North America’s largest solar energy event keeps getting larger. In October, more than 1,200 companies from across the world and the value chain convened in Dallas, Texas, for the 2011 Solar Power International (SPI) Conference and Expo.

In an effort to round up highlights from the 1-millionsquare- foot Dallas Convention Center and gather impressions on the state of the solar industry in the aftermath of the event, SolarPro magazine enlisted the services of seven industry veterans: Greg Ball, principal engineer, BEW Engineering; Tobin Booth, CEO, Blue Oak Energy; Bill Brooks, principal, Brooks Engineering; Scott Carlson, longtime solar installer; Blake Gleason, director of engineering, Sun Light & Power; Marvin Hamon, principal, Hamon Engineering; and Rebekah Hren, director of implementation, O2 energies. These contributors are involved in different aspects of the design and deployment of solar power systems, and as a group they represent the full spectrum of downstream market segments. While everyone was asked the same three questions, contributors were free to answer any or all of them as they saw fit.

What products or services were you most impressed with at SPI 2011?

TOBIN BOOTH
“It’s interesting how this conference, located in Dallas and outside of California for the first time in 5 years, differed from previous conferences. It appears that companies are either focusing on core strengths or they are embracing a larger scope of products and services to more fully integrate the value chain.

“Sharp, for example, was showcasing its ability to deliver utility-scale solar projects, using tracker-mounted crystalline modules or fixed-tilt thin-film arrays. It is a groundbreaking move for Sharp to openly exhibit its ability to deliver full systems rather than simply sell modules. GCL-Poly, which is traditionally an upstream raw polycrystalline and wafer manufacturer, announced during the show that it is developing 84 MW of solar projects. The expansion of these two companies is very telling about the bullish global expectations that many have for solar energy expansion.

“However, many companies are focused on specific product or market segments. For example, Zep Solar is focused on designing, manufacturing and licensing its unique rooftop solar array mounting solutions. Its live demonstration of the time needed to install 12 Zep-compatible PV modules was truly astounding.

“SunLink was clearly also present to demonstrate its focus as a balance-of-systems provider. The company engineers and manufactures module-mounting systems, combiner boxes and wire management solutions. SunLink maintains that it knows more about the effects of wind loads on solar arrays than perhaps anyone else in the industry. As unveiled at SPI, its new Core RMS rooftop mounting system bears this out. The product is designed so that both north-south rows and east-west panel sections are connected. By dispersing loads across the total array, less ballast is required in most instances. The unique ballast footing is made using a recycled rubber aggregate that has some weight to it, while also being a friendly material to mate with rooftop membranes. SunLink’s engineering backbone, combined with experienced and practical thinking, enables its products to be simple to install and durable enough to withstand high wind loads and extreme conditions.

“The frameless Lumos LSX series modules were among the most interesting products that I encountered for the first time. These double-glass crystalline cell modules are beautiful and sleek. Instead of a frame for module mounting, the Lumos LSX module has mounting holes lined with grommet rings located within the solar cell network. This allows for through-hole mounting, using specialized low-profile bolts. Because the conventional backsheet is replaced with a second sheet of glass, LSX series modules achieve a Class A fire rating. While this is no huge technological leap, the simplicity of the Lumos LSX product is elegant and the technological solution is clean, visually and otherwise. Because the module frame is eliminated, there is no place to trap dirt and debris. The LSX module system is a niche product from Lumos, targeted at residential or small commercial installation companies developing high-quality, aesthetic solar projects.”