Solar Power World

AlsoEnergy Monitors PV Project of PV Distinction Award Winner

Accepting award are: Robert Schaeffer, AlsoEnergy; Jonathan Postal, Main Street Power; Rex Stepp, APS; Lori Stofft, AWC; Bruce Mercy, PPA Partners; and David Lincoln, Rosendin Electric. A 23-acre solar installation at Arizona Western College (AWC) in Yuma, Ariz. being monitored for performance by AlsoEnergy was recently recognized with the PV Project of Distinction award at PV... Read More

Assessment Tools 101

This equipment and software tells families and plant managers how their solar panels are performing. For residential systems, such monitoring equipment tells whether or not the solar arrays working and how well. But as solar arrays are built larger, the risk and magnitude of trouble also grows, which makes the equipment all the more necessary. There are several arrangements to the... Read More

Operations and Maintenance 101

The delivery of solar power without any disruption maintains the stream of economic value generated by each kilowatt hour of production, and proper service is a critical component to ensuring optimal performance while minimizing the risks of downtime. But installing solar arrays are just the beginning. Without proper operation and maintenance, those 25- year warranties won’t be... Read More

SPI Solar Lands New Jersey Contract

SPI Solar , a vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) solar developer and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services provider, announced today that it has been awarded an EPC contract by Seashore Solar Development, LLC, a New Jersey-based solar development company. As EPC contractor, SPI will design, engineer and construct an 11.3 megawatt fixed ground mount solar... Read More

Power optimizers enhance your solar project

While at Solar Power International in Dallas last month I was able to drop by and see what Azuray, manufacturer of solar power electronics had to share. Here’s some of what the Oregon company has to offer: AP 250 DC to DC power optimizer: The AP 250 can install with new or existing PV systems. It has efficient MPPT algorithms that the company says increases the energy output... Read More

Talking to Texas Instruments at SPI

While at Solar Power International in Dallas last week I had the opportunity to stop by Texas Instruments and discuss some of their offerings for solar.  Some of their products include: · SolarMagic Arc Detection –  1” x 2” reference design featuring what they say is the industry’s first PV Arc detection solution, which is comprised of analog front end ICs and multi-band... Read More

Enclosures protect utility PV electrical components

Optimum protection Of utility power PV electrical components through proper specification of enclosures  The High Cost Of Specifying The Wrong Enclosure Based On Application Needs • NACE, the International Corrosion Society, estimates the annual cost of corrosion in the United States to be $267 billion • Corrosion in marine environments alone is estimated today at 4 % of the... Read More

Putting out the fire in PV systems

The threat of PV systems starting fires is an unfortunate reality. Since the Bakersfield, CA fire in early 2009, the solar industry has been searching for solutions that not only detect potential fire threats but more importantly stop the problem before it starts. Local jurisdictions have been calling for solutions to these problems and the new 2011 National Electric Code (NEC)... Read More

Redesigned panel now snow, salt, and hurricane tollerant

Using SolidWorks design and simulation software, Solar Infra developed a more rugged solar array for use in areas that once were environmentally prohibitive. Harnessing the sun’s energy can be challenging, especially when some of the sunniest regions have environmental conditions that preclude traditional solar modules. Standard solar arrays are often installed no less than 25... Read More

Avoiding arc-flash

An arc flash with 1000 A or more can cause substantial damage, fire or injuryArc flash is a dangerous risk among those in the power industry. Arc flash is an electrical breakdown of the resistance of air that results in an electric arc, which can occur where there is sufficient voltage in an electrical system and a path to ground or lower voltage. Feeder protection relays,... Read More

Insurance company expands solar coverage

GCube's property coverage for solar projects includes transit, construction, operational all risks, mechanical and electrical breakdown, delay in start up, advance loss of profits and business interruption (including tax credit and other financial incentives). Encouraged by improving tariffs, subsidies, and infrastructure, many countries are increasingly turning to the solar... Read More

A bit more on bus converters

Novum is CUI's line of digital dc-dc Point-of-Load (POL) modules aimed at the digital power control market. Converter manufacturer CUI Inc. will expand their Novum product line to include high-density, intermediate bus converters. Though the company says final product details are not yet available, initial products in the lab are achieving power densities over 20% higher than... Read More

Superior machines depend on integrated controls and modern networks

By  Jason Goerges, National Sales and Support Manager ACS Motion Control, Eden Prairie, Minn. To meet the requirements of today’s most demanding multi-axis automation applications in the semiconductor industry, engineers are turning towards motion control platforms with the best integrated and network-based control attributes.Many advanced machine control platforms that... Read More

Reducing your utility bills

Regulating and conserving energy are major concerns for large and small businesses. Now many are seeking to reduce costs by altering their operations and establishing new energy-efficient practices and policies. To help facility managers, building occupants, and executives do this, two companies have partnered to offer customers the visibility and data they need to understand their... Read More

Adhesives, sealants, and cleaners help harness the power of the sun

Henkel products for solar production are offered under the Loctite, P3, Teroson, Multicore, Hysol, Macromelt, Purmelt, and Liofolbrands. A manufacturer offers a new line of adhesives, sealants, and cleaners for PV manufacturing and installation. Henkel Corp. offers these high tech products, which comply with PV standards and are used in a range of applications from silicon wafer... Read More