to installation. In part, the money summer. IKEA is the largest non-utility
power,” says Thomas Fanning, CEO of will be used to promote solar. owner of solar energy in Florida.
Southern Co., the local utility.
No Incentive? No Problem Installer Grows With Arrays

Raleigh, N.C. Greenville, S.C.
A 453-kW array on the roof of Exhibit Officials have finalized details for a
Resources is among a few third-party- 3-MW solar farm in Colleton County,
Saving Diesel owned projects completed without which is expected to become the largest
Kaua’i, Hawaii SunSense, a state incentive. Argand Energy in the state. Installer Sunstore Solar
Hawaii’s only electric cooperative has broke ground for a 12-MW led the development and financing effort opened a new office that will service the
solar installation, the second largest in the state. “Right now, this is the for the project with partners including Trina farm. With 35 years of experience, the
cheapest renewable energy project in the islands,” says David Bissell, Solar. “With some creativity, we were able installer has worked on other projects,
the cooperative’s president. The $40 million project is expected to to make the project pencil for all sides,” including the Santee Cooper Grand
reduce diesel demand by nearly two million gallons a year. says Rob Lease, a vice president at Argand. Strand Solar Station in Myrtle Beach.
Solar Works_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 3 12/9/13 11:21 AM

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Technology • Development • Installation December 2013 • vol 3 no 6
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4 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013
Dec 2013_Editorial Staff_Vs2KZ.indd 4 12/9/13 11:30 AM

December 2013
w w w. s o l a r p o w e r w o r l d o n l i n e . c o m
D ecem ber 2 0 1 3 • v o l 3 n o 6
contents
06
D e pa r t m e n t s
18 F e at u r e s

01 The First Word 14 Don’t Despair: AC Coupling Can Help
AC coupling can alleviate solar storage challenges
03 Solar Works
18 Top 100+ Products of 2013
06 State Of The State Modules p.20
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) p.21
07 Other Voices Photovoltaics p.21
Solar Thermal p.26
08 Training Thin-Film p. 26
Racking & Mounting p. 27
10 Financing Carports & Canopies p. 28
Frames p. 29 About the Cover:
Ground p. 30 Solar Power World
12 Contractor’s Corner Roof p. 34
brings you some of
Trackers p. 40
13 Solar Insights Inverters p. 42 the top technological
Central p. 43 innovations of 2013.
66 Developments Microinverters p. 47
Off-Grid p. 48 Financing p.10 Inverters p. 13 AC Coupling p.14
70 Solar Snapshot Power Optimizers p.48 December 2013
String p. 49
Solar Technologies p. 52
72 Ad Index

Batteries & Storage p. 53
Charge Controllers p. 54
Combiner Boxes p. 55
Components p. 55
Monitoring p. 59
Operations & Maintenance p. 61
Services p. 62
Site Assessment p. 64
Table of Contents 12-13 Solar_Vs6FINAL.indd 5 12/12/13 11:20 AM

[ S TAT E O F T H E S T A T E ]
This is the first 1-MW

project to come on line
in the Georgia Power
Advanced Solar Initiative. It
was installed by Inman Solar
and is owned by Washington
Gas Energy Systems.
State Of The State Report:

By Julie Hairston, Communications Director,
Georgia Solar Energy Association Georgia
The past year has yielded a watershed 45 MW of distributed generation will be best untapped prospects in the country.
passage for solar development in awarded in 2014, with any remaining And policy barriers to development of a
Georgia, with the state’s solar portfolio capacity to be developed in 2015. robust, perpetual solar market in Georgia
poised to expand vastly beyond its 2012 Just as the award of the first 45 MW remain unchanged.
level in just three years. of distributed generation concluded, Currently, the PSC is deliberating
Georgia also has spawned an Georgia Power began a required update a Georgia Power proposal that would
unprecedented alliance between of its long-range resources plan through impose a tariff on solar consumers
environmentalists and Tea Party activists the PSC. During that process, PSC beginning in 2014. The tariff would
to press state leaders for updated solar Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald add about $22 a month to utility bills
policies. Formally christened the “Green proposed that the new plan include an for customers with solar installations.
Tea Coalition,” the new organization has additional 525 MW of solar. McDonald’s The effect of this tariff could be
pledged to open the Georgia market to proposal set off an avalanche of public devastating to the nascent surge in solar
solar as a cost-effective energy choice outcry in favor of his request, most development through the ASI by raising
for consumers. Its efforts are drawing notably supported by Debbie Dooley, project costs to prohibitive levels.
attention from media nationwide and coordinator of the Atlanta Tea Party Public protest has erupted statewide
inspiring similar movements in other Patriots. To the Tea Party advocates, the urging the PSC to reject the tariff, noting
areas of the country. barriers in Georgia law that prevent solar that it discriminates unfairly by singling
The momentum began in from market-based competition counter out solar users alone for the charge. In
November 2012 when the Georgia the bedrock American principles of addition, an internal report produced
Public Service Commission’s approved private property rights, consumer choice by the PSC staff pointed out that no
what now is known as the Georgia and free-market economics. concrete data collection on the impact
Power Advanced Solar Initiative (ASI). In July, environmentalists and of solar deployment to Georgia’s electric
Georgia Power requested the PSC’s consumer advocates joined Dooley grid was used to determine the charges
authorization to reallocate 210 MW of and her Tea Party supporters in a proposed.
power in its long-range resource plan demonstration outside the Georgia Georgia’s growing community of
from biomass to solar. As approved, Capitol the day the PSC voted. solar advocates also is looking ahead to
the ASI authorized Georgia Power, the McDonald’s proposal was adopted and the policy deliberations of the General
state’s largest utility and a subsidiary of approved. The 525 MW includes 100 MW Assembly, where a proposal to authorize
Southern Company, to contract for 90 of distributed generation. third-party PPAs was defeated in 2012.
MW of distributed generation from small While solar advocates of every A variety of solar-friendly proposals
and medium-sized projects and 120 MW perspective — business, consumer, are pending from the 2013 session
of utility-scale solar development from environmental, philosophical — and remain viable until adjournment
2013 to 2015. It is the largest voluntary celebrated this giant step forward, they of the 2014 session. With a growing,
solar development initiative of any utility continue to express concern about what broad-based, statewide network of solar
in the nation. happens when these finite allocations enthusiasts now actively engaged in
The first 45 MW of distributed are filled. Despite the expansion this prodding state leaders to remove the
generation projects were awarded to represents for Georgia’s solar portfolio, policy barriers to solar development,
qualified applicants in early 2013 through it does little to accomplish the state’s Georgia appears poised at last to take its
a lottery selection process. Nearly 1,000 solar development potential, which has place among the nation’s leaders in solar
applications were submitted. The next been widely recognized as among the energy production. SPW
6 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013 www.solarpowerworldonline.com
State of State 12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 6 12/9/13 11:57 AM

[OTHER VOICES]
No Solar Strangelove:
Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Join SEIA
At Solar Power International 2013 in battlefield just cedes it to the competition.
Chicago, you may have noticed that the solar And it takes more than just tracking
industry consists of an amazing array of types and policy to make changes. Advocacy groups
sizes of companies. At Solar Marketing Group, like SEIA organize the targeted, coherent
I am lucky to get to work with companies that and loud actions that are needed to
run the gamut of the solar space. While these have the message sink in for elected
companies have their own particular needs, one officials. Effective advocacy groups
thread connects us all: We each benefit from press policy makers through organizing
growing the amount of installed solar. activities like calling campaigns, lobby
The industry’s growth comes from many different days, rallies, educational briefings and
directions, but all can be spurred or thwarted by letters to the editor to push back against
political action (or inaction, as the case may be). negative press about the industry. They
Like it or not, officials at all levels of try to be everywhere because the political
government can seriously affect solar businesses battlefield is everywhere. And they can Carter Lavin
so we must all work together to protect the only do it if solar companies like yours and
industry from harmful policies and to advocate for ours rally along with them.
beneficial ones. By building our political power, Some solar companies are still on Carter Lavin is The Solar Marketing
we can ensure a favorable policy climate that will the bench because they don’t feel like Group’s Business Development
allow the solar industry to continue its meteoric their issue is being covered by existing Manager and helps renewable
rise in the United States. That is why we at Solar groups. But trade groups represent their energy companies analyze the
Marketing Group joined the Solar Energy Industries members, so your issue will continue to be market, articulate their messages
Association (SEIA): to support its solar advocacy overlooked unless you join. If you don’t feel and connect with their targeted
and help grow the industry. like your issues are covered yet, get more audiences to achieve their marketing
involved in the group — run for the board and communications goals.
Although we are a marketing agency that
serves solar companies and will (probably) never of directors, start a subcommittee, lead a
apply for the Investment Tax Credit, a SunShot lobby day: Do something and you will be
Grant or go through a streamlined permitting the trim tab that moves the advocacy group
process for a solar project, we still benefit from and the industry.
the work SEIA and its state-level counterparts Politics is a rough sport. It’s messy,
do to enact these programs because they grow the rules keep changing and we are
the industry. This applies to our solar company competing with industries that have been
as much as it applies to yours. So while a policy at this for decades and have billions of
may not directly impact your company, your solar dollars at their disposal. We can’t outspend
business will be better off with strong advocacy our competition, but we can be better
in the halls of power across the county. organized, more unified and more strategic.
Policy opportunities and threats like the We have public opinion and environmental
American Legislative Exchange Council’s necessity on our side, but to translate Discuss This
(ALEC) attempts to destroy renewable that into policy wins like extending the
and other Solar issues at
portfolio standards crop up all the time, and ITC beyond 2016, we need strong solar www.engineeringexchange.com
SEIA and its counterparts track them all. It advocacy groups like SEIA. That is why we
builds relationships with decision makers and at Solar Marketing Group joined, and we
educates and nudges them in the right direction hope you do, too. SPW
to protect solar policy gains and go on the Share this online
offensive. Most solar companies don’t have the Editor’s Note: Solar Power World is also
Email, Post, or Share on your
time to do all of that, and although it’s easier a member of SEIA and welcomes Solar favorite social network
to throw up your hands in the face of these Marketing Group to the fold. It’s
changes and hope for the best, ignoring this long past time for the rest of you to join, too.
Other Voices_12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 7 12/9/13 12:05 PM

[TRAINING]
Five Ways To Think Big About Solar Training

It seems like every year brings a new normal will help you get a handle on the big picture and
to the U.S. solar industry. The industry is dynamic, make the best on your investment in training.
1
full of business innovation and often hard to
predict. However, two general trends have 1. Know The Market Where You
emerged over the past few years: Plan to Work
Do you live in a good solar market?
1. We consistently outperform our installed If not, do you plan on following the
capacity projections job? You can make it in an emerging
2. We often underperform when it comes to new market but it takes planning, professionalism,
job creation partnership and grit. The economics of solar can
sell, but new markets require a lot of customer
Unfortunately, many job seekers make education. Nothing ruins a new market faster
assumptions about the first trend that do not than shoddy work. If you plan on entering a new
Nick Hylla match the reality of the second. market, invest in technical sales training. There is a
Before we jump into strategies for pursuing lot of opportunity for a local electrical contractor
professional development, it may be helpful to to add solar to his or her suite of services. A good
Hylla is the executive director discuss why we aren’t seeing a solar employment sales professional can help do just that. And, a
for Midwest Renewable Energy boom. First, don’t fret too much. Employment in journeyman or master electrician with years of
Association (MREA) the industry is growing. We are a new industry with local experience is a great candidate for North
a lot more room to grow and have the potential to American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
hire hundreds of thousands of new employees in (NABCEP) PV Installer Certification. We’ve found
the United States alone. Currently though, there are that combining these two credentials is the best
two major challenges with creating new jobs. assurance for quality.
2
The first is that many licensed tradesmen and
women have been working in the solar industry 2. Build On The Skills You Have
to pick up work because of a faltering residential Are you an electrician? NABCEP PV
and commercial building sector. This does not Installer Certification will get you
stimulate a lot of new hiring but rather puts into the solar game. Do you have
pressure on existing professionals to tool-up for sales experience in a technical field?
solar. This is, by all accounts, a good thing. It just Maybe an electrical supply house? NABCEP PV
doesn’t result in a lot of new hiring. Technical Sales Certification will help prepare
Second, we are in an affordability race you for the rapidly changing PV marketplace. Are
with traditional sources of energy. This race is you pursuing a degree in electrical technology or
occurring in a patchwork landscape of utility engineering? Maybe you already work at a utility?
and state incentives with often uncertain terms Utilities are dipping their toes in the solar market,
and time frames. This puts a lot of downward and it’s only a matter of time before they jump in.
pressure on labor costs and makes it difficult Having transferable skills with a solar emphasis is
for long-term business planning. That is not to a good strategy for maintaining employment in
say that solid growth scenarios do not exist. It the volatile solar industry.
3
does mean, however, that the solar job seeker
needs to know the market and choose a career 3. Ask A Lot Of Your Training
path with solid prospects. Program
Having helped more than 1,000 people get Discount lectures in the local hotel
tooled-up in solar over the last 5 years, we at conference room with a pretty letter of
the MREA have assembled a few strategies that completion will not cut it in the solar
Training_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 8 12/9/13 12:16 PM

[TRAINING]
5
industry. Search for training programs 5. Don’t Be A Robot
that have accreditation Interstate No matter what part of
Renewable Energy Council (IREC or the solar industry you are
ANSI/IREC accreditation are the gold working in, you need to
standards). Instructors should have depth be an educator. It may
of experience and training programs that surprise you, but solar market growth is
have a breadth and depth of instructors. becoming a less a technical challenge
Look for a solid track record in training and more a social one. To sustain current
with continued support for alumni through levels of growth, we will need educated
professional networks and related market customers, jurisdictional authorities, policy
Discuss This
development activities. Most importantly, makers, realtors and lending institutions, and other Solar issues at
www.engineeringexchange.com
look for training that leads you toward as well as others. The market will demand
industry certification. fluent, persuasive, knowledgeable and
4
personable solar professionals. If you plan
4. Get Work Experience on getting into the solar industry to keep Share this online
(Whatever It Takes) your head down and fasten modules to
Email, Post, or Share on your
There is no substitute for racks, you will most likely be replaced favorite social network
experience in the solar by a robot — and, nobody wants that to
industry. Enough said. happen to you. SPW
TRUSTED LEADER
IN OPERATIONS &
MAINTENANCE
With over 7,000 MW of energy under contract,
Photo Credit: EDF / Brandstrom Sophie

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EXPERTISE | COMMITMENT | INNOVATION
Training_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 9 12/9/13 12:16 PM

[FUTURE OF FINANCE]
Solar In Puerto Rico? That’s a Definite Maybe

On Nov. 16, 2012, I presented a case for Puerto given day, PREPA may completely curtail your
Rico to become one of the United States’ hot electricity output for an unspecified amount of
markets in 2013. I was clearly mistaken. More than time with no clear guidance on when a project can
a year later, the Puerto Rico renewable energy come back online. It is especially concerning to
market has only added 100 MW of wind energy financing parties when you consider that PREPA
and a nominal amount of solar despite the fact that has consistently stated that it will require 100%
there are more than 60 executed contracts with compliance with MTRs. Complying with MTRs at
the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) 100% is a near impossibility unless the project has
for renewable projects. Nevertheless, we continue an extremely large battery storage component,
to receive queries on a weekly basis regarding which, in itself, would make nearly all of the
Puerto Rico and our ability to finance or sell projects projects uneconomic to build.
located there. As previously stated, APER has remained in
So what do financial advisors tell clients constant negotiations with PREPA, as well as a
Robert Sternthal looking to invest in Puerto Rico or who continue council of three members that were appointed by
(special to Solar Power World) to develop projects there today? The following the Governor of Puerto Rico, to resolve the MTRs and
are some of the major hurdles currently facing the mandated operating procedures that accompany
Robert Sternthal is president of developers in Puerto Rico. them. The new operating procedures were meant to
Reznick Capital Markets Securities be delivered to developers by Oct. 31, 2013, but have
and has extensive experience Market Noise: There continues to be a constant continued to face delays. Accordingly, it still remains
in financing renewable energy flow of information across most communications unclear as to when developers will receive finalized
transactions, whether they are in the platforms, most of it wrong, regarding the operating procedures, and, once received, whether
wind, solar or biomass sectors. Puerto Rican market. Developers need to ignore they will be financeable.
Working alongside CohnReznick the noise and focus on what they can actually
LLP and CohnReznick Think
control — namely, their own deals. Financing: Without clear guidance on MTRs and
Energy, Reznick Capital Markets
Many developers working in Puerto Rico the associated operating procedures, financing
Securities offers one of the most
comprehensive financial advisory
have joined the Renewable Energy Producers any project is untenable. No lender will finance
platforms in the industry. Association (known by its initials in Spanish as a project if PREPA has the summary authority to
APER), an organization started by a few local connect or curtail it at any given moment.
developers and consultants that currently Assuming that the MTRs are resolved in a
represents more than 30 U.S. and internationally- positive manner, debt financing for projects in
recognized companies working on renewable Puerto Rico is not as abundant as it would have
energy projects on the island. APER has not only been a year ago or even more so, two years ago.
given these developers a voice with PREPA, but With the recent downgrade of PREPA and the
has also provided PREPA with clear answers increase in its bond yields, fewer lenders are willing
on what operating procedures and minimum to enter the Puerto Rico market, and those that will
technical requirements (primarily dealt with are being very cautious. Lenders that are willing to
through battery storage) are needed for the provide permanent debt for projects are generally
projects to be financeable. talking about seven-year mini-perms with 15 to 18-
year amortization, subjecting long-term owners to
Minimum Technical Requirements (MTRs): considerable refinancing and interest rate risk.
Currently, PREPA has provided specific guidance
on what technical requirements developers Contract Negotiation: Whether it is legal or not
will need to meet to connect their renewable under contract law, PREPA has openly stated its desire
projects to the electricity grid, but have yet to renegotiate the outstanding Power Purchase and
to provide clear guidance on what happens Operating Agreements (PPOAs) that all have materially
if you falter after connecting. As it currently the same terms with the exception of the pricing of
stands, if you cannot meet the MTRs on a the renewable energy credits (RECs). Given recent
Finance_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 10 12/9/13 12:24 PM

[FUTURE OF FINANCE]
activity in Spain where tariffs have been in investment tax credit that you would wholeheartedly support renewable
retroactively reduced, this sends a scary have otherwise received from the cost. energy. Given all of the above, many of
message to developers and lenders. • The failure to obtain long-term debt the top renewable players in the U.S.
It is clear that some developers will also continue to weigh-down the have decided to opt out of developing
will be willing to renegotiate some of value of renewable energy projects in projects in Puerto Rico. At RCMS,
the economics in exchange for a lesser Puerto Rico. In fact, given the current however, we remain committed to our
storage requirement, but most developers state of the debt market, any material clients there as ultimately, the clear-cut,
realize that any change in the economics change to the PPOA described above long-term benefits of renewable energy
has a materially negative effect on the may make certain renewable projects remain viable, nationally productive
economics of a project. Some examples: on Puerto Rico unfeasible. and economically feasible. In short, it just
makes too much sense. SPW
• A reduction of $.01/kWh on the PPOA It remains unclear whether Puerto Rico
taking the pricing to $.14/kWh from and/or PREPA really want renewable
$.15/kWh can have an impact of up to energy, which is troubling because Discuss This
$5 million in value to a project. if renewable energy in Puerto Rico and other Solar issues at
• Elimination of the escalation clause doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t make www.engineeringexchange.com
of 2% annually on the PPOA price sense anywhere.

will reduce a project’s value by $6 to Given that the cost of electricity
$7 million on an unlevered basis, but is more than 50% higher to PREPA
Share this online
much more on a levered basis. itself and potentially more than 100%
• While reducing the MTR percentage higher to retail customers than these Email, Post, or Share on your
favorite social network
will have a positive impact, it will not be renewable energy projects, you would
as accretive to a project due to the loss think that all Puerto Ricans would
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Finance_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 11 12/9/13 12:24 PM

[CONTRACTORS C O R N E R ]
Borrego Solar: San Diego

“Solve the world’s energy problems by Such a philosophy has enabled Borrego Solar
accelerating the adoption of renewable energy.” to earn 5% solar market share in California and 10%
That’s a big goal, but Borrego Solar is in Massachusetts. Although the company has done
growing quickly to meet its mission statement. work all over the country, Hall says its success in
The company was founded in 1980 when it these two states is particularly the result of regulatory
began its first project: building the solar home of environments that support solar. Still, net-metering
its astrophysicist founder in Borrego Springs, Calif., could threaten supportive solar policy in every market.
which inspired the company’s name. Borrego Hall says the cost of solar as a result of this battle will
Solar started as a construction company for off- be critical. If he could change anything about the
grid solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. solar industry it’d be net-metering’s threat to it.
But it now focuses on grid-tied applications in “Net-metering is at the heart of our industry, and
the commercial and public sectors to make more I’d like to close the book on this debate one way or
of an impact with solar, in accordance with its another,” Hall says. “At the same time, I’d like to create
Aaron Hall mission and focus on sustainability. an even playing field with ‘brown power’ in terms of
Aaron Hall, president of Borrego Solar, says pricing the incentives it gets — not to play favorites,
the company still has engineering, procurement but just in terms of what’s best for society.”
Hall is president of Borrego Solar and construction services as its core. But in an Still, Hall says facing these challenges in a
effort to differentiate itself, it now takes a more dynamic market is what he likes best about solar.
academic approach to projects by offering solar “I’m never bored,” Hall says. “Although sometimes
design, financing and operations and maintenance it’s unfair, it’s also interesting, challenging and fun to
services. Hall says Borrego Solar accomplishes be innovative and creative.”
this by extending its focus on environmental Hall says the fundamentals of any business or
sustainability into its business principles. industry are the same.
“We look at profitability when it comes to “Many companies have gone under because they
projects,” Hall says. “We don’t take any on simply didn’t pay attention to cash flow, which is taught in
for growth purposes. In the same token, we look any business class,” Hall says. “It’s easy to get distracted
for team members who are entrepreneurial and with the challenges of the day, but it’s critical to spend
Listen to the full interview with nimble-minded in business, as well as innovative, time on strategy, improvement and adapting strategy
Aaron Hall in the Contractors trustworthy, creative and loyal. We look for these to the long term to avoid being a commodity.”
Corner podcast at www. attributes in our partners, investors, customers On the technical side, Hall stresses the importance
solarpowerworldonline.com. and suppliers as well.” of truly understanding levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
“To understand how the pieces fit together and
affect the life of the system you have to understand
how investors look at returns and how projects are
engineered,” he says. “Having a strong engineering
bench is the best way to accomplish this and bring
Employees: about 100 down the cost of solar.”
Even though running a solar business isn’t easy,
Total MW (2012): 27 Hall is confident in the industry. Many markets have
already arrived at grid parity, and he expects this trend
Borrego Solar Total MW Installed: close to 90 to spread.
“Going forward, more consumers will be able to
Total MW Under Construction: 56 purchase solar without any economic disadvantage,”
Hall says. “But judging by other countries, once we get
Founded: 1980 there we’ll have to face the challenge of integrating
solar onto the grid. Storage technology will be the
next important aspect of solar.” SPW
Contractors Corner 12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 12 12/9/13 12:29 PM

Solar Insights:
Integrated Storage Is Next For Inverters

NN
industry in the past 12 months?
The adoption of utility-scale PV power

plants by independent power producers and
SI
[SOLAR INSIGHTS]
Solar Power World (SPW) asked Nohra Nasr, Bonfiglioli’s Solar Business Unit Leader, North America, to tell us
about the role inverters play in today’s solar market and where the next big breakthrough will come. Here’s
what he said:
SPW What is the biggest change in the inverter survive obsolescence (e.g., seamless technology
integration of inverters and battery storage to
overcome intermittency and accommodate for
load shifting).
Finally, utility-scale and large commercial
projects will soon (in a matter of 2 to 3 years)
utilities has called for larger and scalable utility-
grade inverter ratings. Currently, 2-MW to 2.5-MW capture majority share of the solar PV market.
inverter skid sizes have become the standard size Most of these projects are funded by financial
range to fit the magnitude of power-plant scale that institutions, large investors and banks that started Nohra Nasr,
contributes to the cost reduction of the balance of to scrutinize equipment suppliers and prepare due
plant. The industry has also seen the evolution of diligence on the bankability practice of inverter
electrical standards and the accelerated acceptance manufacturers (inverter technology, performance, Bonfiglioli solar business unit leader,
of 1000VDC systems that results in further cost reliability, financial health, diversification and North America
reductions and improved efficiency. A third biggest longevity of the manufacturer). Some shake-ups
change would be the revised interconnection and consolidations will take place this year through
standards in the industry to address the higher grid the next couple.
penetration level (such as CA CPUC Rule 21 and
IEEE 1547-A). SPW What role do you see inverters playing in
the market?
SPW What are the biggest obstacles you see that
NN Discuss This
the inverter market has to overcome? Inverters will play the most important role in
the BOS because utilities’ reliance on the reliability and other Solar issues at
NN and smart features of the inverters. It’s critical for www.engineeringex-
Further pressure for cost reduction. It will change.com
be a continuous challenge for certain inverter inverters to meet the utilities’ demand for smarter
manufacturers to reduce the operation costs of grid support functions to maintain the stability and
manufacturing their inverter systems (including quality of the grid.
the medium-voltage transformer) in conjunction Share this online
with the steep price reductions of panels, trackers SPW If there was one breakthrough for inverters
Email, Post, or Share on
and other components of the BOS to contribute that you’d like to see happen, what would your favorite social network
to reaching the magic grid- parity system pricing it be?
structure. Not many inverter manufacturers
will manage to optimize their costs and pricing NN
In terms of array design flexibility and
structure. maximizing energy harvest, the industry has
There will be tougher rules and calls by utilities already developed modular multi-MPPT inverter
and grid-independent system operators (ISOs) for systems integrated with power optimizers. This
more intelligent functions in the inverter to support is coupled with offering high-power platforms to
the grid management (voltage and frequency ride- match the demand for larger power plants along
through, volt-VAR control, active ramp rate, etc.). with all the smart-grid management functions.
Inverter manufacturers who accelerate The breakthrough will happen when cost-
their research to develop the most innovative effective energy storage will be integrated into
and practical cutting-edge technology that fits such inverters to smooth out the intermittency in
the needs of utilities — yet affordable — will the field. SPW
Solar Insight 12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 13 12/9/13 3:50 PM

IN VER TER INS IDE R
Don’t Mark Mays and

Mark Cerasuolo
of OutBack Power
Technologies
Despair
AC Coupling Can Alleviate Solar Storage Challenges
The
In some ways, the grid acts like industrial installations such as cell-phone
a battery, and the renewable energy broadcast towers and remote facilities.
is placed on the grid for collective Off-grid systems could also be in the
consumption, reducing the need for form of microgrid power settlements
generation from other sources. The grid- where an electrical grid is inconsistent or
PV systems that most homeowners as-a-battery is a great concept — until it’s even nonexistent.
and businesses are familiar with no longer there. Per UL1741, the grid-tied
are grid-tied, capable of reducing inverter cannot operate for safety and A Perfect Blend
dependency on and cost of utility regulatory reasons if the grid is absent. A grid-interactive system is one in which
electricity when the sun is shining. If the grid goes down, the solar system the presence of connected energy
This commonly known configuration must disconnect and all that available PV storage (usually in the form of a battery
for PV generation uses an array of power just sits on the roof unused. This bank) enables the user to have the best
modules, which feeds a grid-tied means that, during an outage, the home of both worlds. This means grid-tied
inverter that converts DC from the PV or business with PV electricity available is savings when the grid is up and the sun
modules to AC electricity a home or in the dark just like everyone else. is shining, and the independence of an
business can use. The AC power runs Unlike a grid-tied system, an off- off-grid system when the grid is down or
through the building’s service panel grid inverter/charger-based system solar-generated electricity is no longer
and on to loads in the building or, if does not require the electrical grid to available. This is especially useful in
there is a surplus of electricity, out to stay active. This makes it a mainstay scenarios where the grid is frequently
the electrical grid. of off-grid homes, businesses and interrupted, problematic or inadequate,
Inverter Insider 12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 14 12/9/13 1:13 PM

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Canadian Solar 12-13.indd 15 12/9/13 2:30 PM

Don’t Des IN VE RTE R INS IDE R
or when it’s advantageous to offset the

cost of grid electricity using renewably
generated energy stored for later use.
Using the same battery-based
technology of off-grid systems, this
technology can use renewable energy to
keep the batteries charged and sell the
excess to the grid, just like the grid-tied
a load center with circuit breakers and
electrical connections for the building’s
critical loads. This allows the grid-tied
inverter and new battery-based inverter/
charger to share energy to the loads.
In a normal mode of operation
with grid power available, the energy
from the PV array flows through the
Why Not Use A Generator?
A generator is a viable option, but
requires addressing important issues
when using it to support your system.
Firstly, generators are loud while battery-
based inverter backup systems are nearly
silent. That generator also will have to
run the entire time that electrical energy
unit uses the grid as its battery. grid-tied inverter to the critical load is demanded by a building’s loads. This
For those who have not yet invested panel, with any excess energy flowing will get expensive quickly, as inefficient
in a solar installation and would like to through the load panel to the battery- generators can require filling up a
have backup power, installing a hybrid based inverter/charger, and on out to 5-gallon gas tank daily, not to mention
system with battery backup is the best the grid. When grid power is lost, the the inconvenience of possibly having to
choice. Solar energy can still be sold battery-based inverter/charger activates wait in gas lines for hours during a grid
back to the grid, and the system will still an internal transfer switch that opens its outage, as people did during Hurricane
deliver power during an outage. connection to the grid. Sandy. Lastly, low-cost generator motors
When the sun goes down and require frequent maintenance which
AC Coupling the PV power is no longer flowing increases costs and risks downtime
Off-grid energy storage can be retrofitted through the grid-tied inverter to the when you need the machine most.
into existing grid-tied, grid-dependent loads, batteries will provide stored This is not to say a generator should
inverters using a method called AC power to the critical loads panel until be kept out of the equation completely.
coupling. This adds energy storage and morning. When the sun comes back A battery-based inverter/charger system
a second inverter/charger to the original out, the system reverts to the daytime that is augmented with generator
system’s limited grid-tied inverter. power flow. Any extra energy used for power lets users run critical loads during
Installing this capability requires adding recharging the batteries. prolonged grid failure and when the sun

espair isn’t out. In this case, batteries greatly
extend the run-time of the generator and
reduce fuel costs since the generator
does not need to run around the clock.
The smarter inverter/charger has
generator operation functions built-in to
start when needed for battery charging.
hours available from the battery bank.
2. The new inverter/charger’s power
rating should be 1.25% of the grid-tied
inverter’s power rating to ensure the
grid-tied inverter does not overwhelm
the charging circuitry of the second
smarter inverter.
3. Size your battery-backed solar
I NV E R T E R I N S I D E R
Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from a

whitepaper by OutBack Power Technologies.
You can view the full article on
Keeping AC Coupling Simple installation right to ensure that neither

To maximize the efficiency, lifetime and the daily load demand nor battery
safety of an AC coupling project, look charging exceeds the power from the
Discuss This
for equipment that is easy to use and PV array, or add an optional generator and other Solar issues at
www.engineeringexchange.com
follows a few basic rules. An elegantly to the backup system.
simple AC coupling solution follows
some sizing and operational guidelines Correctly transforming a
for integrating a smarter inverter/ grid-tied PV system into
charger, battery bank and a remote- a grid/hybrid interactive
operated relay with an existing grid-tied system by following these
inverter system to add full grid/hybrid guidelines and selecting
capability. Here are a few guidelines for a equipment designed for AC
smooth process: coupling from start to finish
will result in a safer, more
1. The daily critical load watt-hours efficient and more valuable
shouldn’t exceed 80% of the watt- solar installation. SPW
THE ANSWER TO ALL YOUR SOLAR MOUNTING NEEDS.

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2013
has been a big year for we’ve tried our best to feature the most interesting
innovations in solar. With and innovative products we found on show floors
so many new products, we this year. Take a look to see which items spark an
know it’s hard to keep up. The Solar Power World interest for your next solar project.
team has attended the industry’s most prominent We’d like to thank PV America East, Intersolar
shows from Philadelphia to San Francisco to and Solar Power International for providing a place
Chicago tracking the latest technologies. Though for the solar industry to come together to share
this special products coverage isn’t all-inclusive, these innovative technologies.
Product Showcase 12-13_Vs12FINAL.indd 18 12/9/13 2:03 PM

top100+ PRODUCTS OF 2013 Table of Contents
Modules p.20 Patriot Solar Group SolarMax

Quick Mount PV Solectria Renewables
Building Integrated
Quickscrews Solar Technologies p. 52
Photovoltaics (BIPV) p.21 Rack10 Solar
Dow Solar Renusol Batteries & Storage p. 53
Photovoltaics p.21 Roof Tech Crown Battery
top100+
Axitec S-5! EnerSys
Canadian Solar Schletter Rolls Battery
Centrosolar SnapNrack Trojan Battery Co.
Eclipsall SolarDock U.S. Battery
EOPLLY Sollega Charge Controllers p. 54
ET Solar SST Blue Sky Energy
Hanwha SolarOne Sunmodo Midnite Solar
Jinko Solar Unirac PowerFilm
Kyocera Zep Solar Combiner Boxes p. 55
MAGE Zilla OutBack Power
Motech Americas Trackers p. 40 SunLink
RECOM AllSun Trackers
ReneSola Components p. 55
Dunkermotor
SolarWorld ABB
Ercam
SunPower Alcoa Fastening Systems
Exosun
Talesun CITEL
HST Solar
Trina Solar Eaton
Solar FlexRack
Upsolar General Cable
Terrafix
PRODUCTS OF 2013
Yingli ILSCO Corporation
Inverters p. 42 Marathon Special Products
Solar Thermal p.26
Apricus Central p. 43 Megger
Advanced Energy Moxa
Thin-Film p. 26 AEG Power Solutions S&C Electric Company
First Solar Bonfiglioli Schneider Electric
Racking & Mounting p. 27 Danfoss Texas Instruments
Carports & Canopies p. 28 Eaton Woehner
Baja Construction Co. Ingeteam
Parker Hannifin
Monitoring p. 59
DPW Solar AlsoEnergy
Lumos Solar Power-One
Draker
Orion Solar Racking Santerno
eGauge
Sunora Schneider Electric
Solectria Renewables Itron
Frames p. 29 Locus Energy
Aluminum Extruders Council TMEIC
Contents
Meteocontrol
Wheatland Tube Microinverters p. 47 skytron energy
Ground p. 30 APS America
Solar Data Systems
AP Alternatives Enphase Energy
Power-One Operations & Maintenance p. 61
Applied Energy Technologies Advanced Energy
Array Technologies SMA America
SolarBridge Technologies SunPower
Creotecc
Off-Grid p. 48 SolarBrush
GameChange Racking
HatiCon Solar Magnum Energy Services p. 62
PanelClaw Power Optimizers p.48 Blue Oak Energy
Polar Racking Tigo Energy EDF Renewable Energy
RBI Solar Intertek
String p. 49
SunLink NABCEP
Advanced Energy
TerraSmart SOLON
Chint Power Systems
Roof p. 34 TÜV Rheinland PTL
Danfoss
Dynoraxx Fronius Underwriters Laboratories
Ecolibrium Ginlong Site Assessment p. 64
Everest Solar Ideal Power Converters 3TIER
Fortune Energy KACO new energy Kipp & Zonen
IronRidge Power-One Lufft
KB Racking SMA America Seaward Group
Mounting Systems SolarEdge Solmetric
12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 19

SOLAR MODULES Choosing solar modules may be one of the most important decisions
you make as you plan your installation, and 2013 was a banner year
for advances in module technology, aesthetics and reliability. Here
are just some of the module products introduced this year.

BUILDING INTEGRATED
PHOTOVOLTAICS
DOW POWERHOUSE Solar
Shingles
Dow Solar
www.dowpowerhouse.com
This roofing solution is a system that includes a custom-

designed arrays based on its size, style, budget, and, of course,
energy-saving goals. There’s also an inverter that converts the
direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) to power
the home. Finally, the available monitoring system lets you
watch and manage your electricity usage in real time.
PHOTOVOLTAICS Centrosolar America

B-Series Panel
AXIblackpremium 60- Centrosolar Americas
www.centrosolaramerica.com
cell/monocrystalline
modules The B-Series module is made with the highest quality
materials, including 60 high-output polycrystalline cells
Axitec and top-branded EVA
www.axitecsolar.us chemical resistant
and flame retardant
The Axitec All Black modules are the solution back sheet. The high-
for anyone looking for outstanding performance transparency, impact-
and great aesthetics. The German-brand Axitec offers an resistant glass ensures
industry-leading performance guarantee and manufacturers’ efficient performance over
warranty — all made possible by a strict quality management time. The module meets
assurance program. All production processes are third- all industry standards
party audited and 100% of the modules are quality tested. and is engineered to
Axitec’s high commitment to quality and partnerships with perform in harsh North
third-party engineering institutes leads to what is now an in- America climates including
demand product that was only introduced to the U.S. market ice, hail, snow, high wind,
this year. Since the introduction in 2013, nearly 2 MW of all- humidity and extreme
black modules were installed on roofs all around the country. ambient temperatures.

BIPV Glass-On-Glass
Modules
Eclipsall
www.
eclipsall.com
ResidentialAC
System Eclipsall produces
frameless
“glass-on-glass”
Canadian Solar
modules for every
www.canadiansolar.com
application using
the latest in cell and encapsulant technology. These glass
Canadian Solar launched its ResidentialAC system combines its modules can be custom designed to specific shapes and
efficient 250W PV module with a microinverters to provide solar sizes, cell type and positioning, light transparency and
system installers, investors and homeowners with a solution that glass thickness. BIPV modules can be added to an existing
delivers high quality and cost-effective performance. The systems structure or be part of a new build.
include a 25-year long microinverter reliability warranty that
matches Canadian Solar’s module warranty, power generation in
high-temperature environments above 65oC and compatibility and
ability to work with higher-power class modules up to 300Wp.
ET Solar AC Modules
ET Solar
us.etsolar.com
EOPLLY’s TWIN ACPV Kits
ET Solar’s AC modules
EOPLLY Solar Energy are designed for
www.eoplly.com true plug-and-play
installation — no trunk
Designed for ultimate simplicity and flexibility, EOPLLY’s TWIN ACPV cables necessary. Since
Kits include a two-piece AC module (module and microinverter) ET ACPV modules use
up to 500W AC SolarBridge Pantheon
output in total, an II microinverters, they
easy racking system are true AC modules
made of lightweight, — as defined by U.S.
steady aluminum National Electric
profiles with Code Article 690. No
adjustable tilt angle DC wiring credentials or exposure required, and the
suitable for ground, expense and hassle of module-to-module grounding is
flat or tilted-rooftop eliminated. ET’s ACPV solution is designed by leading
applications, and power engineers to last a full 25 years, the most reliable
all the necessary microinverter topology on the market. Get the details
cabling. from your local ET Sales Manager at us.etsolar.com.

TO P 1 0 0 + P R O D U C T S O F 2 0 1 3
HSL60 Poly Eagle II Solar Modules

Hanwha SolarOne Jinko Solar
www.hanwha-solarone.com www.jinkosolar.com
The redesigned HSL60 Poly (235W - The Eagle II series represents performance and reliability
255W) is 1000V certified, with multiple by reaching peak-power output of approximately 260-
frame/backsheet options. It is sleek, 270W for a 60-cell module.
yet handles wind (4000Pa) and snow
(7000Pa) loads higher than industry The Eagle II solar module utilizes polycrystalline cells
standard. HSL60 performs under to deliver increased efficiency through decreased
low-light, protects against salt-mist electrical resistance. Like the ‘Eagle I’, the new series
and ammonia corrosion, and features of modules are certified under extreme weather
anti-reflective glass with a self-cleaning conditions of 85OCelsius and 85% relative humidity.
hydrophobic layer. Hanwha protects
your investment with 12-year product
and 25-year linear performance
warranties.
1000V Modules
Kyocera
www.kyocerasolar.com
Kyocera Solar plans to release their 1000-volt solar photovoltaic

(PV) modules, designed to significantly reduce labor and materials
costs while simultaneously increasing overall system efficiency.
Because 1000V PV systems incorporate more modules per string,
materials and labor costs are minimized by reducing the total
number of strings and combiners the system requires.
Sirius Solar Panels

Motech Americas
www.motechsolar.com
Sirius is a new technological advance from Motech

with an industry leading peak conversion efficiency
over 20.5%, and the capability to increase efficiency
and value. It is the leading product of its kind to
break the 20% efficiency barrier, thus making Sirius an
important option for all professionals involved in solar
energy procurement and construction.

MAGE POWERTEC PLUS 250 PL

US ACPV Module
MAGE
www.magesolar.com
The U.S.-assembled MAGE SOLAR ACPV is an ARRA-compliant,

ETL-listed plug-and-play module that reduces installation time
up to 30% compared to regular DC versions. High-efficient MAGE
POWERTEC PLUS modules, with revolutionary micro-inverter
technology, convert DC voltage into grid connected AC, creating
up to 25% more power anywhere, anytime. All MAGE POWERTEC
PLUS modules feature a signature 30-year power guarantee on
both the module and the integrated mircroinverter.
SunPower X-Series
Solar Panels
Amur Leopard Module Series SunPower
us.sunpowercorp.com
RECOM
www.recom.gr X-Series for the residential market offers
21.5% solar-panel efficiency. It surpasses
RECOM’s high performance Amur Leopard module series performance of the SunPower
is engineered for utility and large commercial projects. The E-Series. X-Series Solar Panels produce
72 cell 300W 1000V poly module has one of the lowest approximately 75 percent more energy
temperature coefficient of -0.39%. This means higher yield over 25 years when compared to a
in hot climates. The anti-reflective microstructured glass also conventional solar system covering the
make it suitable for applications at airports and railway stations. same-sized roof.
SolarWorld Protect
SolarWorld
www.solarworld-usa.com
Sunmodule Protect solar modules set new benchmarks in service life

and mechanical durability. Positioned between two sheets of lightweight
glass, solar cells are optimally protected against environmental factors
and shear stress. This advance enables SolarWorld to extend its linear
performance guarantee to 30 years, offering only 0.35 percentage
points in lower performance protection over each year — one of the
best performance guarantees on the world solar market.

TO P 1 0 0 + P R O D U C T S O F 2 0 1 3
Quality And Talesun Solar

Efficiency Module TP672P

ReneSola Talesun
www.renesola. www.talesunusa.com
com
Talesun Solar’s 72 cell poly-
The new, breakthrough, crystalline module is built
Virtus II solar module is a in a fully-automated plant
combination of the high operating with state-of-the-art
quality and efficiency of manufacturing equipment. This
monocrystalline modules, high-tech production process
with the lower cost of produces consistent dialed-in
multicrystalline modules. precision in the final product
delivering dependable quality at Upsolar
ReneSola’s innovative
ingot growth technology
cost-effective prices.
Optimized
improves the uniformity Panels
of the grain size and
preferred orientation,
Dual-Glass Upsolar
resulting in higher minor- www.upsolar.com
carrier lifetime and lower Panels
dislocation density. The Upsolar integrated its PV
outcome is significantly Trina Solar modules with SolarEdge’s
increased cell efficiency. www.trinasolar.com advanced power optimization
technology, the smart solar
Trina Solar’s PDG5 frameless, products offer customers a full
Dual-Glass module is UL/ range of intelligent solutions
IEC certified to 1000V and for residential, commercial and
requires no grounding. The utility-scale applications.
module has two layers of
2.5mm heat-strengthened By embedding SolarEdge’s
glass. Dual-glass provides a UL optimizers directly into
Fire Class A safety rating and their modules during the
reduces micro-cracking, PID, manufacturing process,
module warping, UV aging Upsolar can offer a lower
and corrosion. The modules’ balance of systems cost while
robust package protects cells maximizing roof use and power
during mechanical loading harvesting. In addition, users
and shocks, minimizing of the new smart products can
micro-cracks that diminish remotely access performance-
module efficiency. monitoring software.

SOLAR THERMAL
Flat Plate Solar Collectors
YGE-U 72 Cell
Apricus
Series www.apricus.com
Yingli Americas The Apricus FPC-A32 flat plate solar thermal collector
www.yinglisolar.com is suitable for residential or commercial solar water
heating projects. The collector features a low profile
With a UL-certified maximum
(75mm / 3” profile) design, which combined with ultra-
system voltage of 1000V, it
lightweight melamine foam insulation, makes it one of
simplifies permitting, reduces
the lightest flat plate panels per m2 on the market. The
balance-of-system costs and
TINOX Energy Aluminium absorber sheet absorbs up to
boosts system performance in
95% of available sunlight converting into usable heat.
large-scale projects. The YGE-Z
60 Cell Series is designed for
residential and commercial
applications where cost savings,
installation time and aesthetics
matter most. Optimized for the
Enphase System and featuring
a Zep Compatible frame, it can
reduce on-roof labor costs by
more than 25%.
First Solar FS Series 3

Black PV Module
THIN-FILM
First Solar
www.firstsolar.com
The FS Series 3 Black incorporates First Solar’s

latest advances in conversion efficiency as well as
additional features to enhance its performance in
utility-scale power plants. The all-black module’s
change in appearance results from the use of an
advanced, all-black edge seal technology combined
with an innovative encapsulation material that
further enhances its field durability and demonstrates
improvements in accelerated life testing results.

RACKING & MOUNTING

For every project, there is an appropriate racking or mounting product.
Some companies offer a variety of systems, acting as one-stop shops for developers.
Others specialize in a single area, such as ballasted flat-roof mounts. Here is a
collection of racking and mounting products – including canopies, trackers, ground
mounts and roof mounts – from innovative companies across North America.

Simplifying
Module Attachment
CARPORTS &
CANOPIES Baja Construction Co.
www.bajacarports.com
With its own engineering and design department

and construction crews, Baja designs and builds
cost-effective shade structures and solar support
systems. Baja’s structures include cold-rolled, light-
gauge, high-tensile steel, and galvanized structural
members. The structures are pre-fabricated, pre-
engineered and assembled on-site with no field
engineering or soldering. For solar projects, direct
attachment from modules to purlins is simple — no
racking or decking required.
Shade With Solar

DPW
www.DPWsolar.com
DPW Solar and partners introduce the new SR

Series solar-ready shade structures engineered
and optimized to site-specific applications. The
structures feature an integrated photovoltaic-
module mounting system and are available in a
variety of structural types and finishes. These solar
support structures feature tilt angles up to 10° and
optional solutions for water and snow protection.
A Canopy With Curb Appeal
Lumos
www.lumossolar.com
Released in early 2013, Lumos SolarScapes is a pre-

engineered, visually eye-catching, configurable approach
to the modern solar canopy that can be deployed as a patio
cover, carport or covered walkway. LSX Modules and Racking
are optimized in the design to maximize power options, shade
coverage and visual appeal.

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Prefabricated Carports
Orion Solar Racking
www.OrionSolarRacking.com
Orion Solar Racking specializes in the development, manufacturing

and integration of solar carport systems. A wide range of residential
and commercial carport structures provide energy solutions
nationwide. With innovated architectural appearance and engineering,
Orion carport systems come prefabricated, adjustable, custom
designed and DSA approved.
Shade, Shelter, Power

Sunora
sunoraenergy.com
Sunora’s SolarCanopy is an architectural solar structure

that blends form and function, generating clean,
renewable energy while transforming the outdoor
living and gathering experience with an attractive and
customizable pavilion. This solar pavilion, which is
designed for residential and commercial customers,
contains photovoltaic solar modules in the roof that
provide shade and shelter while generating power to off-
set utility costs and provide emergency backup power.
FRAMES
Aluminum For Products And Projects
Aluminum Extruders Council
www.aec.org
With aluminum extrusions, the product is what you want it to be. Low tooling
costs and fast turnaround make custom extrusions ideal for your solar project or
product. Learn how to design extrusions that save weight, combine functions,
eliminate parts and speed installation in a webinar called “Creating Cost Effective
Solar Installations With Aluminum Extrusions” on the AEC website.

Steel For Long-

Standing Structures
Wheatland Tube
www.wheatland.com
Whether it’s a racking system for

ground-mounted or rooftop solar
applications, Wheatland’s galvanized
mechanical tube is the ideal solution.
We offer round, square and rectangular
profiles in a variety of sizes and
thicknesses. With Wheatland’s
proprietary in-house galvanization
process, your installations will stand the
test of sun, weather and time.
A System For Cost-Driven

GROUND Projects
Applied Energy Technologies
aetenergy.com
AET’s ECO series includes all the features customer’s love at a

competitive cost. Designed for cost-driven projects, the system
features industry-leading installation times, as well as high shipping
density to dramatically lower freight bills. The lightweight system,
which is galvanized for corrosion resistance, accommodates all panels.
Racking Comes With Panels

AP Alternatives
www.apalternatives.com
AP Alternatives is leading the solar industry with modular

solar-racking systems. The pre-panelized racking is
designed to be the most cost-effective and quickest
installing rack on the market. The company uses 26
years of manufacturing knowledge and engineering to
create an industry-changing modular racking solution.

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Snow Is No Problem
Array Technologies
arraytechinc.com
The custom-tilt DuraRack system is one of

several ground-mount solutions offered by Array
Technologies. With its ability to maximize ground
coverage, the DuraRack system withstands extreme
temperatures, high winds and heavy snow. Using fewer
fasteners per kW, Array Technologies’ proprietary
universal mounting clamps drastically reduce
installation time for faster deployment, reducing costs
while maximizing the return for investors.
Stress-Free Mounting Minimal Grading Requirements

Creotecc HatiCon Solar
www.creotecc.us haticonsolar.com
The Creoterra Ground Mount System features an innovative HatiCon Solar’s Ground Mount system provides a simple and
insertion rail design that provides superior module retention fast open-field PV installation solution with minimal grading
without the use of clamps, alleviating mechanical stress on requirements. On-site flexibility requires no on-site fabrication.
modules and significantly reducing installation time. UL- Patented, pre-assembled, adjustable click style clamps adapt to
2703 recognized, Creoterra is designed for scalability and all modules. HatiCon Solar’s scalable Ground Mount system is
adaptability to diverse soil conditions. Custom construction custom designed and optimized for each site.
plan sets, P.E. stamps, on-site training, soil studies and pull
testing are also offered by Creotecc. Demonstration videos,
project references and technical data can be found online.

Zero Loose Fasteners

PanelClaw
www.panelclaw.com
The Sun Bear fixed-tilt ground-mount system is designed

to install faster than any other system on the market. Its
four-component design includes a pre-assembled frame
and in-field adjustability, for an unmatched combination
of simplicity and flexibility. Zero loose fasteners and
pre-assembled components speed construction and
Ballasted Ground System eliminate costly onsite drilling, cutting or welding.
Installs Fast
GameChange Racking
www.gamechangeracking.com
The GC Pour-In-Place Ballasted Ground System requires no

penetrations and is ideal for landfills, brownfields or any flat
site. Volume purchases start from $.199/watt due to its design.
It is the most cost-effective ballasted ground system in the
industry. Because of its self-leveling technology and simple
design, the GC Pour-In-Place Ballasted Ground System is the
fastest installing ballasted ground system. A five-man crew can
install 225 panels and racks per day.
Focused On Innovation
Polar Racking
www.polarracking.com
Headquartered in Toronto, Polar Racking is a North American leader in

the design, engineering and manufacturing of photovoltaic mounting
systems. The company has a diversified portfolio of rooftop and
ground-mount products for the residential, commercial and utility-
scale markets. Focused on continuous innovation, the company’s
vision is to deliver the highest value to clients at the lowest cost per
kWh. Through our suite of engineering collaboration tools, technical
services and installation support, Polar Racking delivers turnkey
solutions that are modular, lighter and quicker to install.

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Single Source Racking

RBI Solar
www.rbisolar.com
RBI ground-mount solar racking system is ETL

classified to UL 2703. Like other RBI products,
the ground-mount system is custom designed
and engineered to site-specific conditions.
This ARRA compliant product is manufactured
in state of the art facilities. With in-house
project managers and post driving machines,
RBI takes single-source responsibility to
complete all solar racking installation projects.
System Incorporates
Ground Screw
TerraSmart
www.terrasmart.com
TerraSmart specializes in designing, engineering,

manufacturing and installing an industry leading,
turnkey ground-mount solution for commercial
to utility-scale solar projects. Incorporating
TerraSmart’s trend-setting ground-screw
foundation with its racking system, the company
Fast Installation has paved the path for transforming the solar
ground-mount industry.
And Maximum Flexibility
SunLink
www.sunlink.com
SunLink’s Large-Scale GMS features cutting-edge structural engineering

and product design that equal the lowest cost for 500 kW or more
ground-mount projects. The system’s efficient design provides maximum
racking flexibility, site-specific optimization and only six components
for ease of assembly. Mechanized or manual mounting of prepanelized
three- or four-panel columns makes installation fast and easy.

Module Frames Become

ROOF The Grounding Medium
DynoRaxx
www.dynoraxx.com
The DynoRaxx DynoBond is a proprietary UL-recognized

design that allows the DynoBond to be used as a jumper
between modules and rows, making the module frames
the medium for the equipment ground path. The
DynoBond replaces the conventional method of installing
one ground lug per solar module and running a solid six-
gauge copper wire bonding the modules. The DynoBond
is engineered for commercial and residential applications.
Fewer Parts
For Increased Efficiency
Ecolibrium Solar
www.ecolibriumsolar.com
Ecorail is a sloped-roof mounting system designed

to reduce the cost of deploying solar. This versatile
slope- roof system is compatible with all roof types
using only a few components. Part count reductions
increase efficiencies, on and off the roof. Coupled
with lower material cost, Ecorail’s innovative design
makes your projects more competitive and profitable.
Maximize Module Density

Everest Solar
www.everest-solarsystems.com
Everest Solar’s D-Dome System maximizes module density

and total energy production on a roof. Thanks to its double-
sided orientation and an elevation angle of 10°, the system
continuously produces power throughout the day. As with all
Everest Solar products, minimal system components and top
down assembly enables easy, fast installations.

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Two Ways Clamps Form

To Save A Secure Bond
Fortune Energy IronRidge
www.fortuneenergy.net www.ironridge.com
The Fortune Energy Dual-Rack The IronRidge Integrated Grounding

with channel-feature technology is System bonds solar modules directly
manufactured in the United States to IronRidge Rails, eliminating the
and can be installed in two ways. need for separate module grounding
Installers can use either a top down hardware. The Grounding Mid Clamps
attachment style or an L-bracket have “teeth” on top and bottom that
style, depending on design and form a secure electrical bond that is
budget constraints. The advanced repeated throughout the array.
design means fewer parts, leading
to a less expensive and faster install
than most products in the market. More Durability,
The design is pre-approved with a
Professional Engineer seal.
Less Aluminum
KB Racking
kbracking.com
EkonoRack 2.0 features the intuitive design of the

original EkonoRack system plus pre-assembled roof
protection mats, 20% less aluminum and a sleeker,
stackable design. Rapid installation and long-lasting
durability are now available at a more affordable
price and in more locations across the United States.
Rails Click Into Place

Mounting Systems
usa.mounting-systems.info
The Alpha+ and Tau+ pitched roof racking systems employ Mounting Systems’
new Clickstone technology. The Clickstone works on a simple principle: Click
into the rail: position, tighten and you’re done. The Clickstone’s symmetrical
design lets the installer insert the Clickstone into the rail more easily, adjust
it more accurately and secure it more quickly. This technology and new,
economical rails result in exceptionally fast assembly and easy system
installation. Newly designed planning software (Quick Configurator) speeds
project planning and permitting.

System Snaps Together

Patriot Solar
patriotsolargroup.com
The Spider ST is a lightweight, ballasted roof-mount system. It is specifically

designed for quick assembly, minimizing labor costs, and is ideal for large
commercial or utility scale projects. Made of injection molded high-density
polyethylene (HDPE), the three-piece system simply snaps together for an
incredibly easy installation.
Elevated Water A Hook For Tile Roofs

Seal Technology Quickscrews
www.quickscrews.com
Quick Mount PV
www.quickmountpv.com
Quickscrews International Corp. is now stocking a tile
roof hook that works with a wide variety of the most
Competitively priced, the
common tiles. The hook adjusts for situations when tiles
E-Mount features Quick Mount
are mounted on residential roofs with or without batons.
PV’s patented QBlock Elevated
Water Seal technology to provide
superior waterproofing on
composition and asphalt shingle
The Lightest Ballasted System
roofs. E-Mount installs easily with
Rack10 Solar
a single bolt and uses a smaller,
www.rack10solar.com
lighter, all-aluminum flashing. The
E-Mount comes with all stainless-
The Rack10 patent-pending design uses only three
steel hardware and is made in
components to make the lightest ballasted solar
the United States.
racking system. Its design allows rapid
installation, leading to low labor cost.
The American-made system also
features integrated electrical
bonding and wire
management.
Rack10 is the
new look of
solar racking.

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Eliminate Rooftop Drilling

Renusol
www.renusolamerica.com
Renusol MS is a simple, compact and cost-effective pitched-roof solution

developed for mounting PV modules to trapezoidal sheet metal roofs. The
system attaches directly to the sheet metal, eliminating the need for long rails
and attachments to purlins or rafters. Made of stainless steel and aluminum for
longevity, the Renusol MS system consists of a clamp base for quick installation,
self-piercing and self-tapping screws with hardened tips that eliminate rooftop
drilling, and pre-assembled, adjustable mid- and end-clamps for securing the
PV panel. EPDM gaskets under all clamp bases and fasteners protect against
leaks. The system has been third-party tested for waterproof assurance.
Mount On Any Metal Roof Base

Metal Roof SnapNrack
www.snapnrack.com
S-5!
www.s-5.com
SnapNrack has introduced a self-sealing
metal roof base to its Series 100 racking
S-5! is the international authority on
system. By reducing attachment time
solar attachment technology in the metal
to less than 30 seconds and integrating
Durable Elegance roofing industry, boasting a line of clamps
seamlessly with existing racking products,
that fit almost every metal roof profile and
the metal roof base minimizes balance of
Roof Tech rail on the market. S-5-PV Kit provides an
systems costs and total PV installation time.
www.roof-tech.us easy, cost-effective DirectAttached solar
installation that is ETL-1703 and UL-
The Roof Tech RT-[E] Mount (pictured) is 2703 listed. In early 2013, S-5! released
the compact, elegant mounting bracket EdgeGrab, designed to further simplify
that attaches anywhere on roof decking. S-5-PV Kit end-condition installations.
All parts are shipped in one box complete

with butyl rubber flashing, renowned for
its watertight performance and durability.
Roof Tech U set Solar is a frame design
patented in the United States., Japan and
other countries. Roof Tech is now offering
exclusive partnership opportunities to PV
manufacturers who adapt their products
to the U set Solar design.

Multifunctional
Components
Increase Efficiency
Schletter
www.schletter.us
The Fix-EZ is a flat roof system named for its truly simplistic approach to photovoltaic system installations. The Fix-EZ is comprised
of four multi-functional components that allow for quick on-site assembly at a competitive price. Ballast blocks act as ballast
weight as well as system support. Module mounting rails support modules and act as windbreak with Rapid2+ module clamps
securely holding modules in place while bonding and grounding them to the system. Engineered to be 100% IBC code compliant,
the Fix-EZ is ideal for commercial installations, and a residential kit will soon be available on the company’s online store.
Reliability And One Mount

Protection For All Modules
SolarDock Sollega
www.solardock.com www.sollega.com
SolarDock is a non-penetrating flat-roof The Sollega FastRack ballasted mounting

continuous support system for photovoltaic system features a one-piece design that is
modules. Constructed of aluminum and compatible with all modules. FastRack’s flexibility adapts
stainless steel, SolarDock racking is built for to obstacles and contours to uneven roof surfaces. The lightweight system is
strength and long-term reliability. Its pan- stackable. It is manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with built-
base design cradles the PV modules helping in UV inhibitor. All the top-down connections use one bolt size.
prevent long-term damage, such as micro-
fractures in modules, while also protecting
wiring and ballast.
Resists High Winds
SST
www.solarsys.at
With just one mounting bracket, the

Aerocompact S (south oriented) and
Aerocompact + (east-west oriented) systems
achieve the most cost-effective, least-invasive
and fastest install on the market. Aerocompact
is wind tunnel tested to speeds of 150 MPH and
ETL certified to UL 2703 standards.

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Rail-Less On Simplicity
Roofs Unirac
unirac.com
Sunmodo
sunmodo.com
Unirac Roof Mount (RM) introduces the power of
simplicity to the ballasted flat-roof solar industry.
Sunmodo introduces its Pylon
The system consists of only two major components,
rail-less mounting system,
minimizing preparation work and install time. With
with built-in wire
Unirac RM, installers can seamlessly design around
management. The
roof obstacles, support most framed modules and
system provides
bond the system with just the turn of a wrench.
self-grounding and
bonding, without any loose
parts to inventory or drop.
Aesthetically pleasing, the Pylon
rail-less system offers clean mounting, with staggered and tapered module
layouts available. The Pylon rail-less mounting system significantly reduces
installations costs, and is compatible with standard panel frames.
No Rail
Needed Mount Anywhere
On Tile Zilla
Zep Solar www.zillarac.com
www.
The Zilla Phantom is a rail-less solar mounting system.
zepsolar.
Building on the popular Zilla Double Stud Flashing,
com
the Phantom can mount anywhere on composite
roofs, not just on joists. Additionally,
ZS Tile offers
the Phantom streamlines distribution
the fastest and
and transportation allowing for a
least expensive
safer, easier and more economical
way to install
solar installation. The Zilla
photovoltaic
Phantom is a fully flashed
arrays on tile roofs. It’s designed to interoperate with a growing list of Zep
and grounded system
Compatible PV modules that incorporate the patented Zep Groove frame
and includes everything
specification. Using quarter-turn, rock-in and drop-in connections, ZS Tile
necessary to complete a rooftop solar
eliminates the need for rails and separate grounding hardware while offering a
installation.
superior aesthetic approach.

TRACKERS Motors With Integrated

Electronics And
Tracker Arrives Inclinometer Options
Faster, Cheaper Dunkermotor
www.
AllSun Trackers dunkermotor.
www.allsuntrackers.com com

The AllSun Motion solutions
Tracker for solar trackers
complete get smarter and
pallet system provide lower total
allows for cost of ownership (TCO) thanks to all-in-one design.
free, same- Dunkermotoren’s STM (Solar Tracker Motor) product
day shipping of the line now packs brushless DC motor, gearbox, power
dual-axis solar tracker to the installer and controls electronics, fieldbus and optional onboard
or job site. Using the rails of the tracker’s frame, the complete inclinometer in one completely sealed unit.
system reduces procurement time and costs. The AllSun Tracker
has been used for residential installations to 2.1-MW farms.
Grease-Free Design
Exosun
www.exosun.net
Exosun’s ExotrackHZ is a horizontal single-axis tracker that

can deliver up to 25% more output than fixed-tilt systems. Its
modular construction simplifies the installation process and
System Is Instrumental
its grease-free design In San Antonio
enhances system
reliability and minimizes Ercam
long-term O&M costs. www.ercam.es
At the heart of this
technology is the The simple, low profile, backtracking dual-axis tracker
Exobox control system, from Ercam Trackers increases energy production by about
which monitors up to 26% (annualized) and captures time-of-use rate premiums
4 MW of trackers for that single-axis trackers leave on the table. The company
efficiency. A 20-year has completed delivery of its first 50 MW of the 500-MW
warranty is available. Alamo projects in San Antonio.
4 0 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

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Mount On
Difficult
Topography
Solar FlexRack
www.solarflexrack.com
Engineered With Installers In Mind Our distributive drive system allows

the Solar FlexRack Tracker to be
installed on more demanding sites
HST Solar
— places where using conventional
hstsolar.com
trackers would be impossible. This
single-access tracker also provides
HST Solar’s ground-mounted solar tracker platforms deliver the industry’s fastest install
developers and EPCs the ability to
times. Designing our systems with EPCs and electricians, it has developed quick-deploy racks
maximize revenue on sites normally
that require minimal ground preparation and no concrete foundations or driven pile. Its pre-
targeted for fixed-tilt installs.
wired and packaged products are deployed using advanced layout software, unskilled labor
and no heavy machinery.
Following The Hillside

Terrafix
www.terrafix.com
The photovoltaic industry demands reduced costs and increased performance. The new
single-axis tracker from Terrafix is the solution. The CONTOUR-Track is designed to eliminate
grading by following hillsides and undulating terrain up to 30°, which allows sites to be
used that were previously never considered because of high grading costs. The flexibility
of the CONTOUR-Track, which can be built on a ram or screw foundation, in addition to its
competitive pricing, make it the tracker system to watch.

SOLAR INVERTERS From micro to P.O., central to string, solar inverters are getting more efficient.
They’re getting smarter, too, with better monitoring capabilities, communication
and even Wi-Fi. Manufacturers are also realizing it’s all about getting increased
power density in leaner designs. We’ve listed a selection from each segment so
you can compare models side by side and decide which is best for your project.

CENTRAL
A Utility-Interactive Inverter
Advanced Energy
www.advanced-energy.com
Advanced Energy’s 1000NX is a utility-scale central inverter with

utility-interactive controls to ensure continuous connection of large
solar arrays to the electrical grid. Integrated voltage ride-through
and frequency controls keep PV installations operational during
power fluctuations, low-voltage events and grid-reliability issues. The
1000NX’s single engine design minimizes maintenance costs while its
bipolar 1000-V topology drives down overall balance of system costs.
Compact Inverter With High

Efficiency
AEG Power Solutions
www.aegps.com
AEG Power Solutions’ Protect PV.500 and 630 OD UL are

compact, high efficiency central solar inverters. They are
both UL-certified, and designed for American utility-scale
applications on ground-area installations in harsh outdoor
environments. The line has a power stack with measuring
and control technology enabling DC input voltages of up to
1000 VDC and peak efficiencies of 98.4%.
Multiple Modules
Means Maximum Reliability
Bonfiglioli
www.bonfiglioliusa.com
Bonfiglioli’s RPS TL-UL has multiple, independent inverter

modules to ensures maximum system reliability. A single
fault will affect only one subfield, while the balance of the
system continues to operate, which minimizes loss of energy
production. The inverter also has a range of ratings (from 367
kWac to 1.40 MWac), ensuring a match with any size array.

Delivering Efficiency Without

Derating
Danfoss
www.danfoss.com
Danfoss‘s QLX central inverter series (1MW to 1.5MW) delivers

maximum efficiency without derating even under harsh-
weather operation. This series redefines high performance
in Sunbelt regions with a NEMA 4 sealed inverter section.
The series achieves peak efficiencies up to 98% and works at
ambient temperatures from -20°C to +50°C without derating.
Designed To Be Durable
Ingeteam
www.ingeteam.com
Ingeteam’s Ingecon Sun Power Max U provides a

maximum AC power output of 500 kW up to an
ambient temperature of 50° C (122° F), with a maximum
efficiency of 97.2%. This model is designed for outdoor
installation (NEMA 3R), with capability for low-
voltage ride through and injecting reactive power and
controlling the active power delivered to the grid.
A Skidless Inverter Station

Eaton
www.eaton.com
Eaton’s Power Xpert 1,500-kW solar inverter is 98%

efficient with a skidless inverter station. An MV pad-mount
transformer is connected to the inverter by a direct-coupled
throat connection reducing cable requirements, pad size
and commissioning time. A segmented design enables the
system to run at partial power in the case of a fault.

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High-Speed MPPT For Maximum Harvest

Power-One
www.power-one.com
Power-One’s Aurora Ultra has a maximum efficiency of 98.4%, 1000Vdc maximum input
and up to four high-speed MPPT channels for maximum energy harvest. It’s available for
applications with 480Vac output from an external transformer. It has closed-loop liquid
cooling and a NEMA 4X enclosure. Independent, field-replaceable inverter modules
maximize reliability, ease maintenance and reduce susceptibility to a single fault.
Cooling Without An Air

Conditioner
Parker Hannifin
www.parker.com
Parker Hannifin’s 890GT-S PV accepts up to 1000V

DC input and is available in power ratings to 2 MW.
It integrates IGBT power conversion and low loss
powdered metal core inductors with Parker’s two-
phase cooling without an air conditioner. Exterior
access panels ease installation and maintenance.
Slew-rate control for real and reactive power
makes it grid friendly, and MPPT control ensures
the maximum energy harvest.
Maximum Yield For Minimal Cost

Santerno
www.santerno.com
The Santerno TG 760 1000V TL-NA inverter delivers maximum

yield for minimal cost. It comes in indoor or outdoor versions and
operates at temperatures up to 122 °F with 98% CEC efficiency.
Modular construction with Tier-1 components delivers maximum
reliability with easy access for service. It can include high-precision
AC power meter to offer real-time efficiency measurement in all
working conditions.

Options For Grid Management

Solectria Renewables
www.solren.com
Solectria Renewables’ external transformer SGI 500XTM and

SGI 750XTM inverters are designed to maximize return on
investment through high efficiencies, easy installation, a wide
operating voltage range and integrated customized options.
They have a 98% CEC-weighted efficiency and offer grid
management options such as real power curtailment, reactive
power control and voltage and frequency ride-through.
A Central Inverter That

Comes With Options
Schneider Electric
www.schneider-electric.com
Schneider Electric’s Conext Core XC-NA inverter has an

enclosure that‘s NEMA 3R rated with skid-mounted or PV
Box solutions available. It has an integrated DC combiner
with a variety of fuse options from 250A to 400A along with
available current monitoring. It’s available for power outputs
from 540 kVA to 680 kVA and is UL listed to 1000 Vdc.
High Performance In Power

Plants
TMEIC
www.tmeic.com
TMEIC’s Solar Ware Samurai is a utility-scale central inverter for

high performance in power plant applications. It features a full
1.667-MW rating with an efficiency maximum of 98.7%, with
minimal efficiency degradation up to 100% load. They employ heat-
pipe technology to easy operations and maintenance and improve
uptime. They also include TMEIC’s 3-level NPS IGBT technology.

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A Microinverter
MICROINVERTERS With More
A Single Unit For Enphase Energy
enphase.com
Four Modules
Enphase’s fourth-generation M250
APS America microinverter is rated at 96.5% CEC-
apsamerica.com weighted efficiency and optimized for
solar modules up to 300W STC. Its
The APS YC1000-3 is a single unit integrated ground feature eliminates the
that connects four solar modules need for a separate copper grounding
(up to 310W STC each) to provide electrode conductor. Enphase’s software
from 208V to 480V 3-phase and online platforms allow owners to view and share their systems, and installers to perform
grid voltage. It maximizes power operations and maintenance. Also, an application programming interface allows creating custom
generation for each module to applications, such as building management software, billing integration and mobile apps.
boost efficiency by up to 20%.
The performance of each module
can be individually monitored Designed To Conquer Shady Issues
from a home computer.
SMA America
www.sma-america.com
SMA’s Sunny Boy microinverter features 96% CEC efficiency, simple

installation, an innovative communications platform and is especially
applicable for residential systems and rooftops with complex, shaded
situations. High reliability is achieved with the Sunny Multigate-US,
which allows for fewer components exposed to heat stress under the
module and greatly improves communication reliability. Improved
cabling eliminates the need for a trunk cable.
More Energy With Fewer Modules

Power-One
www.power-one.com
Power-One, a member of the ABB Group, offers its MICRO high-voltage

inverter. This 300-W product provides more energy production with fewer
microinverters on the roof. It supports 345-W PV modules to provide 45% higher
power on the roof than most solutions. It has selectable settings for a variety of
grid standards, including Hawaii, and a wide input voltage range, 19 to 75V.

TrueAC Modules
SolarBridge Technologies
solarbridgetech.com
The SolarBridge Pantheon II integrates AC

cabling and equipment ground for lower cost
and faster installation. It can be integrated into
solar panels for “TRUEAC” modules designed
to capture up to 25% more energy per site
and cut installation time up to 50%. TRUEAC
modules are roof-ready to simplify the design
and increase the reliability of PV systems.
OFF-GRID POWER OPTIMIZERS

A SmartModule System
Tigo Energy
www.tigoenergy.com
Tigo’s Junction Box ES Series can be integrated into solar panels to

create “SmartModules” for residential, commercial and utility-scale
projects. This system optimizes the power output of each module,
delivers module-level
A Hybrid Pure Sine data for operational

management
Inverter and performance
monitoring and
Magnum Energy allows deactivating
www.magnumenergy.com the high-voltage
DC bus for safe
Magnum Energy’s MagnaSine Hybrid (MSH) is a hybrid installation,
pure sine-wave inverter designed for home backup maintenance or
power. The MSH-RE series combines energy from the fire fighting. The
AC input and batteries to power inverter loads. This junction boxes
allows the inverter to recharge the battery when there maintain conversion
is surplus power or deliver more power if the loads efficiencies at
require more than the AC input can supply by itself. statistically 99.6%.

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One Model Satisfies All

STRING
Chint Power Systems America
www.chintpower.com
Designed To Chint Power Systems America’s 600 Vdc models [20

kW(480 Vac) and 14 kW(208 Vac)] have a 97% CEC
Deliver LCOE efficiency (20 kW) and are flexible for use commercial
applications from 10 kW to 500 kW. Dual independent
Advanced Energy MPPTs eliminate the need for a series of power levels since
www.advanced-energy. one model satisfies all applications efficiently. DC and
com AC disconnects and fusing are integrated. A wire box is
integrated but separable so array combiners aren’t needed.
The AE 3TL (600V and 1000V) is
a three-phase inverter designed
to deliver reduced levelized cost
of electricity. Its lightweight and
The Best Of Both Worlds
easy-to install design reduces
shipping and labor costs. Danfoss
Shortened run-lengths reduce www.danfoss.com
overall balance of system costs.
The inverter’s modular and The MLX series from Danfoss marks a new concept
distributed design allows site for decentralized set-ups. Neither a string inverter nor
owners to maximize space. The a central inverter, it combines the best of both worlds
inverter’s features allow greater representing a novel approach to system set-up. The
uptime and higher system yield. MLX is designed for medium to large-scale commercial
applications in multi-region grids and climates. Built
to maximize output a MLX-based solution is scalable,
reliable and simple to replicate across markets.
Built-In Wi-Fi
Fronius International
www.fronius.com
The Fronius Galvo offers a standard built-in Wi-Fi interface. System

data can be uploaded to the Fronius Solar.web server and its
smartphone apps without cables. Also, voltage and frequency-
dependent power manipulation in periods of grid overload will
prevent the Fronius Galvo from switching off, relieving stress on
the grid and safeguarding inverter energy yield. Plus, the company’s
hinged mounting system makes installing and servicing easy.

An Ideal Solution Without

Transformers
A Hybrid System
Ideal Power Converters
Ginlong USA www.idealpower.com
www.ginlong-usa.com
Ideal Power’s 30-kW PV inverter, the IPV-30kW-480,
Ginlong’s GCI-5K-H single-phase targets medium-size commercial installations and solar
transformerless hybrid inverter parking structures, typically ranging in size from 25kW to
supports a hybrid solar and wind 250kW. The inverter supports standard grounded PV arrays
grid-tied system with a single (unipolar and bipolar configurations) without requiring
inverter, in place of the industry internal or external transformers. Its lightweight design
standard practice of using allows simple wall-mount installation indoors or outdoors.
two inverters, thus simplifying
installation and reducing cost.
The hybrid system has more Single Or Triple Options
constant power production, not
only benefiting the customers KACO new energy
but also the utility grid. kaconewenergy.com
KACO new energy’s blueplanet 50.0 TL3 line (32kW, 40kW,

50kW) offers a single or three MPP model option. Each
is available with integrated visible, lockable AC and DC
disconnection means nearly 98% CEC efficiency and sealed
electronics. Monitoring is achieved with a standard integrated
webserver, on-board data-logging functions, a graphical user
interface and Modbus read and control functions.
A Modular Approach
Power-One
www.power-one.com
Power-One, a member of the ABB group, TRIO

Inverter 1000-V DC string inverter, certified to UL1741, takes a
modular approach to commercial systems for high flexibility.
Its 1000-V DC output helps reduce balance of system costs
as much as 40%. Additionally, they’re small and lightweight
enough to be wall–mounted, avoiding the expense of cranes
or concrete pads without sacrificing industry energy harvest.

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Mitigating Shade Fixed Voltage Allows

And Reducing Doubling String Length
Weight SolarEdge
www.solaredge.com
SMA
www.sma-america.com
SolarEdge’s 3-phase fixed voltage inverters (SE9k, SE10k,
SE20k) offer 98.0% weighted CEC efficiency. The inverters
SMA’s Sunny Boy 3000TL-US/3800TL-
maintain a fixed-string voltage that enables doubling string
US/4000TL-US/5000TL-US has
length 2.5 to 4 times longer than traditional systems. The
a transformerless design for high
string length is based on power not voltage simplifying
efficiency and reduced weight.
system design for installers. They are also light with low
Maximum power production is derived
volume, which increases options for placement.
from wide input voltage and operating
temperature ranges. Multiple MPP
trackers and OptiTrac Global Peak
mitigate the effect of shade and allow for
For Challenging
installation at challenging sites. A secure Commercial Applications
power supply feature provides daytime
power in the event of a grid outage. SolarMax
www.solarmax.com
SolarMax’s MT A series has output power ranges from

12kW to 18kW with multiple MPPTs. Maximum input
voltages of up to 1000V enable longer PV strings to
reduce cable losses, while harvesting more energy.
Increased power density helps reduce installation time
and cost. The series is NEMA 4X-rated MT for commercial applications with challenging
environments. SolarMax offers its MaxTalk communication service software to
parameterize decentralized plants.
Compact, Transformerless Three-Phase Inverters

Solectria Renewables
www.solren.com
Solectria Renewables’ PVI 23TL and PVI 28TL are compact, transformerless three-phase inverters
with dual MPP tracker. AC and DC disconnect, user-interactive LCD and an 8-fuse string combiner
come standard. They’re small and lightweight for easy installation and maintenance. They include
a DSP control, protection functions and thermal design for high reliability and uptime. They have a
10-year warranty (15 and 20-year options).

SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES
From charge controllers to switches, even the small parts matter
when it comes to solar. Choosing quality components can have a big
impact on the life and bankability of your solar project. Here’s a quick
look at some of the current technologies available for your system.

Custom-Built Batteries
BATTERIES
& STORAGE Crown Battery
www.crownbattery.com
Crown Battery’s CRP Power Module battery series are custom-built and
tested for renewable energy applications. They have up to 3690 ampere-
hour capacity and are made using robotic welding and other advanced
technology manufacturing. They’re designed for off-grid applications
and for uninterrupted power supply for grid-connected users. The
series contains 13 models, all 2-volt batteries. Terminal options include
stainless-steel threaded stud terminals and inserted brass terminals.
The Right Energy Storage A Battery Built To Last

Solution Rolls Battery
www.rollsbattery.com
EnerSys
www.enersys.com
Rolls Battery Engineering’s FC-420 flooded
calcium stationary battery’s antimony isn’t
The EnerSys 1-MWh OptiGrid energy storage solution
used in the grid structure, so it can sustain
that combines the right battery chemistry, power-
prolonged periods in float applications
conditioning system, monitoring system and shelter/
with nominal maintenance. It uses calcium
container. It can be customized with chemistries such
in its grids to lower internal resistance and
as tubular technology, flat-plate VRLA, flat-plate flooded
off-gassing during charge and reduce
or lithium ion. It’s designed for utilities, as well as end
self-discharge rates. Its positive plate is
users, including commercial, industrial, government
thicker and than other models (>4mm vs.
agencies and renewable project developers.
2.5mm) and wrapped in glass matting and
a polyethelene envelope to extend life.
Battery Sizing Calculator

Trojan Battery Company
www.trojanbattery.com
Trojan Battery’s battery sizing calculator properly sizes battery

banks for off-grid renewable energy systems. After filling in an
electronic form, the calculator recommends a Trojan battery
model. The calculator also allows customers to run “what if”
scenarios to find specific battery options to meet their budget
or configuration requirements. The battery sizing calculator
application can be found at www.batterysizingcalculator.com.

Deep-Cycle Batteries Have High

Peak Capacity
U.S. Battery
www.usbattery.com
U.S. Battery RE Series deep-cycle batteries include features that give them
high peak capacity, cycle life and reliability for use in solar powered homes
and businesses. The batteries use Diamond Plate technology, consisting of
highly efficient synthetic tetrabasic lead sulfate (TTBLS), crystal structures.
Solar Charger
CHARGE CONTROLLERS For Portable
Boosting Solar Energy Power
PowerFilm
Blue Sky Energy www.powerfilmsolar.com
www.blueskyenergyinc.com
The PowerFilm R14 rollable solar
Blue Sky Energy’s the Solar Boost 3000i
charger is well suited for portable
MPPT charge controller allows charging a
solar power. With an output of
range of batteries using conventional solar modules without suffering power losses from
14W, the R14 can charge a variety
voltage mismatch. The device increases charge current up to 30% or more compared to
of different sized electronics and
conventional controllers. It regulates the transmission of power from the solar module to
batteries.
the battery to improve efficiency while increasing system safety and battery life.
The R14 is
also fully
encapsulated
A Versatile Solution and uses
marine grade
For Small Systems connection
so that it can
Midnite Solar be left out in
www.midnitesolar.com all weather
without
Midnite Solar’s KID is a 30 amp MPPT charge worrying
controller for solar, wind or hydro. The KID about panel
is a versatile medium sized charge controller damage.
and ideal for small renewable energy systems.

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A Field-Proven Combiner Box

COMBINER BOXES
SunLink
www.sunlink.com
The OutBack Power PV
SunLink’s HomeRun LTE solar combiner boxes feature lower
Combiner Series prices, a more compact, corrosion-resistant design and a
streamlined feature set without sacrificing signature HomeRun
OutBack Power
quality. Proven on 150 MW of installations, all HomeRun solar
www.outbackpower.com
combiner boxes are ETL listed to UL 1741 and are available with
integrated mounting hardware.
The FLEXware PV Combiner Series boxes
accommodate the overcurrent protection requirement
from 150VDC to 600VDC fuse holder applications. The
OutBack Power FLEXware series features rain-proof,
powder-coated UL-type 3R
aluminum chassis, easy wiring
configuration and dual-output
lug terminals for up to
2/0 AWG
conductors.
Switches Require Less

COMPONENTS Space And Wire
ABB
www.abb.com
The ABB Low Voltage Products division offers new

OTDC switches, including 250, 320 and 400 ampere
models designed for solar. These small footprint, two-
pole disconnect switches achieve a 1000-VDC rating
per UL 98B. Dual-magnetic breaking arc suppression
provides high performance while being simple and
safe. It occupies up to 50% less space while providing
reduced wiring costs compared to other switches.

Five Times The Cable Offers

Fatigue Strength Resistance To UV
Alcoa Fastening Systems
Sunlight
www.afshuck.net
General Cable
www.generalcable.com
Alcoa Fastening Systems says its
HuckBolt lockbolt delivers five times
General Cable’s line of SunGen PV
the fatigue strength of conventional
nuts and bolts, and is engineered
Providing Protection wire is made in accordance with
both UL 4703 and CSA RPVU90,
to provide the high strength, For PV Installations offers superior resistance to UV
reliability and vibration-resistant
sunlight and meets the requirement
performance even in the most CITEL for direct burial.
extreme environments such as with www.citel.us
many solar applications. Its pintail-
less design makes it highly resistant CITEL’s DS60VGPV surge protection
against corrosion. devices (SPDs) are certified to UL 1449
third edition DC standards. CITEL’s VG
Technology maximizes surge current
handling capability while allowing low
residual voltage. This extends life up to
five times the typical MOV-only SPD. The
DS60VGPV has been tested to meet
the 2016 UL standards, which require a
robust short circuit current rating and
intermediate current testing.
Compact, Cost-Effective
Circuit Protection
Eaton
www.eaton.com
Eaton’s PVGard circuit protection solutions help reduce

space and costs while increasing safety and reliability. The
PVGard molded case circuit breaker and switch are rated to
600V (DC) per pole for solar applications. The breakers and
switches do not require jumpers to connect poles in a series.
Integrated arc chute technology increases safety and can
reduce installation costs and space requirements up to 66%.

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Wire Management For Every Need

ILSCO Corporation
www.ilsco.com
ILSCO’s wire management clips can attach onto a thin metal edge to hold cables or
wires. They come in stainless steel and nylon, with and without cable ties. Directional
angled teeth bite into the surface for a secure grip. ILSCO’s offering allows installers
to find clips to suit the needs of a particular installation’s ground and power wire.
Certified Terminals For High Voltage

Marathon Special Products
www.marathonsp.com
Marathon Special Products’ High Voltage Power Block series are

high voltage (1500 AC/DC) versions of its traditional power block
configurations that will meet growing demand for UL certified terminals
for use at voltage levels greater than 600V. The series has a modular
single pole design to accommodate both bare and prepared (lugged) wire
with multiple splicing, distribution and studded terminal combinations.
Insulation And Networking

Continuity Makes
Testers Monitoring Easier
Moxa
Megger
www.moxa.com
www.megger.com
Moxa’s UC-8100 series computer
The Megger MIT400 series of
and software platform allows system
insulation testers conform to
providers to offer monitoring service
IEC1010-2for category IV 600V
for remote field devices. The series
applications. The units include a
will act as a compact, highly flexible,
wide measurement range and adjustable
vendor-agnostic data logger
insulation test voltages providing 250,1000, 50 or 1000V.
that connects to inverters, string
An application instrument offers voltages from 10 to
combiners, smart meters and other
100V in 1-V steps. Some models include data storage and
devices made by any manufacturer,
download capability. A 200 mA continuity measurement
then transmits that data over
is available for fast cable resistance measurement.
Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or cellular.

An Alternative To Metal-
Enclosed Switchgear
S&C Electric Company
www.sandc.com
S&C’s System VI switchgear combines Vista

Underground Distribution and Custom Metal-
Enclosed Switchgear to provide an alternative to
metal-enclosed switchgear. Units of Vista gear
include 600-A load-interrupter switches and fault
interrupters, sealed in an SF6-insulated, elbow-
connected tank. Air-insulated bushings on one or
both sides of the tank allow joining multiple units of
Vista gear or to metal-enclosed switchgear modules.
Photovoltaic Circuit Chip Simplifies Development

Breakers and Disconnect Of Qi Charging Stations
Switches Texas Instruments
www.ti.com
Schneider Electric
www.schneider-electric.com
Texas Instruments offers its next-generation wireless power
transfer circuit to support the Wireless Power Consortium
Schneider Electric’s PowerPact photovoltaic circuit
(WPC) 1.1 specification. The bq500212A transmitter
breakers and disconnect switches are designed for
requires one-third fewer components than competitive
the commercial and utility markets in 600 to 1,000-
solutions. The circuit allows designers to quickly take to
V applications. They feature a compact design and
market Qi-compliant wireless charge pads or stations that
come with factory-installed terminal covers and serial
can operate from a USB port or 5-V power adapter.
connectors that come pre-configured to ensure that
each phase is properly isolated and allows for superior
wiring protection. Many accessories are also available.

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Switches Allow More Space

With Less Cost
Woehner
www.woehner.com
Woehner USA introduces Telergon’s S6000 DC load break

switches for use in string combiner boxes, re-combiner boxes
and inverters for DC applications. Its design allows a smaller
footprint, and the elimination of bridging link accessories
reduces the total installation space and labor cost.
Manage Your Portfolio To

MONITORING Match Your Business
AlsoEnergy
www.alsoenergy.com
AlsoEnergy’s PowerTrack is a software that provides energy

management services to gather data from various
sources. PowerTrack is designed from the ground up
to handle a virtually unlimited number of sites, allowing
you to organize your portfolio to match your business
environment. It securely stores the data, and presents it in
a way that allows for easy analysis and understanding.
Cloud-Based
Monitoring
Draker
www.drakerenergy.com
Draker’s Intelligent Array Software is

a cloud-based software that enables
energy monitoring, performance analysis
and asset management from any web-
enabled device. The software is made up
of robust web applications with advanced
analytical tools to enable active O&M.

PV Systems Are Monitoring With Cellular

A Long-Term Communication
Investment Itron
www.itron.com
Meteocontrol
www.meteocontrol.
Itron’s solar meter embedded with a cellular communications
com
module provides a way to measure and manage solar production
data across a wide geographic area. The meters leverage secure and simple cellular
meteocontrol is a
communication networks. Installation is “plug and play.” The company’s managed
technological leader and
services for ongoing monitoring of production data, simplifying deployment and
one of the most innovative
lowering the overall total cost of ownership for solar providers.
service providers in the solar
energy sector. The company
has supported solar projects
for more than 30 years, and
Monitoring Is Key To Lower
develops and markets services Maintenance Costs
and products in the energy and
weather-data-management Locus Energy
areas. This foundation of locusenergy.com
experience and know-how
makes meteocontrol a Locus Energy’s LGate 120 and LGate 320 smart meters are able
coveted consultancy partner to communicate with the inverter and other third-party devices
with large-scale national and like weather stations. Collected information can be integrated into Locus Energy’s web-
international projects. based SolarOS software platform, or a third-party platform, for gathering data for asset
optimization, troubleshooting and performance guarantee/billing functions, making
these monitors key to lowering O&M costs over a fleet of systems.
Know Your Power

Consumption
eGauge
www.egauge.net
eGauge is a web-based electric energy and

power meter that can measure up to 12 circuits
on up to 3-phases (120V−480V, 50−60Hz). It can
measure and record whole-house consumption and
solar generation. The data can be viewed on any web-enabled device
through the built-in web-server. The measurements can also be accessed
through BACnet and/or can be pushed to a server via our XML API.

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Intelligent More Flexible Planning

Control And
Solar Data Systems
Supervision www.solar-log.com
skytron energy Solar Data Systems’ Solar-Log models come

www.skytron-energy.com with an LCD display to see the current operating
status during installation and operation. Some
skytron energy’s utility-scale models also come with a color touchscreen,
monitoring, control and supervision a USB port or RS485/422 ports. In the three
platform includes intelligent string newest models, the number of inverters doesn’t
combiners, data loggers, weather define the product line. Instead, they are divided
and irradiation sensors and central by plant sizes in kW, which allows for more
power-plant controllers as well flexibility in the planning phase.
as control-room visualization and
monitoring software. All functions of
OPERATIONS &
a complex power generation plant
are covered: real-time condition
monitoring and data acquisition,
long-term data storage and grid-
MAINTENANCE
stability management.
AE Solar Energy
SiteGuard
Advanced Energy
www.advanced-
energy.com
Advanced Energy’s SiteGuard

service lowers the levelized
cost of energy (LCOE) and
simplifies O&M for the entire
PV site. SiteGuard saves project
developers time, money and
inefficiencies of working with
multiple service providers.
Available in most regions
worldwide, SiteGuard covers
everything from AE inverters to
PV modules, electrical systems,
tracking systems and regular
reporting.

SunPower Introduces
CleanFleet
SunPower
us.sunpowercorp.com
CleanFleet is the proprietary robotic solar panel cleaning

technology and service created by Greenbotics, a
company recently acquired by SunPower. CleanFleet
robots operate at night to avoid disrupting daytime
energy production and use 90 percent less water than
manual cleaning methods. Regular use in dry, dusty
regions can increase annual energy production by up
to 15 percent. CleanFleet expands energy services for
customers with the SunPower Oasis Power Plant product.
SolarBrush Cleaning
Robots
SERVICES
SolarBrush
www.solarbrush.de
The robots secure efficiency of solar power A One-Stop Shop For Your Solar
through automated cleaning. Deposits like dust
and sand lead to massive losses in efficiency of
Needs
solar panels. SolarBrush robots clean the whole
row in a structured manner, autonomously. Blue Oak Energy
Several of the lightweight and wireless robots can www.blueoakenergy.com
be deployed by a single person, off-peak, at night.
Since 2003, Blue Oak Energy has been designing, building and
maintaining some of the top solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across
the U.S. The award-winning company, founded by CEO Tobin Booth,
was created with the singular vision of solar electricity becoming an
attainable energy choice for all. With an elite team of professionals solely
dedicated to the solar industry, Blue Oak is focused on providing world-
class solar solutions in the distributed and utility generation sectors.

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Build A Worry-Free Solar Energy NABCEP Company

System Accreditation
EDF Renewable Energy NABCEP
www.edf-re.com www.nabcep.org
EDF Renewable Energy offers two primary options to customers NABCEP Company Accreditation provides a way for
looking to build solar energy systems. Its team can help you decide residential PV installation companies to distinguish
which makes the most sense for you. EDF Renewable Energy themselves by adhering to a set of industry
develops your system from start to finish — with no upfront costs to recognized best practices. The NABCEP Company
you. You enjoy stable electricity pricing over the life of the system. Accreditation program provides consumers a
way to identify companies that are committed
to high-quality installation standards, trained and
qualified staff, safe work practices and customer
accountability.
Solar, From Beginning To

End
SOLON
www.solon.com
SOLON Corp. is a leading provider of large

Intertek PV commercial and utility-scale photovoltaic
(PV) system solutions to the North American
Performance market. SOLON delivers complete and cost-
Certification effective turnkey PV systems to its partners with a
streamlined approach from project development,
Program design and construction to financing and operation.
Intertek
www.intertek.com
Intertek’s new PV Performance Certification Program was launched

to address significant issues of long-term module performance.
The program offers manufacturers a means to demonstrate, control
and maintain the long-term performance and reliability of their PV
products and helps them attract investors, gain confidence with EPC
teams and obtain government subsidies with Intertek’s Performance
and Reliability label.

Testing For Your Solar

Components
TÜV Rheinland PTL
www.tuv.com
For over 20 years TÜV Rheinland PTL has been the leading
provider of safety testing, performance testing and
market certification for the photovoltaic marketplace. Its
comprehensive service offerings can support each sector
of the photovoltaic marketplace — from supply chain to
investment and installation — from initial manufacturing
to final product, our experts can help. TUV Rheinland PTL
provides local support with global market access reach.
SITE ASSESSMENT
Solar Tie Series
3TIER
www.3tier.com
Using a proven
satellite
PV Power Plant Suite of methodology,

data files of
Services 3TIER’s Solar
Time Series
Underwriters Laboratories provide up to 16
www.ul.com years of hourly
irradiance, wind,
UL is broadening its reach across the value chain, beyond and temperature
the testing and certification of materials, components and values at
products and into the PV power plant with services that any location
increase stakeholder confidence. Built on deep knowledge worldwide. The Solar Time Series is valuable input for the
of codes, standards, technologies, testing and measurement, company’s PVSyst and many other energy, design, and
a comprehensive suite of services is aimed at assisting in the financial modeling tools for performing solar analysis and
procurement, construction and operation of the PV plant. evaluating project feasibility.

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Reduced Making PV Testing

Pyranometer Easy
Maintenance Seaward Group
www.seaward-groupusa.
Kipp & Zonen
com
www.kippzonen.com
Kipp & Zonen’s CMP10 is a secondary Integrated The Seaward Group’s Solarlink Test
Kit meets all of the commissioning
standard pyranometer that reduces Pyranometer For test requirements of IEC 62446 and
maintenance. Its internal desiccant does
not require inspection or replacement for Monitoring those of local, national and best
practice guidelines such as NABCEP.
at least 10 years. Based on the company’s
Lufft It combines the Seaward Solar PV150
CMP 11 technology, CMP10 extends
www.lufft.com installation tester with the advanced
this quality to applications where
Solar Survey 200R multifunction
maintenance is difficult and/or forms a
Lufft knows that solar energy project irradiance/survey meter;
major part of the cost of ownership.
monitoring is critical. Its weather forecasting offering a complete
solutions help assure efficient production solution to PV
and protects valuable solar equipment from installation
damage from hail and extreme weather. testing.
All-in-one weather stations with integrated

pyranometer for project monitoring reduce
costs while not sacrificing accuracy. The Lufft
R2S 24Ghz Doppler radar precipitation sensor
detects hail. The Lufft all-in-one weather
station will monitor project efficiency.
It’s About Throughput and Accuracy

Solmetric
www.solmetric.com
Solmetric’s 1000V I-V Curve Tracer can be used in commissioning,

auditing, operations-and-maintenance and troubleshooting. New features
also include a temperature and incident angle-corrected irradiance
sensor delivering accurate readings in lower light conditions, SmartTemp
blending module backside temperature with Effective Cell Temperature
for the best cell temperature measurements, and a database of more than
12,000 modules.

[D EV ELOPMENTS ]
Solar Means Business

At Harvard
Harvard Business School has completed an 80-kW rooftop solar installation on its new executive education facility. The project uses 320
AC modules with integrated microinverters, which can generate AC power directly from each panel. Harvard is one of the first universities to
install ACPV, representing a growing trend to use such technology in larger commercial and institutional systems.
Wind and shade were a particular challenge for solar at the for the project to maximize system production and efficiency.”
campus building, Tata Hall. Harvard selected ACPV because Using a web-based monitoring system, facilities staff can keep
manufacturers say the technology can maximize the output of tabs on ACPV system production anywhere, anytime — down to each
each solar panel. Shadows from roof structures and equipment module. Green-screen monitors will let Tata Hall occupants see how
“
much energy the solar array is producing at any given moment to
would present issues for DC-based systems using string inverters,
because shade on any panel would compromise the power output offset enough of the building’s power consumption.
The project demonstrates Harvard University’s commitment to
of the entire module string. ACPV, therefore, is said to increase
system up-time and reduce operations and maintenance expenses reduce greenhouse gases 30% by 2016. Sustainability and renewable
by eliminating any single point of failure in the system. energy projects at Harvard Business School have contributed to the
school’s 62% recycling rate, 23% reduction in energy use and
43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The PV array
Solar is an excellent investment for universities, is the second at the Harvard Business School, though the
which are under increasing pressure to reduce university also hosts about four others.
ET Solar provided the installation’s solar modules, which
costs and energy consumption. include integrated SolarBridge Pantheon II microinverters
factory-installed on each panel.
— Bill Mulligan, president and CEO of SolarBridge Technologies
“Solar is an excellent investment for universities, which
are under increasing pressure to reduce costs and energy
“The project’s complexity included a multi-tiered roof with consumption,” says Bill Mulligan, president and CEO of SolarBridge
many mechanical units and attachments resulting in shading Technologies. “When an institution with the prestige and longevity of
on various parts of the arrays throughout the day,” says Scott Harvard Business School chooses ACPV for its solar projects, you
Howe of Solect Energy, the Massachusetts contractor that can be assured that significant long-term financial and environmental
installed the Harvard project. “AC solar panels were a good fit benefits have been demonstrated.” SPW
Developments 12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 66 12/9/13 1:22 PM

AET 12-13.indd 67 12/9/13 2:33 PM
[D EV ELOPMENTS ]
New Inverter Breed

Combines Benefits Of String
And Micro Models
Technology Research Corp., A micro-parallel inverter has the safety architecture allows remotely updating
and data of an AC microinverter with the the inverter’s firmware and the controller
a subsidiary of Coleman Cable, has
installation convenience and placement software.
designed and developed a new class of flexibility of a DC string inverter. Inverter Grid-tied systems can be modified or
inverter, which it calls the Smart Phase performance, health and status are relayed designed to automatically transition to either
by power-line communication to an energy emergency or off-grid power.
Micro-Parallel Inverter. These inverters
and monitoring controller, which updates a This efficient self-aware inverter is the
mount to either the solar panels or frame0 self-launching website for remote viewing key to an adaptable renewable energy
and are designed to ease installation, and data extraction. The data resolution is system that can operate in or automatically
sufficient to trace performance and faults to transition between states. In a grid-tied
diagnostics and maintenance.
individual panels, inverters and modules. The state, the inverter enables a system that
architecture has four independent channels provides supplemental solar power to
per inverter. The inverter remains operational, a system that is tied to the utility power
generating power and relaying performance, grid. The inverters stop generating AC
health, diagnostics data and alerts to the power when the grid fails or browns out.
maintainer with as few as one solar panel and This allows power crews to safely work on
one inverter channel functional. The software restoring power.

[ DEVEL O P ME N T S ]
In an emergency power state a to the system. Once the batteries are

transfer switch is used to automatically charged, the automatic transfer switch Inverter Characteristics
disconnect from the grid when voltage shuts off the generator and the system • 1.2kW instantaneous and 1.1kW
drops below a set level. The system runs off the batteries and solar sources. continuous output power
then turns on a battery-powered AC Emergency power systems are suitable • Robust performance and graceful
generator (sized to the anticipated load). for areas where weather or grid conditions degradation up to 4 panels per inverter
The system behaves as an off-grid one may cause outages or brown outs. In • Continues to operate with as few as one
would. The solar panels resume power an off-grid state, the system behaves panel and one channel
generation synchronized with the battery- as an emergency power system without • Standard cabling and connectors are
powered generator. During extended the grid tie. Off-grid systems are good used and the AC inverters eliminate the
periods of low solar illumination the for rural power or in remote areas where need for DC combiner boxes.
batteries will need to be recharged. An deforestation is undesirable. SPW • Easy single handed blind mount
automatic transfer switch is used to turn installation
off the battery-powered generator, start a • Smart grid data collection; web-based
fuel-based AC generator and connect it Discuss This reporting, control and alerts
and other Solar issues at
to the system to recharge the batteries. www.engineeringexchange.com • Self-diagnostics
As solar illumination returns, the solar • Remote software and firmware upgrades
inverters provide synchronized power
Request

[SOLAR SNAPSHOT ]
Top brands in the U.S. are demonstrating commitment to clean energy by installing solar on
warehouses, stores and facilities. This infographic from the Solar Energy Industries Association and
Vote Solar’s 2013 Solar Means Business report shows which companies are leading the way.
Solar is also growing globally, as can be seen in the chart to the right from the NPD Solarbuzz
Quarterly report. During the third quarter of 2013 end-market demand from the global solar
photovoltaic industry reached 9 GW. This record demand represents an increase of 6% compared
to last the second quarter of 2013, and is almost 20% more than the same quarter of 2012. SPW
89.43
MW
Home & Living

Walmart Market
Solar Snapshot_12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 70 12/9/13 4:51 PM

[ SO LA R S N A P S H O T ]
“Solar Snapshot” provide a

glimpse of the solar industry
in pictures. If you have an
infographic you’d like to
see on this page, email it
to Editorial Director Frank
Andorka at fandorka@
solarpowerworldonline.com.
Solar Snapshot_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 71 12/9/13 1:28 PM

Financing p.10
Inverters p. 13
AC Coupling p.14
[ AD I N DE X] December 2013
www.solarpowerworldonli
ne.com
Applied Energy Technologies................................67
top100+
Canadian Solar Inc...................................................15
CreoTecc....................................................................IBC
EDF Renewable Energy...........................................9
ET Solar......................................................................IFC
Kipp & Zonen USA Inc.............................................16 PRODUCTS OF 2013
Midnite Solar, Inc......................................................71
MOTECH....................................................................4
Moxa, Inc....................................................................2
Patriot Solar Group..................................................BC
SunBandit...................................................................11
Trim-Lok Inc..............................................................69
Zilla Corporation......................................................17
Cover_December 2013_Vs6K
Z.indd 1
12/9/13 2:58 PM
Get Engaged
Though we pride ourselves on producing fine print publications,
we understand it’s important to receive your information on
your own terms. Maybe you prefer podcasts, webinars, or social
media like Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin? We get it. And at
Windpower Engineering & Development and Solar Power World
we embrace it. You’ll find the same breaking news, product
innovation, technical developments and resources however you
choose to engage with us. It’s up to you!
Online at www.windpowerengineering.com
VISIT US and www.solarpowerworldonline.com
On Facebook. We’ve got 13,700 on solar

LIKE US and 12,500 on wind, but we want yours!
@Windpower_Eng (5,800 followers)

TWEET US @SolarPowerWrld (5,500 followers)
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CONNECT & Development and Solar Power World’s
WITH US groups
On Windpower Engineering &

+1 US Development and Solar Power World’s
Google+ pages
CONVERSE On the Engineering Exchange

WITH US www.engineeringexchange.com
Ad index_Dec 2013_Vs2.indd 72 12/9/13 4:58 PM

CREOTECC
SOLAR GROUND MOUNT SYSTEMS
Discover the Bankable Advantages

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831.438.9000 | www.creotecc.us
Creotecc 12-13.indd 1 12/9/13 2:34 PM
Patriot Solar 9-13.indd 1 12/9/13 2:35 PM

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Financing p.10 Inverters p. 13 AC Coupling p.

top100+ PRODUCTS OF 2013

Cover_December 2013_Vs6KZ.indd 1 12/9/13 2:58 PM

www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 1

First Word_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 1 12/9/13 11:23 AM

Moxa 12-13.indd 2 12/9/13 2:26 PM

{ Solar Works Around The United States

Plant Begins Operations State Aims To Spur IKEA Expands Portfolio

No Incentive? No Problem Installer Grows With Arrays

www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 3

Solar Works_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 3 12/9/13 11:21 AM

Technology • Development • Installation December 2013 • vol 3 no 6

EDITORIAL New MEDIA/WEB/ SALES

with higher efficiency and more value.

www.motechsolar.com @wtwh_designer 440.234.4531 x108

Traffic Manager Social Media Specialist

4 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013

Dec 2013_Editorial Staff_Vs2KZ.indd 4 12/9/13 11:30 AM

top100+ PRODUCTS OF 2013

70 Solar Snapshot Power Optimizers p.48 December 2013

www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 5

Table of Contents 12-13 Solar_Vs6FINAL.indd 5 12/12/13 11:20 AM

This is the first 1-MW

State Of The State Report:

6 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

State of State 12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 6 12/9/13 11:57 AM

www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 7

Other Voices_12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 7 12/9/13 12:05 PM

Five Ways To Think Big About Solar Training

8 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Training_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 8 12/9/13 12:16 PM

With over 7,000 MW of energy under contract,

Photo Credit: EDF / Brandstrom Sophie

EDF Renewable Services

EXPERTISE | COMMITMENT | INNOVATION

www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 9

Training_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 9 12/9/13 12:16 PM

Solar In Puerto Rico? That’s a Definite Maybe

10 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Finance_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 10 12/9/13 12:24 PM

of 2% annually on the PPOA price sense anywhere.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 11

Finance_12-13_Vs3FINAL.indd 11 12/9/13 12:24 PM

Borrego Solar: San Diego

12 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Contractors Corner 12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 12 12/9/13 12:29 PM

The adoption of utility-scale PV power

www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 13

Solar Insight 12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 13 12/9/13 3:50 PM

Don’t Mark Mays and

14 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Inverter Insider 12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 14 12/9/13 1:13 PM

WE ARE POWERING SOME

Project: Solarpark Meuro

WE VIEW THE RELIABILITY Our market position, more than a

Canadian Solar 12-13.indd 15 12/9/13 2:30 PM

or when it’s advantageous to offset the

16 SOLAR POWER WORLD 12 • 2013 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Inverter Insider 12-13_Vs4FINAL.indd 16 12/9/13 1:13 PM

Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from a

Keeping AC Coupling Simple installation right to ensure that neither

THE ANSWER TO ALL YOUR SOLAR MOUNTING NEEDS.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com 12 • 2013 SOLAR power WORLD 17