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Design & Installation
The 2017 edition of NFPA 70: National Electrical Code will dramatically change the practical safeguards for PV systems. It introduces more changes to Article 690, “Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems,” than any revision cycle since 1984, when the NEC first adopted Article 690....
Business & Finance
While software is a luxury product for some solar companies, it is integral to the success of others. Software specifically developed for solar market applications has proliferated in recent years due to sustained industry growth. A San Francisco Bay Area subject matter...
Design & Installation
In this article, I explore the practical differences between codes and standards and explain why both are necessary and important. I then provide an overview of the organizations responsible for codes and standards relevant to the North American solar industry and elaborate...
Project Profiles
Native, a solar integrator and green building company, installed a 94.5 kWdc solar carport at Texas
State Bank, that will offset a projected 25% of their electricity usage.
Project Profiles
Haleakala Solar completed installation of the Clark residence solar array in December 2015. The installation used a SolarTrim product to comply with HOA requirements for skirting around the solar array to conceal the module frames and racking system.
Product Launches
Panasonic Eco Solutions North America announced the availability of two high-power and high-efficiency HIT 96-cell modules.
Product Launches
SolarBOS is developing and certifying high-voltage equipment suitable for deployment in 1,500 V PV power plants as they become more prevalent in the US.
Product Launches
Engineered for low-slope rooftop applications, SMA America’s second-generation ReadyRack is a fully integrated, preassembled and prewired roof-mount rack that includes all balance-of-system components.
Product Launches
Adding to its existing line of 3-phase non-isolated string inverters for commercial and decentralized solar applications, Yaskawa–Solectria Solar has introduced 50 kW and 60 kW inverter models for 1,000 Vdc projects.
Product Launches
Ingeteam has added a third model to its high-power 3-phase Ingecon Sun 3Play inverter line.
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Project Profiles
In 2016, the Ashland Food Co-op contacted Ashland-based True South Solar (TSS) to evaluate options for expanding their array.
Design & Installation
Solar carports and canopies have proven to be a successful and marketable approach to PV system siting and deployment. This article provides system designers, engineers, and procurement and sales teams with overviews of 17 companies that offer PV carports, canopies or...
Product Launches
Trojan’s 132-pound 12 Vdc J200-RE flooded battery is well suited for small stationary energy storage systems where flooded lead-acid batteries are preferred.
Product Launches
Unirac’s recently released Sunframe Microrail (SFM) for arrays installed on pitched rooftops features a structural front trim rail, adjustable-height posts, preassembled parts and integrated electrical bonding.
Business & Finance
The US solar industry fielded systems at an unprecedented rate of 1 MW every 32 minutes in Q3 2016. At the same time, average system prices are falling quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year. These data suggest that profitable solar installation companies are continually...
Product Launches
APsystems has expanded its microinverter family with the introduction of the dual-MPPT YC500i microinverter.
Product Launches
Yaskawa–Solectria Solar has expanded its DISCOM string combiner line with the addition of the 1,500 Vdc DISCOM 1500 source-circuit combiner.