APS team touches down next at Intersolar North America, July 8-10 in San Francisco

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intersolarOur whirlwind tour of the US continues! The APS team touches down next at Intersolar North America, July 8-10 in San Francisco.We’ll be sharing space in the Intersolar exhibition hall with our friends from Fortune Energy, booth 7445. See the APS product line and find out why distributors and installers nationwide are making the switch to APS microinverters for their solar customers.

“Intersolar is a great event, and we expect another great response to our microinverter line,” says Michael Ludgate, APS vice president of business development. “We’re beating the ‘big guys’ on innovation, quality, pricing and support, and our new customers appreciate the difference.”

The APS sales team is coming off last month’s tremendous success at PV America in Boston, where we forged new partnerships with leading solar vendors in new US markets.

Fortune-EnergylogoNow comes Intersolar North America, the most attended solar conference in the US with more than 550 solar exhibitors and 18,000 visitors expected for this year’s showcase of the latest innovations and products. Come and see the APS flagship YC500 dual-MPPT microinverter, our groundbreaking YC1000 3-phase, 4-panel unit, and other leading-edge technology available only from APS.

Email sales@apsamerica.com to set up a meeting with Michael or Paul during Intersolar North America. We look forward to meeting you!

APS coming to new markets across the US – join our distribution network

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APS is coming to new markets throughout the United States as distributors turn to our advanced microinverter technology.
APS offers relief from the pain that comes with other brands: the uncompetitive pricing, poor customer service, complex distribution, and “nickel and diming” that adds to system costs. APS is the smart, affordable alternative.

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Here’s what our customers are saying:

“We are very impressed with the quality of the APS product as well as the ease of installation. The YC500 fits a niche we have in the marketplace and it really is the solution we have been looking for, saving us time and money.”
– Jeffrey W. Austin, president, GreenSeal Power Systems www.greenseal.us.com

“APS has the pulse of the market. They bring stable, consistent products with pricing that helps distributors and end users meet their goal to transition to renewable energy, with realistic and affordable options. Also, the APS support team is awesome.”
– Mario Fajardo, president, Utilities Supply Corp. www.utilitiesupply.com

“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.”
– Frank Rieger, founder and CEO, Sol-Up USA, www.solup.com

“Fortune Energy is excited to bring APS to our installers and homeowners because of the reliability of the product plus the great price and warranty.”
– Jack Meng, president, Fortune Energy, www.fortuneenergy.net

Innovative, cost-effective, bankable: PV panels meet their perfect match in APS microinverters. APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (source: GTM Research).

See the APS microinverter advantage for yourself — meet us this week at PV America booth 359 or email sales@apsamerica.com.

APS microinverters are the safe choice to meet NEC 2014 standards

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New electrical safety standards for solar equipment are here, and APS microinverters meet these tough new demands out of the box.

Under the new National Electrical Code (NEC) 2014, PV system circuits must include a Rapid Shutdown function to cut off the flow of current in case of an emergency. The new standards protect system installers and emergency responders from encountering an energized system.

This Rapid Shutdown functionality is built into every APS microinverter. Our products are engineered for safety – a key feature as state codes change to keep up with the spread of solar across our communities.

“Due to fire and safety issues, we no longer install string inverters,” says John Harley, president of Brimma Solar, a leading installer in the Pacific Northwest market. Brimma chooses safe, reliable APS microinverter technology for their customers in Washington and Oregon.

Innovative, cost-effective, bankable: PV panels meet their perfect match in APS microinverters. APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (source: GTM Research).

See the APS microinverter advantage for yourself — meet us at PV America booth 359, June 23-25, or email sales@apsamerica.com

APS microinverters lead the industry in innovation, flexibility

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APS microinverters are the new choice for PV system designers and installers across the solar industry.

51Why? The tremendous advantages that APS microinverters offer over traditional “string” units is no secret: optimized yield thanks to individual module output, monitoring and control (no more “shading” effects crippling a whole array); flexibility of system design, and ease of installation (one APS unit handles two PV modules); lower costs, including balance of system components; and the increased safety of distributed current.

Flexibility is exactly why Miami-based Utilities Supply Corp. recently chose APS equipment for the Caribbean market. The unique chip-based architecture of APS microinverters allows each unit to be easily programmed to suit any power grid profile. Inverter compatibility is a key challenge for installers in the Caribbean, where the island grid includes a number of different technical standards including British, Dutch, German, French and American. Because they meet these varied technical demands, Utilities Supply uses APS microinverters exclusively.

“With APS we can program inverter to grid spec, not grid to inverter,” says Mario Fajardo, manager of Utilities Supply Corp. “That’s a huge advantage.”

Innovative, cost-effective, bankable: PV panels meet their perfect match in APS microinverters. APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (source: GTM Research).

See the APS microinverter advantage for yourself — meet us at PV America booth 359, June 23-25, or email sales@apsamerica.com

APS microinverters featured in new 

Habitat for Humanity 32-home project

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APS microinverters are featured in a new 32-home affordable housing project by Habitat for Humanity.

The Harris Court development in Port Orchard, Wash., will fulfill Habitat’s mission of providing safe, decent housing –- and a lower power bill as well. Thanks to Habitat’s partnership with local solar providers, the new homes will include a renewable power source on every rooftop.
apsystems-habitat2 “We’re proud to work with Habitat for Humanity on this fantastic project,” said Tim Bailey of Blue Frog Solar, the local distributor for APS microinverter products. “It’s exciting to see our neighbors achieve the dream of home ownership, and including a solar component sets a standard we hope can be repeated again and again.”
Each residential system in the Harris Court project includes APS YC500 microinverters, 265-watt PV modules by itek energy, and Sunmodo racking. Installation is by Sunergy Systems of Seattle.
Power output will be about 2.25 kW per home, said system designer Gonzi Caballero, who is working with Habitat for Humanity through the federal AmeriCorps service program.
Daryl Daugs, director of Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County, said the idea to include solar in the Harris Court project came out of an eco-design exercise that made sustainable construction and energy efficiency the top priority.
“Our goal is really to make homes affordable for the long term,” Daugs said. “That’s why we’re on the leading edge of green homebuilding for low-income families. We wanted this to be a super-green neighborhood.”
Daugs found ready partners in local APS distributor Blue Frog Solar, of Poulsbo, Wash., and itek energy, of Bellingham, Wash., the largest PV module manufacturer in Washington state.  All solar components are being provided to Habitat at substantial discounts.
Kelly Samson, APS USA president, said the company is honored to have its microinverter products included in a Habitat for Humanity project.

“These new homeowners are realizing a goal we all share, and we’re very gratified to contribute to their success,” he said.

The Harris Court homes are being constructed through a combination of homeowners’ sweat-equity and local volunteer labor. A range of designs is planned, from three-bedroom, 1,100-square-foot “ramblers” to four- and five-bedroom, two-story homes with 1,600 square feet of living space.

apsystems-habitat3Roof slopes are oriented to the south to optimize solar potential. Even Harris Court’s yards and common spaces will be sustainable — more than 80 fruit trees are being planted to create an “edible neighborhood.”

The first two homes should be ready for occupancy in November. Eight more homes will be framed and enclosed by fall, with buildout of the entire 32-home project expected within three years.

Daugs said his organization is already planning its next project with a solar component, and he recently led a solar financing and design workshop for other Habitat affiliates statewide. Interest throughout the organization is high, he said.

“The Harris Court neighborhood is the coolest thing we’ve ever done,” Daugs said. “Adding solar is the coolest of the cool.”

For information on APS solar microinverter projects, see www.usa.apsystems.com.

Additional information:

www.kitsaphabitat.org
www.bluefrogsolar.com
www.itekenergy.com

APS microinverters to be distributed by Utilities Supply Corp. in Florida, Caribbean markets

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2014

SEATTLE — APS microinverter products will be distributed by Miami-based Utilities Supply Corp., under a first-time agreement between the two companies.

The partnership establishes APS microinverter products in the Florida and Caribbean markets, following recent distribution deals in Nevada and California.

“By working with Utilities Supply Corp., APS enters the Caribbean market with products that meet the challenging environmental conditions there,” said Paul Barlock, Senior Vice President for APS America. “The innovative and highly reliable APS products are a great fit for Utilities Supply and its customers.”

UnknownUtilities Supply Corp. executives praised the unique, chip-based architecture of APS microinverters that allows each unit to be easily programmed to suit any power grid profile. The Caribbean island grid includes a number of different technical standards, including British, Dutch, German, French and American, making inverter compatibility a key challenge for solar installers. Because they meet these varied technical demands, Utilities Supply will use and distribute APS microinverters exclusively.

“With APS we can program inverter to grid spec, not grid to inverter,” said Mario Fajardo, managing member for Utilities Supply Corp. “That’s a huge advantage.”

Utilities Supply has already deployed APS microinverters in two solar installations on the island of Aruba in the Dutch Antilles, including one for N.V. Elmar, the island’s electrical provider. Five more APS-based installations are underway, three at a large hotel chain. Distribution of APS microinverter products is also beginning in Jamaica.

“APS has the pulse of the market,” Fajardo said. “They bring stable, consistent products with pricing that helps distributors and end users meet their goal to transition to renewable energy, with realistic and affordable options. Also, the APS support team is awesome.”

APS was founded in Silicon Valley in 2009 and is now a global leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of solar microinverters based on their own leading-edge technology. Based near Seattle, APS America supplies and services APS products in North America.

The APS solar solution, which includes the APS Energy Communication Unit and APS web-based Monitor, combines highly efficient power inversion with a user-friendly monitoring interface to provide reliable, intelligent solar energy for residential and commercial applications.

APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (Source: GTM Research).

For information on APS solar microinverter projects, see www.usa.apsystems.com or email sales@apsamerica.com.

For information on Utilities Supply Corp., see www.utilitiesupply.com, email sales@yourstore.com, or call (305) 600-0426.

Tomorrow’s leaders in technology visit APS America

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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.

UnknownThe 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 Microinverters to be distributed by Sol-Up in Nevada market

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2014

SEATTLE — APS microinverters will be distributed by Las Vegas-based Sol-Up USA, under a first-time agreement between the two companies.

The partnership establishes APS microinverter products in the Nevada market with one of the area’s top solar distributors and installers.

“We’re very proud to be partnering with a company of Sol-Up’s stature,” said Paul Barlock, Senior Vice President of APS America. “Their performance in the Nevada market speaks to their expertise and customer service.”

Sol-Up executives cited the leading-edge technology offered by APS microinverters in adding the APS line to their product portfolio.

logo-main-solup1“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.”

Sol-Up has nearly 20 solar installations using APS microinverters already completed or in development.

Sol-Up was founded in 2009 with a goal of making Las Vegas “the solar capital of the world.” Founder Frank Rieger brought more than 20 years of executive and solar engineering experience in Germany, a global leader in solar capacity, to the venture.

Sol-Up offers an on-site Suntastic showroom and warehouse to show its products to customers, and will celebrate the grand opening of a new Las Vegas location on May 9.

APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (Source: GTM Research). Based near Seattle, APS America supplies and services APS products in North America. APS was founded in Silicon Valley in 2009 and is now a global leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of solar microinverters based on their own leading-edge technology.

The APS solar solution, which includes the APS Energy Communication Unit and APS web-based Monitor, combines highly efficient power inversion with a user-friendly monitoring interface to provide reliable, intelligent energy for residential and commercial applications.

For information on APS solar microinverter projects, see www.usa.apsystems.com or email sales@apsamerica.com

For information on Sol-Up, see www.solup.com, email info@solup.com, or call (702) 586-9800.

APS America adds Andy Weber to technical support team

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2014

SEATTLE — APS America has added Andy Weber to its team as Technical Support Engineer.

andy_weberWeber 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.

“Andy is a great addition to the APS team,” said Tommy VanCleave, Customer Service Manager for APS America. “We pride ourselves on our responsiveness to customers, and Andy’s expertise carries that mission forward.”

Weber said he was drawn by the advanced solar technology now offered by APS, including the flagship YC500 microinverter and the YC1000, the world’s first true 3-phase, 4-panel microinverter for commercial applications, due later in 2014.

“APS products are distinguishing themselves in the market and in the field, where it really counts,” he said. “It’s an exciting time to be joining the company and supporting these products.”

APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (source: GTM Research).

APS was founded in Silicon Valley in 2009, and is now a global leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of microinverters based on their own proprietary, leading-edge solar technology. APS America, representing APS in the US market, is based near Seattle.

For information on APS solar microinverter projects, see www.usa.apsystems.com or email sales@apsamerica.com.

Congressman Derek Kilmer Visits APS America

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U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer visited the APS America offices near Seattle recently.

APSYSTEMS-kilmerKilmer, 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.

Thank you to Congressman Derek Kilmer for his interest in solar technology and manufacturing, and for visiting APS America!