Spring Solar’s Immaculate Ground Mount

/in , , /by

 

Third Place Winner in the APsystems 2023 Residential Solar Project of the Year Awards

Nestled in Hooper, Utah, a forward-thinking homeowner sought to harness the power of solar energy to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs. With ample land at their disposal and a long-standing desire for solar they tapped Spring Solar, a family-owned and operated business based in Salt Lake County. What resulted was a groundbreaking solar solution supported by the highest quality microinverters from APsystems. The ground-mount solar system, comprising 36 panels with a capacity of 14.94 kW, earned praise from APsystems for its by-the-book sticker map and for being one of the cleanest ground mounts ever seen.

12345678

Sam Yeager, owner of Spring Solar, lauded APsystems microinverters for their ease of installation, commissioning, and monitoring, providing homeowners with peace of mind and exceptional value.

Yeager compared APsystems microinverters favorably against competitors, noting their superior yield and ease of installation. “The installation process is very similar, slightly quicker than Enphase, but just as easy,” he remarked. “The 2 for 1 is the perfect ratio, and commissioning is the easiest part vs competitors. Takes literally less than 5 minutes.”

The homeowner echoed Yeager’s sentiments, expressing delight in the monitoring capabilities of the system. “We love the monitoring, love having the peace of mind in seeing that all of my panels are working properly from the convenience of my phone,” they remarked.

Congratulations to Spring Solar on a job well done!

See other 2023 project winners here

2023 WINNERS

Alaska Solar Achieves Over 6 Million kWh of Solar Power Generated with APsystems

/in , , /by

Third Place Winner in the APsystems 2023 Commerical Solar Project of the Year Awards

Since its founding in 2016, Alaska Solar has emerged as the largest installer of grid-tied solar in Alaska, implementing projects in the residential, commercial, agricultural, and non-profit sectors. With Alaskans paying twice the national average for electricity, Alaska Solar is playing a pivotal role in helping their community move toward energy independence.

12

In the center of Fairbanks, you’ll find the Timber Creek Senior Living Center. Embarking on a journey towards sustainability, they tapped Alaska Solar to install over 100KW of solar energy to alleviate the substantial costs of operating a large facility.

Kipp Wilkinson, Project Manager at Alaska Solar, said, “The QT2 microinverters designed for three-phase power helped speed up this large project tremendously. The microinverter’s efficient output will ensure that every single panel produces at its maximum capacity. Additionally, the AC and DC extension kits allowed us to move away from any roof conduit, improving safety and installation efficiency.”

The successful completion of the Timber Creek project exemplifies Alaska Solar’s dedication to empowering communities with sustainable energy solutions. Through their collaborative efforts with APsystems, they continue to lead the charge toward a greener and more sustainable future for Alaska.

“The use of APsystems microinverters has been instrumental in our success,” Wilkinson emphasized. “Our clients have produced over 6 million KWH of solar in Alaska thanks to these innovative microinverters.”

Thank you, Alaska Solar, for being a dedicated partner of APsystems!

 

See other 2023 project winners here

2023 WINNERS

Going All in on Solar: Vegas Solar’s Seamless Installation with APsystems Microinverters

/in , , /by

Second Place Winner in the APsystems 2023 Residential Solar Project of the Year Awards

Vegas Solar recently completed an impressive residential installation in Las Vegas, featuring 108 solar modules paired with 54 APsystems DS3-S microinverters strategically positioned at the rear of the property. Overcoming challenges posed by utility restrictions on remote solar systems, Vegas Solar successfully connected the system to the service panel on the house through a 250-foot trench. In true Vegas fashion, they put on a show, completing the project in just 10 days.

Vegas Solar praised APsystems for providing the most efficient microinverter solution on the market. He noted that property owners are consistently impressed with the solar system’s production and the user-friendly interface for monitoring. In their own words: All of the property owners we have installed for are extremely impressed with the solar production and the app on their phones. They proudly display it when we meet with them.”

This installation exemplifies Vegas Solar’s dedication to delivering seamless solar solutions that maximize efficiency and provide property owners with tangible benefits. With APsystems microinverters, Vegas Solar continues to lead the way in providing reliable and effective solar energy solutions to residents of Las Vegas and beyond. Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition!

See other 2023 project winners here

2023 WINNERS

The Future is Bright: Apollo Solar’s Contribution to Russell County Public Library

/in , , /by

Second Place Winner in the APsystems 2023 Commercial Solar Project of the Year Awards

Russell County Public Library in Jamestown, KY, has long harbored ambitions to incorporate solar energy to offset its environmental impact and promote sustainability in the community. After being awarded the EBSCO Solar Grant 2023, their dream became a reality, with Apollo Solar stepping in to help. Their personalized approach, expertise, and commitment to safety and education ensured the success of the installation.

123456789

Christopher Robinson, the owner of Apollo Solar LLC, embarked on his solar journey in 2019 and established Apollo Solar in 2021. With a passion for solar energy and a dedication to providing safe, reliable, and innovative solutions, Robinson has become a respected figure in the industry. He believes in the importance of educating clients and communities about the benefits of solar energy and goes above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. After the installation, he provided comprehensive training sessions for local fire departments and ensured detailed information about the system was readily available to library staff and emergency responders.

The Russell County Public Library solar project posed unique challenges, including intricate roof configurations and an unwavering emphasis on safety and reliability. Apollo Solar opted for APsystems QT2 microinverters due to their stellar performance, ease of installation, and advanced panel-level monitoring capabilities. Highlighting their effectiveness, Robinson noted, “No matter the pitch, angle, azimuth, or shading elements, APsystems microinverters give me confidence in the performance of each individual panel.”

Utilizing APsystems microinverters facilitated a seamless integration of the solar array while maintaining safety and efficiency. Robinson values the QT2s for their panel-level monitoring and shutdown features, which ensure safety for himself and his team, particularly during the maintenance of a large string of panels. The peace of mind these microinverters provide, both in terms of safety and client satisfaction, is a testament to their durability and minimal maintenance requirements.

Robinson also commended APsystems, stating, “APsystems microinverters are a great product that will last for years, and any future maintenance is easy. It gives us peace of mind for our clients. We enjoy working with a company dedicated to their product and are excited to meet tomorrow’s demand.”

The Russell County Public Library’s solar installation serves as a sustainable energy solution and an educational tool for the community. Apollo Solar’s involvement in the project has garnered widespread recognition for its commitment to clean energy and safety. Robinson’s passion for solar energy anddedication to his clients make him a deserving recipient of this recognition.

We commend you, Apollo Solar, for your outstanding achievement in the APsystems 2023 Solar Project of the Year Awards.

See other 2023 project winners here

2023 WINNERS

Shining Bright: Green Box Solar Lights Up Central Valley Machine

/in , , /by

Green Box Solar: Winner of the APsystems 2023 Commercial Solar Project of the Year Award

Green Box Solar LLC, led by Owner Drew Michener, clinched the coveted title of the APsystems 2023 Commercial Solar Project of the Year for its impressive installation in Logan, Utah.

1234

Central Valley Machine, a sprawling manufacturing facility spanning over 150,000 square feet, was the canvas for Green Box Solar’s latest triumph. Tasked with offsetting the energy consumption of this mammoth operation, Green Box Solar embarked on an ambitious venture, harnessing the power of sunlight to fuel Central Valley Machine’s operations and championed the ethos of clean, renewable energy in the heart of Utah’s manufacturing landscape.

With an impressive capacity of 810 kW, this project marked a significant milestone for Green Box Solar, showcasing its prowess in tackling large-scale commercial installations. Notably, the project utilized APsystems QT2 Microinverters, a pioneering choice that underlined Green Box Solar’s commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology. Michener explains, “Installation and monitoring were all very familiar, thanks to the seamless integration of APsystems microinverters to a commercial system.”

Green Box Solar’s commitment to empowering home and business owners with solar solutions that are simple, hassle-free, and tailored to individual needs shines through in every project. With a team boasting over 25 years of collective expertise in solar design, sales, installation, and finance, Green Box Solar epitomizes accessibility and excellence in solar solutions. Congratulations!

See other 2023 project winners here

2023 WINNERS

APsystems Announces the 2023 Solar Project of the Year Competition

/in , /by

Calling all solar heroes! APsystems is thrilled to launch the highly anticipated 2023 North American Solar Project of the Year Competition, shining a spotlight on the brilliance of solar installations powered by APsystems microinverters or energy storage solutions. This annual competition is a golden opportunity for industry professionals to showcase their dedication, skill, and innovative spirit in the realm of renewable energy.

The competition’s focus is on projects that have harnessed the power of APsystems technology to create outstanding solar installations. If you’ve been at the forefront of incorporating APsystems microinverters or energy storage solutions into your projects, now is the time to share your success story. The submission period runs from December 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024, with winners in both commercial and residential categories set to be announced in March. Participants have the chance to gain national recognition, win $1000, and connect with fellow professionals and industry leaders. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this celebration of sustainable energy and innovation.

Our contest last year generated great interest from installers and brought out some fantastic projects; you can see the winners here.

Go here for more details and to submit your project.
If you have any questions, please contact our marketing coordinator.

Good luck to all participants in the race for the title of APsystems Solar Project of the Year 2023!

Submit your project!

Uninstalling and Reinstalling: Optimizing A Residential Solar Array in Indiana

/in , , /by

APsystems Project Award Residential Winner – Apollo Solar

The owners of a house nestled in an Indiana suburb were dealing with a variety of issues. Firstly, due to a poorly installed chimney flashing, the roof sustained water damage and needed replacing. That meant that their current 45-panel solar array had to be completely removed. However, this obstacle quickly turned into an opportunity for Apollo Solar to install a much more efficient solar energy system for the homeowners. 

Due to regulations the neighborhood’s homeowner association had at the time of the first install in 2016, the panels were currently positioned on the shadier back side of the house. On top of that, the previous installer did not have the best practices, leaving the homeowners with loose cables, extended rails, odd panel layouts, and conduit resting on gutters. Now, in 2022, no homeowner association regulations were stopping Apollo Solar from placing the panels on the much sunnier front side—-and doing the job right this time.

With this house being located in shady suburbia, installing inverters at each panel to maximize output just made sense. By using APsystems microinverters, Apollo Solar was not only able to optimize their client’s solar panels but give them the power to monitor each panel individually and, ultimately, give them confidence in their solar system that they didn’t have before. 

Congratulations to Apollo Solar and their “45-Panel Uninstall-Reinstall” project for being awarded APsystems Residential Solar Project of the Year for 2022!

See more pictures for this project here.

Learn more about other 2022 project winners here.

Quixote Village: A community vision for sheltering the homeless

/in , , /by

APsystems Project Award Non-Profit Winner – Quixote Communities in partnership with South Sound Solar and Olympia Community Solar

When Quixote Village first opened its doors in 2013 to some of Olympia, Washington’s most vulnerable citizens, it was not only the culmination of years of hard work from countless individuals but the realization of a community vision; to provide a safe space and permanent housing to Olympia’s homeless population. Originally established in 2007 as a nomadic encampment called Camp Quixote, the camp’s members would take refuge in the parking lots of local area churches for up to 90 days before having to uproot and find another church willing to offer their parking lot for the camp’s uses. The camp existed like this for nearly seven years, ever moving from parking lot to parking lot, before interested community members took things into their own hands, started a non-profit, and petitioned Thurston County to provide permanent space for the camp. The county answered and granted the property where Quixote Village now stands.

The village consists of 30 individual tiny houses, roughly 140 square feet in size which includes space for a bed, modest storage space for belongings and small furniture items as well as a toilet. Showers and kitchen facilities are housed in the on-site community building. There is also a media room and a community garden where the residents find a great deal of joy and pride.

From inception, there was always the hope of incorporating solar energy into the infrastructure of the village but it always seemed just out of grasp. That is, until Olympia Community Solar, another community non-profit, reached out to the Village earlier last year and offered to spearhead the initiative and take on the often complicated and tedious task of securing funding through a number of different grant channels. South Sound Solar was also an instrumental partner, not only in the installation but of the design of the solar system, as well as coordinating with the necessary utility companies.

The roof of each of the tiny house units now boasts four solar panels, each tiny house solar array producing roughly 1KW. Coupled with APsystems YC600 microinverters which are critical to the system’s specific architecture, and supplemented by panels on the roof of the community building, the solar system saves the village nearly $8,000 per year, money that is reinvested back into the village in the form of on-site mental health support, facility maintenance, better food, and other enrichment programs designed to foster and support the health and safety of the residents.

Happily, Quixote’s vision doesn’t end here. They’ve already opened a second community for homeless veterans in Pierce County in May of 2021 and have broken ground on a third village in Shelton, WA. Both of these new communities have planned solar as part of their energy infrastructure.

APsystems is incredibly proud to award APsystems Non-Profit Project of the Year for 2023 to Quixote Communities in partnership with South Sound Solar and Olympic Community Solar for their inspiring efforts at Quixote Village!

See more pictures for this project here.

Learn more about other 2022 project winners here.

Watch our videos about the project here:

Founded in 2007 by Kirk Haffner, South Sound Solar has been a pioneer in the solar industry for over 15 years. In a recent project, Quixote Village, South Sound Solar demonstrated its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Partnering with an architectural firm, Kirk ensured that the village was solar-ready, utilizing the latest technology to optimize energy production. With the help of APsystems' dual-channel microinverters, South Sound Solar was able to maximize efficiency, powering each of the 30 tiny homes with just four solar panels. The decision to make APsystems the primary microinverter was driven by reliability and performance, a choice informed by years of experience and a commitment to quality. Join us as we explore the success story of South Sound Solar and its dedication to providing cutting-edge solar solutions. See the full video about the Quixote Village project here: https://youtu.be/cksOv2xQ0w4 Learn more about this inspiring initiative in the full article here: https://usa.apsystems.com/quixote-village/ https://southsoundsolar.com/

"My name is Kirk Hafner I'm the owner founder president of South Sound solar. I started the business by myself back in 2007, so 15 years in the industry. The Camp Quixote Village was named for the roving tent encampment that was going around the city. I worked with the architectural firm, as I had on previous projects, to make the village solar ready. We had room for four solar panels on each building if we got the old standard 60 cell panels. APsystems worked perfectly for that because the YC600 is a dual-channel microinverter, so we have two microinverters for four solar panels which was optimizing each tiny home, and there's 30 tiny homes. So that was the perfect design solution for this particular project. The other thing about APsystems that we really like is that they are dual-channel as opposed to single-channel so we have two microinverters not four. Another one, as I mentioned, is they can do single-phase 208 which is really important. They're a very reliable product so we're confident that we can get these set up and they work. We made the informed choice to make APsystems our primary microinverter. There were other microinverters in the market but we saw a lot of changes, we saw company financials shift. We weren't sure one particular microinverter manufacturer was still going to be in business. We saw a lot of product failures – it is really frustrating to get 20 microinverters on a site and have a high percentage (double digits) fail and so for us we made that informed choice, and we know there's a lot out there. We know of other installers in the area that also use the APsystems. They have a good product driver from the small residential scale microinverters to larger, essentially 4 channel or commercial, or even three-phase microinverters that we really like as well."

3 0

YouTube Video gLrmB40L_Jo

Success Stories: South Sound Solar discusses the Quixote Village Project

APsystems Solar February 6, 2024 6:08 pm

Quixote Village, a community of 30 tiny homes, stands as a symbol of support for Olympia, Washington’s most vulnerable citizens. Since its inception, the vision included incorporating sustainable solar energy into the infrastructure. Olympia Community Solar took the lead in spearheading this initiative, skillfully securing funding through various grant channels. The design and installation of the solar system was expertly handled by South Sound Solar. Witness the incredible journey in this video, showcasing each tiny house's roof adorned with four solar panels featuring APsystems multi-module microinverters. This innovative system contributes to annual savings of nearly $8,000 for the village, funds that are wisely reinvested into essential resources. Join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved for successfully executing this impactful project, earning them the well-deserved title of APsystems’ Non-Profit 2022 Award Winner! See the testimonial video from South Sound Solar here: https://youtu.be/gLrmB40L_Jo Learn more about this inspiring initiative in the full article here: https://usa.apsystems.com/quixote-village/

Quixote Village, a community of 30 tiny homes in Olympia, Washington support it's most vulnerable citizens. Since its inception, the vision included incorporating sustainable solar energy into the infrastructure. Olympia Community Solar took the lead in spearheading this initiative, skillfully securing funding through various grant channels. The design and installation of the solar system were expertly handled by South Sound Solar.

Witness the incredible journey in this video, showcasing each tiny house's roof adorned with four solar panels featuring APsystems microinverters. This innovative system contributes to annual savings of nearly $8,000 for the village, funds that are wisely reinvested into essential resources. Join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved for successfully executing this impactful project, earning them the well-deserved title of APsystems’ Non-Profit 2022 Award Winner!

Learn more about this inspiring initiative in the full article here: https://usa.apsystems.com/quixote-village/

8 0

YouTube Video cksOv2xQ0w4

Success Stories: Brightening Lives - Quixote Village Goes Solar

APsystems Solar February 6, 2024 5:25 pm

Subscribe

303 Battery: When the global benchmark for sustainability is a Net Zero

/in , , /by

APsystems Project Award Commercial Winner – Sustainable Living Innovations with Adkisson Electric

The Belltown district in downtown Seattle is the city’s most densely populated neighborhood. Known for its vibrant nightlife, it boasts some of the area’s best restaurants, galleries, and music venues. It now also has the distinct privilege of being home to the world’s first high rise apartment building given the highly coveted Net Zero designation by ILFI (International Living Future Institute). 

Designed and built by Sustainable Living Innovations, the fifteen story building is unironically located on Battery Street and represents the pinnacle of sustainable architecture and design. Sustainable Living Innovations uses its patented building technology, which incorporates all necessary mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure into wall panels that are fabricated off-site to specification. Once the wall panels are completed, they are delivered to the project site and placed, much like legos, on the building’s steel frame. This process has huge benefits including an accelerated time to market, as delays due to PNW weather are no longer a factor, as well as much less material and labor force waste when compared to traditional construction methods. 

The largest contributor to the energy savings is the use of 622 solar panels, expertly installed by Adkisson Electric, which adorn a large section of the building’s facade as well as the rooftop terrace and balconies. Using over 300 YC600 microinverters from APsystems and in conjunction with a combination of PV panels from QCell and Lumos, the on-site solar array generates roughly 210k kilowatt hours annually. The microinverters also come equipped with power factor control capability which allows for power factor adjustment according to utility, transformer, or battery requirements from the building’s energy storage system.

Making up the difference are several other energy saving systems that include a DC low voltage lighting system and a waste heat recovery system from SHARC that pulls heat from hot gray water and converts it back into energy that is then stored for future use.

The 303 Battery building is truly one of a kind but with Sustainable Living Innovations lighting the way, we can be sure it won’t stay that way for long. 

APsystems is very proud to award the APsystems Commercial Project of the Year for 2023 to Sustainable Living Innovations with Adkisson Electric for their revolutionary 303 Battery project!

 

See more pictures and video for this project here.

Learn more about other 2022 project winners here.

2022 APsystems Installation Award Winners

/in , , /by

Another historic year at APsystems is in the books! The strides we made—including surpassing 3 GW of installed capacity—mark significant milestones for our company and the industry as a whole. But, of course, nothing would be possible without our partner distributors, installers, and end-users that continue to propel APsystems forward.

This brings us to one of our favorite parts of each year—showcasing our project award winners. It’s always a pleasure to see the creativity and ingenuity that people are pairing with our microinverter technology. The 2022 competition also comes with some extra excitement as we have added a nonprofit category to recognize a special organization. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter your project. Each entry was thoroughly considered and appreciated, but we ultimately could only choose three winners.

Learn more about this project here

In the commercial category, Sustainable Living Innovations, Inc. partnered with A. Adkisson Electric to take home the top prize for their solar innovation on a 15-story apartment building. Apollo Solar sits in the top spot of the residential category for its meticulous work on a 45-panel deinstall-reinstall. And lastly, our winner in the non-profit category, South Sound Solar and Quixote Communities, for their ingenious work of installing solar panels in a tiny home community that focuses on providing shelter for the homeless. Congratulations to all of our 2022 APsystems Project Award Winners!

Learn more about this project here

A decade ago, we couldn’t have imagined—although we hoped—seeing such incredible solar work being done on such a large scale. Each year, we are surprised and elated by the way that the industry is utilizing our microinverter technology. If you have an exciting project upcoming or already underway this year, keep it in mind, as our 2023 awards will be here before you know it! 

Learn more about this project here