Tomorrow’s leaders in technology visit APS America
Students from North Kitsap High School visited the APS USA offices recently to find out more about our advanced solar microinverter technology. APS IT Director Dana Gosney showed the students our APSmicroinverters in action at the demonstration and testing installation next to the building.
The students represented NKHS’ two advanced engineering classes, Engineering II and Advanced Technical Drawing, instructor Eric Nieland says. The students have spent three years in the program and are looking at pursuing further education in engineering-related fields.
“It is very eye-opening for them to see what happens in the real world,” Nieland says. “As a group, they are starting to see the wide scope and broad influence our manufacturing community possesses. Everyone hears about Boeing and Microsoft, but not enough credit is given to the smaller, local ventures.”
The students were impressed by the APS solar solution’s ability to track PV module performance, and by the company’s customer support system, Nieland says.
The high school hopes to create more opportunities with local manufacturers, to open the doors and let students get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes work that goes on in the manufacturing sector.
APS America would like to say a big THANK YOU to tomorrow’s leaders, the technology students of North Kitsap High School, for their interest in our solar energy future and APS microinverter technology.
“APS is the only microinverter on the market for 300-watt panels with a 25-year warranty,” said Frank Rieger, CEO of Sol-Up USA. “Being twin inverters, APS microinverters are less costly because only one inverter is needed for every two panels. APS is the world’s leading brand for microinverters, and we’re very happy with the product.”
Weber has extensive experience as a solar installer, with more than 50 installations in the Colorado market to his credit. He has also worked as a financial analyst in the solar industry, and holds a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies.
Kilmer, who represents Washington’s 6th Congressional District, saw firsthand the assembly and testing of APS microinverters as they were readied for shipment around the country. Kilmer and APS America CEO Kelly Samson discussed Washington state’s thriving solar industry and solar energy opportunities nationally.
“We are pleased to form this partnership with Fortune Energy,” said Paul Barlock, Senior VP of APS America. “APS is pushing the microinverter market in new and innovative directions, as our products offer more power-handling capability at a lower price point.”
Paul Barlock, APS America Senior VP, and Michael Ludgate, VP for Business Development, will present the APS product line to installers and distributors at the annual conference sponsored by the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association. This year’s event is being held at the Omni Resort and Conference Center in Broomfield, CO.“We’re going to COSEIA in response to the customer requests coming in to APS,” Michael Ludgate says. “The word is getting out that APS is a microinverter innovator and in the top tier globally in microinverter units shipped.”
Grow Community on Bainbridge Island is the largest planned, solar-ready neighborhood in Washington state. With an array of APS Microinverters and Itek PV panels planned on over 50 neighborhood roofs, each producing up to 7,680 watts of power per residential system. The solar on each Grow Community home will save between 2.5 and 3 tons of coal per year. Here are some pictures from this weeks solar install by 
