Solar Power World January 2021

January 2021 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Technology • Development • Installation

trends in solar INS TALLIN G ON A VOLC AN O BIFACIAL PANEL S ON FL AT ROOFS REVIEW OF S TATE RPS GOAL S

Special Commercial Market Focus

January 2021 SPW Cover FINAL.indd 1

1/23/21 11:30 AM

THE FIRST WORD

Have we done enough?

If I'm being honest, 2020 was full of self-doubt. My office's decision to make in-person work optional beginning in March coupled with extended stay-at-home orders left me with a lot of extra time to ponder.

Was I doing enough? Not only did this question come up personally (was I helping friends and family as much as I could?), but professionally I was feeling a little deflated at the state of the renewables industry and the environment in general.

Yes, with most of the world under some type of COVID-19 restriction, carbon emissions dropped 7% in 2020 — the largest decline on record, and likely attributed to a decrease in transportation activity.

But unfortunate side effects emerged elsewhere — plastic bag bans were temporarily halted (in my county, too) and disposable takeout containers piled up as we transitioned to a touchless and single-use existence. Not to mention that many pro-environment activities were halted for a while, like solar installations, as everyone determined what was safe. Meanwhile, people were depending on consistent energy at home more than ever, and we relied on our fossil fuel staples to meet the need.

But then the pieces fell into place. We became comfortable with our new normal. Solar installations resumed — and dominated. Solar accounted for 43% of all new electricity generating capacity added through September 2020 — more than any other energy source.

It's because of those initial worries — needing dependable power at home and supporting the economy — that solar and storage thrived in 2020.

Editor in Chief kpickerel@wtwhmedia.com More renewable requirements are being looped @SolarKellyP into economic recovery plans (thank you for the @SolarPowerWorld two-year ITC extension!), and installation numbers are far exceeding the doomsday predictions from the beginning of the pandemic. We likely ended 2020 with 43% annual growth in the U.S. solar market.

I'm feeling better in 2021 than where I was one year ago. There's a lot to look forward to, in solar and beyond. We explore a lot of these hopes in this issue of Solar Power World. Enjoy our look at what's trending now and our predictions for the future.

Are we doing enough? I think we're doing our best, considering, and it's way better than we thought. Thank you for your hard work in 2020 and for idling my global climate anxieties just a little longer. SPW

Kelly Pickerel

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SOLAR POWER WORLD PUBLISHER Courtney Nagle cseel@wtwhmedia.com 440.523.1685 @wtwh_CSeel EDITORIAL Editor in Chief Kelly Pickerel kpickerel@wtwhmedia.com @SolarKellyP Senior Editor Kelsey Misbrener kmisbrener@wtwhmedia.com @SolarKelseyM Associate Editor Billy Ludt bludt@wtwhmedia.com @SolarBillyL

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SOLAR POWER WORLD

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CONTENTS

37

20

ON THE COVER

We’re devoting each issue of 2021 to a specific market of the solar industry, and our first issue of the year looks to the commercial sector. From flat rooftops to community solar fields, installations in the non-utility market are on the rise.

Photo courtesy Duke Energy

2 FIRST WORD

8 NEWS BRIEFS

62 CONTRACTORS CORNER

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SOLAR POWER WORLD

64 LEADERSHIP 96 AD INDEX

JANUARY 2021

JANUARY 2021 • VOL 11 NO 1 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

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35

62

BUSINESS

TECHNOLOGY

10 SECOND-HAND MARKET

26 PANELS

Think before trashing: There is a booming second-hand market for used solar panels

POLICY 16 RPS CHECK-IN

Some states had 2020 requirements with their renewable portfolio standards. Did they meet them?

INSTALLATION 20 CASE STUDY

Solar panels went on an incredible journey to the top of a volcano in Hawaii

Bifacial solar panels can provide a quick and easy return on investment when used on flat rooftops

30 INVERTERS

Inverter and monitoring companies offer a unique look at solar production through public display kiosks

35 MOUNTING

Solar carports and canopies can be installed almost anywhere, which means foundation options are vast

39 STORAGE

We get an in-depth look at the commercial and industrial storage market as we begin 2021

SPECIAL SECTION: 2021 TRENDS IN SOLAR

A look at what’s trending in the solar industry, from advanced product designs to accelerating job and project growth. | PAGE 45

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

45

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NEWS BRIEFS

SOLAR POLICY SNAPSHOTS A guide to recent legislation and research throughout the country.

The fate of Illinois' solar growth is in the hands of the legislature after the state ran out of renewable energy incentives.

Solar ITC extended at 26% for two more years

President-elect Biden chooses climate-change-ďŹ ghting team

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

The solar investment tax credit (ITC) was extended in the federal spending package signed by the president at the end of 2020. Previously scheduled to drop from 26% to 22% in 2021, the ITC will stay at 26% for two more years.

All markets will drop to a 22% tax credit in 2023, and the residential market will drop to 0% while the commercial and utility markets will sit at a permanent 10% credit beginning in 2024.

President-elect Joe Biden announced his picks for important climate and energy-related positions in his administration. He chose former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to lead the Department of Energy and former EPA Chief Gina McCarthy to spearhead domestic climate policy alongside John Kerry, the international climate envoy. Senate conďŹ rmations were not yet made by press time.

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NEWS BRIEFS

SEIA says Dominion Energy rate case would undermine South Carolina’s Energy Freedom Act

DOE announces up to $45 million for research to advance solar hardware, systems integration

New development guide outlines potential for largescale solar projects in Southwest Virginia

Columbia, South Carolina

Washington, D.C.

Southwest Virginia

Dominion Energy filed a rate case that SEIA says ignores the intent of the 2019 Energy Freedom Act in South Carolina.

The act requires utilities to file netmetering successor plans that avoid cost shifts and provide stability for solar customers, but SEIA says Dominion’s plan instead adds grid access charges and lowers the net-metering rate.

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced a big investment in preparing the grid for an influx of solar energy in the future. DOE is investing up to $45 million in solutions that can reliably bring large quantities of solar onto the grid.

The department also wants to ensure American-made hardware is prioritized in these installations.

The Solar Foundation and Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia published a guide to help Southwest Virginia communities develop largescale solar projects. The groups want Southwest Virginia, a region with a long history of coal production, to get its share of solar projects set in motion by the Virginia Clean Economy Act.

Massachusetts State Auditor says tax laws for solar operators are outdated

Illinois Power Agency officially closes all state renewable energy incentives

Massachusetts legislators put forward comprehensive climate bill

Boston, Massachusetts

Springfield, Illinois

Boston, Massachusetts

A report stated that outdated laws governing taxes paid to cities and towns by solar power generators could slow the adoption of solar in Massachusetts.

The state auditor found large commercial solar facilities avoided paying property taxes on equipment by taking advantage of an exemption that was designed to promote smaller solar projects.

The Illinois Power Agency announced the close of all state renewable energy incentives, which the Path to 100 coalition says effectively ends the state’s renewables program. The group says this move will prevent Illinois from accomplishing its policy requirement of 25% renewable energy by 2025 unless new legislation passes.

At the start of 2021, Massachusetts legislators put forward key climate legislation committing the state to netzero carbon emissions by 2050. The bill also includes an earlier goal to source 40% of the state’s energy from renewable sources by 2030, according to WBUR. The climate bill is now on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk.

Honolulu mayor signs ordinance to simplify solar permitting

Michigan approves lower netmetering rate for Consumers Energy solar customers

SEIA prepares solar policy priorities for Democrat trifecta

Honolulu, Hawaii

Lansing, Michigan

Washington, D.C.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed Bill 58, an ordinance to develop expedited permitting procedures for solar and storage projects that are 20 kW or smaller. The bill will establish an online permitting process that approves solar projects within 14 days after submission.

The Michigan Public Service Commission ruled that Consumers Energy (CE) can now pay solar customers less for net metering. Instead of receiving the full retail rate for excess power sent to the grid, CE can pay solar customers the power supply rate minus transmission.

Solar policy goals may have an easier time passing through Congress now with Democratic Party control of the House, Senate and White House. Still, SEIA said it’s not assuming success and will keep promoting energy storage incentives and solar workforce programs.

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MELISSA ANN SCHMID MARKETING COMMUNICATION MANAGER ENERGYBIN

THINK BEFORE TOSSING THOSE SOLAR PANELS THE SECOND-HAND SOLAR MARKET IS BOOMING

OVER

the next five years, a growing number of U.S. solar owners and operators will choose to repower their systems. Total supply of decommissioned material will increase, but not all equipment is bound for recycling. Brokers engaged in the trade of used goods, particularly secondhand modules, are seeing more quality equipment uninstalled years prior to their end-of-life.

One online exchange has seen second-hand modules for resale as young as two years old. Demand for such material is booming, as resellers broker deals in the megawatt levels.

Installers can also play a role in the circular economy by redirecting energyproducing decommissioned modules to the secondary market.

REPOWERING AND DECOMMISSIONS INCREASE SECOND-HAND SUPPLY

The repowering trend is expected to spike this decade in the United States. The primary reason for repowering has to do with aging components. Wood Mackenzie expects 800 GWDC will be repowered between 2021 and 2025 due to inverters reaching the end of their 10-year lifespan.

Other reasons include upgrading technology and solar policy. Falling prices for bifacial and high-efficiency modules

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On EnergyBin’s trading platform, along with next generation microinverters a growing percentage of second-hand and batteries are accelerating modules are appearing for resale, some repowering. Additionally, renewable barely two years old. Kuehl noted it’s portfolio standard (RPS) mandates difficult to put a number on the total may lead to repowering sooner than supply, but traded quantities tend to be anticipated. The National Conference of in the megawatt range. She attributes the State Legislatures reports that roughly supply to non-residential and utility-scale half of the country’s growth in renewable repowering and decommissioning. energy generation since the early 2000s “Within days after second-hand is related to RPS requirements. modules for sale are listed on our Beyond repowering, the industry exchange, they tend to be purchased, is seeing a number of uninstalls taking which gives insight into the high demand place prior to system end-of-life. for quality used modules," she said.

Sometimes a property with a rooftop "If there wasn’t a strong demand, we or ground-mount is sold, and the new wouldn’t see this material moving.” owner dismantles the array. Or, a building with an existing array is demolished.

Other times, an array is partially WHAT’S DRIVING DEMAND FOR destroyed by a natural disaster, but SECOND-HAND MODULES? instead of replacing just the damaged In the solar industry, resale of used panels components, the insurance company is just beginning to take off. Some solar decides to replace all components. equipment brokers have realized the “We’ve also heard from field economic opportunity of remarketing operators about cases where panels are decommissioned solar panels. installed but never connected because deals fell through WITHIN DAYS AFTER SECOND-HAND for some reason,” said Renee MODULES FOR SALE ARE LISTED Kuehl, sales and marketing director at EnergyBin, an ON OUR EXCHANGE, THEY TEND online B2B exchange where TO BE PURCHASED, WHICH GIVES PV professionals trade new INSIGHT INTO THE HIGH DEMAND and used wholesale solar equipment.

FOR QUALITY USED MODULES.

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BUSINESS

“Non-shattered panels always have someone who’s willing to buy them and put them back into use somewhere in the world,” said Jay Granat, owner of Jay’s Energy Equipment, a wholesale solar brokerage firm. “If it’s a working solar panel, there’s always a buyer.”

In his 10 years of experience working in the secondary solar market, he has never seen such high demand for used panels than in 2020, and he expects demand to increase through the decade.

A buyer’s market for second-hand panels spans throughout the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Afghanistan is currently the top market followed by Pakistan. Other major markets include Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia in Africa. Buyers in these areas aren’t so much concerned about purchasing modules with no warranty because they have enough sun radiation (two-times more than temperate

climates) that affords them ample energy production from used panels.

“Any panel that is 10 years old or newer and ranges from 100 W to 350+ W has resale value,” Granat said.

“Buyers from developing nations like doing business with the U.S. because sellers tend to be honest and straightforward. Plus, the module quality is usually in excellent condition and newer technology.”

Increased demand is driven by three economic factors. First, consumers are concerned about grid reliability and are looking for ways to be self-sufficient, as is the case in regions prone to wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters and where grid infrastructure is vulnerable.

Second, international and national scares, like coronavirus, create spikes in demand for off-grid energy preparedness.

Third, consumers with tight budgets are considering affordable alternatives.

Kent State University

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SOLAR POWER WORLD

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As these drivers imply, the bulk of used panels are sold for off-grid solutions.

They are installed for home energy, solar well-pumps, Wi-Fi sites, solar irrigation, battery charging and other uses.

According to the World Bank, the off-grid market is a $1.75 billion sector.

Additionally, second-hand modules are deployed as replacement parts, installed in small power grids/microgrids and purchased by price-conscious homeowners, businesses and non-profit organizations that want to generate renewable energy.

BUYER CONSIDERATIONS

Several considerations are taken into account when buyers are faced with the option to purchase second-hand modules. Such factors include age and efficiency level, price and condition.

According to NREL, the average degradation rate of a solar panel is less than 1% per year. This rate measures how efficiently sunlight is converted into power. Most manufacturers guarantee their panels will produce power at 80% or higher for the first 20 years.

Second-hand module buyers rely on this rate as well to calculate the number of panels needed to achieve their desired energy output.

Used panels that are between one and nine years of age still operate at high-efficiency rates but are cheaper in price.

The average price ranges from 50-75% less than new modules. EnergyBin tends to see second-hand modules for resale starting at $0.10/W. The price depends on the age and efficiency level.

“You may think that nontransferable warranties may deter buyers from selecting

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used panels. But the lower price is more attractive for many buyers than a manufacturer’s warranty,” explained Kuehl.

A number of equipment resellers test used panels to guarantee product safety and verify amp and voltage performance levels. They reposition the product for sale in the secondary market, which may come with a limited-term service warranty.

Some sellers offer a moneyback guarantee based on a verified energy producing level.

Laid Sahraoui, owner of R3 Tech Limited, has also seen demand for second-hand modules increase in recent years. He commonly gets calls from buyers asking for 25 containers per order. Recently, he dealt with a large distributor in Texas on an acquisition of 25 MW. They were in "like new" condition but were decommissioned due to an insurance claim.

“We exported the panels to Karachi and then to northern Afghanistan. They were delivered to warehouses and sold in smaller quantities to villages and farmers," he said. "Consumers in these markets have a need for sustainable energy. They are especially looking for ways to access energy and water to support agriculture and livestock.”

R3 Tech follows a strict practice to ensure decommissioned panels are properly sorted for resale or recycling. First, panels with broken glass are set aside for recycling. Those without broken glass are inspected for backsheet conditions. If the backsheet is falling apart, the panel is recycled because defective backsheets are fire hazards. The remaining panels undergo testing and then are remarketed in the secondary market.

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BUSINESS

WORKING WITH A SOLAR EQUIPMENT BROKER

POP-ON TECHNOLOGY LETS YOU HEAR WHEN IT IS RIGHT

Solar installers faced with decommissioning projects can partner with a solar equipment broker that has experience with second-hand equipment to properly handle used material. Brokers are connected to buyers throughout the world. They know what’s moving, what has resale value and how to price used components. They are well-versed in export/import requirements. They can also recommend what equipment is better suited for recycling.

“As long as the panel still has at least 10 to 12 years of energy production and is functional, it has resale value. But rubbish goods are never acceptable for resale,” Sahraoui said.

When brokers assess decommissioned equipment for resale value, they do everything from sorting to packing out for delivery to their warehouses and recycling facilities. Oftentimes, brokers will offer a cash buyout for the entire lot. They seek to ensure material is properly redirected to resale and recycling channels.

Both Sahraoui and Granat are committed to playing a role in the solar industry’s circular economy and see the secondary market as one way to reduce unnecessary waste. In other words, the resale of second-hand material prevents energy-producing modules from prematurely entering waste streams.

“What we really want field technicians to remember is that any panel that is not shattered or damaged is usable by someone somewhere in the world,” Granat said. SPW

JANUARY 2021

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KELSEY MISBRENER SENIOR EDITOR

Adobe Stock

ARE STATES ON TRACK TO MEET

RENEWABLE ENERGY

G ALS?

The United States is entering a new era where the dangers of climate change are more apparent with every record-breaking wildďŹ re, ood and hurricane that comes to pass. At the same time, a new presidential administration has committed to taking steps to combat the issue and work toward a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A number of states have already set their own decarbonization goals. According to the National Council of State Legislatures, 30 states, Washington, D.C., and three territories have adopted an RPS, while seven states and one territory have set renewable energy goals.

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While most states and territories set ultimate goals to reach net-zero energy for either their power sectors or entire economies by 2050, some states had earlier milestones to reach. If utilities do not achieve their RPS requirements, NREL's best practices say they should have to pay a penalty. However, the Clean Energy States Alliance said some states include "escape hatches" for utilities, which allow reassessment of goals as RPS numbers approach higher levels.

Regardless of the consequences, Solar Power World checked in to see how progress was going for the states with early goals.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

POLICY

COLORADO GOAL:

?

30% RPS FOR INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES BY 2020 STATUS: UNKNOWN

Colorado's 2020 data is not yet available, but major utility Xcel Energy reported 21.8% compliance with the Renewable Energy Standard in 2019 and Black Hills reported 20% compliance in 2018, per Keith Hay, director of policy for the Colorado Energy Office.

MARYLAND GOAL:

?

30.5% RPS BY 2020

STATUS: UNKNOWN

“We are more focused here on moving the Clean and Renewable Energy Standard (CARES) Act that sets Maryland on a path to 100% clean electricity by 2040 with zero carbon emissions,” said Kaymie Owen, communications manager for the Maryland Energy Administration.

PENNSYLVANIA 18% GOAL:

?

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PORTFOLIO STANDARD BY 2021

STATUS: UNKNOWN

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HAWAII 30% GOAL:

?

RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2020

STATUS: UNKNOWN Hawaii has committed to 100% renewable energy by 2045 but set a 30% goal to reach by 2020. Hawaii's energy makeup data for 2020 is not yet available, but the state reported reaching 20.3% renewables in 2019.

KANSAS



VOLUNTARY GOAL:

20%

RPS BY 2020

STATUS: MET

Although Kansas’s renewables goal was changed from mandatory to voluntary in 2015, wind energy accounted for 41% of Kansas’s electricity production in 2019 — more than double the state’s 2020 goal, per Linda L. Berry, director of public affairs and consumer protection for the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Per the latest 2019 data, “all of the Pennsylvania electric distribution companies, and but two of the electric generation suppliers (EGSs), have fully complied with meeting the solar targets. The two outstanding EGSs have declared bankruptcy,” said Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

According to the “Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act Compliance for Reporting Year 2019” report, four EGSs came into compliance through the submission or recovery of alternative compliance payments, and two EGSs filed for bankruptcy. Per the report, these alternative compliance payments are made available to the sustainable energy funds established through the Commission’s orders and are used solely for projects that increase the amount of electric energy generated from alternative energy resources.

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POLICY

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 25% GOAL:

?

RPS BY 2020

STATUS: UNKNOWN

Territory officials didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.

WASHINGTON

X

STATE

GOAL:

15%

RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2020

STATUS: MISSED Washington state’s renewable energy total for 2020 is reported by the utilities as 13.2%, shy of its 15% goal, according to Michael Furze, assistant director of energy for the Washington State Department of Commerce.

WASHINGTON, D.C. GOAL:

?

20%

RPS BY 2020 STATUS: UNKNOWN

The District of Columbia Public Service Commission’s annual report on RPS compliance is not yet available. However, the 2019 report shows the District procured 17.5% of electricity from Tier 1 electricity sources and 0.5% of electricity from Tier 2, with 1.85% from solar.

“Despite continued growth in the District, the report notes that the available capacity from solar energy systems certified for our RPS program is still below the required capacity at this time,” said Jenn Hatch, program analyst for the Urban Sustainability Administration in the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy & Environment.

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W.M. Keck Observatory has been in operation for nearly 30 years atop Maunakea, a dormant volcano and the highest point in Hawaii.

The twin telescopes are arguably the best place to go for astronomical observation in the Northern Hemisphere. At an elevation of 13,796 ft, stormfronts regularly pass below the observatory, and the skies above the Pacific Ocean are clear of light pollution.

With those conditions, why not put a solar array up there, too?

Mark Devenot, infrastructure specialist at the Keck Observatory, often pondered the feasibility of a construction project like solar at that elevation. Duke Energy installation subsidiary REC Solar built a 100kW array at Keck’s headquarters in 2013, but that site is in Waimea, which is a couple hours’ drive down the summit from the telescopes and was exempt from the extensive permitting process for construction projects on Maunakea.

A new challenge was accepted. Through the gamut of design, permitting, engineering and installation requirements, Keck Observatory now hosts a 137-kW solar array between its twin telescopes.

“This project took nearly four years,” Devenot said. “You have no idea how many times this project may not have happened.”

PUTTING SOLAR ATOP A VOLCANO

Keck Observatory’s first telescope was built in 1993.

Since its inception, the site remains an often-used

asset for groundbreaking space research, with each telescope booked out months in advance by astronomers and students from affiliate universities.

For example, in October, UCLA professor Andrea Ghez was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2020 for her research at Keck Observatory on the existence of a supermassive black hole in the Milky Way galaxy.

The technician team at Keck Observatory keeps the infrared telescopes running, replacing aging infrastructure with newer lighting, motors, air dryers and variable-frequency drives. Adding solar to a place that observes the stars was part of that upkeep.

“We have a responsibility to the science community to provide the telescope to be ready for them to use at night, so our mission during the day is to make sure everything’s good to go for them,” Devenot said.

The solar array installed between the Keck telescopes is technically a smaller footprint than its sibling system at the observatory’s headquarters, but it produces more power both at an equipment level and from higher UV exposure from the elevation. REC Solar, which was brought back for this second project, found the system was running at 115% efficiency in that environment. The array supplies 15% of Keck Observatory’s electricity needs. It was sited far enough from either tower to prevent ice falling from the telescopes from landing

INSTALLATION

The

Significant astronomical research has been conducted at the W.M. Keck Obs ervatory since its first telescope was built in 1993.

W.M. Keck Observatory

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INSTALLATION

on the panels, and modules were laid flat to minimize resistance from high wind speeds atop the volcano.

The array itself is made of 332 LG NeON 400-W modules, SMA Sunny Tripower 30-kW inverters and a specially designed foundation and structure, the latter using SnapNrack channels and clips atop a galvanized Unistrut frame.

Foundations turned out to be a major design element for the array. The roof surface between the Keck I and II telescopes is EPDM covered by cinder from the dormant volcano.

Removing the rock by hand for the initial design took days, Devenot said. Installers brought a mini-excavator to Maunakea to carefully remove the cinder.

“You have what you call an inverted membrane roof system, and it’s unique, probably the only one in Hawaii,” he said.

“But someone had the foresight back when they designed the facility to do this and it’s amazing, because the cinder acts like an insulator from both the weather conditions and the UV from attacking the EPDM.”

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY TIMES THIS PROJECT MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

REC Solar installed a 137-kW solar system between the twin telescopes at W.M. Keck Observatory atop Maunakea, a dormant volcano and the highest point in Hawaii. Mark Devenot/ W.M. Keck Observatory

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And it works. After 27 years under that cinder, according to inspection, the EPDM appeared brand new. To maintain the roof’s integrity, the solar system is ballasted with steel plates that are either 150 or 275 lbs and 2-ft or 3-ft squares. The plates rest on the EPDM, and the cinder was replaced, covering the ballasts.

“To me, the biggest challenge and risk we had for the project was how to attach the panels to the roof,” Devenot said.

Additional risks during installation resulted from the environment and altitude. The solar contractors worked for about four weeks in derated atmosphere, which at nearly 14,000 ft

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above sea level cuts oxygen quality by about 40% and could result in hypoxia.

The installation crew was housed at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy on the mountain to acclimate to the climate, and installers were provided with emergency oxygen kits. The environment might be ideal for solar panels, but installers had to be cautious of UV exposure, low humidity and derated winds that could reach hurricane speeds.

“Keeping people healthy and safe up there was our primary concern,” said Lucas Shield, senior project manager with REC Solar.

“We had supplemental oxygen on hand, made sure everybody took regular breaks and were always drinking water. And there was no cell phone use allowed up there because it interferes with telescope equipment. So, we had regular check-ins with everybody, but no cell phones created a logistical issue because you can’t just drive down the mountain to go grab some equipment.”

WE HAD SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN ON HAND, MADE SURE EVERYBODY TOOK REGULAR BREAKS AND WERE ALWAYS DRINKING WATER. CLIMBING THE PERMITTING MOUNTAIN

Construction projects on Maunakea fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of Maunakea Management and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The dormant volcano holds a significant place in Native Hawaiian culture, and groups have protested the potential construction of the “Thirty Meter Telescope” that would join 13 others already in the mountain’s Astronomy Precinct.

New construction on the volcano isn’t common and must pass certain requirements at environmental, aesthetic and cultural

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INSTALLATION

The observatory and accompanying solar array reside at nearly 14,000 ft above sea level, where UV exposure is pronounced, wind speeds are derated and atmospheric pressure causes a 40% drop in oxygen levels. Mark Devenot/W.M. Keck Observatory

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We support PV systems Formerly Everest Solar Systems Everest Solar Systems has officially changed its name to K2 Systems, find out more by scanning the QR code.

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levels. The addition of the solar array alone went through years of meeting discussions, review boards and committees. Then there was the matter of arranging a lease agreement and getting permission from local utility Hawaiian Electric to export power. All the heavy equipment used on the mountaintop project also had to be approved.

Devenot doesn’t expect any more solar projects to be installed for the Keck Observatory on Maunakea given the permitting process, temperamental environment and lack of space.

Maunakea is arguably the tallest mountain on the planet if it’s measured from its base located below sea level. However, the solar array can’t claim to be installed at the highest elevation on the planet — that designation belongs to a 4-kW system in the Himalayas — but it is the largest one to be installed at this height.

“That system might have been seen by some as a challenge or outside of our usual work scope,” said Christopher Licciardi, senior director of project delivery at REC Solar, "but it was fun for us." SPW

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e K2 ar

KELLY PICKEREL EDITOR IN CHIEF

Bifacial modules

on flat roofs

provide a

quick and easy

ROI Ignoring

their price (especially during this period of is-it or is-it-not exempt from import tariffs), using bifacial solar panels on flat roofs makes sense in nearly every application. Bifacial modules, which produce power from both sides of the glass, generate the same amount of energy from their frontside as monofacial panels. If bifacial modules eke out even the smallest amount of generation from their backside, that's just bonus without even trying. Add in a highly reflective roof surface and the right tilt angle and your commercial rooftop project is guaranteed a higher ROI. 26

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Emergent Solar Energy, a commercial and agriculture solar installer in Indiana, has done just a few bifacial installations on flat roofs, but managing partner Jeremy Lipinski is itching to do more.

"We did a small 40-kW bifacial project for a mixed-use building, mounted in portrait at 15°. At 15°, I've seen a good 4 or 5% increase over our non-bifacial products," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen with tariffs, but if I can get 5% more and it doesn't cost any more to the buyer, that is absolute gain. If it's a white membrane roof, then why not?"

Both module manufacturers and mounting system producers have seen an uptick in orders for bifacial projects on flat roofs in the last two years, likely attributed to the specialty panels' exemption from the import tariff.

Alex Vanasse, VP of business development for mounting manufacturer Opsun, ssaid bifacial modules were averaging 40-cents/watt, bringing them within the same price range as premium monofacial products. But now with an official ruling that bifacial imports will be taxed at the same rate as its one-sided cousins in 2021, commercial-focused

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

PANELS A bifacial installation by Emergent Solar Energy at Valparaiso University in Indiana utilizing TerraGen Solar’s TGR mounting system.

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PANEL TECHNOLOGY

All photos show Emergent Solar Energy installing bifacial solar panels on the TGR mounting system from TerraGen Solar.

solar suppliers are trying to keep that momentum going.

U.S. contractors looking to skirt import taxes entirely have to look no further for bifacial modules than Prism Solar, an American panel manufacturer with a New York factory and relationships with two U.S. OEMs for a domestic manufacturing capacity of 200 MW — all bifacial. Prism Solar started as a concentrating collector company that used holographic elements with bifacial PV cells. Eventually focus shifted to just PV modules, and Prism has been involved with bifacial for almost 15 years now.

"We were doing research with Sandia 10 years ago with bifacial," said Paul Hauser, CEO of Prism Solar. "We could pivot all the engineers working in the holographic optical space into developing rate tracing and other methodology for bifacial. As a module company, typically you don’t have that

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level of engineering driving the product."

Prism concentrates solely on the U.S. C&I space along with architectural and custom builds — so it knows all about the benefits of bifacial on flat roofs.

Prism works directly with commercial clients with multiple locations ideal for solar, like JPMorgan Chase Bank and its many branches. The company has found success by securing a Private Letter Ruling (PLR) that proves its bifacial solar solution harnesses light reflected off the roof, making the roof an integral and inseparable part of the solar array. This therefore qualifies a new roof installation to take advantage of the solar ITC. Since Prism can loop a new roof in with a solar project for the ITC, the company does a lot of commercial installations on white roofs. Through its

JANUARY 2021

own methodology determining height, tilt and the amount of reflected light (albedo), Prism also works with racking partners to ensure there's minimal shading on the back of the panel for the highest bifacial gains. Opsun is a popular development partner.

The flat-rooftop solar business has largely been transitioning to modular racking — using resin trays that are easy to position. Bifacial systems do require reverting back to the basics with railbased mounting systems, in which Opsun specializes.

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PANEL TECHNOLOGY

"It would be difficult with a modular rack to expose the back and have a solid enough structure to hold it all in place," Vanasse said. "With rail-based, you create a square structure, and it allows you to raise the tilt. You want to expose the backside as much as possible at 10 to 15° at least."

Bifacial modules must be situated higher on the roof with more space between rows to prevent under-array shading. Where monofacial panels may be clamped 4 in. above the roofline, bifacial should be at least 15 in. above, Vanesse said.

"As you raise the panel from the roof, it makes a gap that light can go into. More light can bounce and more diffused light can reach the back," he said. "You get a lot of gains from the backside that way."

These extra design considerations toward backside gains may lend to fewer panels being used on more expensive rail-based racks, but those bonus gains make up for it.

"You pay more to get a system that ends up getting you a better return on investment," Vanasse said. "If you have a white roof, going bifacial will only increase your ROI." Module-level electronics, like power optimizers and rapid shutdown devices, are installed on the rack's rails just like with a normal installation. Most bifacial modules are moving into half-cell designs, which lets them function as two separate halves, making shading impacts less severe.

Emergent Solar Energy's Lipinski said his company's bifacial projects are some of the cleanest designed.

"Your wire management matters.

We do everything we can to get those channels clear. We don't have wires hanging," he said. "You don't want anything obstructing any kind of light."

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Some additional design considerations for bifacial on flat roofs include understanding how the panels work in certain latitudes. In all cases, a bifacial module will outperform a monofacial module just because of the chance of backside gains.

"Everyone thinks that if you have a bifacial module, you need to reflect the light into the back of it," Hauser said. "The reality is, depending on your latitude, there is a difference in sky-scattered albedo. In Tucson, you're going to have a bunch of light on the front and a decent amount reflected. The same installation [in Arizona] looks like you're producing less than in Minnesota. Their light is more diffused, so you're producing more from the back. The further away from the equator, the more you get from the backside."

Do bifacial modules work better in the Northeast than in the Southwest? The backside performs better in the Northeast, but the front performs better in the Southwest — so, it's complicated. But there

YOU PAY MORE TO GET A SYSTEM THAT ENDS UP GETTING YOU A BETTER RETURN ON INVESTMENT. IF YOU HAVE A WHITE ROOF, GOING BIFACIAL WILL ONLY INCREASE YOUR ROI. is no right or wrong spot in the country for bifacial modules on roofs. They just need enough space behind the module to get some reflected gains — and that greater return on investment. SPW

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INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

KELSEY MISBRENER SENIOR EDITOR

Inverter monitoring apps help commercial clients put solar projects on display Solar projects are unique electricity sources, sitting silently and covertly on top of roofs or on tracts of land away from the public eye. Many project owners, from schools to commercial businesses, want to flaunt their obstructed-from-view solar.

Inverter manufacturers and installers help them tell the story.

Yaskawa Solectria offers a proprietary monitoring dashboard called SolrenView to commercial customers looking to display a simple dashboard in lobbies or waiting rooms for the public to peruse.

The dashboard includes a graph of the day's energy production, lifetime energy production, module temperature, irradiance and carbon savings information

such as tons of CO2 the solar project has offset or number of electric cars it could have charged.

The inverter manufacturer charges a one-time fee for clients to use the dashboard for a number of years.

Emily Hwang, applications engineering manager for Yaskawa Solectria, said it's important for companies and other commercial clients to showcase their solar investments.

"It also encourages other people to think about it, like, 'Oh, my competitor has solar and a lot of people are talking about how they're more sustainable than we are. I also want to get on board,'" Hwang said.

She said displaying solar procurement in schools is particularly important to help normalize the clean energy transition.

"It's really great for our youth to see solar being used, for them to get used to it, for them to feel like this is the way life should be," Hwang said.

Fronius sees the usefulness of interactive solar exhibits in schools as well, offering its proprietary monitoring platform for display in commercial buildings. Fronius Solar.web can be accessed on the internet or through a smartphone app. The platform includes animations showing the energy flows and real-time statistics on production and consumption.

Ameresco’s installation for Indiana’s Hamilton Southeastern School district is set back from public view, but the company has partnered with the district to teach students about it.

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INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

EASY, SIMPLE-TOUNDERSTAND MONITORING IS REALLY A KEY SELLING POINT.

"A system itself has no moving parts and it's just static sitting there, but there's a lot happening in the system, which those visualizations show really nicely," said Richard Baldinger, head of marketing at Fronius.

Baldinger said teachers could create lessons based on the data and encourage students to download the app. In engineering classes, teachers could assign problems to students based on the system's volts and amps, or students could examine return on investment calculations for the solar project in their business programs.

Overall, the most important thing inverter manufacturers can offer is a way for installers and clients alike to show off solar systems.

"Easy, simple-to-understand monitoring is really a key selling point," Baldinger said.

Ginlong Solis also offers an application programming interface that lets companies or schools customize their monitoring

platform and integrate it into an existing website. Those clients could also display it on a screen for the public to view.

"I have also found that this kind of engagement with the platform invites more scrutiny and interest into how energy is used on site. Supplemented by data from an on-site weather station, and this kind of information can be fascinating," said Terence Parker, senior applications engineer at Ginlong Solis.

SHIFTING MOTIVATIONS CHANGE STRATEGY

SMA America offered a similar public-facing proprietary solution called Flashview about 10 years ago, but after seeing commercial clients' motivation for solar shift, it no longer does.

"Back 10 years ago when commercial building owners or just solar investors in general were getting into the technology, it

Ameresco provides “solar wagons” to schools and commercial clients to teach the public about solar.

Ameresco donated a kiosk to Westwood Public Schools that displays a variety of information for student engagement with the city’s solar projects, including data about the solar production and carbon offsets.

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INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

was because of them being an early adopter and a commitment to the environment," said Brad Dore, director of marketing for SMA America. "In that case, it was much more important to demonstrate that commitment to the environment, that commitment to reducing carbon emissions."

Over time, as solar became less expensive and more mainstream, Dore said the motivation for commercial solar procurement has turned from environmental support to an economic no-brainer.

"As the argument for solar became so much more ďŹ nancial, the public display became less important," Dore said.

Dore did preface that the company is based in California, so their local experience may not be the same as others across the country.

SMA now offers Sunny Portal monitoring for all solar segments, which could be displayed on an LCD screen in a building if a customer chooses. It's not speciďŹ cally made for the public, but Dore said there are a variety of statistics on the platform that can help people understand what the solar array is doing.

INSTALLERS SEE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY

Massachusetts-based solar installer Ameresco has found every commercial client wants to display its solar investment to the public somehow, said Hans Meyer, director of Ameresco's Renewable Energy Group. The installer provides that information in an engaging way, especially to its school clients.

Solectria’s publicfacing solar dashboard SolrenView.

"Every single customer that we're working with wants the ability to display something publicly. It may not be necessarily a differentiator, but everyone's expecting that you have some way to present the data for internal uses within these companies, and external uses," Meyer said.

Ameresco uses inverter-supplied monitoring like Enphase Envoy for simpler, smaller projects, but it typically uses a combination of data acquisition software solutions to present weather data, consumption info and more for clients to display both internally and publicly. Ameresco then creates custom

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INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

websites for customers to display on monitors in their buildings.

The company has devised a unique way to make K-12 school solar projects tangible and understandable for students in the form of "solar wagons." Each wagon consists of a few solar modules hooked up to a battery and an LCD monitor, so students can watch the sun powering the monitor in real time. Schools can opt to own the wagons that can be personalized with the school's logo and wheeled from class to class to teach children about solar.

"It's been a really neat, visual way to bring the concept of solar and larger initiatives that our customers have and make it more real for students in classrooms," Meyer said.

Midwestern commercial and residential installer GRNE Solar has discovered another motivation for project owners to display their solar production — to show accountability to their constituents. Cities that go solar with taxpayer dollars often feel an added imperative to show the energy savings and greenhouse gas avoidance from the public projects.

For example, the city of Springfield, Illinois, displays production of its municipal utility's 250-kW solar project on its website for anyone to view.

“It's really been more of a new thing where our customers are asking for kiosks or an interactive web page that their clientele or patrons can visit to really see what the energy system is producing and to really get a feel for what either they may be paying for, or what the entity

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that installed the solar system is paying for,” said Marie Burgquist, director of marketing and manager of business development at GRNE Solar.

She said no matter the reason companies, cities or other commercial solar project owners choose to display their solar production, it’s always good for the industry as a whole.

“We're in the middle of the shift from the early adopters of solar in the Midwest to more of the mainstream,” Burgquist said.

“People are really wanting to start

to educate those who may not be even aware that solar is a good option.

“It's just a great ripple effect that we're seeing in the industry, and really as a company leaning on our customers and helping our customers really become advocates of solar,” she continued. SPW

Springfield, Illinois, displays production of its municipal utility's 250-kW solar project on its website for residents to view.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

MOUNTING TECHNOLOGY BILLY LUDT ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Rebar placed inside an excavated foundation point awaits poured concrete. RBI Solar

Foundations are the linchpin of proper solar carport installation The structural integrity of a solar array is only as good as its mounts, and that becomes especially imperative when installing solar carports or canopies. The material composition of a canopy structure far outweighs that of arrays with similar wattage in rooftop and typical groundmount applications.

The type of foundation used on a carport depends on whether it's mounted to an existing parking deck structure or in the ground, most often in parking lots.

The popular solution in ground-mount carport applications is concrete piers, dug at varying depths depending on soil quality.

Parking deck projects, on the other hand, often don't even have to move dirt. Instead, solar canopies are fastened to anchors or saddles attached directly to the existing structure.

“Once you get out of the ground, carports are easy,” said Brad Fey, senior project manager at RBI Solar. “It’s basically www.solarpowerworldonline.com

a giant erector set. You’re putting steel together, it’s all pre-punched, everything bolts together, it’s pretty simple. It’s the foundations that are the hardest part of any carport project.”

ESTABLISHING A FOUNDATION

Carport system design hinges on proper foundation placement, and that relies on accurate geotechnical reports in ground-mount projects. Hiring a proper geotechnical surveyor will give project planners information on soil quality, underground utility locations and watershed heights, all necessary factors in selecting and placing carport foundations.

“The more you can preplan and get that information up front to know where you can place foundations, what type of foundation is going to work, what type of soil conditions you’re getting into, it’s really going to go a long way to figure out what foundations work best for that site,” Fey said.

RBI Solar designs and fabricates carports on a per-project basis working from five base models with differing panel layouts. The standard concrete pier footing on ground-mount carport projects is cured on-site, poured in a cored hole around rebar, with the footing extending above ground level, providing the structure with stability to withstand vehicle collision. The depth and foundation type depend on the soil quality.

Concrete piers are the standard, but there are other options like spread footing, a concrete foundation with a wider bottom segment for when a structure needs extra stability; helical piles, which are metal pipes with helix attachments to resist upward JANUARY 2021

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MOUNTING TECHNOLOGY

ONCE YOU GET OUT OF THE GROUND, CARPORTS ARE EASY...IT’S THE FOUNDATIONS THAT ARE THE HARDEST PART OF ANY CARPORT PROJECT.

tension when drilled into the ground; or proprietary solutions, like Quest Renewables’ hybrid pier.

Then, placement depends on the canopy structure brand, but a typical carport has foundations about every 30 ft, with holes dug between 10- to 14-ft deep in average soil conditions.

“With everything else, foundations are basically the key to any canopy project, so there’s a lot of nuances to put them in there. It’s also making sure that you’re laid out correctly, making sure you have the right spacing, because all of your steel comes pre-punched,” Fey said. “So, if you have a foundation that’s out of place, if it’s off by two inches or it’s moved in the wrong direction, you don’t have anchor rods that are in correctly, now you’re slowing down the steel install process too.”

The equipment required to core holes for foundations also depends on the soil conditions.

In normal soil conditions, it’s common to use a pressure digger, a truck-mounted auger. For sandy or loose soils, temporary casing can be used to maintain the shape of the holes being cored. Hammer drills can break up the rocks present in soil. Sump, suction or any other number of pumps are needed to dewater water tables. And concrete saws or carbine teeth attachments for augers can be used to cut through the parking surface.

Parking garage projects, and to a lesser degree parking lots, will also require load bearing approvals on the carport itself and also the heavy equipment being used to install them. System designers aim to place carport foundations to prevent any loss of parking spots. Ideal placement is in grassy medians or the corner where four parking spaces meet, still leaving enough room for vehicles to park.

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MOUNTING TECHNOLOGY

The same concern of maintaining the number of parking spaces also falls on designing parking deck carports but comes with a whole different set of considerations depending on the condition of the existing structure.

“If the deck is not new, then you’ve got to find plans for how it was built and you have to go and do some forensics — scanning for where rebar is in the columns, how much is there and what the capacity for the deck is,” said Finn Findley, CEO of Quest Renewables.

Quest Renewables creates saddle attachments as the foundation for carport projects on parking decks. The saddle is placed over a column or wall and bolted in place. The carport racking attaches to an extension placed atop the saddle.

“It’s very seldom that someone designs a parking deck to accommodate a canopy. When you’re working with solar, you need to have a system that’s able to adapt to a really wide range of widths and columns,” Findley said. “Loads fall between columns, and it’s a lot of work to get very efficient at solving that problem for parking decks.”

RBI Solar drills an epoxy anchor onto the existing garage structure and the canopy racking is attached to it. Adding anchors to the columns stiffens them, because they cannot handle the lateral force exerted by the canopy structure without reinforcement.

Unlike structures with similar foundations found in these settings, like lighting, solar carports have greater potential for resistance from natural forces like wind uplift.

“That canopy wants to rotate on us — it wants to turn back and forth, so we’re putting a lot of forces down those foundations,” Fey said. “Imagine a giant pivot arm. You push at the top, the bottom wants to move out, so you put a lot of weight at the bottom of that arm to keep it from moving.”

Ensuring greater vertical stability with reinforcement from anchors and saddles will prevent the carport structure from bowing when deployed in parking decks.

THE COST OF A CARPORT

Solar carport structures physically rely on the stability of their foundations. The price of a project can increase if it’s on improper footing.

“A lot of the cost is in contingencies — labor, foundations — those are really big ‘gotchas’ that can come in carports,” Findley said. “You’ll know what the system costs from a material standpoint.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Accurate geotechnical reports are a must for selecting the proper footing for a solar carport. Quest Renewables

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MOUNTING TECHNOLOGY

But when it comes to foundations, one of the things that happens is in the industry, there’s a habit of folks doing initial quotes.

They undersize the foundations, then there’s a big adder that comes in.”

Quest Renewables tries to give customers safe estimates on what foundations could cost in the total project.

The company was born from a Department of Energy-funded project at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, developing economically feasible solar carports. In that pursuit, one of Quest’s design traits is trying to minimize the number of required foundations in its solar canopies.

Varying soil reports could lead to different types and numbers of foundations and site preparation requirements, which increases project cost.

“In the long run, you’re just going to make your customer angry,” Findley said.

“You need to be realistic about what the foundations are.”

That’s where companies like Foundation & Shoring Service come in.

F&SS is a Maryland-based geotechnical contractor that installs foundations

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for a range of industries, including solar carports, and does follow-up on geotechnical reports.

Foundation work is commonly hired out to geotechnical contractors, while solar installers will handle erecting the carport itself. The geotechnical contractors will re-test a site and deliver another system design better suited to its conditions if needed — often at a lower cost.

“What happens is, especially when someone that’s a developer in the solar industry, a lot of this is economic risk factor because it’s an investment tool, almost like buying a commodity on a market,” said Chris DeBlauw, project engineer and manager with F&SS. “Inaccurate info leads to a design that might be OK or appropriate, but is by no means the most economical solution.”

Putting solar carports on proper footing might be the first piece in the construction process, but it’s arguably the most important. Project developers should take extra care when analyzing the soils and structures where they’re sited. SPW

Installers begin placing the racking portion of a solar carport atop a concrete pier. Quest Renewables

Concrete piers extend beyond the ground level to provide extra stability to carport structures, in the case of vehicle collision. RBI Solar

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ADAM GERZA VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ENERGY TOOLBASE

STORAGE TECHNOLOGY

C&I energy storage market: Optimism, value streams and tailwinds There are many reasons to be optimistic on the future growth of the commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage market. Energy Toolbase has witnessed the development of the market for the last six years, and we see several trends that make us bullish on non-residential storage. C&I energy storage system (ESS) proposal generation activity on the ETB Developer software platform grew for the sixth consecutive year, even alongside the COVID-19 slowdown.

We are encouraged to see a widening number of developers modeling and proposing ESS projects. They're getting more efficient at quantifying the economics of solar + storage projects and improving the way they communicate their value to end-customers.

In the C&I sector, this is especially important as the value proposition can vary significantly depending on the customer’s location and utility rate schedule. In this article we unpack the signs that make us optimistic going into 2021.

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C&I ENERGY STORAGE HAS ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SUPPORT

The commercial energy storage market has tailwinds behind it.

Battery prices are expected to continue declining, which will create more attractive project economics. BloombergNEF’s Battery Price Survey estimates that average battery pack prices will fall to around $100/kWh by 2023, down from $156/kWh in late 2019. The policy landscape is also quite supportive for storage. New behind-themeter (BTM) incentive programs are coming online in states like Massachusetts and New York, and hopefully others will follow. This will help to broaden the market outside of California, which has dominated non-residential deployments thanks in part to the SGIP incentive program.

Utility rate designs and net energy metering (NEM) frameworks are also continuing to evolve rapidly. This is usually bullish for storage as most changes erode the value of BTM solar, which creates a savings opportunity for storage. On the federal side, the recently extended solar ITC is a positive for solar + storage projects, which will now continue to receive the 26% tax credit through 2022. And with incoming President Joe Biden saying on-record that he wants more storage, the industry is hopeful that the new administration can deliver a standalone energy storage tax credit.

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Wood Mackenzie’s most recent Energy Storage Monitor report shows that the non-residential sector has lagged behind both the front-of-the-meter (FTM) and residential segments. In Q3 2020, total ESS megawatt deployments grew 240% quarter-over-quarter. The FTM sector specifically surged 330%.

The residential sector grew 7% in Q3 2020 — its sixth consecutive quarter of growth. Meanwhile, the non-residential segment shrank by 3%.

The non-residential market has its share of unique challenges. Compared to residential, C&I project development is more complex and requires a strong command of how to optimize local utility rate structures and incentive programs.

Additionally, the way in which C&I ESS captures value is more customized and can vary significantly from market to market. Like C&I solar projects, sales cycles are longer and project financing is not as off-the-shelf. While the residential ESS market is primarily driven by demand for resiliency and backup power, C&I customers have historically been motivated first by getting a good return on investment. In other words, most non-residential ESS projects must quickly pay for themselves. Also, C&I projects do not have the FTM benefit of large pipelines of utility procurements and non-wires alternatives projects, where batteries get deployed instead of making grid upgrades.

The primary way that a commercial ESS captures value and generates revenue is through utility bill savings. In a BTM setting, there are generally three ways in which storage can be used to reduce a customer’s utility bill: • Demand charge management (aka peak-demand shaving) utilizes the battery to reduce a customer’s peak

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Utilities are accelerating the rate at which they are proposing changes. The NC Clean Energy Technology Center’s most recent “50 States of Solar” report found that 42 states took a combined 146 distributed solar policy actions in Q3 2020 alone. Seventeen states were working on successor tariffs to reduce NEM compensation.

Containerized energy storage solutions from ESS.

Resiliency

demand and corresponding demand charges. On many C&I rate tariffs, it is common for demand charges to make up half of a customer’s bill.

Time-of-use (TOU) arbitrage utilizes the battery to profit from the price differences between a customer’s TOU rate tariff. It accomplishes this by charging the battery when energy is cheap (off-peak) and discharging back when energy is expensive (on-peak).

Self-consumption is when storage gets paired with a solar PV system and the ESS is used to prevent exporting energy to the grid. In markets like Hawaii, exported solar PV production to the grid gets valued at a significant discount, which creates an opportunity to self-consume and capture the difference between the retail and export rate.

Future-proofing

Demand for solar + storage to provide backup power and resiliency in the event of a grid outage is growing in the nonresidential sector. This is especially true for customers located in high-threat natural disaster locations. While this is helping to drive ESS demand, it is difficult and subjective to quantify how much monetary value resiliency provides.

A customer with life-sustaining loads located in a high-threat fire district in California may place very high value in resiliency. Another less-critical customer may not want to attribute any value.

The non-residential energy storage market would benefit greatly if it could attribute monetary value to resiliency in the cash flow model to supplement utility bill savings. The Clean Coalition recently published a value-of-resilience (VOR) formula, which attempts to standardize how resiliency gets quantified. Its VOR methodology categorizes electric loads as critical, priority or discretionary. The Clean Coalition suggests “using the conservative figure of 25% as the typical VOR adder

One of the unique features of energy storage is its versatility and ability to capture value in different ways. This • flexibility enables ESS to adapt to policy changes in utility rate design and NEM frameworks, which often erode the value of solar. When ESS is paired with solar it acts like an insurance policy by futureproofing savings that get eroded.

The Hawaiian market is a good • example of a policy change that significantly eroded the value of solar and created an opportunity for storage.

Regulators in Hawaii crushed the solar export value when they sunset the state's NEM program in 2015.

Today, Hawaii has the highest storage attachment rates in the country. Solar system owners oftentimes need to attach storage to prevent exports and make their projects economically viable.

How much avoided cost a customer California may can capture is a function of the utility rate be next, as the schedule they are on. Some C&I rate tariffs high-stakes NEM offer a strong price signal for storage (e.g., 3.0 proceeding is high $/kW demand charges and/or wide $/ expected to get kWh TOU price differentials), which creates a final decision U.S. energy storage deployments an advantageous opportunity for storage to in 2021. It’s not through Q3 2020. Wood Mackenzie reduce the bill. Conversely, some rate tariffs far-fetched to offer weak or marginal price signals. For envision a future some customers it is impossible to make where pairing storage pencil out when evaluated purely ESS with PV on bill savings. Therefore, it is missionwill become a critical for developers to showcase the requirement in other types of value storage can provide. many markets.

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STORAGE TECHNOLOGY

that a site should be willing to pay for indefinite renewablesdriven backup power to critical loads.”

Grid services

Behind-the-meter storage can provide strong benefits to grid operators, including frequency regulation and peak capacity investment deferral. But most BTM storage projects today are not doing this and therefore not receiving financial compensation for it. This missed opportunity should change soon.

In 2020, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) passed two landmark orders: FERC 841 and FERC 2222, which will pave the way for distributed energy resources (DERs), like BTM storage to participate in wholesale markets. FERC Order 841 directs regional grid operators to remove barriers for storage to compete on a level playing field in wholesale markets. FERC Order 2222 directs interstate regional transmission organizations and independent system operators to develop rules that allow DERs and DER aggregations to participate in these markets. These orders could be momentous and pave the way for DERs to receive financial compensation in capacity and ancillary services

markets. In the not-too-distant future, C&I storage projects may be able to tap both BTM utility bill savings and wholesale market revenue streams. This could be a game-changer.

OPTIMISTIC ON FUTURE GROWTH

The C&I ESS market has its share of challenges to work through. But the industry has many reasons to be optimistic about the future growth of this huge addressable segment.

We’re seeing more proposal generation at Energy Toolbase from an increasing number of developers, which indicates the market is broadening. We are confident that value-capture opportunities for storage will continue to improve. This will come in the form of changing rate structures and NEM frameworks, as well as more value attribution for resiliency, and grid services revenue opportunities coming online. C&I storage will move beyond just counting utility bill savings in the cash flow model.

The market has tailwinds from declining battery prices and a favorable policy environment. We think this confluence of factors will enable the non-residential segment to beat deployment growth projections over the coming years. SPW

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2021

trends in solar WRITTEN BY BILLY LUDT, KELSEY MISBRENER AND KELLY PICKEREL

We failed you last year.

We did not include "global pandemic" in our 2020 Trends in Solar. We're sorry. But we take comfort in the fact that nearly everyone was just as blindsided as us by how COVID-19 would affect our little construction industry in signiďŹ cant ways.

Still, we made it through. If the solar industry can show almost 50% growth during an unprecedented year, nothing can stop it. We report on just how the market has evolved and adapted to new installation requirements and consumer preferences on the next pages.

Here is what's trending in solar right now. We feel fairly conďŹ dent in our crystal ball view, but you can always read our website for the latest developments in real time.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Energy storage is trending positively. These are battery packs at the 1,200-MWh Moss Landing Power Plant in California. Vistra

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2021 trends

in solar

While some panel manufacturers are continuing to perfect the generating capabilities of today's solar cells, other companies have already shifted to tomorrow's technologies.

PERC designs will still be dominant, but more panels are beginning to use larger wafers to improve power output without much R&D effort.

Most solar panels released in the last two years used M2 (156.75-mm) wafers. But research group ITRPV predicts that the M2 wafer will disappear within five years. M6 (166-mm) and larger wafer formats will make up 70% of the multicrystalline market and 90% of the monocrystalline market by 2030.

The bigger the wafer, the more power it can generate because of its larger surface area. By removing that unnecessary whitespace between smaller cells, fully assembled modules using larger wafers are more powerful in the same module footprint.

LONGi Solar, a Chinese solar cell and module manufacturer, began using M6 wafers in its bifacial modules released in 2019. LONGi has since transitioned all its manufacturing lines to the larger wafer and is already

Trina Solar

More solar panels are switching to bigger wafers

leading the switch to even larger M10 (182-mm) wafers. As one of the main cell suppliers to the industry, other panel assemblers are dependent on whatever LONGi makes.

Trina Solar, which is supplied by Chinese cell manufacturer Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor (TZS), took a giant leap to G12 (210-mm) wafers and began releasing models under the Vertex brand name in 2020. While M6 wafers can mostly continue to be used in traditionally sized 60- and 72-cell panel frames, even larger M10 and G12 wafers lend to larger-format modules most suitable for utility-scale solar projects.

Those two camps — LONGi with M10 and TZS with G12 wafers — will likely split the industry into "wafer alliances," predicted by solar and storage technical advisory Clean Energy Associates (CEA) in its 2020-released "PV Supplier Market Intelligence Program Report." Depending which direction each manufacturer goes, production equipment will need to be adapted to the differing sizes.

“We expect to see multiple wafer sizes on the market for some time, as suppliers seek new ways to reduce

ITRPV

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2021 trends

in solar WE EXPECT TO SEE MULTIPLE WAFER SIZES ON THE MARKET FOR SOME TIME, AS SUPPLIERS SEEK NEW WAYS TO REDUCE COST, INCREASE VALUE FOR BUYERS AND DIFFERENTIATE THEIR PRODUCTS. cost, increase value for buyers and differentiate their products," said Paul Wormser, VP of technology for CEA, in a press release. "This unprecedented innovation simultaneously brings uncertainty, as suppliers adopt the wafer platform, the interconnection platform and optimize the overall module.”

ITRPV says it is possible for largeformat modules with M10 and G12 wafers to begin mass production in 2024 for utility-scale deployment, but rooftop projects will continue to use traditionally sized modules (likely with M6 wafers) until those wafer alliances are settled.

There are a few outliers. REC, which makes its own solar cells using heterojunction technology and focuses primarily on the rooftop segment, has transitioned out of M2 wafers into M4 (161.75-mm) but is still waiting to go larger.

"We have not yet manufactured a product with an M6 wafer, but we can and will do this if that is what our customers demand," said Cary Hayes, president of the Americas at REC Group. "In the rooftop segment, particularly for residential installations, the benefits [of large-format modules] are less clear. If the benefits of installing larger modules on residential rooftops were as clear as they are in the utility segment, we probably would have already seen a shift to 72-cell modules in this market. We haven’t, which tells you that a largersized module is not the holy grail for residential installers."

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2021 trends

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Climate action is again a priority for the federal government After four years of climate change denial and fossil fuel obsession from the Trump administration, solar and climate advocates will have an ally in the White House.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (President- and Vice President-elect at time of printing) made climate change and green jobs the cornerstones of their campaign from the start. Biden's climate plan is the most ambitious of any president to date — he wants to put the country on a path to carbonfree electricity production by 2035 and net zero emissions as a whole by 2050.

“While it’s important to note that support for clean energy is bipartisan, we are excited about the future of clean energy under the Biden/Harris administration," said Suzanne Leta, director of market policy and strategy for SunPower. "The president- and vice president-elect both advocated consistently for solar energy on the campaign trail. They appreciate the key role solar and storage will play in

tackling climate change, delivering low-cost energy to people across the country and creating stable, well-paying jobs."

Biden has also made his clean energy commitment clear with his administration nominees. He tapped former EPA Chief Gina McCarthy to spearhead domestic climate policy and collaborate with global climate czar John Kerry; former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg to head the Department of Transportation and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to lead the Department of Energy.

“With these picks, President-elect Biden is acting on his campaign promise to prioritize climate action,” said Environment America’s acting president Wendy Wendlandt in a statement. “All three bring a wealth of experience and qualifications to help the Biden administration resolve climate issues through shifts in clean energy and transportation policy. Each is demonstrably committed to building a cleaner, healthier future for all Americans — all of which is necessary to create smart, comprehensive and durable solutions.”

SEIA recognized the new administration’s commitment to green jobs and climate change efforts as well.

The advocacy group published a suite of policies and executive actions it's asking President-elect Biden and the newly elected Congress to act on during their first 100 days in office.

“Our 100-day agenda aligns with President-elect Biden’s vision to build back better, and represents a critical opportunity to meet the moment of the climate era with equity and justice at the forefront,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA, in a press release.

The renewable industry has reason to be hopeful for passing strong solar legislation as President-elect Biden takes office with Democratic control in both the House and Senate.

WHILE IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SUPPORT FOR CLEAN ENERGY IS BIPARTISAN, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CLEAN ENERGY UNDER THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION.

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2021 trends

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Corporations have taken a major stand against dirty electricity The United States may have abandoned the Paris Agreement, an international treaty combatting climate change, but not everyone is silently standing by. More businesses and corporations are adopting progressive environmental goals, with solar investments at the top of their lists.

"Now more than ever, a company's responsibility extends beyond caring for their economic impact to caring for their employees and the environment.

This is coupled with the fact that solar is now the most competitively priced form of energy, giving businesses and public entities both an ethical and financial justification for investing in large solar projects," said Eric Potts, senior VP for commercial in the Americas at SunPower. "The economic case is made even stronger by the new forms of income streams opened up using storage and community solar, providing excess energy to the grid and potentially offsetting lost revenues from the impacts of COVID-19."

The latest "Solar Means Business" report from SEIA found that more corporations are making significant investments in renewable energy, with 1,283 MW of new commercial solar capacity installed in 2019 coming from commercial businesses. Over 65% of that number was onsite solar installations.

And while 2019 may have been big for on-site solar deployments, 2020 was huge for large-scale PPAs secured by corporations for off-site projects. SEIA predicts that an additional 5,000 MW of corporate off-site solar projects will come online over the next few years, which will more than double the total amount of corporate solar.

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Patrick T. Fallon/Starbucks

• • • •

Some significant announcements from the last year: Google has signed a 140-MW PPA for a Texas project being built by Candela Renewables.

Nestlé is receiving 100% of the power from a 250-MW Texas solar project developed by 7X Energy.

Microsoft signed on for 500 MW of new solar through Sol Systems.

McDonald's has invested in 583 MW of solar in North Carolina and Ohio.

Many corporations have also committed to running their operations completely on renewables. Walmart plans to be 100% renewable by 2035. To date, the retail giant powers around 29% of its operations with renewable energy and is the third-largest corporation for installed solar in the United States.

It is only surpassed by Apple and Amazon – companies with data centers that need a lot of power.

Amazon globally invested in 4 GW of new solar and wind projects in 2020 — the largest corporate investment in renewable energy in a single year.

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2021 trends

in solar NOW MORE THAN EVER, A COMPANY’S RESPONSIBILITY EXTENDS BEYOND CARING FOR THEIR ECONOMIC IMPACT TO CARING FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THE ENVIRONMENT. “Amazon is helping fight climate change by moving quickly to power our businesses with renewable energy,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, in a press release.

“We are on a path to running 100% of our business on renewable energy by 2025 — five years ahead of our original target of 2030."

But what happens once a company reaches that coveted 100%?

Do renewable energy investments stop? Not for Starbucks, which has sourced 100% renewable energy for its more than 9,000 U.S., Canadian, European, Middle Eastern and African company-operated stores since 2015.

Now, the company is expanding its roster of renewable energy projects in the United States, supporting communities with large-scale solar and supplying the grid with energy storage. The coffee chain is investing $97 million in 23 community solar arrays in New York and is supporting a portion of a 2,165-MWh storage project being installed in California.

“We are well-positioned to invest in the right areas to strengthen our competitive advantage and drive consistent, sustainable growth for decades to come," said Kevin Johnson, CEO of Starbucks, in a press release. "With Starbucks partners at our core, we believe our purpose extends far beyond the pursuit of profit, with an aspiration to positively impact the planet we all share and the people who connect with Starbucks.”

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2021 trends

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The energy storage market is blowing up in the United States

Battery packs at the 1,200-MWh Moss Landing Power Plant in California. Vistra

In addition to puzzles and alcohol, one product that saw a significant boost in sales during the pandemic was the energy storage system. With more people looking at their homes as sanctuaries in need of reliable electricity, the demand for residential battery backup is on the rise.

"In 2020, people's houses became their oasis. It's where they work, where they play. COVID was a huge part of that, but it's easy to forget we also had record numbers and intensities of hurricanes in the gulf and we had a crazy wildfire season in the west," said Jeremy Niles, channel marketing manager for Generac

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Power Systems. "Homeowners really felt they needed to be prepared for anything to have a stable home base. Solar + storage — people are seeing that as the best possible option."

The residential storage market has been growing steadily every quarter since early 2019. Wood Mackenzie is predicting that the sector will expand by six-times through 2025, largely attributed to the desire for resiliency.

The pool of battery suppliers is expanding too. Solar panel company JinkoSolar is diving in, releasing lithium batteries for the large-scale market. And

major residential players are improving the capacities of their core models: sonnen lowered its price and improved its capacity to 10 kWh, while the LG RESU system can now provide 16 kWh of energy. Generac, a leader in portable power, offers 18 kWh of backup power with its PWRcell system.

"We're extremely bullish on the energy storage market. Energy storage is primed to grow enormously and I think we're well positioned to take advantage of that growth," Niles said about Generac.

"To be frank, we intend to become a market leader. One key thing that's going

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2021 trends

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HOMEOWNERS REALLY FELT THEY NEEDED TO BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING TO HAVE A STABLE HOME BASE. SOLAR + STORAGE — PEOPLE ARE SEEING THAT AS THE BEST POSSIBLE OPTION. to be a major competitive advantage for this year is consistent inventory. The balance sheet that allows us to stock large quantities and make those available for installers has proven to be a key differentiator."

Non-residential storage deployments are rising too. WoodMac expects the U.S. storage market to grow from 1.2 GW in 2020 to nearly 7.5 GW (26.5 GWh) in 2025, mostly from utility-scale procurements. Large-scale front-of-themeter (FTM) energy storage systems are showing the most growth. WoodMac again found that more FTM storage was installed in Q3 2020 than was installed across all segments during any other quarter over the past seven years.

The largest single-site energy storage project in the United States just came online in California this January. The 1,200-MWh energy storage facility at Moss Landing Power Plant may also be the largest battery system in the world.

The batteries enhance reliability on the California grid, which has been hampered recently by emergency shutdowns due to wildfires and other weather concerns.

You thought that was big? Mortenson is currently constructing the largest solar + storage project on record for TerraGen. The 1.1-GW Edwards & Sanborn solar array in Kern County, California, will be paired with 2,165 MWh of lithium-ion

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batteries that should come online by the end of 2022. That's 2.5 million solar panels and over 110,000 battery modules.

It's a major win for solar + storage, another growing section of the market. ITRPV found that 4% of global solar PV projects in 2020 came paired with batteries, and the group expects 50% of projects will be solar + storage by 2030. Installer SunPower has already seen adoption rates of the combined technologies increase in the residential market.

ITRPV

"Not only do these storage systems improve resilience, but they allow consumers to take advantage of any excess energy by selling it back to their local utility," said Norm Taffe, executive VP of North American residential sales for SunPower. "It’s only a matter of time until all new solar installations include a storage component, and as battery technology continues to improve, we’ll see attachment rates approaching 50% in California and 25% nationwide in the next two years.”

JinkoSolar

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2021 trends

in solar

New entrants bring flexibility in rapid shutdown device choice Most states have adopted the 2017 update of the National Electrical Code, and some have even graduated to the 2020 version. In both, module-level rapid shutdown is required for any solar project on a building. In the past year, many manufacturers have introduced their own rapid shutdown devices with different features and price points.

“Having multiple different manufacturers or technologies in the market for that allows flexibility and actually allows a lot of forward

compatibility,” said Michael Mills-Price, head of inverter and energy storage business at PVEL. Along with longtime RSD manufacturer Tigo Energy, installers can now choose among a number of brands, from APsystems to Generac, that are now offering their proprietary rapid shutdown tools.

Some devices on the market are compatible with any brand of string inverter. For example, APsystems produces the rapid shutdown package

called APsmart, a small device that can either be buckled to the module frame or applied to the backsheet using adhesive. The company says its device works well for bifacial applications due to its compact size and tucked-away installation option.

ZERUN makes a similar product called the ZERUN Rapid Shutdown Solution. The devices are durationtested before shipment to ensure longevity and can also be mounted on the module frame or backsheet.

2021 trends

HAVING MULTIPLE DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS OR TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MARKET FOR THAT ALLOWS FLEXIBILITY AND ACTUALLY ALLOWS A LOT OF FORWARD COMPATIBILITY.

in solar

Generac

IMO Automation makes the FireRaptor, a device that comes with a 20-year warranty and doesn't require powerline communications. The FireRaptor can automatically shut down if the temperature sensor detects a rise above the programmed trigger level.

Other rapid shutdown devices only work with one brand of inverter. Generac's PWRzone system comes with an optimizer and small rapid shutdown switch, but it only works with the company's PWRcell inverters.

Similarly, SolarEdge offers a power optimizer with builtin rapid shutdown functionality, but only works with SolarEdge inverters.

As a final option, installers can choose to use microinverters to satisfy rapid shutdown requirements without having to install both a string inverter and RSD. Microinverters are often seen as inherently compliant with rapid shutdown rules because they convert highvoltage DC power to lower-voltage, safer AC power that can drop down to 80 V within 30 seconds. However, the 2017 NEC does not specifically identify microinverters as a way to satisfy the rapid shutdown requirement.

Module-level rapid shutdown has added cost and time to installations, but also brings important protection to first responders in case of a fire. Although rapid shutdown devices can vary widely, installers should review test reports like those from PVEL to ensure rapid shutdown functionality before choosing which of these important devices to use.

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2021 trends

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Racking manufacturers evolve their systems for increasing panel sizes Solar racking manufacturers have had the seemingly unending task of keeping their systems compatible with the latest iteration of PV module. While largeformat modules are already being used in ground-mount and some flat commercial rooftop projects, installers are inquiring about racking systems adapted to newer panel dimensions for residential applications, too.

The panel has always come before the racking, and it’s been up to manufacturers to play catch up.

Previously, a typical 60- or 72-cell module would run between 65 and 74 in. long and 39 or 40 in. wide, respectively.

Silicon wafer sizes have leapt from 125 mm to 210 mm in the last dozen years, with modules like Canadian Solar’s HiKu series now reaching more than 90 in. lengthwise.

“We’ve always tried to test with the biggest modules that we thought would be applicable to that market. These modules are bigger than any of those modules, so we’re having to go back to all of our certifications and also adjust those to take these larger-format modules into account,” said Ernest Gallegos, director of products with Unirac. “It’s really been disruptive for racking manufacturers, whether they want to admit it or not, whether they realize it or not yet.”

As panels integrate newer wafer sizes and layouts, the increased module sizes might not necessarily affect the number of penetrations in a rooftop project, but it will require greater consideration for panel clamps. Snow load and downward pressure aren’t as much of an issue as wind and uplift.

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increase in square footage from large-format modules would create a bigger surface area and “the effect of the wind doesn’t change, but it’s applied over a bigger area, which means higher loads on your clamps,” Gallegos said.

“For the most part, if the total size above the rail says the same, then your attachment spans are going to stay the same,” he continued. “None of that is affected, but when you start talking about your clamps and if your clamps are designed to handle a certain module, then your clamps need to get more robust. Your rails, your T-slots, your hardware, whatever they’re designed for, will need to be more robust on the rail.”

Structural code ASCE 7-16 helps engineers calculate system loads on rooftop projects across many industries, but it also sets limits on structures that can be installed on a roof, including solar panels. The code limits PV module cord length to 6 ft. 7 in. (2.04 m) on flush, flat and pitched array designs, and largerformat panels are bucking against that limit.

“There’s no good, direct code-based way to establish loads on these right now,” Gallegos said. “We’re not sure exactly how other people are dealing with it, but we’re trying to figure it out ourselves.”

As solar panels increase wattage and size, there will need to be new structural codes to advise system design, and racking manufacturers will try to keep up.

IT’S REALLY BEEN DISRUPTIVE FOR RACKING MANUFACTURERS, WHETHER THEY WANT TO ADMIT IT OR NOT, WHETHER THEY REALIZE IT OR NOT YET.

Unirac

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2021 trends

in solar

An installation boom is coming to the Northeast and its temperamental soil conditions SOLAR IS PREVAILING in the Northeast following a string of passed legislation creating community solar programs in New England. States like New Jersey, Maryland and Maine all recently created community solar programs, and Pennsylvania may soon follow.

It varies by state, but many markets in the Northeast are still fledgling, with Maine, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont each reporting under 1 GW of total solar installed. The creation of these community solar programs will undoubtedly lead to development of groundmounted solar projects, the primary setting for community arrays. The Northeast is a unique environment for such installations. APA Solar Racking reported that 40% of its PV structures and foundations sold are for projects in that region.

What makes the Northeast a challenge for installers is a combination of its soil conditions, wind speeds and precipitation. The region is home to compacted soils with high presence of glacial till, cobble, boulders and bedrock, and given its longitude, the ground-mounts are also susceptible to frost jacking/heave.

“The frost in those markets is extremely deep,” said Josh Von Deylen, CEO of APA Solar Racking. “Those loads of a pull-out force that you would maybe see in Ohio of 3,000 pounds in Maine may be like 8,000 pounds, mainly because of the frost jacking forces, that foundation will see just a very drastic difference there.”

With the heavy presence of stone, installers need to be deliberate with foundation choices, selecting solutions that can work around or through those obstructions. Von Deylen said about 90% of the foundations purchased from APA for projects in New York and New England are ground screws, which are designed for rocky soil conditions.

“In Minnesota, you might have rock, cobble and glacial till, but that’s also going to be in soft soil,” he said. “So

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APA Solar Racking

potentially, you can push past it and get through it a little bit easier. The New England market has very highly compacted, very stiff soils with all this rock in it, so it makes for a very hard scenario to look at the pile-driven foundations or helical foundations.”

The Northeast THE NEW ENGLAND is prone to heavy snowfall, with several MARKET HAS VERY HIGHLY states receiving the COMPACTED, VERY STIFF SOILS most in the country, like WITH ALL THIS ROCK IN IT, SO Vermont, which averages IT MAKES FOR A VERY HARD about 90 in. annually.

SCENARIO TO LOOK AT THE Plus, New England PILE-DRIVEN FOUNDATIONS OR has a hilly topography and significantly less HELICAL FOUNDATIONS. landmass compared to other regions.

“Flat area has really been utilized in development already, so anything that you’re going to see is a very rolling topography,” Von Deylen said. “High topography sites are very difficult for solar projects and definitely take a higher level of engineering and expertise to do the install vs. a lot of the rest of the United States.”

Despite its environmental qualities, the Northeast United States has policy backing its foray into significant new solar development.

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2021 trends

in solar

Solar jobs have up-and-down year in the middle of a pandemic By all measurements, 2020 was set to be a landmark year for solar industry employment. The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census reported a 2.3% employment increase after two previous years of losses, employing 249,983 people in 2019. Similarly, a SEIA analysis estimated that the industry would employ approximately 320,000 people in the United States

by June 2020, but COVID-19 came to prominence stateside several months earlier, causing a 38% drop, or about 114,000 cut, in total solar jobs.

“Thousands of solar workers are being laid off each week, but with swift action from Congress, we know that solar can be a crucial part of our economic recovery,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA, in a press release from May. No industry was unscathed by COVID-19’s pervasive presence, and

to have renewables included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the latest coronavirus relief package, passed December 21, 2020. U.S. Representatives Mike Levin (D-CA) and Dave Schweikert (R-AZ) introduced the Solar Jobs Preservation Act in November to prevent the solar investment tax credit (ITC) from another dropdown at the end of 2020. The solar ITC has been regarded as a tool to stimulate solar job growth, and through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, was extended another two years at its current rate of 26%.

Despite job cuts, there is still a solar workforce demand, and installers are being hired out of training programs.

State-funded programs like Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing in California and Illinois Solar For All have stimulated job training and creation, targeting low-income communities and residents as candidates. And the ITC will remain an OUR LOCAL incentive to promote BUSINESSES ARE solar development.

SUFFERING GREATLY As solar installers DUE TO COVID-19. have adjusted to the UNLESS IMMEDIATE reality of COVID-19, ACTION IS TAKEN, THE and potentially with widespread IMPACTS COULD HARM vaccinations on the JOB GROWTH AND horizon, the industry SLOW CALIFORNIA’S is moving into TRANSITION TO 2021 with federal CLEAN, RESILIENT AND economic support to RELIABLE ENERGY. regain momentum and rebuild the workforce.

states scrambled to determine what qualified as essential work. While installers managed to continue operating in most states, others, like New York, left solar out altogether. So, solar sales teams moved to remote operations and installers established social distancing and sanitization measures at jobsites.

The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) published an employment survey in May with results estimating 15,000 furloughed clean energy jobs in the state alone.

“Our local businesses are suffering greatly due to COVID-19,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of CALSSA, in a press release.

“Unless immediate action is taken, the impacts could harm job growth and slow California’s transition to clean, resilient and reliable energy.”

Industry organizations, solar companies and legislators pushed

Nextracker

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Inverter manufacturers make O&M support virtual Dealing with inverter customer service when issues arise has not been the most pleasant experience for many installers in the past. Long wait times on the phone with manufacturers can waste precious time and increase hourly costs for project owners.

O&M provider SunSystem Technology’s team of 170 technicians has found that calling a manufacturer to help diagnose specific inverter issues can take up to an hour.

“If you multiply that by 170 technicians, plus whatever other technicians are out there from different companies, the amount of just sheer on-hold time from a labor cost standpoint is crazy,” said Derek Chase, CEO of SunSystem Technology.

Manufacturers are hoping to improve the process by bringing O&M services online.

Fronius now offers O&M service through an app. The company launched Solar.SOS at the end of 2020 to simplify on-site troubleshooting. The app lets service techs enter the faulty inverter's serial number and state code shown on the app, then receive comprehensive repair instructions. If individual components must be replaced, technicians can organize a swap directly on the app.

“Our new apps let us provide technical support 24 hours a day so that installers can give their end customers a first-rate service,” said Stephan Holzinger, head of technical support at Fronius International GmbH, in a press release.

SMA integrates some O&M functions into its free monitoring software. The SMA Smart Connected program performs fault monitoring, sends issue diagnoses via email and even initiates an automatic replacement shipment if necessary. Due to COVID-19, SMA is allowing customers to activate Smart Connected up to two years after commissioning.

Aside from making the jobs of O&M technicians easier, remote inverter monitoring, repairs and upgrades became necessary at the height of COVID-19 and social distance requirements. During that time, Enphase built

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SunSystem Technology

DURING THE

out its contact-free CORONAVIRUS STAYupgrade program where AT-HOME ORDER, THE owners of existing Enphase microinverter ENPHASE UPGRADE systems can request PROGRAM WENT FROM an upgrade online, BEING AN INTERESTING then communicate SERVICE OPPORTUNITY with installers via email TO AN ABSOLUTE and over the phone to enhance their systems.

NECESSITY. “During the coronavirus stay-at-home order, the Enphase Upgrade Program went from being an interesting service opportunity to an absolute necessity,” said Michael Tanuvasa, owner at SolarTech Hawaii, in a press release. “Our installation teams can keep ample social distance from homeowners during upgrade projects. It’s a win-win for everyone because customers get an upgraded system at an excellent price, and we get to keep our team employed and working during this difficult time.”

O&M service providers have also entered the remote inverter maintenance game. O&M outfit Solar Support offers a service to help inverter manufacturers build automated and standardized customer service systems, including virtual ticketing systems. The company's key pitch is flexible labor — streamlining the O&M process for optimal customer service satisfaction and lower costs for project owners.

“Because our after-sales service is designed for flexibility, we can dispatch as needed — resulting in fewer truck rolls, lower O&M costs and contented customers," said Auston Taber, Solar Support CEO, in a press release.

There's still work to do to make inverter maintenance quicker and easier, but manufacturers moving the process online is a start.

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CONTRACTORS CORNER

CONTRACTORS CORNER:

Primoris Renewable Energy Working on utility-scale solar projects requires a lot of hands, and, depending on the region, it may be difficult to find enough help. Construction firm Primoris Renewable Energy has been able to hire skilled workers formerly in the oil and gas industries on its large solar projects in West Texas, but senior VP Kent James said it is more difficult to find people for foreman and other supervising positions.

In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with James about how the public company uses its reputation to recruit and retain experienced engineers into Primoris’ solar construction business.

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A portion of the interview follows, but be sure to listen to the full podcast for even more insight, including how ITC safe harbor and tariff fluctuations affect large-scale projects, what COVID-19-influenced protocols Primoris has adopted and the learning curve associated with energy storage systems. Following the employment theme, we also have a bonus conversation with SPW associate editor Billy Ludt about solar representation in consumed media and how it can encourage new generations of Americans to get involved with solar.

Find the Contractors Corner podcast on your favorite podcast app.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING PART OF A PUBLIC COMPANY?

At the end of the day, these solar projects are financial transactions.

Being a public company gives us a great advantage. One, we have a really strong balance sheet. But perhaps more importantly, it’s a public balance sheet so we don’t have to cross all the hurdles of a private company’s financials, etc. We can just simply send over the SEC filings.

Especially given all of the European and other [international] money coming in, this tends to serve us very well. The investment committees can really wrap their head around exactly who we are. Just being part of a large

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CONTRACTORS CORNER

construction company gives us a lot of access to capital, potential for growth, the ability to recruit and attract people.

IS ENERGY STORAGE INCLUDED IN YOUR FUTURE PROJECT PLANS?

I don’t see any projects anymore that don’t either have energy storage as part of the immediate contract or at least some provision in the substation for augmentation later. Batteries remind me a lot of what PV looked like back in 2006 when we’d install it for $8/W with 140-W modules. It’s the Wild West. I very rarely anymore see a project come across our plate that doesn’t have energy storage at least mentioned in it or accounted for later. It’s almost always the customers thinking about it. I’m hearing from several of our customers that it’s becoming more difficult to finance projects without some sort of a consideration for batteries. That being said, it’s so brand-new that it changes constantly and there’s a lot of disalignment in what it costs, how to use it, how it works.

HOW HAS INSTALLATION EVOLVED OVER PRIMORIS’ 10 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY?

We’ve definitely gotten much better at it. We work for a large company, and we can take our means and methods down to the number of steps a person takes to install a module. While that seems trivial to reduce one step, when you reduce one step across two million modules, it’s real money. I’m seeing great gains in the efficiency and ability to build these. It took me nine years in the solar business to build as many megawatts as we build in a day or a week now. These big utility projects are just an outdoor assembly line. Larger modules have impacted that and better-thought-out ways to install trackers have increased that efficiency. We no longer build these giant squares on perfectly flat ag land. The projects are almost always on challenging terrain, irregular shapes. You have 300 people on a site and you have to get half of them at 10 mph four miles away. So you really start to think how that has an incredible impact on how efficient you can be.

So the means and methods and [logistics] have all gotten much better. SPW

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I VERY RARELY ANYMORE SEE A PROJECT COME ACROSS OUR PLATE THAT DOESN’T HAVE ENERGY STORAGE AT LEAST MENTIONED IN IT OR ACCOUNTED FOR LATER. IT’S ALMOST ALWAYS THE CUSTOMERS THINKING ABOUT IT.

Podcast Alert!

Listen to this and other Contractors Corner episodes on your favorite podcast app.

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The solar industry is constantly evolving into emerging markets through product innovation. Success would not be possible without the ingenuity and determination of our leaders. These individuals and companies are working for the growth of the entire solar industry.

VOTE ONLINE

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The future of the industry will build on the foundation of today’s efforts. Solar Power World would like to acknowledge such achievements on the following pages. These accomplishments in racking and mounting, inverters, modules and more are what drive those gigawatts and create jobs.

We think they deserve recognition from you, too.

Vote online through October for one or more of the companies listed in this special section.

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LEADERSHIP IN SOLAR ENERGY SETTING THE BAR WITH ADAPTIVE SOLAR MOUNTING.

2021

AceClamp® manufactures precisionengineered snow retention and solar mounting systems. Our latest innovation in solar racking systems is Solar Snap™ by AceClamp® Solar™. Solar Snap uses our popular, fully-assembled, non-penetrating clamps, making assembly a breeze—just snap-in pre-assembled components along the rail and secure. Our fully-assembled components get you off the roof faster, while our unique, cross-platform system adapts to all roof types creating less inventory to maintain.

AceClamp by PMC Industries, Inc. 87 Spring Lane Plainville, Connecticut 06062 www.aceclamp.com

AceClamp Solar™ is setting the bar in solar racking with its most recent innovative product called Solar Snap™. Solar Snap is an adaptive, robust high-wind racking system built to stand up to harsh High-Velocity Hurricane Zone winds. Designed to work with any of AceClamp’s metal roof clamps, it’s an ideal solution for SSMR, Island Style Cement Cover Board Roofing, and Single-Ply. Fully-assembled components make for an easy-to-use, fast-installing product. The unique cross-platform design adapts to all roof types - meaning you’ll have less inventory to maintain.

For rackless solar mounting systems, we offer a rackless mounting kit and an L-Foot kit for use with racking systems. Both kits utilize identical roofing clamps to secure panels to the seams of metal roofing panels. Each of our kits utilizes our non-penetrating roofing clamps, which helps protect roofing panels from installation damages by eliminating the rotating forces exerted on panels by typical set screws.

AceClamp® Solar-Kit arrives fully assembled and ready to install. (No bags of loose parts) You’ll love how easy and fast our systems install compared to other products on the market. Need to fine-tune your setup following installation? Our patented design allows our products to be installed anywhere on the seam and adjusted even after installing accessories. Our unique stainless serrated top and bottom flanges capture the PV panel and “bond” the panels frame-to-frame, so no separate copper ground wire is needed, but is still available on the A2® clamp.

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LEADERSHIP IN SOLAR ENERGY Altech - Components to build Solar Devices Serving automation and control industries since 1984, Altech’s products meet UL and international standards and all are RoHS and

Altech Corporation is an established USA supplier of components and devices used in industrial control, instrumentation and automation. It is an ISO 9001:2000

REACH compliant. Altech’s commitment to

certified manufacturer and distributor of

quality have been recognized since May 27,

electrical, electronic and electromechanical

1999 when they were awarded the prestigious

components.

honor of ISO 9001 certification and maintains a

Altech provides many services. This begins

ISO 9001:2000 certification today.

2021

with its product managers, providing

Product lines include miniature circuit breakers, busbars, DC-UPS devices, digital

technical support and partner with customers in design assistance, ensuring the best solutions. The Customer Service

panel meters, terminal blocks, enclosures,

Department ensures that customers are

contactors, many types of relays including

informed with complete order information.

safety relays, motor disconnect switches, strain reliefs, receptacles, foot switches, push buttons and pilot lights. Many other products are also available.

The versatile assembly department provides manufacturing, value added or customization services to expedite delivery. The marketing department has been highly recognized for its catalogs, advertising and website, while the sales department motivates over 25 manufacturer representative companies throughout North America, ensuring product information is complete.

The product line includes fuses up to 1500V, circuit breakers, busbars, DC-UPS devices, panel meters, high-voltage terminal blocks, contactors, motor disconnect switches, pin

35 Royal Road

& sleeves, receptacles, foot switches, many

Flemington, NJ 08822

types of relays, push buttons. Also available

Phone: 1-908-806-9400

are metal detection systems, ferrules,

Email: info@altehcorp.com

marking & engraving systems, fuses, power

www.altechcorp.com

distribution blocks, tubing, liquid tight strain reliefs, timers, test & measurement, LED panel lights, thermostats, panel filters, tower lights & wire ducts. Altech’s products meet UL and many international standards and all are RoHS compliant.

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LEADERSHIP IN SOLAR ENERGY

2021

Aptos Solar Technology is a U.S. based solar technology provider committed to producing innovative and affordable solar technology. Aptos Solar Technology panels are optimized with patented Dual Nano Absorber (DNA) technology which allows the panel to operate at high efficiencies in extreme temperature environments. Aptos Solar Technology offers solar solutions suitable for utility, commercial, and residential applications. To learn more about Aptos Solar Technology visit www.aptossolar.com, follow @aptossolar on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn.

aptos

TM

solar technology

Aptos Solar Technology (669) 230-3970 info@aptossolar.com

Solar for Innovators Aptos Solar Technology is a leading solar technology provider headquartered in Silicon Valley. With over 35 years of industry experience across the solar value chain, Aptos is pushing the boundaries when it comes to solar panel performance, aesthetics, and cost. Aptos Solar Technology brings revolutionary technology advancements to the solar industry designed to empower solar contractors and end users. Its patented Dual Nano Absorber (DNA) technology lies in the solar cell. Aptos has taken the best of PERC and bifacial technology and stacked intrinsic layers of negatively charged atoms between sublayers to produce a high-efficiency solar cell with heightened heat tolerances, all while driving the cost of manufacturing down. Its line of DNA solar panels is power-packed and beautiful.

The panels feature much more than a sleek design, the panels undergo extensive longterm reliability testing to ensure optimal performance for 30 years. Aptos Solar Technology solar panels have been tested to surpass industry standards by 3X and are proven to perform excellently in extreme weather conditions. The top tier panels feature an industry leading 25 year product warranty and a 30 year power performance warranty.

www.aptossolar.com

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LEADERSHIP IN SOLAR ENERGY Aurora Bearing Company was founded

with high loads and/or high vibration levels, they can quickly develop excess clearance do to the deformation of the relatively soft race material.

in 1971 and manufactures the world’s most complete range of rod end and spherical bearings.

Configurations range from 2-piece economy commercial and molded race construction through 3-piece precision designs.

Aurora also produces a full line of military spec rod ends,spherical bearings, and journal bushings. Custom designed rod ends, spherical bearings, and linkages are a specialty.

Aurora Bearing Company 901 Aucutt Rd. Montgomery, IL 60538 Phone: 630.859.2030 Fax: 630.859.0971 www.aurorabearing.com

2021

Aurora Bearing Co’s new LCOM Spherical Bearings outperform “LS” bearings

Like all Aurora Bearing spherical bearings, the LCOM series features a one piece steel race-way, swaged around the ball for a smooth, precise, close tolerance fit, along with the benefit of the strength and vibration resistance of steel. In addition, this series is optionally available with Aurora’s proprietary AT series PTFE liner, for a zero clearance, self lubricat-ing fit.

Aurora LCOM Spherical Bearings were designed to offer a higher level of perfor-mance with dimensional interchangeability for the “LS” spherical bearing category; a market segment which has remained largely unchanged since the 1950s. “LS” bearings are characterized by being of 3 or 4 piece construction, with an inner ball, an outer ring, and a one or two piece brass, bronze, or cop-per alloy race between. Since the early 1950’s users of these bearings, which are also mar-keted with a “FLBG”, “RS”, or “VBC” prefix, have had to accept the low strength and poor vibration resistance of these bearings do to the low strength race material.

Aurora’s LCOM bearings incorporate superior materials and manufacturing processes to overcome the performance deficiencies associated with “LS” bearings.

This weakness is addressed in the Aurora Bearing Company’s COM-M series spherical bearings. Like all Aurora inch dimension spherical bearings, these metric bearings all feature a 1 piece steel race way, cold formed around a chrome plated, alloy steel ball for strength, precision and structural integrity. Aurora COM-M series bearings are available in sizes from 3mm to 30mm., and follow the dimensions of DIN 648 schedule K. Bearings are optionally available with Aurora’s self lubricating AT series ptfe liner, for a smooth, zero clearance fit that is self lubricating and maintenance free.

Maintenance free & corrosion resistant rod ends from Aurora

The Aurora CM/CW-ET series rod ends offer a combination of features unique in the rod end industry. Instead of the low strength steels typically found in stainless rod ends, the ET series features bodies made from heat treated 17-4PH material. Not only do they offer excellent corrosion resistance compared to conventional rod ends, they provide greater load capacity, strength and durability as well. The ET series comes standard with Aurora’s exclusive AT2100 PTFE liner. This, combined with a heat treated 440C stainless ball, gives a durable, zero clearance, self lubricating, maintenance free bearing interface to go with the benefits of the heat treated body. Their two piece design allows these high performance features to be exploited at an economical price. The Aurora ET series bearings can be used to enhance the perfor-mance of equipment in wash down, marine, and other environments that require extra corrosion resistance.

COM-M Bearings are stronger choice for DIN ISO 12240-1 applications

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Metric spherical plain bearings built to DIN ISO 12240-1 (formerly DIN 648) schedule K often are made with inner races or rings made of brass, bronze or copper. For many low demand applications these bearings have proven to give satisfactory service. However, in applications

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LEADERSHIP IN SOLAR ENERGY

2021

Aurora is the industry’s leading software platform for distributed solar and storage.

With Aurora, solar salespeople and designers can precisely calculate how many solar panels will fit on a property, forecast how much energy they will produce, estimate how much money the system will save the property owner, and generate sales proposals without ever having to visit the property itself.

To date, Aurora has been used to design over 4 million solar projects globally.

SELL AND DESIGN WITH ACCURACY Aurora Solar has transformed how solar projects are designed and sold by developing neverbefore-seen tools, improving accuracy, streamlining the industry’s workflow, and supporting time-saving integrations. Aurora’s features such as CAD modeling tools, automatic stringing and obstruction detection, remote shading analysis, LIDAR 3D data, utility and incentive databases, and validated shade reports, are allowing installers to move faster and close more deals.

A process that used to require multiple software applications, hours of design work, and site visits, can now be completed remotely and more accurately in under 10 minutes with Aurora.

Aurora Solar Inc. 434 Brannan Street San Francisco, CA 94107 hello@aurorasolar.com www.aurorasolar.com F: https://www.facebook.com/aurorasolarinc/ T: https://twitter.com/aurorasolarinc L: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurora-solar/

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REMOTE SELLING MADE EASY Aurora’s effortless CAD modeling tools, remote shading analysis algorithm, and comprehensive imagery and 3D LIDAR datasets enable solar professionals to quickly create a 3D site model, assess the site’s solar potential, and design the optimal PV system all without leaving their desks.

Horizon shading—the latest addition to Aurora’s suite of modeling tools and the first-ever automation of this functionality—is adding an additional degree of accuracy for solar production estimates by accounting for shading caused by surrounding terrain. With the most validated shading engine in the industry, Aurora makes accurate PV designs simple.

SOLAR + STORAGE PROPOSALS Calculating financial returns for solar customers has never been easier with Aurora. Using your PV system performance estimates and utility rates, Aurora’s financial analysis tools can model loans, leases, PPAs, and cash payments in seconds without spreadsheets. Your project’s data and financial analysis are seamlessly pulled into a customizable sales proposal, and you can get live PPA rates and apply for financing in-app. As of 2020, Aurora now offers a range of tools to easily size and quote a battery backup system in the same proposal.

WORLD-CLASS SUPPORT Aurora Solar’s team of experts provide first-rate support and offer on-demand, screen share help sessions. If a site is too difficult or you’re short on resources, with its 3D Modeling Service, Aurora Solar’s team will create precise 3D site models based on your request and send it straight to your account for review within a few hours. With a team of dedicated individuals who understand Aurora and can get an answer to any question quickly, you’ll be in good hands.

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LEADERSHIP IN SOLAR ENERGY Merging Cost Efficiency with Solar Optimization.

2021

Baja Construction specializes in designing, engineering, supplying, and installing hightensile cold form steel and structural steel Solar Support Systems™. We customize your solar project to provide a high quality, cost effective structure, tailored to optimize specific structural objectives for commercial, municipal, and multi-housing family developments. These projects include, Solar Carports, Ground-Mounts, Covered RV & Boat Storage, and Solar/EV Charging Stations.

After 40 years in the solar carport business, Baja Construction has streamlined the “Design to project execution” process, leading the solar carport industry and providing invaluable support to our clients nationwide.

BAJA CONSTRUCTION | is headquartered in Martinez, California. It’s from here that Founder and CEO, Bob Hayworth oversees operations that span across the country, and abroad. [The corporation also has satellite offices in Nevada and Southern California.]

Today, Baja Construction is a vertically integrated company! With its trademark Solar

Support Systems™ product line of structures branded under Baja Carports, the company is recognized nationwide for its strong presence in custom solar design-build carports and covered RV and boat storage. With over 500 MW PVs successfully installed, Baja Construction is a nationally recognized name brand and is gaining momentum internationally.

Baja Construction Co. Inc. Corporate Headquarters:

What sets Baja apart in the industry are its in-house designers, engineers, diligent project managers, and construction crews. Baja is a one-stop carport/canopy shop. They provide customers with oneon-one customized site plans that they pre-fabricate and install to steel structures. Baja’s steel canopy products meet the criteria of developers, architects, contractors, and end user’s specifications.

THE MISSION OF BAJA CONSTRUCTION | To provide the highest quality construction services and products to all project shareholders including municipalities, agencies, developers, designers, and contractors. We help clients achieve their project goals with creative, cost-efficient and custom solutions from inception to completion.

223 Foster Street Martinez, CA 94553 1-800-366-9600 1-925-229-0732 bajacarports.com

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LEADERSHIP IN SOLAR ENERGY

2021

Chem Link Leads in Solar Market with ECurb Systems Since its founding in 1990, Chem Link has focused on meeting the pressing needs of contractors, consumers and industries with its high-performance adhesives, sealants, coatings and related products. An idea company, dedicated to innovation and problem-solving, Chem Link joined the SOPREMA family in 2016, committed to continuing to provide its customers with quality products and customer service.

Chem Link—a formulator and manufacturer of high-performance adhesives,

sealants, coatings and related products for applications throughout the building envelope—is an industry leader because of its simple seal system for difficult roof penetrations – the E-Curb and ChemCurb Systems.

its internal processes are environmentally

To protect the original investment of the roof, avoid callbacks and prevent damage caused by water, building owners and contractors should choose the most effective, proven, long-term penetration seals available: Chem Link’s ChemCurb and E-Curb Systems. Curbs can turn the weakest part of a building’s roof into the strongest.

compliant, from product formulation through

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Easy to install – normally fewer than 15 minutes per penetration

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Fits any size or shape penetration allowing for unlimited configurations

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Can be bonded to a wide range of surfaces

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Sealants and adhesives are 100% solids and do not shrink

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E-Curb and ChemCurb installations are impervious to ice, corrosion, UV light and ponding water.

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Adhesives and sealants are solvent-free and contain virtually no VOCS, minimizing health risks to contractors and building occupants.

Since day one, Chem Link has been an environmentally conscious company. All of

production and packaging. All products are solvent free and have a low VOC content, meaning they pose no threat to the installer and are environmentally friendly.

Chem Link 353 E Lyons St Schoolcraft, MI 49087 https://chemlink.com

Chem Link’s curb systems are ideal flashing systems for solar racking standoffs because they are efficient and easy to install, regardless of the installers skill set.

Curb systems are superior to other penetration seal systems that are notorious for corroding, are labor intensive and do not offer configuration flexibility. This system will save installers time and labor, leading to cost savings.

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2021

At ChikoUSA, our vision is to provide solar racking options with a balance of high quality and lowest industry cost! We are known for our legendary commitment to our customer’s success and consistently recognized for outstanding service, financial strength, and award-winning solar racking options. With a continued focus on reducing all costs associated with solar racking our portfolio of premium solar racking products which includes racking, attachments, and grounding make our offerings the number one choice for installers trying to achieve a cost advantage. At ChikoUSA we believe that as the solar market matures and becomes increasingly competitive your racking choice has to do the same!

Call or email us today! info@chikousa 602-348-7171

ChikoUSA is the only residential racking market leader offering pricing at $.05-.$.07/watt ALL-IN, including Racking, Attachments, Grounding, and Delivery.

We offer a quality rail-based racking system that streamlines installations and provides cost savings on every install. On average, we save our customers 30-50% off of their current racking costs.

ChikoUSA was founded on the principle that in order for a successful solar installation to occur, someone has to first win the job. Our customers win more jobs by offering our high-quality products that come with the lowest pricing in the industry.

Chiko USA 101 E. Baseline Road

Chiko USA’s pricing enables our customers to compete at a cost point below their competition. Further, we are dedicated to

Buckeye, Arizona 85326 602-348-7171 info@chikousa.com

providing a balance between cost-effectiveness and innovation while making solar installations quick and cost-competitive. At ChikoUSA, we believe that we succeed when our customers win.

Today’s solar market is evolving and solar racking is seen as more of a commodity. Why would you want to pay more for a commodity? Does any specific brand of racking really help you win a job?

If you took every residential racking product on the market today and threw them into a bag, only a small percentage of solar industry pro’s would know who made what, and an even smaller percentage of end customers would be able to tell the difference (and most wouldn’t care).

Solar racking serves one purpose - to safely secure solar panels on a roof - everything else is fluff!

Call or email us today to start saving: info@chikousa | (602) 348-7171. solarpowerworldonline.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the solar power industry.

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2021

Bankable. Reliable. Local

Established in 2005, Ginlong (Solis) Technologies (Stock code: 300763.SZ) has one of the widest installed base of string inverters around the world, reducing our carbon footprint and helping us enrich society.

Ginlong Technologies is the listed company with a primary focus on string inverters.

Presented under the Solis brand, Solis inverters are designed with cutting-edge string inverter technology. They are the most reliable inverters on the market, fabricated by a highly innovative team of engineers. Ginlong is the first manufacturer to pass the PVEL inverter reliability (PQP) testing program, and are 100% duration-tested before shipment. The company has received EUPD awards for five consecutive years and won the crown of TUV Rheinland’s commercial photovoltaic midpower photovoltaic inverter.

Over 15 years, Ginlong has expanded its’ single-phase product line to include threephase and energy storage inverters. All Solis PV string inverters are equipped with PV module-level rapid shutdown capabilities to ensure maximum First Responder safety. In 2020, Ginlong introduced the largest 1500V utility-scale inverter. This new device features advanced string-monitoring technology and smart I-V curve scanning ability, with a maximum efficiency of 99%. It also presents multiple communication protocols and is storage-ready.

Besides being a responsible corporate citizen, Ginlong has achieved rapid growth in revenue and profit for many years in a row as a result of its leading technology and its dedication to product quality. Ginlong is ranked among the top 10 in the global string market, No.2 in global single-phase and No. 4 in global three-phase string market share by shipments.

(MWac) (Source: Wood Mackenzie) As a global leader of inverter manufacturing, Ginlong understands the value and significance of being able to meet their customer locally, and has developed a strong US technical service team able to assist every customer quickly and efficiently. They are proud to provide elite support to their customers through teams of local experts.

Ginlong Technologies ussales@solisinverters.com www.solisinverters.com

Ginlong is committed to a global vision built on product-centered engineering, putting customers at the center of our most critical decisions, and ensuring that we play our role in the transition to clean energy by helping make it more bankable, reliable and local.

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Where the sun shines, there is GoodWe. GoodWe is a leading, strategically-thinking enterprise which focuses on research and manufacturing of PV inverters and energy storage solutions. With an accumulative installation of 16 GW installed in more than 80 countries, GoodWe solar inverters have been largely used in residential and commercial rooftops, industrial and utility scale systems, ranging from 0.7kW to 250kW. GoodWe inverters offer reliable operation and excellent performance and are well recognized by customers worldwide.

GoodWe’s philosophy is to always create win-win partnerships with customers by identifying and integrating the most advanced components and techniques available while offering an unparalleled aftersales service.

GoodWe is the #1 supplier of storage inverters worldwide. Ranked as Global No. 1 Hybrid Inverter Supplier by Wood Mackenzie in 2020.

GoodWe 2140 South Dupont Highway

Awarded with TĂœV Rheinland Quality Award for 4 consecutive years, proven by VDW testing and certified ISO 9001, IS14001 and ISO 45001, GoodWe inverters deliver top quality and a great lifespan.

Camden, Deleware 19934 http://www.goodwe.com

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YOUR RELIABLE ENERGY PARTNER Q CELLS is one of the world’s largest and most recognized photovoltaic manufacturers for its high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ) with diverse international manufacturing facilities in the U.S., South Korea, Malaysia, and China. Q CELLS offers the full spectrum of photovoltaic products, applications and solutions, from cells and modules to kits to systems to large-scale solar power plants. Through its growing global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East, Q CELLS provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers.

TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP

Q CELLS is constantly exploring new approaches and technologies at our four state-of-the-art R&D centers in Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, and China.

Q CELLS employs a unique combination of R&D, pilot productions, and testing to develop and apply innovative manufacturing methods for high-quality products that include Anti PID Technology, Hot-Spot Protect, Anti LID, and Traceable Quality. Our investments and deep commitment to R&D continue to advance our products and manufacturing methods.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. 400 Spectrum Center Drive Ste. 1400, Irvine, CA 92618 www.q-cells.us

Q CELLS’ uncompromising quality and reliability is maintained and validated by a number of rigorous tests. Our products have been independently tested and certified by the rigorous and independent quality assurance program of the German certification institute, the VDE, and by our additional internal quality testing programs. Q CELLS also runs its own VDE-certified testing laboratory at the largest technology and module test center in the industry. Our testing ensures outstanding durability and world-class performance even in the harshest conditions.

MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE

Q CELLS is the global No.1 solar cell producer and has manufacturing sites in the U.S., South Korea, Malaysia, and China. Our fully-automated manufacturing facilities and state-of-the-art Manufacturing Execution System (MES) allows for full traceability of all products from procurement to logistics and assist in optimizing the entire production process.

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LEADERSHIP IN SOLAR ENERGY K2 Systems, LLC is dedicated to advancing solar energy installations by offering cutting edge mounting systems for solar technology. K2 Systems, formerly known as Everest Solar Systems, continues to improve its broad portfolio of industryleading mounting solutions for residential, commercial, and utility scale solar deployments.

The mission of K2 Systems is to offer innovative mounting solutions backed by world class quality, engineering and customer support. Based in Vista, California, the company will support North America’s long-term market development with a broad set of capabilities including local product development, sales, applications, project services,

Everest Solar Systems has officially renamed to K2 Systems!

2021

Everest Solar Systems has always been a part of the K2 Systems team; they just weren’t able to secure the same name when they first got started in the U.S. due to trademark reasons, but good news! Now the trademark is registered, and they have officially changed their name to “K2 Systems.”

Simple, easy-to-install products and great technical service will remain the same. K2 Systems is dedicated to making your PV installation and planning as easy and fast as possible, so that we can further expand renewable energies worldwide!

Learn more about the K2 Systems global brand by scanning the QR code.

manufacturing and sourcing operations.

Our products have always been distinguished in the mounting systems market by their exceptionally fine design and high functionality. New developments are tested extensively before product release. We subject every design to thorough structural and electrical validation.

Every design detail is refined to provide maximum user friendliness. As a result, you experience proven high quality and functionality from a design that matches your high demands. Our users experience these benefits when installing our systems.

K2 Systems, LLC 2835 La Mirada Drive , Suite A Vista, CA 92081 +1.760.301.5300 K2-systems.com

Highest quality standards & ease of assembly

Our systems are easily adapted to meet a variety of snow, wind and other project conditions.

Using 6000 series aluminum and stainless steel for our components provides a high resistance to corrosion, durability, and long-term system reliability. K2 Systems stands for secure attachments, high quality, and precisely manufactured components. Minimal component count, well thought through assembly details, and the simplicity of our mounting systems minimize your $/Watt.

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2021

From coast to coast, M Bar C Construction is proud to specialize in solar & non-solar carports, DSA structures, fabric & steel canopies, parking garages, and renewable energy solutions.

With 45 years of experience, M Bar C Construction has thrived in creating the most effective and innovative solutions to your commercial shade structure projects.

We know your solar project is different. We know your site is specific to you and your company. Therefore your solar carport solutions should be tailored specifically to the fingerprint of who you are, and where you are headed. At M Bar C Construction, our goal is to meet your company’s individual needs where you are at today, and where you are heading tomorrow.

M Bar C Construction 1770 La Costa Meadows Dr.

If it’s made of steel and it covers from the sun, M Bar C Construction can build it. From carports to shade structures to parking garages, we meet the most demanding specifications for utility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. We have installed approximately 650 megawatts of energy and over 5 million square feet of structures installed across the nation per year.

From coast to coast, M Bar C Construction is the strength between the sun and the shade.

San Marcos, CA 92078 (760) 744-4131 mbarconline.com

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Megger ... the pioneer of insulation testing Megger pioneers new technologies to deliver genuine benefits for its customers. The company is rigorous in its evaluation of these technologies to ensure that the high standards of safety, reliability and durability for which its products are renowned are always maintained.

Megger has over 130 years of continuous experience developing and manufacturing general-purpose test instruments for the electrical industry. Instrument designs meet and often exceed the requirements of standards like IEC61010-1, ensuring the highest level of operator safety.

We offer an industry leading IP rating, noise rejection, impact resistance and temperature specifications, all of which allow operation in the widest range of environments.

Megger specializes in test and measuring equipment that covers a wide variety of applications. Our products are designed with unique capabilities based on our application experience to ensure world’s best operating performance. Intuitive product interfaces often reduce training time and ease product use.

Megger insulation testers are by far the leaders in field-rugged instruments, and perform the most fundamental test of electrical system reliability ‌ insulation resistance. They also perform a regime of corollary tests that help the operator fine tune the final assessment. Another use for Megger insulation testers is to test the insulation resistance of PV systems.

Megger 2621 Van Buren Avenue Norristown, PA 19403 866-254-0962 www.us.megger.com

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2021

Family owned and operated since 1975, Mudge Fasteners provides a large selection of fasteners, fastener tools and adhesives to customers in a broad range of industries. Mudge is a fastener source for businesses both small and large; locally, nationally and internationally.

Mudge Fasteners, Inc. 3050 Palisades Drive Corona, CA 92880 (866) 829-7111 sales@mudgefasteners.com

Mudge Fasteners was the first fastener distributor to offer a dedicated program for the Solar Power industry. Over more than a decade working with hundreds of solar firms both domestically and internationally, Mudge is proud to have earned the distinction of being the Solar Fastener Expert. We proudly serve all segments of the Solar Power Industry, including Installers, Operations & Maintenance, Manufacturers and Distributors. Whether you’re looking for wire and cable management products, rooftop installation hardware, dependable adhesives and sealants, or performance panel coating, we carry the brands you can trust. In addition to leading solar hardware brands, we also offer standard stainless steel solar fasteners for all PV installations. In fact, we stock over 60,000 different types of solar fasteners in our warehouse! It is our commitment to customer service, on-time delivery, competitive pricing and quality products that has allowed us to grow and become the fastener source of choice for small businesses to large corporations nationally and internationally.

www.mudgefasteners.com/solar

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Nine Fasteners, Inc. owns and distributes their proprietary line of stainless steel solar wire management clips. In addition to their standard line of wire management clips they also offer customized solutions where needed. All of Nine’s clips are manufactured completely in the U.S. and all include rolled outer edges for maximum wire safety. All of Nine’s wire management clips are UL Listed for use within solar installations.

Nine Fasteners was the first stainless steel wire management clip manufacturer/distributor to use a rolled outer edge on their clips, preventing the fraying of wire coatings. Nine Fasteners was also the first manufacturer/distributor to receive UL compliance for use of their clips within a solar installation.

Nine Fasteners, Inc. 233A South Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 United States www.ninefasteners.com/index.html

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A Powerful Partner in Your Corner Panasonic has been pioneering solar power since the green revolution began.

Starting with production of amorphous cell technology in 1975, no one has spent more time on solar R&D. In 1997, our modules introduced high-efficiency solar panels to the world.

Panasonic solar panels produce more power over the long haul with great conversion efficiency and boast one of the lowest degradation rates in the industry. Combined with our EverVolt™ battery storage, Panasonic delivers the most complete total renewable home energy system under the sun.

Panasonic has been a battery pioneer for over 95 years, providing advanced cell technology and one of the world’s broadest lines of rechargeable batteries for laptop computers, smart phones and electric vehicles. With EverVolt™, the same lithium-ion battery technology that powers the world’s fastest electric cars is now available to power your home.

Panasonic Residential Solar 2 Riverfront Plaza 5th Floor Newark, NJ 07102 na.panasonic.com/us/solar

Pairing Panasonic solar panels with best-in-class EverVolt™ battery storage, the Panasonic total home energy system makes you prepared, independent, and protected from power failures with your own private energy store. All with zero emissions.

Panasonic AllGuard and TripleGuard warranties1 cover solar panel performance, parts & labor for 25 years, while EverVolt™ batteries are covered by a complete 10-year warranty2.

With full support from one of America’s most trusted brands, Panasonic installers stand by their work and our product with confidence, and support you through every phase of ownership.

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Equipment must be installed by a Panasonic Authorized, Premium, or Elite installer to receive twenty-five (25) year AllGuard or TripleGuard warranty.

2 EverVolt™ battery storage systems must be installed by a Panasonic EverVolt™ Certified installer.

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Preformed Line Products (PLP) mounting systems are backed by over 70 years of US manufacturing experience. EPCs and installers from coast to coast can depend on PLP’s high strength roof, ground and pole mount solutions along with our industry leading customer service and application support.

PV Mounting Solutions for any Application

Since 1993, Preformed Line Products (PLP) has been designing and manufacturing innovative solar mounting solutions for utility-scale, commercial, and residential PV applications. Tested in our lab and proven in the field, PLP’s high-strength mounting solutions are engineered to exceed expectations. Many of our solar racking systems arrive pre-assembled for quick installation and are manufactured in the USA at our Albemarle, North Carolina facility. PLP’s products are in compliance with code requirements and are backed by our industry-leading customer service and experienced technical support.

Roof Mount Systems include:

POWER RAIL™ — Residential and Commercial POWER DISK™ — Residential POWER MAX™ — Ballasted Commercial Ballasted POWER RAIL™ — Commercial

Global Headquarters 660 Beta Drive Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143 Telephone: 440.461.5200 Fax: 440.442.8816 Website: preformed.com Email: info@plpsolar.com

Ground and Pole Mount Systems include:

Solar Carport — Commercial POWER PEAK™ — Utility Scale, Commercial and Residential Kits Ballasted POWER PEAK™ Multi-Pole Mounts (MPM-G2) — Commercial and Residential Top-of-Pole Mounts (TPM) Side-of-Pole Mounts (SPM) You can always count on the reliability of our USA manufactured products, and the dedicated service of our people, day in and day out, year after year.

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2021

Leading Innovator of Solar Carport Solutions Award-winning carport racking company, Quest Renewables, is regularly recognized for its innovative carport products and projects by Solar Power World and throughout the solar industry.

Quest designs and engineers solar racking solutions that take the risks - financial, job complexity, and safety - out of solar carport projects.

Quest addresses these risks and eliminates them, while simultaneously addressing system reliability.

With their intense focus on project risk mitigation, Quest’s products are designed and engineered to ensure project success. Fewer foundations mean less financial risk or uncertainty. Faster installation with Quest’s on the ground method mitigates job complexity and safety risks.

Quest has developed projects across the country, while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

All system components are manufactured in the USA. Quest continues to work closely with customers as new needs evolve in solar carports. Two areas they most recently tackled are rapid installation modular carports and water management for bi-facial panels.

Rapid installation modular carport Quest Renewables FAST (Factory Assembled Solar Truss) Carport is Quest’s newest introduction to the solar carport market. The carport’s rapid installation method enables single-day installs, reducing project complexity and increasing the overall completion speed for installers, practically eliminating site disruption for customers. The result is happier site owners and more profitable installations.

FAST Carports are a true plug-and-play solar solution that ship complete with substructure, panels, and inverter. Each carport produces 14.4kW and has a configuration of three panels by twelve panels in portrait orientation, with overall dimensions of approximately 20’ by 40’.

Most robust water management system for bifacial panels Quest Renewables 75 5th Street NW Atlanta, GA 30308 https://www.questrenewables.com

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Quest Renewables’ innovative water management solution, Rain Shield, is the first of its kind. Designed specifically to maximize the benefits of bifacial panels on solar canopies, the system preserves albedo, avoids sub-decking and soffits, and allows for easy access to perform routine electrical maintenance.

The installation of Rain Shield is integrated into Quest’s normal build process which takes place on the ground. Like all of Quest’s solar carport systems, the construction process for Rain Shield is straightforward and modular, eliminating work done at heights and simplifying on-site movement.

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2021

The Original Top Mount Company QuickBOLT has always believed solar

mounting could be easier for the industry.

What have they done to make that happen?

They have been changing the game for 10 years with their innovative BoltSeal™ and Microflashing® used in the Original Top Mount line. In that time they have grown the rest of their catalog to supply the widest range of solar roof mounts in North America. From their patented products, to the custom production services they offer, they have been working

8 Years Ahead of the Curve QuickBOLT has been focused on what is important to solar installers since 2012 when they revolutionized solar mounting with their patented QuickBOLT and Microflashing®.

The improvements they have made to their mounting systems have resulted in multiple versions of the QuickBOLT.

with solar installers to make solar installations easier than ever before.

Installers have been putting QuickBOLTs on roofs for the past 8 years, so if independent testing isn’t enough, you can trust the satisfaction of homeowners who have reported ZERO leaks in that time.

Their experienced team is available Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm PST to answer any questions you may have. Check their website to find a salesman near you.

Don’t ever worry about losing business because your solutions are high-maintenance, because QuickBOLT is dedicated to designing products for installers that are easy to use, help cut costs, and deliver quality.

With the newest update to the product - QB2 QuickBOLT has yet again successfully created an efficient and time-saving solution. The QB2 reduces installation time by 50%, and a DualDrive Shoulder-Screw doesn’t leave any room for error: once you fully drive the screw, the Microflashing® is mechanically compressionsealed to the roof. They call this method BoltSeal™.

QuickBOLT Corporate Office 5830 Las Positas Road Livermore, Ca 94551 (888) 567-0832 www.quickbolt.com

Intertek lab testing confirms QB2 prevents water from entering the penetration with, or without, sealant. Thanks to QuickBOLT’s patented BoltSeal™ method, using sealant is now a choice for installers, not a requirement.

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Bring Solar Energy Anywhere with RBI Solar!

When EPCs and Developers need a dependable solar mounting provider, they look to RBI Solar. RBI Solar, a Gibraltar Industries company, is a single-source provider, taking responsibility for the design, engineering, manufacturing, and installation of the most cost-effective and efficient solar mounting systems in the industry.

As specialists in fixed-tilt, tracker, canopy, landfill, and roof mount solar systems, RBI is committed to turning any conceptual design into a completed, cost-optimized project.

From fixed-tilt, single-axis tracker, roof mount, carport, and landfill solar solutions, RBI Solar’s mounting systems are backed by over 85 years of manufacturing experience in the commercial design-build market. Having all disciplines of a project process in-house allows RBI to act as an extension of our customers’ staff. RBI Solar is one of few racking companies in the industry which offers a wide variety of possible foundation solutions to meet the site-specific requirements of each project. With nationwide installation capabilities, and in-house design and engineering teams, RBI’s mission is to reduce overall project costs beyond solar racking.

RBI Solar is looking to better serve our customers in 2021 with its second generation of the Sunflower® single-axis tracker. The Sunflower® II tracker is designed to accommodate slop tolerances up to 15% with the use of Gearbox and Drivetrain technologies. The system can also be equipped with integrated wiring and eBOS. Corporate Headquarters 6715 Steger Dr. Cincinnati OH 45237

The Dahlia® is a 4-high portrait fixed-tilt ground mount system that has been designed with a low clearance and tilt angle in order to maximize the amount of PV that can be deployed on a given site. The Dahlia® has the highest Ground Coverage Ratio (GCR) of any fixed-tilt ground mount system in the marketplace.

Telephone: 513-242-2051 E-mail: info@rbisolar.com rbisolar.com

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ROLLS PREMIUM DEEP CYCLE LEADACID BATTERIES Since 1959, Rolls Battery premium deep cycle batteries have offered dependable, long-lasting energy storage in a wide range of voltage and capacity options. Chosen by Renewable Energy professionals around the world, Rolls traditional flooded and sealed AGM & GEL models offer solutions for use in small to large-scale off-grid and backup power applications. Rolls batteries are built with high-quality materials, including heavy plate construction and durable case designs, and are backed by an industry-leading manufacturer warranty and reputation for quality and performance that’s spanned over six decades.

Rolls Battery Engineering 1 Station Rd

FLOODED DEEP CYCLE LEAD-ACID MODELS NOW INCLUDE ADVANCED NAM CARBON ADDITIVE

With a reputation spanning over six decades, Rolls flooded & AGM & GEL deep cycle models are chosen by battery distributors, dealers and Renewable Energy industry professionals seeking dependable energy storage solutions with exceptional cycle life. Rolls Renewable Energy product line offers a wide range of voltage and capacity options for use in small to large-scale off-grid and backup power applications. Delivering improved charge efficiency, added capacity and extended cycle life, all of the Rolls flooded deep cycle models now include the brand’s proprietary Advanced NAM carbon additive as well.

Rolls full offering of deep cycle models consistently perform and the premium Series 5000 lineup offers a unique modular cell construction and dualcontainer design for added durability and flexible transport & assembly options when required.

Rolls continued success in the industry has been driven by the consistent quality and performance of products and customer satisfaction. Recognizing that product knowledge, outlining maintenance expectations and encouraging customers to work with quality, skilled and trained installers who understand the products they sell has also contributed to the success of the brand.

Understanding that product performance ultimately depends on proper installation and ongoing care, Rolls has committed to providing support and facilitating technical training for industry professionals who choose and work with their batteries. These training opportunities provide valuable product knowledge which allows Installers to confidently and properly size and install systems that meet and exceed the performance expectations of their customers.

Springhill, NS B0M 1X0 Canada www.rollsbattery.com

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Roof Tech is the global pioneer in solar flexible flashing. We have been engineering solar mounting solutions since 1994 with flawless performance—over one million rooftop installations all over Japan and North America.

We are offering a 25-year warranty on all our products from the date of installation. We do not rely on sealants for solar P.V. mounting

Roof Tech is the first U.S. subsidiary of Yanegiken, a company renowned in Japan for more than four decades of innovative roofing technologies. Roof Tech’s legacy is linked directly to Yanegiken Technology and Research Institute, founded in 1968 to conduct research and develop new roofing technologies. Roof Tech U.S. brings these unique P.V. mounting solutions to the U.S. solar market. Headquartered in Southern California, our national sales teams are now in place to provide superior service to installers and solar panel manufacturers throughout the U.S. We aim to minimize the environmental impact of our products, and we comply with all environmental regulations.

on asphalt, membrane, or metal roofing. We partner with over 40 distributors throughout North America and offer full support with installation manuals, installation videos, digital estimator design tools, and in-person training.

Download our P.E. Stamped letters in over 35 states and five Canadian territories that are IBC and IRC compliant. If you want the authentic, waterproof flexible flashing that has captured 70% of Japan’s solar P.V. racking market,

RT-MINI Self-flashing mounting base designed for conventional rail mounting systems

choose Roof Tech.

Roof Tech

The Standard for Waterproof Flexible Flashing Since 1994.

Roof Tech 10620 Treena St. Suite 230 San Diego, CA 92131 roof-tech.us

RT-APEX Advanced rail-less and self-flashing PV mounting system

RT-REB (Roof Entry Bracket) 100% waterproof wire entry system

Solar Panel Mounts and Racking Products Products

Digital Estimator

Contact Us

Request Samples

Please visit our shop for all products needed for solar mounting.

Get ahead of all your projects with our RT-APEX Estimator.

(858) 935-6064

sales@roof-tech.us

roof-tech.us

design.roof-tech.us

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2021

S-5!®: Engineered metal roof mounting solutions In 1992, S-5! filed its first patent for ground-breaking, non-invasive methods to affordably mount ancillaries to standing seam metal roofs. S-5! is now known worldwide and been awarded 50+ patents for its many innovations. Its products have been installed on 1.9 million roofs and such structures as the Gemini Observatory and World HQ’s of IBM, Apple, Google and NATO. What makes S-5! different is sticking to our core competencies. We know metal roofs!

Rather than re-invent solutions for other roof types, we consistently offer the best, timeproven solutions in the world for metal roofs.

Endorsements from every major metal roof manufacturer, extensive load-testing and 2+ GW of engineered PV installations prove S-5’s durability and explain its use in critical applications like fall-restraint and snow retention. The company’s commitment to excellence is evidenced by industry leadership in ASTM, ASCE, SEIA, MBMA, NRCA, MCA and CSI. Principals of S-5 have won lifetime memberships with metal roofing trade groups, and numerous awards for industry contributions including 100+ technical writings, training curricula and standards development. Their research, lectures and papers have been translated into 8 different languages and won esteemed recognition from ASTM, UW-Madison and CSI.

8750 Walker Rd Colorado Springs, CO 80908 http://www.s-5.com

As PV industry advocates, S-5 team members chair the SEIA Mounting Systems Mfg Committee and MBMA/ UL Non-Combustibles Working Group, improving metal roof/PV construction code and standard. They serve on 6 UL 1703/UL 2703 task groups and the Standard Technical Panel. S-5 has worked extensively with other countries such as Australia (Univ Adelaide), Germany (Univ KIT, DIBt), and the UK (MCS 012 Mounting Mfrs).

They have also worked with CEIR/NRCA, and AHJ’s such as DSA, LA Co/City, and Miami Dade to educate users on the proper marriage of PV to metal roofing while preserving roof integrity.

PVKIT 2.0 Protea Bracket

PVKIT Edge Grab

When track record, installation ease, product integrity, economic value and true technical competence are the objectives, S-5! offers metal roof attachments the right way™ - for any metal roof, every time.

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Shoals is a leading manufacturer of balance of systems solutions. Through innovation and diversification Shoals has grown exponentially since its founding in 1996. Shoals maintains a diverse portfolio of PV balance of systems products, including combiner/re-combiner boxes, master fuse boxes, custom harnessing solutions, junction boxes, PV wire, inline fuses, racking and PV monitoring solution.

Leader In Solar Inventing Simple isn’t just a slogan to us, it’s a way of life. Using simple plugand- play ideology , we revolutionized solar installations in 2003 with our Interconnect System™. Our harnessing system is now the gold standard EPC’s use around the world. By using simple ideas, we are making solar energy a more affordable and clean power source for future generations.

Shoals Technologies Group 1400 Shoals Way Portland, TN 37148 (615) 451-1400 https://www.shoals.com

Making use of the Shoals in-line fuse and wire welding manufacturing process, we can offer a site that is free of DC string combiners, all of the load is combined in the large conductors that typically run between the string combiner and the inverter. No need to trench for DC feeders or hang string combiner boxes. And when booted with BAC connector, the entire array is plug-and-play, plug in the panel strings, plug into the inverter.

The BLA combines the function of: 1- cable assemblies, 2- combiner boxes, 3- external fuses, and 4- re-combiners. Factory manufactured and quality guaranteed, the BLA eliminates field O&M torquing needed in combiner applications. When you need to disconnect the power in the field or make a parallel connection, the BLA disconnect box can provide the ability to work on most connections within the PV array. The BLA (Big Lead Assembly®) takes all the guesswork out of wiring your solar field.

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2021

Snake Tray is a leading designer and manufacturer of cable management solutions for commercial and utility grade solar installations. Snake Tray products are specifically designed with features to substantially reduce the cost of construction. Key features include the open air design to eliminate the need to de-rate cables thus reducing the volume of conductors required to carry the same wattage of energy. Snake Tray’s engineering know-how helps customers develop the ideal solution for their projects.

INNOVATING CABLE MANAGEMENT FOR SOLAR Snake Tray has been designing and manufacturing cable management solutions for over twenty-two years in a wide range of industries including solar. Our patented products are created to lower labor and material costs. Leading corporations, organizations and government agencies across the globe rely on Snake Tray for their cable management requirements. Products are made in the USA.

Snake Tray 291 Skip Lane Bay Shore, NY 11706 www.snaketray.com

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Leading Developer and Manufacturer of BOS Products SolarBOS is a leading developer and manufacturer of Balance of System products. Deep understanding of PV systems and experience in design and manufacturing make SolarBOS the preferred BOS provider for installers and engineers alike. In addition to a wide array of standard products, SolarBOS excels in offering custom solutions for all solar integrators, regardless of the size of the project. All products are made in the USA and listed to UL standards.

SolarBOS 2019 Elkins Way Brentwood CA 94513 United States http://www.solarbos.com

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Drawing on years of experience in designing and manufacturing of electrical Balance of System products, SolarBOS is ideally positioned to be the preferred solutions provider and resource for EPCs, developers, installers, and engineers. The ultimate goal is giving our customers the winning edge to succeed in the ever-changing renewable energy industry.

Since its inception in 2004, SolarBOS has designed and perfected many BOS solutions, including DC and AC Disconnect Combiners and Recombiners, Arc Fault Circuit Interruption (AFCI) Combiners, Rapid Shutdown solutions, and Wire Harnesses and Overmolds. The focus on developing reliable, innovative and cost-effective solutions has been the company’s driving force over the years.

SolarBOS always has and always will be focused on its customers and their needs. The business model is very simple: deliver reliable, cost-effective, well-designed products that fit customers’ needs, and then back them up with knowledgeable salespeople, excellent customer service, and quick turnaround on orders. This exceptional front-end service combined with tested quality manufacturing systems shows SolarBOS’ continued commitment to meet and exceed its customers’ expectations.

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The Joy of Solar.

The Power of Simple.

Founded in 2009, SolarPod has always endeavored to set the gold standard in solar.

By simplifying and making it more affordable, they have brought it within the reach of hundreds of homeowners and commercial establishments.

Over the years they have launched several patented innovations like Z-Rack and Z-Lite that are blockbuster successes in the marketplace.

Today this Minnesota based solar pioneer has over 1000 installations in 40 states and 2 countries. Each one of these installations has been producing energy continuously, through the years.

2021 marks a special year for SolarPod as they stand poised to launch one more innovation shortly. As always, this too will revolutionize solar.

SolarPod SolarPod has a range of solutions to meet the needs of Residential Customers as well as Commercial Establishments.

Z-Rack – No Roof Holes, Sloped Roof Solar

This is the first and only, revolutionary racking system that allows solar panels to be installed on sloped and gabled roofs without holes.

The patented system uses a counterbalance design engineered to stay securely attached to the roof. The Z-Rack system is UL listed and has been wind tested for 130 mph and extreme snow loads.

4. Huge savings at the time of removal and reinstall.

5. Lower insurance cost for the owner due to decreased replacement cost.

Simply put, conventional roof solar systems are expensive, cumbersome to execute and can damage your roof. Z-Rack and Z-Lite are affordable, simple to install and common sense.

Of course, you get quality service back up.

Beyond smart engineering solutions, SolarPod also offers innovative finance plans.

Z-Lite – No Roof Holes, Flat Roof Solar

SolarPod 1230 East 115th St Burnsville, Minnesota 55123 https://mysolarpod.com/

This patented innovation allows for flat roof solar without holes. Moreover, it eliminates 90% of the ballast required by conventional solar.

So we achieve a dramatic decrease in roof load and carbon footprint. Since Z-lite is elevated off the roof, it allows for better air circulation and keeps the building cooler. Both Z-Lite and Z-Rack come with the following additional advantages.

1. They are roof type agnostic.

2. There is just one SKU for all roof types.

3. No need for drilling holes means drastic reduction in installation time and labour costs.

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2021

Small Components. Big Impact.

Stäubli Electrical Connectors - the first to design and patent the MC4 connector technology. With over 20 years of experience in the photovoltaics industry, we make the decision easy when it comes to choosing products for your PV connection needs. To date, Stäubli has installed over 325 GW of PV power, or more than 50% of the PV power worldwide. Our MC4 Inline Fuse utilizes a crimped fuse connection which guarantees a long-lasting, stable connection for solar installations. Rely on Stäubli’s innovative MULTILAM Technology for trusted results that keep your PV installation up and running efficiently and safely.

Stäubli Electrical Connectors 100 Market Street Windsor, CA 95492

Small Components.

Big Impact.

As a pioneer and global market leader for electrical connectors, Stäubli Electrical Connectors has amassed over 20 years of experience in the photovoltaics industry.

During this time, more than 325 GW of PV power, or more than 50% of the PV power worldwide, has been successfully installed using over 1 billion original MC4 connectors from Stäubli Electrical Connectors.

Photovoltaic connectors may be small components, but they have a big impact and directly influence the bankability/LCOE of a PV plant. The use of reliable, longlasting Stäubli photovoltaic connectors guarantees low service cost, low power losses and reduced downtime due to their low contact resistance, as well their elimination of risks for hotspots and fire.

The first industrial photovoltaic connector (MC3) was introduced by Stäubli in 1996 followed by the original MC4 in 2004 setting the industry standard ever since.

The exclusive MULTILAM advanced contact technology raised the bar in terms of consistent quality and outstanding reliability.

Our attention to detail builds trust. And trust builds best results. At Stäubli Electrical Connectors we make the decision easy when it comes to choosing products for your PV connection needs. With our wide range of connectors and cables we can get any type of PV installation connected to the sun. Rely on Stäubli Electrical Connectors innovative MULTILAM Technology for tried and trusted results that keep your PV installation up and running efficiently and safely.

PH: 707-848-0530 E: ec.us@staubli.com www.ecs-ecart.com

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Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd (“Sungrow”) is the world’s most bankable inverter brand with over 120 GW installed worldwide as of June 2020. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters, with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions. With a strong 24-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power installations in over 120 countries, maintaining a worldwide market share of over 15%. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com.

Sungrow Americas info@sungrowamericas.com www.sungrowpower.com

Sungrow has been engaged in new energy power generation for more than 24 years. Our products and services cover more than 120 countries. Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters, with a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions.

As a leader of innovation in the solar industry, Sungrow possesses the largest R&D team in the industry which consists of over 1600 employees.

The Company has also invested its own in-house testing center approved by UL, CSA, TÜV Rheinland, and TÜV SÜD. In 2019, Sungrow launched the world’s largest inverter factory, once fully operational, the global annual production capacity will reach 50 GW, including 3 GW of India factory.

Offering a wide range of solutions and services, Sungrow is committed to providing clean power for all and is steadfast in its efforts to becoming the global leader of clean power conversion technology.

Sungrow now is the largest supplier of string and central inverters in the Americas and accelerate its global step in fulfilling the mission of “Clean power for all”.

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Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com.

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SunModo, meaning “the way of the sun,” is a private U.S. company headquartered in Vancouver, Washington that is focused on innovative racking and mounting solutions for professional installers in the fast-growing solar industry. Energized by a desire to make solar installation easier, more reliable and more affordable, our solar racking solutions are at work in 15 countries, and from Hawaii to Connecticut.

Our commitment to innovation can be seen across our entire product line, which includes 20 plus industry-shaping patents.

Mounting equipment have a significant bearing on the speed and reliability of solar installation. At SunModo, we are constantly engineering new mounting solutions to make solar installation easier, more reliable and more affordable.

SunModo’s innovations range from solving simple challenges to creating new applications.

Our wide variety of attachments makes easy work of any watertight rooftop installations. The SunTurf ® line is the industry’s most popular elevated system that helps installers with the challenges of having to navigate obstacles on the roof or ground. Most recently, SunModo introduced SMR, the best value, best performing rail system on the market.

What sets us apart: We respect the installer. We think of our business as getting you on and off the roof or job site quickly with innovative, reliable racking solutions that perform flawlessly for years and years with no callbacks.

SunModo

Together, let’s harness the sun to power our world.

14800 NE 65th Street Vancouver, WA 98682 www.sunmodo.com

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AD INDEX

LEADERSHIP TEAM VP of Sales Mike Emich 508.446.1823 memich@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_memich Managing Director Scott McCafferty 310.279.3844 smccafferty@wtwhmedia.com @SMMcCafferty EVP Marshall Matheson 805.895.3609 mmatheson@wtwhmedia.com @mmatheson Associate Publisher Courtney Seel cseel@wtwhmedia.com 440.523.1685 @wtwh_CSeel

SALES Jim Powers 312.925.7793 jpowers@wtwhmedia.com @jpowers_media Neel Gleason 312.882.9867 ngleason@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_ngleason Ashley N. Burk 737.615.8452 aburk@wtwhmedia.com Jami Brownlee 224.760.1055 jbrownlee@wtwhmedia.com

AD INDEX AceClamp .................................................. 56 Altech Corporation ...................................... 3 Aptos ........................................................ 14 Aurora Solar ................................................ 5 Baja Carports .............................................. 23 Chem-Link .................................................. 44 Chiko ......................................................... 33 Ginlong Technologies Co., LTD .................. 57 GoodWe ...................................................... 1 Hanwha Q Cells ......................................... 18 K2 Everest Systems .................................... 25 M Bar C ..................................................... 55 Megger ..................................................... 19 Mudge Fasteners ......................................... 4 Nine Fasteners ........................................... 24 Panasonic Eco Solutions NA ........................ 7 Preformed Line Products ............................ 51

PV Labels Inc. ........................................... IFC Quest Renewables ..................................... 41 QuickBolt .................................................. 53 RBI Solar .................................................... 13 Rolls Battery .............................................. 40 Roof Tech .................................................. 47 S-5! Attachment Solutions .......................... 36 Snake Tray ................................................. 43 Shoals Technologies Group ........................ BC Solar BOS .................................................. 49 SolarPod ...................................................... 4 Staubli ....................................................... 31 Sungrow ................................................... IBC Sunmodo ................................................... 15

LEADERSHIP PROFILES AceClamp .................................................. 65 Altech Corporation ..................................... 66 Aptos ........................................................ 67 Aurora Bearing Company ........................... 68 Aurora Solar Inc. ........................................ 69 Baja Carports ............................................. 70 Chem Link ................................................. 71 Chiko ......................................................... 72 Ginlong Technologies Co., Ltd. .................. 73 Goodwe .................................................... 74 Hanwha Q Cells ......................................... 75 K2 Everest Systems .................................... 76 M Bar C Construction ................................ 77 Megger ..................................................... 78 Mudge Fasteners ....................................... 79 Nine Fasteners ........................................... 80 Panasonic Eco Solutions ............................. 81

Preformed Line Products ............................ 82 Quest Renewables ..................................... 83 QuickBOLT ................................................ 84 RBI Solar .................................................... 85 Rolls Battery .............................................. 86 RoofTech ................................................... 87 S-5! Attachment Solutions .......................... 88 SHOALS Technologies Group .................... 89 Snake Tray ................................................. 90 Solar BOS .................................................. 91 SolarPod .................................................... 92 Staubli ....................................................... 93 Sungrow Power Supply Co. ....................... 94 SunModo ................................................... 95

FOLLOW THE WHOLE TEAM ON TWITTER!

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1400 Shoals Way, Portland, TN 37148 Solar Power World 2019.pdf Solar Power World 2019.pdf

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615.451.1400

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sales@shoals.com

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2:01 PM 2:01 PM

NO MUss. no Fuss.

NO MUss. no Fuss.

The first and only above-ground, The first andthat onlydoes above-ground, patent-pending system not require patent-pending system thattrenching, does not require combiner boxes or in-array and can combiner or in-array can offerboxes $avings in the trenching, field up to and 62.5% offer $avings in the field up to 62.5%

® ®

combiner boxes combiner field o&mboxes field o&m combiner boxes torquing combiner field o&mboxes torquing cable field o&mtrays torquing cable trays torquing trenches cable trays trenches cable trays trenches re-combiners trenches re-combiners re-combiners re-combiners

The BLA (Big Lead Assembly ) takes all the guesswork out of wiring your solar field. Using Shoals’ latest in-line fuse and wire manufacturing technology, we offer youLead a siteAssembly free of DC stringallcombiners.

The entire is combined a single of aluminum conductors from the string combiner The BLA (Big ) takes the guesswork out ofload wiring your solarinto field.

Using pair Shoals’ latest in-line fuse andrunning wire manufacturing technology, to the There’s need to trench for DCThe feeders hangisstring combiner terminated with therunning BAC connector, whole array is we offerinverter. you a site free no of DC string combiners. entireorload combined into aboxes. singleAnd pairwhen of aluminum conductors from thethe string combiner in the the inverter, just walk away!boxes. And when terminated with the BAC connector, the whole array is toplug-&-play. the inverter.Plug There’s nopanel need strings, to trenchplug for into DC feeders or hangandstring combiner plug-&-play. Plug in the panel strings, plug into the inverter, and just walk away! ®

®

1400 Shoals Way, Portland, TN 37148 1400 Shoals Way, Portland, TN 37148

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615.451.1400 615.451.1400

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sales@shoals.com sales@shoals.com

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www.shoals.com www.shoals.com