Solar Power World _ NOVEMBER 2016

November 2016 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

RACKING MOUNTS

INVERTER

SOLAR PANEL

BATTERY

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THE FIRST WORD

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Jim Jenal Run on Sun Brad Dore SMA America Rick Gilbert Solar Source Natalie Holtgrefe Yaskawa — ­ Solectria Solar Scott Franklin Lumos Solar Wendi Littlefield SunLink Scott Wiater Standard Solar Meghan VincentJones Quick Mount PV

What earns a “top product” its title?

While prepping for our annual Top Products issue, we had the opportunity to see many new solutions on display at the summer tradeshows. It’s easy to follow the crowds booth to booth, stopping to see the latest “ground-breaking” and “industry-changing” inverters, racking systems and more. We did see some cool heat-mapping drones, oversized modules and site assessment robots.

But for this issue we tried to look past the marketing hype and got to thinking about what really makes a product great and revolutionary for solar contractors on the job every day.

Top products help contractors save money, which is beneficial to them and the industry.

Dropping prices advance the solar industry in both technology and adoption. A recent NREL report found that the cost to install solar PV systems across all three markets—residential, commercial and utility—decreased in the first quarter this year, and prices are expected to keep falling. Costs dropped 6% in residential, 4% in commercial and 20% in utility-scale over the fourth quarter of 2015. And decreasing prices leads to more installations—GTM Research forecasts 13.9 GW of new solar PV installations to come online by the end of 2016, up 85% over 2015.

Along with increased competition and improved labor productivity, NREL

@SolarKellyP @SolarPower Wo rl d

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cited that installation cost reductions were in part influenced by lower product prices and optimized system configurations. We think this can also be attributed to the small advances many manufacturers are taking to improve their products.

Other than price, we also see efficiency, safety and practicality as important features of top products. For example, bifacial solar cells allow modules to generate 25% more power without increasing their size. A cobalt-free battery chemistry removes thermal runaway and fire concerns from energy storage systems. Module leveling on ground-mount installations is quicker and easier with in-rack adjustability. Yield forecasting software that uses real-time weather conditions generates more accurate projections of PV power production. Small tweaks to established industry products can provide big advantages to installers and end-users alike.

Rather than just accepting advertising claims from the best in the industry, we took a deeper look inside the technologies that makes these products leaders in industry progress.

We hope this gives everyone a greater understanding of the hard work and innovation going on behind the scenes to bring new and improved products to the exhibit floors of Intersolar North America and Solar Power International each year, and ultimately to more solar installations nation-wide.

Be sure to also check out our full list of the year’s products online at solarpowerworldonline.com. SPW

A s s o c i at e E dit or Kelly Pi ckerel k p i c ke re l @wt wh m e d ia.com

11 • 2016

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Follow the whole team on Twitter @SolarPowerWorld

Technology • Development • Installation

E D I T O R I A L EDITORIAL

S T A F F

DESIGN & PRODUCTION SERVICES

Managing Editor Kathie Zipp kzipp@wtwhmedia.com @SolarKathieZ Associate Editor Steven Bushong sbushong@wtwhmedia.com @Solar2Steven

VP of Creative Services Mark Rook mrook@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_graphics Art Director Matthew Claney mclaney@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_designer

Associate Editor Kelly Pickerel kpickerel@wtwhmedia.com @SolarKellyP

Graphic Designer Allison Washko awashko@wtwhmedia.com

Executive Editor Leland Teschler lteschler@wtwhmedia.com @DW_LeeTeschler

Traffic Manager Mary Heideloff mheideloff@wtwhmedia.com

Associate Publisher Courtney Seel cseel@wtwhmedia.com 440.523.1685 @wtwh_CSeel

VIDEO SERVICES Videographer Manager John Hansel jhansel@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_jhansel Videographer Manager Bradley Voyten bvoyten@wtwhmedia.com Videographer Manager Derek Little dlittle@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_derek

Production Associate Tracy Powers tpowers@wtwhmedia.com

Director, Audience Development Bruce Sprague bsprague@wtwhmedia.com

FINANCE Controller Brian Korsberg bkorsberg@wtwhmedia.com Accounts Receivable Jamila Milton jmilton@wtwhmedia.com

DIGITAL MEDIA / MARKETING Web Development Manager B. David Miyares dmiyares@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_webdave Digital Media Manager Patrick Curran pcurran@wtwhmedia.com @wtwhseopatrick Senior Web Developer Patrick Amigo pamigo@wtwhmedia.com @amigo_patrick Web Production Associate Skylar Aubuchon saubuchon@wtwhmedia.com Web Production & Reporting Associate Jennifer Calhoon jcalhoon@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_jennifer

Digital Marketing Director Virginia Goulding vgoulding@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_virginia Manager Webinars Stacy Combest scombest@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_stacy Marketing Manager, Social Media & Events Jen Kolasky jkolasky@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_jen Marketing Coordinator Lexi Korsok lkorsok@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_lexi

Videographer Alex Barni abarni@wtwhmedia.com

Marketing Coordinator Josh Breuler jbreuler@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_JoshB 2011 - 2016

2013 - 2016

2014 Winner

2014 - 2016

Marketing Associate Aly Ryan aryan@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_Aly

WTWH Media, LLC 6555 Carnegie Avenue, Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44103 Ph: 888.543.2447 • Fax: 888.543.2447

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SOLAR POWER WORLD

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

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CONTENTS

Nove mb e r 2 0 1 6 • vol 6 n o 6 w w w. so l ar po w e r w o rl do nl in e .co m

RACKING MOUNTS

INVERTER

SOLAR PANEL

41

BATTERY

ON THE COVER ON THE COVER In our Top Products special section, you’ll find the year’s most innovative product technologies that help make your projects more profitable. Consider these upcoming component technologies as you plan for next year.

4 11 12 16 8

FIRST WORD NEWS BRIEFS FINANCING MARKETING

20 60 62 64

Table of Contents 11-16 Solar_Vs3kz.indd 8

11 • 2016

22 INVERTER INSIDER

36 STORAGE

26 PANEL POINTS

38 SOFTWARE

30 MOUNTING

40 2016 LEADERSHIP WINNERS

Residential and commercial market concerns relating to a solar inverter provider exiting the market

Peel-and-stick solar module makes case to eliminate racking on residential rooftop projects

How to avoid ground-mount installation problems on utility-scale projects

INSTALLATION PRACTICES CONTRACTORS CORNER SOLAR SNAPSHOT AD INDEX

SOLAR POWER WORLD

16 20 36 60

32 PRODUCT FOCUS

A lightweight, all-in-one panel and racking system takes on the commercial rooftop market

Tips on preparing solar battery banks and energy storage systems for the winter

Drones and new mapping software provide instant models for those trying to secure projects

SPECIAL SECTIONS:

53 The Solar Industry in 10 Years

As Solar Power World’s parent company WTWH Media celebrates its 10th anniversary, we reflect on solar’s past success and look forward to the next decade.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

11/8/16 3:25 PM

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SOMETHING NEW IS COMING OVER THE HORIZON

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[NEWS BRIEFS]

Solar around the U.S.

A guide to recent projects, legislation and research throughout the country 1

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4

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By year’s end, a new solar plant in Kern County will provide 50% of Stanford’s electricity, and the campus will be getting 65% of its total electricity from renewable sources. In addition to the plant, Stanford is adding solar panels to 16 additional campus buildings.

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Target has grabbed the top spot among American businesses going solar.

Red dot goes green Minneapolis, Minnesota

3

Target has grabbed the top spot among American businesses that are going solar, per a report from SEIA. Target now has 147.5 MW of installed solar capacity.

Other companies doing well: Walmart (145 MW), Prologis (107.8 MW) and Apple (93.9 MW).

2

DOE supports 3D learning Austin, Texas The Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative awarded a $1.25 million cooperative award to Interplay Learning. The award will drive the development of Interplay Learning’s Solar Training Platform, a first-of-itskind content platform featuring 3D simulations.

7

PV costs keep falling Golden, Colorado NREL analysis showed modeled costs for PV systems in Q1 2016 were down from Q4 2015 by 6%, 4% and 20% in the residential, commercial and utility-scale sectors, respectively. Cost were $2.93/W for residential, $2.13/W for commercial and $1.42/W for fixed-tilt utility.

4

Top Contractors honored Las Vegas, Nevada Solar Power World honored the Top 500 Solar Contractors at a gala before Solar Power International. More than 400 people attended the event, including representatives from 116 of the 500 companies listed in the July issue. The annual gala includes networking, dinner and awards.

8

Vacant no more Detroit, Michigan DTE Energy has started construction on one of the largest urban solar arrays in the United States. The project, targeted for completion by the end of 2016, will convert 10 acres of vacant and blighted land into a solar array capable of generating enough clean energy to power 450 homes.

Agreeable politics Washington, D.C. A Pew Research Center poll shows Americans agree on at least one thing: there should be more solar farms. In fact, 89% of respondents favor more solar farms and 83% favor more wind farms. Their support for renewables doesn’t translate to concern about climate change, however, with just 64% of Americans worried about that.

News in Brief_10-16_Vs2kp.indd 11

Joining forces Buffalo, New York Tesla and battery partner Panasonic have signed a letter of intent to manufacture solar cells and modules in this Rust Belt city. The deal is contingent on shareholders’ approval of Tesla’s purchase of SolarCity. Shareholders will vote on Nov. 17.

2

1

Solar Stanford Stanford, California

11 • 2016

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[FINANCING]

As corporate solar funding falls, investment opportunity abounds The industry began 2016 with significant tailwinds including the long-term ITC, increased state-level renewable energy targets and growing corporate demand for clean energy.

But despite all this, corporate funding for solar projects declined.

Total corporate funding, including venture capital, public market and debt financing, fell 41% in Q2 2016 to its lowest level in three years—but this is a short term aberration. Solar investment will even out over the long term and financing opportunities still abound for the savvy developer if they know where to look.

Shrips Ilango Shrips Ilando is the executive vice president of Soltage

Podcast alert!

Learn more about solar financing in these Solar Speaks podcasts.

Six documents to have in place before you can get financing with Open Energy’s CEO and founder Graham Smith SEFA, cracking the code to solar financing with SEFA president Mary Rottman

Solar’s stable returns create significant appeal A fundamental attraction of solar assets is that, for the large part, returns are disconnected from oil and natural gas volatility. Private investors are interested in stable long-term cash flow, especially coupled with an ability to put their money to work with reliable returns over a very long period of time.

Solar projects are appealing because they have long-term revenue contracts, construction is a fixed upfront expense and ongoing costs are minimal. Sophisticated investors can take further advantage of market displacement with their understanding of these assets.

Solar projects can be especially attractive investments for large institutional investors.

Pension funds, which use the stable cash flow generated by solar assets to match their liabilities, have become increasingly active in solar investing. Such institutional investors have larger total dollar investment constraints, but sophisticated developers can use a diversified portfolio building strategy to take advantage of this source of capital.

How solar developers can increase their investment appeal Solar developers can work to make themselves more attractive to private investors by applying quantum of capital. The amount of work going into a $25 million investment is nearly the same as a $100 million investment, so think big and put 12

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11 • 2016

more capital to work on larger projects to net larger investments.

Project scale is important to private investors. Remember they’re looking for larger capital deployment, so it is easier to construct an investment-level portfolio with larger assets.

Typically, assets between 2 and 5 MW are good building blocks to create a robust portfolio with broad investor appeal.

Given the choice, developers should also seek portfolio-level financing to reduce risk and enable easier financing on a set of investments. A portfolio with five projects provides diversification across geographies, off-taker credits and some operational risks, thereby mitigating risk to investors. Diverse portfolios offer ample opportunity to achieve the optimal cost of capital by mitigating across the risk spectrum—price risk (fixed vs. floating), solar incentives (SRECS vs. none), credit risk (C&I vs. small utility), weather (snow belt vs. sun belt) and so on.

Don’t forget larger developers or financial institutions for investment When early-stage developers desire to access capital to complete asset development, they can always consider partnering with larger developers to access capital. This approach can also be beneficial in accessing the most optimal capital source, by aggregating into other sizable portfolios.

It’s helpful for developers to think of institutional investors or independent power producers as long-term partners. The investment partner can provide real-time feedback on contract risks and shepherd development assets into successful investments. This may make them more cautious in development, but it helps ensure success in the long run.

In some cases, financial institutions are also willing to help with development capital either in the form of loans or other convertible products, or even equity. These may be good venues for acquiring development capital to scale up. While

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

11/8/16 3:42 PM

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[FINANCING]

such development capital may not be as attractive as solar developers would like, they are good long-term solutions that can help them grow.

Smaller sources of funding can also add up

Solar for every roof.

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Even though private institutional and yield-co financing are still primary sources of capital in the U.S. solar industry, it’s impressive how many other alternative sources of capital have emerged in the market.

For instance, retail investment funds focused on renewable energy are aggregating smaller retail-level investors to make their mark in this space. Similarly, laws opening up the retail market have allowed the crowdsourcing model to become relevant for solar, albeit at a smaller scale.

America’s solar industry is highly localized and specialized. Accessing local sources of capital plays into this well by taking advantage of local investors who are greatly vested in their region with a specialized understanding of any risks over other larger players who may miss local specifics or nuances.

Don’t forget the two biggest drivers underpinning solar investment—tax equity through the ITC combined with growing demand for renewable energy from state-level renewable portfolio standards. For the next four years, the tax equity market will remain strong and continue expanding to provide extensive opportunity for developers of all sizes. Strong interest from corporate off-takers looking to add renewables and utilities looking to meet state-level renewable energy mandates also add to this market support.

Stay flexible to continue generating investment While existing large investors in the solar space may be easier to work with than new entrants into the space, developers should keep their options open. It’s just a matter of time before these different sources of capital converge to the same set of opportunities. SPW

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[MARKETING]

In the age of Amazon, show rooms still have a place

Tech news outlets buzzed this year as online

Steven Bushong Steven Bushong is associate editor of Solar Power World

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retailer Amazon announced plans to open brickand-mortar locations. If the benefits of letting consumers touch and experience products before buying is enough for the top online retailer to start building, then solar companies might be wise to open showrooms of their own.

One solar contractor benefiting from showrooms is California-based Bland Solar & Air. Founder Glenn Bland opened his first showroom in Bakersfield, California, two years ago, and the focus has paid off. In the month after opening, sales shot up 40%, he said. Subsequent show rooms in Fresno and Templeton are also having a positive impact on sales.

Showrooms, of course, are carefully arranged areas where customers can handle products. Home goods retailers use showrooms to great effect, immersing customers in could-be kitchens or would-be bathrooms. Showrooms remove the mystery of products for consumers, who will get to see, touch and learn about a product. Solar is no different.

11 • 2016

Bland said a common question from potential customers is, “What are you going to do to my roof?”

“So we take them right over and show them exactly what will happen—we remove that fear and uncertainty,” Bland said.

The Bland Solar & Air showrooms pop like an Apple Store. They exude bright colors and clean lines. Sales offices are beyond the receptionist’s desk, as in auto dealerships. Big-screen kiosks adorn the walls, where customers can choose from an assortment of informational videos on modules and inverters, pictures of installations and videos of installations in-progress.

“Then we have a rooftop section where we literally have all five of the mainstream types of materials—rooftops big enough to where we’ve installed the full-size modules and hardware being used,” Bland said.

The showroom also features inverters and energy storage components.

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[MARKETING] Bland said customers are impressed when they enter the showroom. They’re always greeted by a friendly receptionist, and they’re never faced with high-pressure sales techniques. The primary goal, Bland said, is education.

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We have a rooftop section where we literally have all five of the mainstream types of materials— rooftops big enough to where we’ve installed the full-size modules and hardware being used.

“We have a refrigerator and television plugged into battery storage, so we can show a customer what happens when we turn off grid power,” Bland said, adding that residential energy storage, with or without solar modules, will be a big market soon.

Bland offered a few tips for installers thinking about adding a showroom: “If you’re going to do a showroom, you have to go high end, you have to go into the high-exposure parts of town, high traffic areas, and you have to follow up the showroom experience with quality construction and quality material.” SPW

AXITEC, LLC, 75 Twinbridge Drive, Suite E, Pennsauken, NJ 08110, Phone 856-813-9386, info@axitecsolar.com 18

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[MARKETING] Six tips for engaging show rooms How do you design a showroom that brings people in and encourages them to pull out their wallets?

Here are some things solar companies should consider when designing their showrooms.

Make the customer feel at home. Solar shops can be busy, noisy places. Create a space that puts customers at ease. The products in the room should be appropriately spaced, neither overbearing nor too sparse. The color scheme and decorative elements should exude professionalism. Keep the room clean.

In customers’ minds, a well-maintained space means you’ll also maintain their solar system. Finally, when the customer arrives, greet them warmly and, as Bland said, keep the focus on education.

Decide what information you want to share. Clear and consistent signage that informs customers about products and services can go a long way toward making them feel comfortable. Make sure each product type is labeled. People learn in different ways—some may want to talk to a sales representative, while others may want to read. Interactive video kiosks are also a popular way to inform customers about your business, products, services, warranties and more.

Advertise your showroom. A showroom is worthless if it stands empty all the time. For his part, Bland advertises on TV, radio and occasionally in print. He also promotes the showroom via social media. “We get right to the point,” he said. “There are four major components to a solar project: Group products by type, not brand. Keep your energy education, system design, installation and continued storage systems in one area and your roof-mounted support and monitoring. We state we’re the best in arrays in another. Inverters should be mounted to all areas, and we finish by saying, ‘Come on down a single wall. Grouping products lets customers and see for yourself—no middle-man sales, no subcompare and comprehend their differences. contracting, no pressure.’”

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11/8/16 3:50 PM

[INSTALLATION PRACTICES]

The best time to think about snow retention is before it even snows

By Kelly Pickerel, associate editor, Solar Power World

If only after an unfortunate accident you first consider snow retention devices on a sloped roof with solar, it may be too late, says representatives of S-5!. A successful snow guard should be installed to the roofing structure with enough space to stop sliding snow—and that often changes solar design plans.

“We hope a solar contractor has anticipated the need for snow retention, because the most effective way is to use an engineered system that is directly attached to the roof itself and is designed specifically to resist those sliding forces which are calculated on a very job-specific basis,” said Rob Haddock, founder of S-5!, a snow retention system manufacturer.

If solar panels are installed near the edge of a roof, that leaves little room to secure a snow guard to the rooftop that can successfully hold back snow. And S-5! warns against installing retention devices directly to solar panels.

“The forces on a snow retention system can be enormous—much more than what you might first suppose,” Haddock said. “When we see people try to resist that force

The forces on a snow retention system can be enormous—much more than what you might first suppose.

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11 • 2016

with some sort of device that attaches directly or indirectly to a module frame, it’s really scary. The module frame is not designed with the intent that something is going to pull on it in a lateral direction.”

The best plan of action for solar installers in snowy areas is to consider snow retention products when working on a project’s initial design. Not all roofs inherently need snow guards. If a solar array will be installed in an area where sudden avalanching snow isn’t a concern, then solar installers can proceed with any array design they want. But if snow shedding threatens life or property—maybe expensive landscaping or parked vehicles—then snow guards should be considered.

The best way to retain snow is to leave a significant amount of space between the solar array and the roof edge so snow can compact and densify on the roof area. The solar installer has to give up some roof space to account for this, but it’s the most effective way to retain snow.

The shadows cast by a snow retention system also have to be considered. A snow guard has to stick up above the plane of solar modules, and its shadows can cast even higher. You don’t want solar panels affected by shading losses.

It’s also important to remember that a roof with no snow avalanche hazards before solar will almost always be a concern after its surface is covered with glass.

“There’s a lot of friction all over an asphalt shingle roof,” Haddock said.

“The snow bank gets sort of interlocked

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[INSTALLATION PRACTICES] with that structure and it provides a lot of frictional resistance. When you’re installing solar, you’re converting that roof into a slippery roof. You’re entering a new hazard, because snow had never slid off of it in the past, and now it’s potentially going to.”

Glass is obviously slippery, and when coupled with warm, dark solar cells that aid snow melt, a solar panel’s surface can be very slick.

“You now have a bank of snow that’s lubricated from melt water,” Haddock said. “All of that vector load gets transferred somewhere. If it’s not resisted, the snow bank will slide off the roof.”

S-5!’s pipe-like DualGard and X-Gard systems are just two of the company’s roof-specific snow retention products for metal roofs that help to hold back potentially damaging avalanches. Solar installers should review different snow retention systems before designing an array and installing that first solar panel. Any system chosen should be proven by independent testing and engineering calculation to resist vector forces that vary widely on a job-specific basis. SPW

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SCOTT SULLIVAN

INVERTER INSIDER

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SALES, MARKETING & SERVICE AT SIC USA

INVEXIT: What to do if your solar inverter provider exits the market As the UK voted to leave the European Union during “Brexit” this summer, I drew a correlation to the companies that have left the solar industry. What happens in the aftermath?

Though many types of manufacturers have exited the solar market, I’ve focused on those in my area of expertise: inverters. What happens if your inverter provider pulls an Invexit?

My inverter company just exited— now what?

Many questions race through solar contractors’ minds when they hear this news: Is my warranty still intact? Who will provide service and maintenance? Will I even be able to get anyone on the phone?

The first step to addressing these concerns is to determine what really happened to the company. Did it actually go out of business? Maybe it was sold, or just the inverter division was sold to another entity. Maybe it just closed its North American facilities but will remain active in other markets.

The answers to these questions matter

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because each scenario offers different challenges and opportunities.

Your concerns also depend on where you are in the supply chain. If you are a large utility-scale solar developer with multi-megawatt inverter platforms tied to projects’ financial viability, your concerns are different—though not necessarily less stressful—than the residential solar installer.

Residential considerations If you’re a residential installer and bought your inverters through distribution, you’re in luck. I know most of the solar distributors in North America and I can say unequivocally they are genuinely customer-focused. I believe they will work with you if your inverter needs service or replacement. If your inverter manufacturer is not in the market any longer, call your distributor and discuss your concerns. I bet they’ll be able to help.

Commercial and utility considerations Unfortunately, getting maintenance or repair for a commercial or utility-sized

inverter may be more complicated. Even an extended warranty may not hold up if the inverter company filed bankruptcy and no longer exists. That warranty is probably gone, too, as was the case with Satcon, Enecsys or Ballard.

However, if your inverter company simply stopped selling inverters in North America and is still around, you probably have time before your warranty is voided or modified. This is the case with Advanced Energy, Trace and Xantrex. For example, when Schneider bought Trace/ Xantrex, it also purchased the warranty liability along with the IP and resources of the company. It has a financial obligation to the contract, meaning the warranty.

What’s happened with Satcon If you happen to own a Satcon inverter, you are in good company. With 1.6 GW of installed Satcon inverters in North America, you are not in this alone.

The Chinese contract manufacturer for Satcon, CEC GreatWall, bought

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INVERTER INSIDER

the name and IP but not the warranty liability. That means the same people making inverters in China for Satcon when it was a Boston-based company are still making that same quality product for themselves. They offer OEM parts availability (even those proprietary to Satcon units like computer boards) plus technician training, along with phone and technical support through their relationships with partners in the United States and Greece.

Satcon is actually back in the North American market with an exclusive arrangement with Skwentex International Corporation (SIC) to offer new Satcon inverters. These include a standard five-year warranty on both parts and service. I know

it doesn’t heal the sting of not getting the full value of a formerly purchased 20-year warranty, but it at least provides options.

Other sources of help If you’re caught in an Invexit or loss of another type of manufacturer, there are other places to turn.

Associations such as SEPA, SEIA and the SunSpec Alliance can be helpful resources. Discussing your issues with other experts at tradeshows, online forums and social media can help find solutions too. You may even find past employees of those companies on LinkedIn with an amazing wealth of knowledge and willingness to help. Chances are the past company has digitalized its installation manuals or its complete bill of materials, which you may

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INVERTER INSIDER

be able to access online. Even other inverter manufactures may be able to assist. Many use the same parts, so it’s possible they can provide the parts and service you need. If not, they may be able to help you obtain a replacement unit.

Learning together as an industry As the Spanish philosopher George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The solar industry is still young, so we can expect challenges with equipment manufacturers. It’s important to buy quality equipment and learn from the past.

Maybe a 20-year warranty from a two-year-old manufacturing company wasn't the best idea.

Instead, escrow that extended warranty money and get to know your local service technician.

Don't give up; all hope is not lost. Just because your inverter company exited the market doesn't mean you don't have options to be assured your solar array will live a long and productive life. SPW

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KELLY PICKEREL

PANEL POINTS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Lumeta’s first peel-and-stick commercial product, shown here installed on the roof of the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.

New adhesive solar module makes case to ELIMINATE RACKING The best way to bring down the installed cost of a solar system is to

What’s Lumeta’s history?

reduce both the balance of system and labor. A new module attacks both areas with an adhesive, non-penetrating, non-racking system that can be quickly installed by just one person.

Publicity around Lumeta’s adhesive, light-weight crystalline silicon solar panel has come in spurts over the last eight years, so you’ll be forgiven if you haven’t heard of the game-changing product. Seen exhibiting at Solar Power International in 2010, Lumeta went back to the drawing board and used its involvement in a SunShot Initiative-funded program to now launch both residential

Davey and the rest of Lumeta’s founders have nearly 30 years’ experience in the commercial roofing business, installing roofing systems through DRI Companies. In 2007, DRI customers approached the team for suggestions on solar systems appropriate for commercial rooftops.

“Our customers, especially the big box retailers, began asking us to help them identify solar systems that didn’t have an adverse impact on the additional load increases caused by traditional rack-mounted systems, as well as the numerous penetrations required to install rack-mounted solar systems,” Davey said.

museum’s president touted Lumeta’s “nocompromise” efforts to the roof’s integrity.

The panels, first marketed as a BIPV option, had a 400-W peak power rating and 13.8% efficiency. Using DuPont Tefzel front sheets instead of glass, Lumeta panels also eliminated the need for aluminum frames.

Back then, they weren’t super light-weight (65 lbs on its 2010 spec sheets), but the lack of 2010 racking supplies definitely contributed to an overall lighter system.

What’s the story behind the new generation modules?

The second generation Lumeta modules (LPP-175S and LPP-185T) will launch in Q1 2017. They’ve changed a lot from their initial design— and they’re backed by some solid research.

LPP-175S, intended for application over asphalt shingle roofs, was developed in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) through the Plug and Play PV for American Homes program. The program’s objective is to complete a plug-and-play PV system that can be installed in 10 or fewer man-hours by someone without prior solar experience

Our customers, especially the big box retailers, began asking us to help them identify solar systems that didn’t have an adverse impact on the additional load increases caused by traditional rack-mounted systems. and commercial products in 2017.

We’re sure solar installers have many questions about Lumeta’s LPP modules—Adhesive? No penetrations?

No racking? What?

We chatted with Lumeta CEO Timothy Davey to learn more.

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Rather than give business to other suppliers, DRI invented the non-penetrating, peel-and-stick Lumeta module.

January 2011 saw the first commercial installation of Lumeta’s PowerPly solar panels on the roof of the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. The www.solarpowerworldonline.com

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PANEL POINTS

and meets the SunShot goal of $1.50/watt installed cost for the residential market by 2020. The complimentary LPP-185T module is suited for concrete tile roofs.

Fraunhofer CSE successfully completed its first fullscale installation of its Plug and Play PV system (with Lumeta modules) in November 2014, and Lumeta received UL 1703 certification on both LPP module lines in late 2015.

What’s the technical data?

Compared toother othersingle singleaxis axis Compared to trackers, thePST-1AX6 PST-1AX6 is able trackers, the is able fit more moremodules modulesper perrow, row, to fit resultingin in50% 50%more moremodules modules resulting the same samearea. area.

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The two module lines are basically identical except in a few small areas, but from here forward we’ll discuss the shingle module (LPP-175S).

The Lumeta panel weight has dropped to around 17.5 lbs and is only 3 mm thick (a traditional glassed panel is about 35 mm thick). Forty monocrystalline silicon cells encompass the square-like module shape.

Davey said the company went with silicon instead of a more BIPV-friendly thin-film material to “take advantage of c-Si’s proven long term output performance as well as its high conversion efficiency.”

Lumeta modules (175 W for the shingle module, 185 W for the tile module) adhere to the roof with a thermoplastic butyl adhesive that has been wind tested to 120 mph. This time-proven adhesive (branded Royal/ADCO) can be removed by heating the module with a commercial utility blanket (to ~175° F), with no damage to the roof. If the module would then need to be reinstalled, adhesive would The Lumeta LPP-175S module have to be for asphalt shingle roofs reapplied. Instead of glass, the topside of the module is again sealed with a DuPont Tefzel front sheet with a tapered edge to prevent soiling and water ponding.

The junction box is housed on top of the panel (it’s on the backside for the tile roof panel), and a tray is pre-installed on the top edge to cover and manage wires (underneath on a tile roof). With no penetrations or need for row spacing, the Lumeta modules can connect together for a seamless, monolithic array. To ensure ideal adhesion on tile roofs, shaped inserts/wedges are adhesively applied to the roof to create a flat surface for the full module to attach.

Davey said microinverters can be used with the Lumeta modules, which will prove to be easier if/when microinverter 28

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PANEL POINTS

sizes get smaller. The company is considering offering modules with DC optimizers to accomplish module-level shutdown, installed in place of the junction box.

What’s the catch?

It’s difficult to compare the Lumeta module to either BIPV products or traditional, rigid crystalline. They sort of fall into a brand new category. “[Lumeta is] comparable if not superior in its electrical production (to glass c-Si panels) but much lighter, non-penetrating and more aesthetically pleasing,” Davey said. “More importantly is our ability to provide a module with a price point that will result in the lowest installed system cost on the market for rooftop installations, given the offset of BOS and labor costs.”

Installers are able to complete five

times the number of residential installations in the same timeframe and with the same work force as a standard rack-mounted system on an asphalt shingle roof, Lumeta claims. Tile roofs can see a 15-times installation improvement.

The residential modules are a modest 175-185 W, with a commercial model expected to hit 320 W. Davey said the company is going through testing right now and expects next generation modules to have a higher wattage—predicting 270-280 W for the shingle and tile panels. As output gets more competitive, the modules can make more sense in all situations.

Installation is faster and less labor intensive than traditional racked systems, that’s obvious.

A Lumeta system is ideal for consumers concerned about aesthetics, roof penetrations and/or roof load. If someone is looking for maximum output, Lumeta isn’t 100% there yet, but the cost savings are difficult to ignore. SPW

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STEVEN BUSHONG

MOUNTING

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

THE BIG THREE: How to avoid these utility-scale groundmounting challenges

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As the saying goes, the best time to solve a problem is before it happens. This is especially true at utility-scale projects sites, where installation delays due to avoidable problems can become extremely expensive. Based on years of experience, Wolfgang Fritz, vice president of engineering at solar mounting manufacturing company Schletter, identified three mounting-installation areas that encounter most delays and redos. In a recent Solar Power World webinar, he identified strategies for overcoming these challenges.

Project Management and Communication

Challenge No. 1: Insufficient Risk Management

Challenge No. 2: Poor or No Geotechnical Testing

Everyone involved in the value chain of a solar power facility is exposed to varying levels of risk. Risks include considerations of site access and ground surface adjustments, vegetation control, climatic influences, material supply, political stability and, of course, design of the installation itself. The goal of diligent risk management is to mitigate or at least limit potentially costly issues and delays during the construction and production phase of a project.

Geotechnical testing at project sites helps determine the best system type for a project, ensures a reliable foundation is used and lets contractors achieve the most efficient use of materials.

When testing is not up to par, the consequences can range from delayed installation to a faulty or unsafe project. Major problem areas in geotechnical testing are commonly found in

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One big step in the right direction with regards to managing project risk is good communication among stakeholders during the design and construction phase of a project. If all communication counterparts are known and familiar with each other, issues can be addressed expediently and without high impact on project cost.

determining proper foundations and embedment depths.

Site access and preparation is of utmost importance prior to geotechnical investigations. If a project site will be significantly modified after testing is completed, the results may be invalid and testing may have to be redone. Sites should be tested in a grid pattern to maximize the potential to capture subsurface issues ahead of time.

An important element of soil testing is to assess corrosion potential, which can often be a costly issue for any installation, especially on large utility-scale projects. When corrosive soils are found, mitigation measures have to be developed in the affected area.

Embedment depths Designing a structurally and geotechnically sound foundation should be at the forefront of any engineering team reviewing a site.

For clients and owners of utilityscale power plants, the durability of the mounting system can either

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P A N EMLO UP NO TI NI NT GS create a long-term liability or be something they rarely have to consider.

In addition to the longevity and performance of the mounting system, the embedment depth influences the cost of the mounting systems directly, as posts are generally quoted by the meter or foot by most manufacturers.

Optimizing embedment depths aides in creating a cost-effective design.

Challenge No. 3: Lacking CostEffective Designs Structural safety, cost control and design and sustainability are three key areas to consider when setting design criteria and goals. There are certain fixed parameters that are beyond the control of any developer, such as environmental loads (wind, snow and seismic) and characteristics of landscape (geometry, soil conditions, exposure category).

Additionally, the module selection— framed or frameless—can also play a

large part in the racking design. When working with a mounting manufacturer, small configuration adjustments in inclination angle and string sizes can add up to great savings.

Structural safety From an engineering and design perspective, the longevity of the system is most important. Building codes and local regulations must be taken into account to put stakeholders at ease with the system design. Areas to consider before selecting a utility-scale mounting system include adjustment capabilities of the system in the field, which is often needed when rammed foundation posts are not installed exactly as specified in the construction documents.

Cost control When it comes to cost control measures, there are three main areas of concerns: material use,

logistics and installation time and requirements. Most utility-scale systems today are manufactured using steel. While aluminum is still an option, cost considerations generally steer developers away from it. When shipping the system, it’s important it arrives in a fashion that reduces site work as much as possible. Because work on a construction site is prone to weather and other delays, it is important to reduce installation times as much as possible.

Design and sustainability As the solar industry ages globally, the topic of end-of-design-life is gaining importance. In many cases systems have to be built back and material scrapped.

Depending on the foundation system, large concrete foundations may have to be excavated. In other scenarios, steel supports may have to be removed at a much lower cost. SPW

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KELLY PICKEREL

PRODUCT FOCUS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Beamreach Solar’s lightweight, EASY-TO-INSTALL system looks to C&I market Beamreach Solar seemed to appear out of thin air this summer.

At both Intersolar North America and Solar Power International, a brand new company suddenly was hosting large crowds interested in an innovative, easyto-install system. Beamreach Solar’s Sprint product is a lightweight solar panel with integrated framing and racking that “unfolds” and quickly adheres to commercial rooftops. It eliminates the need for tools, ballast blocks and roof penetrations. Conference attendees were entranced.

Previously known as Solexel, the startup that would become Beamreach Solar manufactured thin silicon solar cells sandwiched between non-glass materials, making a lightweight solar module. With more than $240 million in funding, Solexel hit 21.2% cell efficiency in 2014 but decided to switch gears in June 2016 with a new product pathway and a name change.

Beamreach Solar entered the market just in time for the summer swing of conferences and product demos. CEO Mark Kerstens said the 32

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company is focused on producing a full system ideal for the commercial and industrial rooftop market.

“Over the last few years, we realized there was a real opportunity to solve problems customers have, especially in commercial, flat and low-slope roof space,” Kerstens said. “It can be addressed through the balance of

system—frame, racking, how you install the system, etc. There are significant opportunities for cost savings.”

It became a parallel effort for the company to produce superior solar cells and design better framing and racking.

Making solar possible on roofs that were physically or economically difficult became Beamreach Solar’s main focus,

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P RPOADNUECL T PFOOI CN UT S and thus the Sprint product was released before Beamreach solar cells were ready to commercialize. The company currently uses “reliable, top tier, well known solar cell manufacturers” integrated into its own framing and racking system design.

[Problems] can be addressed through the balance of system— frame, racking, how you install the system, etc. There are significant opportunities for cost savings.

“We have a pilot plant here in Silicon Valley for our own solar cell design,” Kerstens said. “Scaling that up takes some time. We decided we should make this great product available to customers as soon as possible and as much as possible, so we decided to source solar cells elsewhere.”

The 60-cell Sprint system has a maximum power rating of 300 W. Thinner glass (2 mm) and use of composite material for the framing and mounting makes for a lightweight

system. Including the integrated racking (with a convenient “handle” on its backside for easy carrying), a full onemodule system weighs in at 38 lbs.

The panels are equipped with a “foot” that adheres to the roofing membrane, making a secure attachment with no penetrations, no ballast. The adhesive is already applied to the feet; installers just remove a release liner and press the feet into the roof. Sprint can withstand 115-mph winds and has been tested to support

loads up to 5,400 Pa. Cabling and cable management is already integrated into the system, so essentially the only other item a contractor needs to worry about is the inverter.

Such a new product to the solar industry may need some reassurances to its longevity, and Kerstens said that everything in the bill of materials—solar cells, adhesives, composites—can be trusted.

“We are building on the longstanding relationships with our suppliers,” he said. “When it comes to

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PRODUCT FOCUS

the performance of the frame and racking, what we’re using has a long track record in other industries and has been real-world tested. We are confident with standing behind this product.

“We will also be using the same integrated frame/racking structure for our own solar cells,” Kerstens continued. “The benefits are the same—extreme light weight, fast install times, no need for grounding or tools, high backing density. All those benefits come across whether we use third-party-sourced cells or our own high performance cells.”

One potential concern about the Sprint system is it cannot be easily removed from a roof; the adhesive makes a permanent bond. Kerstens explained this bond as one “you wouldn’t want to get rid of.” If a roof needs to be replaced, panels can be detached from the feet, and the feet can be

The benefits are the same—extreme light weight, fast install times, no need for grounding or tools, high backing density.

All those benefits come across whether we use third-partysourced cells or our own high performance cells. removed with the old roofing membrane.

Once a new membrane is installed, new feet can be ordered and reattached to the existing panels. In this sense “removal and re-installation is dramatically faster and a significantly lower cost” than other commercial roof replacements that house solar systems. If a solar system needs permanent replacement, again the solar modules can be moved anywhere, but the feet will stay attached to the roof.

Kerstens said Beamreach Solar’s transition from a solar cell manufacturer to a system provider was based on expanding the solar industry and making solar more accessible.

“How do we help make the pie bigger for solar? How can more roofs go solar? How do we remove obstacles?” he asked. “There are so many other things we could address that nobody else has. We are providing a more multifacet solution to customers than just a highperformance cell at a competitive cost.” SPW 34

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11/8/16 4:53 PM

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JOHN CONNELL

STORAGE

VICE PRESIDENT OF CROWN BATTERY MANUFACTURING’S SLI PRODUCTS GROUP

How to prepare your SOLAR BATTERY BANK for winter Winter weather can drastically cut battery capacity and lifespan—but it doesn’t have to. Proper storage, depth of discharge and maintenance will help prepare any battery bank for winter and maximize lifespan and capacity.

Storing batteries provides protection from cold temperatures Most batteries are rated at 77°F, and their ideal operating temperature is between 50°F and 85°F. Batteries lose about 10% of their capacity for every 15°F to 20°F below 80°F. Their internal chemistries slow down, resistance increases and capacity and charge acceptance drop.

This reduced capacity is temporary.

However, it can present a problem because most renewable energy systems have the shortest days (i.e. lowest solar production) and highest loads during the winter, when capacity is lower.

Common battery storage solutions such as tin shelters, refrigerators or homemade boxes offer little protection from cold winter temperatures. And during the summer, temperatures in such enclosed spaces can exceed 140°F—hot enough to greatly accelerate battery deterioration.

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A better approach is storing batteries in a well-insulated space with sufficient thermal mass and protection from direct sunlight. AGM and other no- or low-maintenance batteries can be stored inside a home. Flooded batteries should be stored in a locked, well-vented box in a garage or shed.

(See National Electrical Code, Article 490.9(A) for details.) Leave 1/2-in. air gaps to ensure consistent temperatures.

If for any reason batteries cannot be protected from low temperatures, the owner may have to invest in a larger battery bank to compensate for decreased capacity.

If batteries will be unused for the season, such as in a summer home, there are several options to help prepare batteries for winter. Some inverters and chargers feature an automatic generator start function for use if panels are covered in snow. If this isn’t an option, turn off the inverter and all DC loads while leaving the charge controller on.

For extended storage, keep leadacid batteries at 100% capacity if possible and disconnect them. Discharge lithiumion batteries to approximately 40% of capacity and store at temperatures

between 41°F and 68°F. Refer to the battery manual for specifics.

Using battery monitors and battery management systems Technology also plays a key role in protecting batteries from harsh temperatures. Sensors can provide early warning if battery temperatures drop below recommended levels. Also, highquality charge controllers can adjust voltage based on battery temperature to help cells reach 100% state of charge.

This is important because cold batteries should be charged to a higher voltage than warm batteries to achieve the same state of charge.

For lithium-ion batteries, a battery management system (BMS) is a necessity.

A BMS ensures lower-capacity cells aren’t overcharged and reduces the risk of lithium-ion batteries going into thermal runaway and causing fires and explosions. Other battery chemistries also benefit from the monitoring capabilities of BMS. These may include total and per-cell voltage, temperature, depth of discharge and more. BMS can even help maximize capacity and protect against extreme temperatures.

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P A N E LS TPOORI NA GT SE Playing it safe with depth of discharge (DOD) Some battery makers tout their technology’s ability to discharge 100% and recommend sizing battery banks based on this unrealistic number. To ensure longevity and to keep the lights on, never discharge batteries below 80% DOD—50% DOD or lower is ideal.

All batteries require extra power reserves for days with low renewable energy production or higher electrical usage. Thus, a healthy safety margin is important regardless of battery chemistry.

If batteries still discharge too deeply, consider adding additional batteries. Depending on electrical consumption, seasonal availability of renewable energy sources and presence of a backup generator, it’s recommended to have three to six days of stored energy for off-grid systems.

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Performing regular maintenance Even low- and zero-maintenance batteries require regular inspection for proper performance. Battery manuals offer guidelines and maintenance schedules.

Depending on the battery technology, periodic maintenance may include cleaning battery terminals, checking fluid levels, adding distilled water, verifying terminal connections are secure and checking cell voltage.

Lead-acid batteries require equalization (intentional overcharging) to remove sulfation from battery plates and to bring all cells to similar levels. Lithium-ion batteries cannot be equalized by intentional overcharging. Instead, charge can be removed from high cells to low cells, or dissipative techniques may be used. Consult your battery manufacturer for best practices.

Whichever battery technology a system features, these strategies will maximize capacity and longevity all winter long. SPW

11/8/16 8:16 PM

KELLY PICKEREL

S O F T WA R E

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Solar tech flies high as DRONES aid in site assessment

AFTER

BEFORE

As in all industries, the best technology emerges as improved ways of doing tried-and-true processes. Trackers allow panels to follow the sun and generate more power. Microinverters boost system performance and pinpoint problems.

These technologies have pushed the solar industry into the future. Now solar software is getting in on the action by providing a faster, more accurate way to perform on-site assessments.

Drone-assisted 3D mapping just may be the next generation of solar assessment, and software developer Scanifly is looking to

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LEFT: The before shot shows the point cloud data Scanifly acquired in the field using Flydar, while the second photo shows the final 3D model processed through Scanifly3D.

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lead the industry into new, more accurately mapped territory.

This January, Scanifly will release drone hardware and 3D mapping software to U.S. solar installers interested in solving two main problems: inefficient, inaccurate on-site assessments and lengthy project timelines.

The on-site assessment process has changed little since the solar industry’s inception. Scanifly CEO and founder John Novak said a thorough residential site assessment can take about 20 minutes per roof, while a commercial site assessment can take a few days. Both require someone to climb onto a roof to measure obstructions and use (what Novak calls) monopolized and outdated shading analysis tools. Then the

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information has to be plotted to make readable project maps. Not only can this be time consuming, but measurements may not be accurate. In the age of technology, isn’t there an easier way?

Novak has authority on this topic.

He worked as a solar system designer for five years at multiple companies, and he noticed that the on-site assessment process is the same throughout the entire industry.

“I used Pictometry and other things and noticed it’s an inefficient process and very outdated,” he said. “It’s errorprone. Guarantees can be off. I noticed this problem, so I got interested in drones and 3D mapping.”

Scanifly’s Flydar hardware (installed onto drones) uses LiDAR—a surveying method that uses depth sensors, lasers and high-resolution cameras to compile very accurate maps. These plot points are shared with Scanifly3D software to quickly 3D-map properties for site assessment.

Novak described the process as this: “A solar specialist opens the Scanifly app and identifies the area they want 3D-mapped. The drone flies and lands on its own, and it uploads the data to our Cloud. It generates very accurate high-resolution, 3D models from that data acquisition on site. We

developed web-based 3D modeling software that allows the user to add panels to the roof, do a shading analysis, export to AutoCAD. It’s a full-scale solar system site assessment and design suite.”

By using drones and Scanifly3D software, multiple site visits aren’t needed to get additional measurements, and no one has to climb onto a roof. For those used to designing with just photographs and shade analysis results, imagery from LiDAR makes everything easier.

Flydar’s sensors and camera provide exceptional detail for extremely accurate 3D modeling. It can recognize and map full trees, small vent pipes and HVAC systems.

In the future, everyone is going to have their own 3D mapping drone on their engineering team.

No guesswork or tape-measurements needed. And the accompanying Scanifly3D software makes designing virtual replicas of the solar roof too easy, and shared reports can be generated in seconds. Novak notes that the software can work with small quadcopters and photogrammetry, but Flydar provides the best data possible.

3D mapping through drones is the way of the future, and Scanifly wants to be the leader on making the process quicker and simpler.

“In the future, everyone is going to have their own 3D mapping drone on their engineering team,” Novak said. SPW

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2016

[ L E A D E R S H I P I N S O L A R EN ER G Y]

CONGRATULATIONS! C O M P O N E N T S S&C

The Solar Power World team is pleased to

C O N S U LT I N G Envect

announce the winners of our fifth

DISTRIBUTORS

annual Leadership In Solar Program.

Backwoods Solar

E N C LO S U R E S Sabre Building Systems

Since we announced the nominees in our January issue

I N S TA L L AT I O N

Baja Construction Co. Inc.

INVERTERS

Pika Energy

and online, our user community has

CARPORTS

www.bajacarports.com

cast their votes on M E A S U R E M E N T Flex-Core

who they feel best exemplifies solar leadership in ten categories. We are

PA N E L S

Axitec LLC

RACKING & MOUNTING

EcoFasten Solar

SOFT WARE

Aurora Solar

pleased to celebrate the winners here.

Thank you for your innovation.

Your accomplishments are what drive gigawatts and create jobs.

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his year, new consumer product features allow you to track your sleep, take a 3D deep sea dive in a shark cage and even toss digital confetti in birthday text messages.

Likewise, new features of products are enhancing our lives in solar as well.

In the following pages, you’ll see products that incorporate cutting-edge technologies using chip integration, diamond-like materials, digital processing, bifacial and overlapping cells, water-based electrolytes, decoupling torsion limiters, integrated and open source data—oh, and double hydroxide films.

Sounds fancy, right? But what do these technologies mean to you on the job every day?

Perhaps an easier approach is to focus on how these product features will increase your work efficiency and project performance. One product helps solar installers compare expected power output to actual yield, and it sends alerts for deviations. Another offers a safer storage option that won’t subject anyone to health hazards or fires.

In this special section, you’ll find highly efficient, reliable and easy-to-install products that make your projects more profitable and save on labor time and cost. Picture an optimized system without needing to install devices on each panel, or using modules that eliminate shading loss worries.

These things are all possible. Consider these products as you plan for next year, and browse an even more extensive database in this year’s products section online at solarpowerworldonline.com.

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WATER-BASED ION MAKES BATTERIES MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY AS SEEN IN AQUION ENERGY'S ASPEN BATTERY

Batteries can contain materials that can be health hazards if not handled properly. By using water-based electrolytes and common, relatively inexpensive materials, a unique battery chemistry from Aquion Energy offers a safer storage alternative to the industry.

Aquion’s Aspen batteries, which received an Intersolar Award, have an environmentally-friendly electrochemical design and are the only batteries to be Cradle to Cradle Certified—meaning they’ve achieved positive ratings in aspects such as material health and reutilization, water stewardship and social fairness. The batteries contain no heavy metals or toxic chemicals and are non-flammable and non-explosive, making them safe and sustainable. The water-based electrolytes still provide the batteries the ability to handle energy-intensive solar applications with long cycle life, deep cycling capability and robust performance in high ambient temperatures. These batteries also do not degrade from partial state of charge cycling.

WIND MITIGATION WITHOUT MOTORS ADDS TO RELIABILITY AS SEEN IN ARRAY TECHNOLOGIES’ DURATRACK HZ V3 Array Technologies’ DuraTrack HZ v3 integrates a passive wind mitigation feature to alleviate high wind loads.

Many other trackers use an activestow approach, relying on sensors and motors to move the entire tracker field into a flat position to minimize wind forces. These active-stow trackers usually require access to an uninterrupted power source. DuraTrack HZ v3’s passive wind mitigation technology is entirely different.

Each v3 row has a built-in torsion limiter that decouples when exposed to high winds. After decoupling, the tracker row will naturally assume its position of least resistance to the wind, which changes from one weather event to the next. Usually this position is at or near the 52° range of motion limit,

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where redundant mechanical stops are located throughout the system to prevent over-rotation.

After the wind event, the torque-limiter will reengage. If the row is out of position with respect to the site, it will recalibrate to the correct position if the weather event or obstruction has ended. Array Technologies points out a few benefits of this technology: upfront cost savings, increased production and reliability. On that last point, the wind mitigation feature is purely mechanical, providing a self-sufficient power plant technology.

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ANALYSIS HELPS PROJECTS PASS INSPECTION THE FIRST TIME AS SEEN IN AURORA SOLAR SOFTWARE

With soft costs comprising larger chunks of the solar price tag, it’s important all aspects of installation go smoothly to minimize added costs, like change orders.

Key among the installation process is inspections and permitting. Aurora Solar has helped streamline those challenges with its Validation Report feature, which ensures project designs are National Electrical Code compliant and will pass inspection.

Aurora automatically runs hundreds of electrical tests, but the Validation Report is component-specific and considers the detailed electrical characteristics of modules, inverters, DC optimizers and balance of system components.

Aurora's Validation Report tests more than NEC compliance, too. It automatically checks to ensure no modules are violating firecode setback rules.

Salespeople will be delighted to find they don't have to

reference an extensive NEC guidebook. It's all built into the software and is easily understandable.

What happens when something is wrong with a design? A solar installer is alerted with a pop-up box that lists the tests performed. Errors are highlighted, and the installer is directed to the problem component or part. This is beneficial for commercial installers who may have thousands of components in their design.

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SHADE ANALYSIS FUNCTION TRIAGES ARRAYS FOR OPTIMIZED LAYOUT AS SEEN IN FOLSOM LABS’ HELIOSCOPE

Obstruction shading is the biggest wild card for whether a solar array will make sense for a particular address. Folsom Labs has built a feature in its HelioScope design software that lets an installer quickly and easily understand the potential generation of a rooftop—and, ideally, set a threshold for how the array should be designed.

Folsom Labs says the most valuable use-case for the shade function is for sales teams to triage a roof while on an initial call with a homeowner. In two minutes, a salesperson can estimate the potential capacity of a roof, as well as diagnose and quantify shading issues. The data for the shade optimization comes from a variety of sources, including satellite imagery, LiDAR data and weather data files.

Historically, shade analysis was completed with SunEye readings taken from the roof, which

measured the "dome" of the sky available to a solar array. While this solution provides valid results, it has a couple drawbacks: It requires someone to visit the project site and generally under-reports the benefits of module-level optimization. That is why a detailed 3D model gives a more nuanced understanding of the array's shade losses and enables module-level control for the system designer.

PANEL-INTEGRATED CHIP OPTIMIZES STRING INVERTER SYSTEMS

AS SEEN WITH MAXIM INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY (COMPATIBLE WITH FRONIUS SNAPINVERTERS) Optimizing solar arrays on a module level has traditionally required installing microinverters or optimizers, but a new technology provides another solution. Maxim Integrated now offers a chipbased cell-string optimizer that simply comes embedded in the junction box of certain brands of solar modules (JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, Hanwha Q Cells, Suntech and ET Solar). The chip replaces the traditional panel diode so each module has three optimizers and therefore MPPTs to accommodate shade, string mismatch and soiling. This lets installers accommodate multiple orientations, shading and unsymmetrical designs with up to 20% difference in string length without installing more components. This allows rows of panels to be tightly placed together in commercial systems without any limitations while reducing installation and increasing communication and efficiency. The technology is available and compatible with Fronius SnapInverters, which also offer mounting flexibility and monitoring through Fronius Solar.web.

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DIAMOND-LIKE MATERIAL INCREASES INVERTER EFFICIENCY AS SEEN IN GE'S LV5+ SERIES SOLAR INVERTER

Silicon carbide (SiC), a synthetically produced crystalline compound of silicon and carbon, was first discovered in an attempt to produce artificial diamonds, and it shares many properties with diamonds, including strength and resistance to high temperatures. These diamond-like features, combined with electrical conductivity, make the material the ideal substitute for traditional semiconductors, giving it the potential to transform the power conversion methods of inverters used today.

GE has already proven the technology in other markets such as healthcare and aviation. Now in solar, SiC in inverters can achieve up to twice the power density compared to silicon designs. This increases the amount of energy produced per year in a smaller footprint than today’s siliconebased inverters.

The most powerful benefit of using the material in solar inverter applications is its increased power conversion efficiency.

Two 1-MW GE LV5+ inverter demonstrator units have been installed in the United States, and the company plans to release full scale development of LV5+ solar solutions to the market in 2018.

MANY TINY WIRES REPLACE BUSBARS TO REDUCE ELECTRICAL LOSS AND PREVENT MICROCRACK FAILURES AS SEEN IN LG NEON 2 MODULES

The industry has been revamping its busbar game, with many solar panel manufacturers increasing to four or five ribbons to connect solar cells to each other and allow for the flow of electrons. If the thought process is that more busbars allow for more paths for electrons to run down, then why not have as many busbars as possible?

LG adopted Cello technology for its NeON 2 modules, exchanging the thick busbar for multiple tiny wires. Cello (cell connection with electrically low loss, low stress and optical absorption enhancement) technology makes use of 12 circular-shaped wires that help scatter light, leading to better absorption and a reduction in electrical loss by spreading the current. When microcracks arise by natural degradation, the 12 tiny wires reduce downtime by blocking the crack with their tight layout. In the end, consumers are left with more reliable power packed into the same physical space as traditional solar panels.

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ADVANCED METAL COATING OFFERS STRONGER CORROSION PROTECTION

AS SEEN ON MOUNTING SYSTEMS’ SIGMA GROUND MOUNTS Available on Mounting Systems’ Sigma ground mounts, Magnelis coating innovates beyond the typical metal galvanizing process. The magic of Magnelis is its selfhealing property. Cut or perforated materials aren’t a problem because the exposed metal is automatically sealed with a protective film of zinc-aluminummagnesium layered double hydroxides. While the chemical process is complex, the result is simple: The film prevents the aluminum or steel from making contact with oxidizing agents in the surrounding air, meaning it won’t weaken or thin over time. Magnelis has shown itself to be a superior metallic coating for solar ground-mount products to protect them from the elements and extend their lifespan.

AESTHETIC ENHANCEMENT FOR SLOPED-ROOF MOUNTS ALSO BENEFITS INSTALLERS AS SEEN WITH QUICK MOUNT PV’S TILE REPLACEMENT MOUNT

Cutting or grinding roof tiles was once a time-intensive endeavor for solar installers— and when tiles broke despite careful efforts, it was a frustrating one, too. Quick Mount PV is developing tile replacement mounts that let installers remove whole tiles from rooftops and replace them with similarlooking aluminum replacements. The replacements are an aesthetic enhancement for Quick Mount PV’s universal base mount and post, elements that provide structure and strength. Also, because a replacement tile is the same shape as the one it replaces, it greatly diminishes wind-blown rain from entering the roof area. The company says the replacement tile feature cuts down on installation time by as much as 20%.

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HALF-CUT CELLS ELIMINATE WORRY OF SHADING LOSSES AS SEEN IN REC TWINPEAK MODULES

Cutting solar cells in half allow for a module’s output to increase and internal resistance to decrease, when coupled with other technology advances. By taking advantage of a half-cell’s smaller size, modules can incorporate better spacing to help capture more reflected light and assist in reducing shading dangers.

When panels are better performing, fewer are needed to generate high yields, and BOS costs can be significantly reduced.

REC’s TwinPeak module line has embraced half-cut technology, producing both 60- and 72-cell designs (with 120 and 144 half-cells, respectively). With smaller cells, REC can switch up its panel layout and remove one cross connecter to increase inter-cell spacing and capture more reflected light. This effectively splits the module in half, with two “twin” modules in one. When one of the twin modules is shaded, the other can still perform. The half-cut design (along with PERC technology and four busbars) increases output by about 20 W on the 72-cell module. By delivering more power per square meter, fewer modules are needed, saving time, effort and money. solar-ad-final-press.pdf

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COBALT-FREE BATTERY OFFERS NON-TOXIC STORAGE AS SEEN IN SIMPLIPHI POWER’S PHI 3.4 SMART-TECH BATTERY

Cobalt oxides, the earliest form of lithium-ion chemistry introduced to the energy storage market, are toxic, and cathodes using cobalt oxide are what generate the heat, temperature regulation and fires commonly associated with lithium-ion batteries. Unmonitored, cobalt can lead to thermal runaway, melt-down and hazardous fires.

These unfortunate side effects of cobalt makeups can’t be managed by ventilation or built-in cooling, and external environmental and ambient temperatures also contribute to difficulties. Although earlier generation lithium-ion batteries using cobalt are more energy dense per pound/ kilogram on a chemical level, these problems eliminate this fundamental advantage and create batteries that are far heavier, larger, inefficient and more costly over time.

A cobalt-free, lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) chemistry solves this toxic issue, while still offering the potential for greater efficiency and safety than other battery formulas. SimpliPhi Power’s PHI 3.4-kWh, 60 A

deep-cycle LFP battery eliminates the risks of thermal runaway, doesn’t require expensive, bulky cooking or ventilation, can cycle daily for 10 years and provides an overall more robust, safe and efficient delivery of power.

DIGITAL PROCESSING IMPROVES INVERTER SIZE, EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY AS SEEN IN SOLAREDGE’S HD-WAVE TECHNOLOGY INVERTER

String inverters can be heavy, making installation difficult, and they usually require a way to manage heat, which can add to their weight and increase their potential to fail.

SolarEdge recently won an Intersolar Award for a new power conversion technology that uses distributed switching and a powerful digital signal processor to create cleaner sine waves and generate less heat. This technology, called HD-Wave, increases conversion efficiency to a record breaking 99% while at the same time decreasing product weight in half when compared to traditional string inverters. The inverter is designed for outstanding reliability through the use of thin-film capacitors instead of the traditional electrolytic capacitors. HD-Wave inverters offer users greater flexibility through higher DC/AC oversizing (up to 155%) and longer string lengths—almost two times longer than traditional inverters (up to 6,000 W on 7.6-kW model). HD-Wave inverters also feature the latest in safety and code compliance with integrated auto rapid shutdown. Installers will appreciate faster installation with a smaller and lighter inverter and easier commissioning with the introduction of a new four-button touchscreen and rapid pairing.

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OVERLAPPING SOLAR CELLS TO REMOVE WHITE SPACE IMPROVES OUTPUT AND LONGEVITY AS SEEN IN SOLARIA POWERXT MODULES

By removing visual gaps between cells, solar panels receive two main benefits. First, they’re more visually appealing and open up a new market to consumers concerned about aesthetics. Second, power losses due to shadowing are reduced because cells are connected without busbars.

Solaria’s PowerXT module makes use of this production process to optimize 330-W and 400-W modules for the residential and commercial sectors. Solaria solar cells are cut and overlaid using a ribbon-less, solder-free interconnection. This more efficient packing assembly process enables modules with 15% greater power than conventional modules, mostly because there are more cells occupying the surface area of the module. There’s also no shading from the eliminated busbars and no threat of microcracks caused by busbar soldering.

Through this no-white-space design, power is super boosted and long-term reliability is guaranteed because nothing mechanical is being used to potentially damage solar cells.

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SENSORS PROVIDE INSTANTANEOUS FEEDBACK ON TRACKER HEALTH AS SEEN WITH SUNLINK TECHTRACK DISTRIBUTED

A multitude of monitoring devices can tell you how well your panels are performing, but what about your mounting system? SunLink is equipping solar trackers with sensors to monitor mechanical and electrical performance, as well as gather data on real-time environmental conditions to create a complete picture of system performance. Sensors report current tracker tilt, irradiance, wind, snow and flooding levels. Accelerometers measure the impact of environmental loads and forces on the mechanical structure. Electrical sensors monitor the performance of inverters, batteries and other devices. Users can make sense of the data with SunLink’s VERTEX monitoring platform, which forms an all-encompassing real-time view of what’s happening with the tracker. In the end, the sensors along with the VERTEX monitoring platform should empower solar plants to take care of themselves while providing proactive operations management to the owners.

BIFACIAL CELLS CAPTURE PREVIOUSLY REFLECTED SOLAR ENERGY AS SEEN IN SOLARWORLD BISUN MODULES

The albedo effect: When a portion of solar energy is reflected back into space. Instead of losing this reflected energy, solar panels could perform much better if they captured this leftover light. Bifacial solar cells aim to do just that.

SolarWorld’s new Sunmodule Bisun product offers up to 25% more yield thanks to its bifacial, duo cells. Instead of being covered by a backsheet, the Bisun module’s backside is encased in glass, activating solar cells on both sides. Sunlight is collected on the face of the solar panels as well as reflected onto the back. Ideal for ground-mounts and flat rooftop installations, bifacial solar panels work even better when combined with reflective surfaces, such as white membrane roofs or white stones. A 330-W bifacial panel can produce energy equivalent to a conventional 410-W panel.

An increased energy yield helps to reduce the pay-off period of a solar array.

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YIELD FORECASTS PROVIDE RELEVANT MONITORING DATA EVEN ON CLOUDY DAYS AS SEEN IN SOLAR-LOG’S WEB COMMERCIAL EDITION

Solar-Log has developed a way to evaluate the performance of a solar array and make real-time weather conditions part of the equation. The yield forecasting feature within the Solar-Log WEB Commercial Edition platform provides a benchmark for solar installers to compare expected power output to actual yield. The forecasts are created with integrated satellite weather data, open source performance data from PVWatts, power produced by nearby plants and optional on-site weather sensors.

By using a variety of forecasting tools the installer or plant owner has a more accurate projection of solar irradiance and PV plant power production. The platform alerts installers or plant owners to deviations between projected and actual yield. Installers are then able to identify and correct inverter failures or plant issues quickly, leading to faster recovery and minimizing power losses. Another unique advantage

of Solar-Log’s yield forecasting is the product’s compatibility with 100 inverter brands. This extensive compatibility list provides one centralized portal for the installer, eliminating the need to manage many different monitoring systems.

METAL-ON-METAL FLASHING SEALS ARRAYS FOR AN ELECTRICALLY BONDED FUTURE AS SEEN IN SOLAR SPEEDRACK SYSTEMS

Most flashing uses seals made with rubber rings, bushings or gaskets. Solar SpeedRack has upended the traditional design of flashing with a proprietary all-metal seal designed specifically for solar installations. The two-part seal consists of a male/ female design that sandwiches a sheet metal flashing, creating a pressed ring indentation in the metal, which creates the first part of the seal. The second part of the seal is a special bolt with a conical neck that is mechanically fastened into a hole. The action of fastening the bolt mechanically forms and bonds all the components together. This method not only creates a watertight seal but also electrically bonds all components. Typical flashing that uses rubber isolates components from bonding and could degrade over time. Representatives of Solar SpeedRack believe AHJs or UL code will one day require that all system parts be electrically bonded. If that comes to pass, installers will know where to find products that comply.

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BUILT-IN RACKING ADJUSTABILITY KEEPS CONSTRUCTION ON SCHEDULE AS SEEN IN TERRASMART’S TF2 GROUND MOUNT Product and engineering teams at TerraSmart know that in-field convenience is paramount for installation teams, so a key feature of the company’s TF2 rack is adjustability. In-rack adjustability lets installers forget about punching extra holes or making physical alterations to the rack in the field.

Adjustability is accomplished with ubiquitous slotting that allows on-site adjustment for module leveling. Once bolts are in place, no back-wrenching

is required. The adjustability also helps mitigate unforeseen terrain conditions that could keep projects at bay. Combined with other in-field conveniences like integrated wire management and reduced parts, the TerraSmart team has reported a 35% reduction in installation workhours compared to similar systems.

ANY-TIME HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT EASES INSTALLS AS SEEN ON UNIRAC’S SUNFRAME MICRORAIL

Most PV racking systems require the installer to adjust height prior to mounting modules. For rail-based systems, this is not a major problem because rails tend to “self-level” and modules are automatically aligned. For rail-less systems, the situation is very different and getting aligned modules on an undulating roof is very difficult.

Post-install height adjustment solves these issues. Modules are installed on the attachments without regard for alignment and height adjustment, and the whole array can be eyeballed in one simple step that results in an array that is much more accurately aligned. Technically, the upper clamp is mounted on a floating helix that travels in an internal tower. This allows the clamp to travel up and down without having to be rotated like many current systems that ride along a threaded bolt. For the installer, the process of adjusting the height is simple. Just insert the same tool (a 1/4-in. hex drive) used for the rest of the system into the access hole at the top of the clamp and spin the internal helix. One direction moves the clamp up, the other moves it down.

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NOVATIVE AND OTHER IN UDING: IDEAS, INCL

November 2015 orldonline.com

How to Harvest

Solar p.32

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Here are 19 trends you should know as it continues to grow.

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POIN PROFITERS FOR BLE PROJETA CTS , SAFE, EFFICIE NT

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11/8/16 11:21 AM

SOLAR

in

Vision for the future

Kathie Zipp Managing Editor Kelly Pickerel Associate Editor Solar Power World

SPW on solar ten years from today When debating the future, it’s advisable to look at the past. We know the solar industry was a sliver of its current size ten years ago. Since then, manufacturers have halved hardware costs. Innovators have developed new customer acquisition and finance platforms to reduce soft costs. And states nationwide, as well as the federal government, have recognized the importance of solar as a job creator and economic stimulator. Of course, behind all of this is the threat of man-made climate change, inspiring action among homeowners to “do something right,” businesses to “set an example” and

To understand the future of solar, we’re not sure if it’s enough to look at the history of solar alone.

self-driving car initiative. Today, its autonomous vehicles have traversed more than two million miles of public roadways in four states. In two years, autonomous Ubers could take you to work in the morning.

Why do these milestones matter? It shows that ten years is enough time for a technology to change the world. It can be argued that solar is already doing that.

It lights villages in developing nations. It provides energy to troops in combat. It decreases reliance on dirty diesel in places as diverse as Alcatraz and the Arctic Circle.

It powers communications towers on mountaintops, lights along roadways, security cameras at construction projects. Thinking bigger, it brings power to communities and colleges, islands and data centers. But it can do, and will do, so much more in the next ten years.

Skyscrapers will have windows that generate power.

Homes, outfitted with solar and storage technology, will have intelligent control devices that interact with utility

legislators to “lead the way.” All projections have solar growing globally, perhaps up to 13% of all electricity produced by 2030, compared with 1.2% today, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

But to understand the future of solar, we’re not sure if it’s enough to look at the history of solar alone. After all, at its root, solar is a technology, and technology is a field that is zooming into the future at a dizzying pace. Consider these recent technology milestones: Tesla Motors, a company that has revolutionized driving and delivers supplies to the International Space Station, was founded only 13 years ago. Apple released the first iPhone in June 2007—just nine years ago. In 2008, Google launched its

5 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD

SPW Staff_Column Tenth Anniv_Vs3.indd 54

11 • 2016

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

11/8/16 10:55 AM

Vision for the future

SOLAR

in

WHEN IT CAME TO SECURELY ATTACHING 5.38 MW OF SOLAR PANELS TO THEIR ROOF,

grids. Cars will never have an empty battery—at least not for long. The contention between utilities and private solar owners will be resolved. Utility-scale solar will be cheaper and more reliable than ever, with storage and smart grid technology making it as useful to energy managers as traditional fuels. Commercial solar won’t only be affordable, it will also be commonplace— consumers will demand it and business accountants will happily sign off on it. And Solar Power World, we suspect, will cover these innovations as they come into reality. SPW

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SPW Staff_Column Tenth Anniv_Vs3.indd 55

55

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SOLAR

in

Vision for the future

Tile Replacement Mount Jeff Spies Sr Director Policy Quick Mount PV

Fast & Simple | Versatile | 100% Watertight Q: Over the next 10 years, what aspect of the solar industry—

technology, people, marketing, policy, external forces, etc.—will drive the most growth, and how?

Q: A: No messy tile grinding or cutting, so you can install In 10 years, what will people everywhere be saying about the solar industry

A: In 10 years, people around the world will

view solar energy as the most cost effective and sensible way to generate electricity and heat water. Solar and storage provide inexpensive, low carbon energy and greater grid resiliency.

In developing countries, solar is the dominant growing form of power generation. Across the world, 1.3 billion people live without electricity. As their economies develop, solar power will flood into these countries as the lowest cost, most reliable form of electrical power generation.

Q: In 10 years, how will your company’s

technology offerings or services be different—how will they resemble today’s products and how will they evolve?

A: Conventional PV modules will still be used on shingle and tile roofs, but new homes will likely be designed with solar as an integral component of the roof. California has already mandated solar ready construction for new homes. Modules, racking, and roof attachments will start to become more modular and integrated. A growing trend may be new roofs using Building Integrated PV modules (BIPV). These BIPV solar shingles or solar tiles would serve as the primary roof covering eliminating the need to install solar panels over the top of a roof. New home construction typically makes up 10% of the market, so existing, roofs will likely continue to use conventional roof attachments/ racking with standard solar panels.

W Tile Mount

In the United States, utility rate structures are the most significant factor to the future success of the rooftop solar installation industry. Demand Charges and Time of Use Rates are driving energy storage innovations. These innovations will be coupled with energy management systems that monitor energy use, control appliances, and fine tune the timing of buying/selling of kWh from an easy to use mobile app, making solar even more convenient for consumers and an important addition to future smart homes.

Q: Over the next 10 years, what major challenge will the industry overcome?

A: The roofing and solar industries have yet to merge in any substantive way. This evolution of rooftop solar is complicated by the drastically different cultures of the solar and roofing industries. Roofers and roofing manufacturers are very conservative, and products and installation methods evolve slowly after a long period of considerable deliberation. In contrast, solar moves very quickly, with dramatic twists and turns in codes, standards, system costs and technology development. Long-term O&M costs are not fully appreciated, and many solar installers and manufacturers will fall by the wayside as a result of playing fast and loose with quality standards.

Q: In 10 years, when you look back at how your company was today, what will be the key differentiator that let your company prosper to 2026 and beyond?

A: The balance between utility, commercial, and residential solar will ebb and flow based upon dynamic forces that are challenging to predict, but Quick Mount PV will always be dedicated to ongoing innovation in rooftop solar.

Over the next ten years, our goal is to advance solar globally through product innovation and financially sustainable, ethical and environmentally responsible business practices. We are committed to producing the industry’s most advanced solar mounting systems. SPW

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SOLAR

in

Vision for the future

Michael Maulick CEO & President SunLink Corporation

Three EnTech Trends ACCELERATING SOLAR into 2026 There is an enormous opportunity to revolutionize the trillion-dollar energy sector with energy technology (EnTech) convergence solutions that bring the best technology to bear on energy’s biggest challenges. In 10 years, the solar industry’s top innovators will have leveraged three EnTech trends to accelerate the upward trajectories of both their own businesses and the sector, at large.

1) Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and IoT to create the next generation of solar solutions Artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning – using algorithms to enable machines to “learn” things for themselves – is driving tech innovation across industries, including solar.

In 10 years, companies will have used IoT technology to transform the components on a solar installation into a physical “network” by embedding them with electronics, software, sensors and secure meshed network connectivity.

The components will be collecting and exchanging realtime data, feeding the AI algorithms. Artificial intelligence is going to figure as prominently in the EnTech-enabled future of solar as it does for every other industry. By 2026, smarter solar “machines” will have long been the norm.

new competitors. In contrast, the tech sector has proven that exposing data to the creativity of others via open platforms is a more effective path to advance both company and industry growth as greater numbers of developers drive advancement and new capabilities through collective input, suggestions and requirements. As a result, the energy sector has already begun to make the shift to open application programming interfaces (APIs), and a decade from now that evolution will have fostered a new level of problem-solving technology. Moving to open standard RESTful APIs invites more brainpower to look at energy challenges – which means the solar industry will more rapidly be able to define new solutions that will accelerate its downward cost curve and expand its global adoption.

3) The embedment of cybersecurity solutions to help increase solar’s share of the energy mix by solving grid security challenges not solved by legacy energy players The energy industry is focused on securing grid assets ranging from power plants and substations to smart-metered customers, and that will only continue to increase in urgency over the next decade.

The move to embed such cybersecurity protocols as tokenization, multi-factor authentication and more within energy technology will have dramatically impacted the solar business landscape – for the better. What started as an industry built upon mechanical and structural engineering expertise will have an equally robust software engineering component tasked with making hardware more intelligent, efficient, connected and secure.

It is clear that EnTech will play a vital role in the future scalability of solar. These three trends will usher in a new generation of essential solar industry solutions that will be widely adopted across the entire energy value chain by 2026. SPW

2) Moving to open standards to foster innovation and improve industry operations Historically, the solar industry has been guided by the philosophy that proprietary communication protocols and data privacy will protect market share and limit the growth of

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11 • 2016

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11/8/16 3:10 PM

[CONTRACTORS CORNER]

Young company overcomes industry hiccups and finally hits its stride Infinity Energy Rocklin, California

By Kelly Pickerel, Associate Editor

Infinity Energy might be only two years old, but the residential contractor Mark Stacy Mark Stacy is CEO of Infinity Energy.

has expanded at a rapid pace. The company has opened five additional offices beyond its Rocklin, California, headquarters and now employs 150 people and even more contracted salespeople. Infinity Energy was listed at No. 212 on the Solar Power World 2016 Top Solar Contractors list, installing 2.54 MW in 2015.

This quick success hasn’t been met without a few setbacks, said CEO Mark Stacy.

“We were at one point a 100% SunEdison dealer,” he said. “Dealing with the rise and crash of SunEdison was a struggle for us. We came close to really not making it. We were lucky that our volume was large enough and our sales reps were resilient enough. We were able to get a few other supply contracts in place. We diversified quickly to Sunnova, Sunrun and SunPower. We went from one supplier to three.”

Having the support of established suppliers gives Infinity Energy credibility, Stacy said.

“Solar is a difficult process and it changes depending on the city or the county,” he said. “You have to do a good job of setting expectations with the homeowner and then try to hit the curveballs of what they throw. Having someone at Sunrun to talk to that says how they’re being successful, or SunPower says they’ll give us equipment and it won’t go against our credit limit—that’s been good. Sunnova has been helpful by paying us quickly. That has helped us be successful.”

Stacy and some of the Infinity team were first involved in the security business, selling home alarm systems. After losing sales reps to the solar industry, Stacy decided to jump ship as well.

“Solar is a lot different than security,” he said. “In security, if you went to talk to a competitor about what they’re doing to be successful, they wouldn’t tell you. But solar is a different family. In solar, everyone shares best practices and we try to all win together.

Solar is a difficult process and it changes depending on the city or the county.

You have to do a good job of setting expectations with the homeowner and then try to hit the curveballs of what they throw.

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[CONTRACTORS CORNER]

It’s been a different business environment for us, and we’ve really thrived in it.”

The solar industry has become something Stacy has grown to love.

“I love competing against utilities. Utilities have customers over a barrel, so to speak,” he said. “It’s really fun in my eyes to go in and help somebody become energy independent.”

He recalled one situation where an older woman living in a retirement community would leave her home during peak demand hours, turn off her air conditioning and retreat to the public library to save money. Now that she has a solar system, she’s able to stay in her home throughout the day and afford the electricity.

“To see things like that, it’s really rewarding for me,” Stacy said. “That’s why I get up and go to work every day.”

Although Infinity Energy has overcome a lot since forming in 2014, Stacy said the industry still has to work out a few things—namely incorporating storage and grid stabilization.

“It’s definitely a solarcoaster,” he said of the industry. “I see it continuing to move forward. Our electricity needs are going to continue to go up, especially with electrical vehicles becoming more prevalent. When you look at the number of rooftops across the country, there are a lot more without solar. The future is bright.” SPW

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11 • 2016

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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[SOLAR SNAPSHOT]

How U.S. solar stacks up It’s always interesting to see how the U.S. solar industry compares with the rest of the world. In REN21’s annual report, we’re right behind Japan and China for solar capacity added in 2015. Not too shabby!

Photo credit: REN21, 2016. Renewables 2016 Global Status Report Paris, REN21 Secretariat

Solar means business Target has grabbed the top spot among American businesses that are going solar. SEIA revealed Target’s ascension to the top of the list in its 2016 Solar Means Business report, which found that more American businesses are installing solar than ever before. In just the first three quarters of 2016, the report found 142 MW of corporate solar was added in the U.S., more than was installed in all of 2015 (129 MW).

SOLAR MEANS BUSINESS Top corporate solar users in the U.S.

Capacity currently installed at nearly 2,000 locations by the Top 25 corporate solar users

The solar energy installed on U.S. corporations and businesses is enough to power

1,092 MW 193,000 homes Prologis has installed more solar capacity than

different U.S states

27

91%

Since 2012, the average price of a commercial PV installation has fallen

of IKEA’s stores are powered by the sun

Since 2012, the year Solar Means Business was first released, the top U.S. businesses have increased their solar capacity by

58% 240%

Every week,

7.3 million people, roughly 2% of the U.S. population, visit a solar-powered Walmart

U.S. corporations generate enough solar electricity to offset nearly

1.1 million metric tons of CO2 emissions

TOP 10 CORPORATE SOLAR USERS 1. Target

147.5 MW

6. Kohl’s

50.2 MW

2. Walmart

145.0 MW

7. IKEA

44.0 MW

3. Prologis

107.8 MW

8. Macy’s

38.9 MW

4. Apple

93.9 MW

9. General Growth Properties

30.2 MW

5. Costco

50.7 MW

10. Hartz Mountain

22.7 MW

All data from the SEIA 2016 Solar Means Business Report.

Learn more at SEIA.org/solarmeansbiz

© SEIA 2016

Photo credit: SEIA

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www.solarpowerworldonline.com

11/8/16 4:22 PM

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[AD INDEX]

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Mounting Systems Inc................................................. 29 NABCEP-North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners..................... 63 Panasonic Eco Solutions NA.......................................21 Quick Mount PV............................................................57 RBI Solar Inc...................................................................17 Roof Tech Inc.................................................................. 9 S-5!.................................................................................. 55 Schneider Electric IT.......................................................2 Seaward Group................................................................5 Snake Tray...................................................................... 49 Solar Connections International............................... 47 Solar Raceway............................................................... 33 SolarEdge Technologies............................................. 35 SolarRoofHook/Quickscrews...................................... 6 Southwire....................................................................... 10 Sun Action Trackers..................................................... 28 SunLink........................................................................... 59 Travelers Indemnity Company................................... 27 Unirac, Inc......................................................................... 1 Yaskawa - Solectria Solar.................................... 15, BC

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LEADERSHIP TEAM

64

VP of Sales Mike Emich 508.446.1823 memich@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_memich

EVP Marshall Matheson 805.895.3609 mmatheson@wtwhmedia.com @mmatheson

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SOLAR POWER WORLD

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11 • 2016

WTWH Media, LLC 6555 Carnegie Avenue, Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44103 Ph: 888.543.2447 • Fax: 888.543.2447

SOLAR POWER WORLD does not pass judgment on subjects of controversy nor enter into disputes with or between any individuals or organizations.

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11/9/16 10:24 AM

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