In Brunswick, Georgia, Southeast Energy Solutions is helping local businesses take control of their energy future. Their 96.9 kW rooftop solar installation at Silver Bluff Brewery earned high praise in the Commercial category of the 2025 annual APsystems Project of the Year Awards.

Designed across multiple roof elevations and built around a challenging commercial rooftop environment, the system utilizes 57 APsystems QT2-208 three-phase microinverters to support 228 solar modules. With parapet walls, rooftop HVAC equipment, and varying roof elevations creating potential shading concerns, the project required a solution capable of maximizing production while maintaining long-term reliability.

For Southeast Energy Solutions, APsystems’ multi-module architecture proved to be the ideal fit.

“Chris of Silver Bluff Brewery was committed to going solar and really wanted a solid microinverter solution,” said Paige Smith, Director of Residential Operations at Southeast Energy Solutions. “We were proud to offer APsystems three-phase microinverters because of their reliability, ease of installation, and cost effectiveness.”

The brewery’s roof presented several design challenges. Three- to four-foot parapet walls and large HVAC units created intermittent shading conditions throughout the day, while multiple roof elevations required careful system planning to maximize available installation space.

The APsystems QT2 microinverters allowed the Southeast Energy Solutions team to optimize the design while minimizing production losses. By pairing four modules to a single microinverter, the QT2 architecture reduced hardware requirements and streamlined installation without sacrificing module-level performance.

“Having a multi-module microinverter installation optimizes our installer time and effort, which comes in handy with 228-module projects like this,” Smith explained.

The project’s benefits extended well beyond installation efficiency. Because the QT2 platform provides module-level power electronics and granular monitoring, Silver Bluff Brewery can track the performance of every module in the system through APsystems’ monitoring platform. This visibility helps identify maintenance needs quickly and ensures maximum energy production over the life of the system.

Southeast Energy Solutions also cited reliability, safety, and operational resilience as key factors behind the technology selection.

Unlike traditional string inverter systems, the microinverter architecture allows each module to operate independently. This helps minimize the impact of shading, varying roof conditions, or isolated equipment issues while maintaining strong overall system performance. Converting DC

power to AC power at the module level also enhances safety by reducing the presence of high-voltage DC wiring across the rooftop.

“The system has been operating seamlessly since it went live, and we couldn’t be happier with the results we were able to deliver,” Smith said. “Even almost a year later, the system runs beautifully and reliably.”

Beyond the technical success of the installation, the project has generated positive feedback throughout the Brunswick community. As a well-known local brewery and gathering place, Silver Bluff Brewery serves as a visible example of how commercial businesses can embrace renewable energy while preserving the character of their facilities and contributing to long-term sustainability goals.

Residents and patrons have praised the brewery’s commitment to environmental stewardship, while local business leaders have viewed the project as a strong example of how solar technology can support economic resilience and operational efficiency.

For Southeast Energy Solutions, the Silver Bluff Brewery installation demonstrates how thoughtful system design and the right technology partner can overcome complex commercial challenges. By leveraging the APsystems QT2 platform, the team delivered a solution that maximizes rooftop production, simplifies operations, and provides the brewery with dependable clean energy for years to come.

As commercial solar adoption continues to grow across the Southeast, projects like Silver Bluff Brewery showcase the value of combining innovative design with proven microinverter technology to create lasting results for business owners and their communities.

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In the San Juan Islands of Washington State, Swiftwater Electric & Solar is redefining what solar can do beyond the home. Their 49.8 kW installation at a local church in Friday Harbor—designed as a reliable energy hub during outages—has earned top recognition in the APsystems Project of the Year Awards.

In a region where power outages are a frequent concern, the project was built with a clear mission: create a dependable community space where residents can gather and maintain access to electricity when the grid goes down. By pairing solar generation with battery storage, the system delivers both resilience and peace of mind.

The project originated through a Washington State grant secured on behalf of the church, with Swiftwater collaborating closely on system design and construction. From the outset, the team prioritized a solution that balanced performance, reliability, and long-term value.

That approach led them to APsystems.

“We’ve used AP microinverters extensively as a company,” said David Nicol, General Manager of Swiftwater Electric & Solar. “AP is by far the best choice from a technological, cost, and warranty standpoint.”

While installation complexity remained in line with other microinverter options, Nicol pointed to key advantages that made a difference on this project.

“APsystems delivers a much better price point, and the 2:1 architecture halves potential points of failure on the roof compared to 1:1 systems,” he explained.
Swiftwater also leveraged APsystems’ multi-module architecture to simplify the overall system design. “The 4:1 system reduced both cost and complexity,” Nicol added.

That combination of smart design and proven technology has translated into strong real-world performance. “The DS3 microinverters have met or exceeded my expectations,” he said.

Beyond the technology itself, the project reflects a broader shift in how solar is being deployed—not just as an energy solution, but as critical infrastructure. While the system is still awaiting final utility approval, its long-term impact is already clear: lower energy costs for the site and a reliable resource for the community during outages.

For Swiftwater Electric & Solar, the Friday Harbor installation is a clear example of what’s possible when solar is designed with purpose—strengthening communities while delivering dependable, cost-effective energy.

“APsystems delivers a much better price point, and the 2:1 architecture halves potential points of failure on the roof compared to 1:1 systems.”

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