Solar Power World

The American power grid is electrifying through renewable energy proliferation, and homeowners are following suit by replacing gas powered vehicles and appliances with electric-powered options. However, certain homes are encountering the conundrum of having too high of an electrical load and not enough electrical service to back it. Savant is a recognized leader in both smart home and smart power solutions, developing solutions for balancing electrical loads in the age of in-home solar and storage. Ian Roberts, VP of sales excellence at Savant, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss the viability of energy load management.

Trina Solar US, the domestic arm of the global PV module manufacturer, is ramping up production in the United States. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Adam Macaluso, national accounts manager for US channel business at Trina Solar, shares an update on Trina’s U.S. manufacturing footprint, as well as the company’s near future plans.

ABC Supply is a prolific distributor in the North American roofing market and has expanded into solar component distribution as well. James Mason, VP of renewable energy at ABC Supply, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss the company’s history, motivations for entering the PV market and its ambition to reshape how solar contractors are supplied with solar hardware.

In our last episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, we're announcing this year's Top Solar Contractors List. Thank you to Scanifly for sponsoring this podcast and the 2024 Top Solar Contractors List. View the full list at solarpowerworldonline.com.

Utility-scale solar projects are consistently breaking capacity records annually, both in individual project size and overall countrywide output. The sheer scale of these acres and sometimes miles long arrays require an unprecedented amount of worktime to construct, and even before a pile is driven into the dirt, project engineers must spend time designing these systems. PVcase, a software as a service company founded by solar engineers, has for the last decade provided design services for utility-scale solar project globally. David Trainavicius, founder and CEO of PVcase, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss how the platform is helping solar developers automate processes and reduce work hours.

In this episode, the utility-scale EPC talks about the importance of relationships with manufacturers and hands-on training time for install crews. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Over the last several years, the shape and size of mounts used in residential solar projects have changed to a lower profile attachment that can be installed over the shingle instead of slid underneath like metal flashing sheets. The next obstacle in residential solar design was expanding these top-mounted attachments that could primarily be installed on rafters onto the decking surface of the roof. Ryan Estrada, technical program outreach manager, and Nico Martinez, senior product manager at Unirac, are here to discuss what’s new with solar mounting and, more specifically, the advancement of direct-to-deck attachments.

As the effects of a changing climate increase in both frequency and severity, the need for technologies that can decarbonize and support electrical infrastructure is paramount. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Zolaikha Strong, senior director of policy and regulatory affairs at Generac Power Systems, discusses the significance of energy storage in the contexts of grid stability, individual energy resilience and the greater mission of combatting climate change.

In this episode, Alternative Energy Southeast talks about securing R&D credits for trying new solar tech and the keys to regional solar success. Sponsored by Scanifly and Intersolar North America.

Solar racking manufacturer SunModo will soon debut its latest pitched rooftop mount, NanoRack, to the residential market. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, CEO Steve Mumma discusses the system features and installation considerations built into NanoRack.

The shape of solar mounts is changing, and so too are how they’re attached to rooftops. K2 Systems, a solar racking manufacturer, has integrated a butyl sealant onto a new line of roof mounts. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Brett Nielsen, VP of products and services at K2, is here to share the rationale behind adopting this sticky new flashing for mounting purposes.

Domestic solar is consistently breaking installation records year over year and is slated to keep that pace. Yet, manufacturers and suppliers are still feeling the effects of pandemic supply chain delays. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Unirac’s new VP of operations and supply chain, Lee Ingram, and former guest and VP of Unirac’s commercial division, Brandon Carrasco, are here to discuss how the manufacturer is keeping a steady supply of racking for its clientele.

In this episode, Vibe Solar talks about pivoting the residential business to adapt to California's new NEM 3.0 rate structure. Sponsored by Scanifly.

In this episode, Renewable IPP talks about the workforce challenges as the first utility-scale EPC in Alaska and O&M considerations for these far northwestern arrays. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Energy storage is becoming a more common feature on residential solar installations so homeowners can tap into the power they’ve generated when they need it — not just when the sun is up. Rex Liu, VP of product management at Generac, a manufacturer of batteries for renewable energy applications, is here to share how solar installers can approach pitching and sizing storage for residential PV projects.

With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act and its new offerings in tax incentives for solar projects, contractor collaboration and value engineering have become critical components for creating or selling viable solar projects. M Bar C Construction specializes in solar carport installation across a range of applications and building types. Today, we’re joined by M Bar C’s VP of business development, Erik Krivokopich [Krih-vo-cah-pitch], and eastern division manager, Bobby Bonfanti, to discuss what the company offers as a partner to solar project developers and EPC contractors.

The administration at Emory University, a private school of higher education from Georgia, set sustainability goals for the university, with plans to eliminate carbon emissions production by 2050. Emory has already installed solar arrays across many buildings on its main campus and is nearing completion of a solar canopy PV project at its Musculoskeletal Institute off-campus. Ben Damiani, chief technology officer at Cherry Street Energy, is here to share some details on the development and technology used in Emory’s latest solar endeavor.

The inverter is a crucial component on a solar project because it converts the power generated by PV modules into usable electricity. Daniel Friberg, director of product and engineering at inverter manufacturer Sungrow, shares some details on the operations, hardware compatibility and environmental readiness of Sungrow’s SG350 line of string inverters.

In this episode, Solar Power of Oklahoma talks about the hurdles of selling solar in an oil & gas state, and the progress the company has made in the past seven years. Sponsored by Scanifly and RE+.

Photovoltaic solar modules continue to grow in wattage, and that often means increasing their size, too, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Lucas Moura, product marketing manager for international module manufacturer Trina Solar, discusses the significance of the compact yet electrically potent N-type TopCon solar module.