Solar Power World

Racking & Mounting Company Updates System for Intersolar

Sollega says its InstaRack ballasted solar racking system makes flat-roof solar installations faster and easier. The system installs quickly and easily and has the least number of parts of all racking systems currently on the market, according to the manufacturer. The system is made from high-density polyethylene with a built-in UV inhibitor, and can withstand years of exposure... Read More

Upcoming Solar Trainings

Solar mounting company Sollega is hosting training sessions around the country. Here’s a preview: Infinite Solar 5-Day Entry Level Solar PV Design and Installation Course Philadelphia, Pennsylvania    This class covers fundamentals in design, installation, and evaluation of residential and commercial solar photovoltaic systems. The training includes the use of various... Read More

DPW Solar Introduces the Power Peak Large-Scale Ground Mount System

DPW Solar announces the new Power Peak Mounting System, engineered for larger ground mount PV solar installations. The PV solar mounting system features fewer pre-assembled components resulting in faster build rates. Combining high strength steel components, lightweight module rails and the patent pending RAD clamp, the Power Peak provides a fast and secure mounting structure for... Read More

Project Review: Stimulating Schools With Solar In California

  JMC Steel Group’s Atlas Tube division was able to work through PDM Steel to provide 1,200 tons of large-size HSS squares and rectangles to for use in the steel columns of the solar carports. By leveraging its resources and relationships, JMC Steel delivered the order on time, despite a tight schedule. –photo courtesy of SRVUSD Utilities are often school districts’ second... Read More

Racking and Mounting: Managing Municipal Budgets

  More municipalities than ever are looking to lower costs in the wake of poor economic times and slashed budgets. One of the most obvious places to start is to provide your town with self-generated, more efficient energy. When the Lower Township (N.J.) Municipal Utilities Authority (LTMUA) decided to move in that direction, they explored adding a solar farm to their water... Read More

Manufacturing Processes: Made In The USA

The hottest debate in the United States solar industry revolves around whether or not the country can keep manufacturing jobs here instead of shipping them overseas. An examination of recent history does not provide much positive news. Over the past 20 years, more companies are shipping jobs overseas in search of cheaper materials and labor. That trend shows little sign of slowing. But... Read More

Mage offers modules, mounting and more

The all-black Mage Powertec Plus module includes sleek design features. While at PV America in San Jose I got a chance to catch up with Mage Solar. The company showed of their modules, mounting systems and inverters. Modules The company says its new Powertech Plus providing high power and yield per square foot. The modules possess allowable tolerances of up to +5 watts, 10-year... Read More

GenMounts Racking Systems Are Easy To Install

While at the PV America show last week I had a chance to stop by GenMounts’ booth and learn about their solar racking systems. The New Jersey-based company’s systems are American made and include the following features: -Non-penetrating ballasted -Simplified assembly of three main parts and five fasteners -Integrated electrical bonding means arrays ground at one point... Read More

Sollega’s InstaRack Is Made From Recycled Materials

While at the PV America show in San Jose last week I got the chance to speak with racking and mounting company Sollega. The company discussed their InstaRack, a one-piece, pre-formed solar mounting system made from lightweight high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE) and containing a UV inhibitor for extended life. This durable material uses a minimum of 35% recycled content, resulting... Read More

Extruded Aluminum Frames 101

Aluminum extrusion frames are helping revolutionize the solar industry by providing strong and lightweight frames and structures for solar panels, along with components that allow for precision positioning and stability for improved productivity. Structure by Baja Construction Stability is key in solar installations, and innovations in aluminum extrusion technology are providing... Read More

Mounting Systems 101

Mounting systems are crucial to maximizing solar energy production, as well as providing panel/module stability. Panels can be mounted on the roof, ground, or on a pole, and may or may not utilize solar trackers. In roof mounts, panels are mounted on or into the roof. Roof-mounted solar makes use of space that would otherwise go unused without using land, which is particularly significant... Read More

Westinghouse Solar Publishes White Paper On Solar Power Mounting

Westinghouse Solar, a designer and manufacturer of solar power systems, published a White Paper entitled: “The Revolution in Solar Power Mounting Systems.” This White Paper details the financial, engineering and customer benefits of rooftop solar power systems that have integrated racking, wiring and grounding, including those from Westinghouse Solar and Zep Solar. The... Read More

Trina Solar Announces Solar Solutions For North America

Trina Solar Ltd., a vertically-integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products, announced the offering of a three-pronged service solution featuring complimentary design services, newly available high performance ‘Honey’ modules and the rapid install Trinamount racking system. Starting today, installers, developers and other customers using Trina Solar modules... Read More

Solar Components: Predictions For 2012 From Unirac

Marcelo Gomez, director of marketing for Unirac, a solar racking manufacturer, dropped me an email yesterday with his predictions for for 2012. They are interesting enough that I wanted to share them with you: 1.  The first solar infrastructure products meeting industrywide performance standards will come to market. In 2011, the International Code Council’s Evaluation Service... Read More

Patriot Solar Group’s Ground Mount Systems

              Ground mounts are ideal for large commercial and utility-scale installations. They are perfect for MW and multi-MW systems and are comprised of a 3-piece design making for very fast assembly.Modular with quick assembly 3-piece, pounded post design Mill finished rails designed for exact panel fit Ideal for large commercial and utility-scale... Read More