Community solar project hits 50kW with APS microinverters

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Demand for shares in an eastern Washington community solar installation was so strong, sponsoring utility Inland Power & Light boosted capacity with a second array.

The project’s second phase, completed in late March, added a 20 kW ground-mount array to the existing 30 kW array that went into service last fall

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The arrays are powered by APS YC500 microinverters, distributed by Blue Frog Solar of Poulsbo, Wash. Installation was by Brimma Solar of Seattle.A member-owned utility, Inland Power made units in the solar installation available to its ratepayers through a lottery.

“The project sold out immediately,” said John Francisco, chief of energy resources for Inland Power.

Unit holders will get credit for their portion of the array’s power production, along with a pro rata rebate from the state under Washington’s Renewable Energy Cost Recovery program.

Inland Power & Light serves about 39,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 counties in eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Founded in 1937, it is the largest electric cooperative in Washington.

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APS joins SunSpec Alliance

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APS has joined the SunSpec Alliance to promote consistent information standards and enable “plug and play” interoperability between distributed energy systems.

8906cb0b-958e-4db2-8eb3-2b5884fb4c9cSunSpec standards address the operational aspects of solar PV power and energy storage plants on the smart grid – including residential, commercial, and utility-scale systems – to promote technology innovation and accelerate industry growth.

The goal is an ecosystem of PV products, services, and information systems that cost less to build and operate, and work well together wherever they are deployed.

APS joins more than 70 member organizations in the trade alliance, including global leaders from Asia, Europe, and North America.

For information see www.sunspec.org.

NABCEP certified installation training at Midwest Solar Expo

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APS is a Kilowatt Sponsor for the Midwest Solar Expo, May 13-14 in Minneapolis. We’ll offer NABCEP certified installation training with APS microinverters on the first day of the conference; contact sales@apsamerica.com to participate while spaces are available.

Click here for more info.

 

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APS brings advanced microinverter tech to four May events

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APS will bring its advanced microinverter technology to four dynamic solar industry events in May.

— Western Nevada Supply hosts a vendor event May 1 in Sparks, Nev. The APS team will present our latest microinverter products, including the YC1000 true 3-phase unit, specially designed for commercial applications.

Click here for more info.

— APS will be on hand for the inaugural SEIA Solar Power Southeast conference, May 7-8 in Atlanta. The event promises a forward-looking summit on the fast-growing southeastern solar market.  Email sales@apsamerica.com to set up a meeting with the APS team during the event, and come by the APS booth on the conference floor to see our product line.

Click here for more info.

— APS is a Kilowatt Sponsor for the Midwest Solar Expo, May 13-14 in Minneapolis. We’ll offer NABCEP certified installation training with APS microinverters on the first day of the conference; contact sales@apsamerica.com to participate while spaces are available.

Click here for more info.

— The Oregon Solar Energy conference May 13-14 brings the APS microinverter line to this premier Northwest solar event.

Click here for more info.

APS, Krannich team up for microinverter installation training in NJ

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APS and Krannich Solar are teaming up to offer training in microinverter installation and setup for East Coast installers.

The Solar Innovations Day runs 8:30 to 3 p.m. April 30 at the Krannich location in Pennsauken, N.J. Training with solar products by other vendors will also be included.

The presentation will include APS microinverter system design, tools of the trade, monitoring setup, and hands-on training with the YC500 and YC1000 microinverters.

Earn NABCEP credits for attending the event, and enjoy a continental breakfast and luncheon on us.

To sign up for the unique and informational Solar Innovations Day training event, follow this link to the registration site. Contact your Krannich sales representative or call (856) 802-0991 for more information.

Email sales@apsamerica.com to learn more about APS microinverter products.

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APS, National Solar bring microinverter installation training to Edmonton, AB

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APS and National Solar Distributors are teaming up to offer training in microinverter installation and setup for western Canada installers.

The APS microinverter training event runs 8:30 to 1 p.m. April 23 at National Solar’s distribution center in Edmonton, AB.

Earn three NABCEP credits for completing the course, which will cover proper design and installation of APS microinverter systems.

Join in hands-on demonstrations with the APS YC500 dual-module and YC1000 true 3-phase, 4-module commercial microinverters and monitoring systems, including best practices and tools of the trade.

Continental breakfast and luncheon will be provided.

Space is limited. Sign up today (please register before April 20) by emailing info@nationalsolar.ca.

apsystems-national-solarContact sales@apsamerica.com for more information on APS microinverter products.

APS is prime sponsor of GTM Solar Summit in Phoenix, April 14-16

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Global microinverter technology leader APS is among the prime sponsors of this year’s GTM Solar Summit, April 14-16 in Phoenix.

APS will serve as exclusive Registration Sponsor throughout the event, which brings together key leaders from throughout the solar industry for market analysis and exchange.

APS USA Senior Vice President of American Operations Paul Barlock will be a featured panelist during summit’s first full day of events, April 15.

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Barlock will appear in a panel discussion on “Dynamics in the Distributed PV Inverter Market,” beginning at 2:15 p.m. The panel will be moderated by MJ Shiao, director of solar research for GTM Research.

APS is exclusive sponsor of the day’s second track of presentations, including this panel discussion, under the broad theme of PV Inverter Advancement.

APS will also present its advanced microinverter line in the summit exhibition space throughout the event.

To set up a meeting with the APS team during the GTM Solar Summit event, come by the exhibit or email sales@apsamerica.com.

Showcased at the event will be the groundbreaking YC1000 microinverter line, offering true 3-phase output and handling four PV modules per unit. The 1:4 microinverter-to-module ratio significantly lowers BOS costs.

Unlike other microinverter products entering the commercial segment, the YC1000 line requires no expensive step-up or step-down transformer to operate.

The YC1000 is available in both 208V and 277/480V configurations, and is now shipping in all APS markets.

“The YC1000 is the solution commercial-scale solar has been waiting for,” Barlock, said. “APS innovation is making microinverters viable in the 3-phase commercial segment for the first time.”

For information on the GTM Solar Summit, see www.greentechmedia.com.

 

 

 

Five common mistakes that can ruin your PV installation

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Mistake No. 1:

You don’t understand the voltages of microinverters in relation to modules. Microinverters operate in a specific voltage window, and give optimal performance with modules designed for the same range. Having an undersized or oversized module may affect production and potentially cause output “clipping.”

 

Mistake No. 2:

You think of monitoring as an “add-on” rather than an integral part of the system. The homeowner likes to know the solar array is working properly and efficiently, and the installer needs it to help diagnose problems (and possibly gives the installer a way to sell a service package). Some installers do not include monitoring in their installations, which leaves both installer and homeowner flying blind. Make monitoring a priority.

 

Mistake No. 3:

You install the gateway device in a poor location. Communication units that relay module performance data need to be sited properly to facilitate strong Power Line Communication between the PV system components.

 

Mistake No. 4:

You set up the communication unit incorrectly. Always make sure to designate inverter numbers and configure local grid parameters properly, to prevent crosstalk with other systems in the area.

Mistake No. 5:

You don’t know your local codes and jurisdictions. Some inspectors may be using 2008, 2011 or 2014 NEC codes, based on state adoption. This could affect the connections and any safety measures needed. Always make friends with the inspector.

 

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Cancelled: APS, Krannich team up for microinverter installation training

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APS and Krannich Solar are teaming up to offer training in microinverter installation and setup for California installers.The Solar Innovations Day runs 8:30 to 3 p.m. April 21 at the Krannich location in Oceanside, Calif. Training with solar products by other vendors will also be included.Earn five NABCEP credits for completing the course, and get the $20 registration fee back on your next order from Krannich.

Breakfast bagels and coffee and a luncheon are included with event registration.

To sign up for the unique and informational Solar Innovations Day training event, click here.

Email sales@apsamerica.com for more information.

APS USA VP Barlock featured panelist at GTM Solar Summit

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2015

Seattle: APS USA Senior Vice President Paul Barlock will be a featured panelist at the GTM Solar Summit, April 14-16 in Phoenix.

Barlock will appear in a panel discussion on “Dynamics in the Distributed PV Inverter Market,” beginning at 2:15 p.m. April 15.

The panel will be moderated by MJ Shiao, director of solar research for GTM Research.

“This is an exciting time to be in solar, especially the fast-growing microinverter segment,” Barlock said. “I look forward to sharing insights with the panel and audience, and discussing how microinverter technology has so dramatically changed the PV installation landscape.”

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APS is sponsoring the day’s second track of presentations under the broad theme of PV Inverter Advancement.

Barlock has been a senior sales and marketing executive in power electronics firms ranging from startups to large multinational corporations, including Alpha Technologies, TDI and Advance Power. His work experience has been in custom power supply design, UPS, telecom power, cable TV backup power, and most recently in renewable energy.

He holds an undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Boston College. He also holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the USMC (retired).

APS is a global leader providing advanced, powerful solar microinverter technology for residential and commercial systems. The APS solution combines highly efficient power inversion with a user-friendly monitoring interface for reliable, intelligent energy.

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

Powered by the research and economic analysis of GTM Research’s team, the GTM Solar Summit brings together major players from throughout the solar sphere.

This year’s event at the Wigwam Resort in Phoenix includes panel discussions and debates among the industry’s top thought leaders, and an interactive polling session to let attendees see how their views measure up against the experts.

For information on the GTM Solar Summit, see www.greentechmedia.com.