Megawatt Systems: 3 Design Considerations

On the Megawatt Design discussion board, Ryan Mayfield answers student questions about designing systems. He discusses surge protection, tilted arrays, and “levelized cost of energy.”
Student 1: Do any of you specify surge or lightning-protective devices for your systems? Either on the DC or AC side of the inverter? Have any of you had cases where array equipment […]

Solar Power Ubiquity Through Training and Installing: GRID Alternatives

GRID Alternatives is a national 501(c)(3) certified non-profit organization that facilitates solar power implementation and energy efficiency projects between community partners, volunteers and job trainees. Since it’s beginning in 2001, GRID Alternatives has installed over 24 megawatts of clean power, provided almost $200 million in lifetime electricity cost savings, and trained 27,000 people in solar installation. Learn more […]

Blending Battery-Free and Battery Back-Up PV Systems: Free Lecture

Curious about designing dual PV systems?
Watch Christopher LaForge’s new case study, in which the Kroska Residential PV installation, (a project blending two PV system designs– Battery Free and Battery Back-up) is discussed. The Kroska installation accommodates two roof planes and types, with a design that provides great cost-effectiveness and high ascetic quality.
Enroll in “The Kroska Case Study: Solar PV […]

Wes Kennedy Weighs in on Stand Alone Solar Storage Systems

On the Advanced Solar + Storage discussion board, Wes Kennedy answers student questions about distribution circuit capacity and AC coupling for retrofits…
Student 1: Hey Wes, I have a quick comment on defining penetration levels. I think the definition you provided is a solid measurement, but as you know, utilities (and specifically those in Hawaii) have […]

Reassessing DC Voltage Drop Conventions

This article originally appeared in SolarPro Magazine in Issue 8.3.  | by Ryan Mayfield, Paul Gibbs and Paul Grana
“Ask almost anyone who works for a system integrator how to size PV system conductors with respect to voltage drop, and the nearly unanimous answer is “Keep voltage drop to less than 2%.” Typically, PV system designers […]