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… Continue reading “Megawatt Systems: 3 Design Considerations”
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… Continue reading “Solar Power Ubiquity Through Training and Installing: GRID Alternatives”
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… Continue reading “Blending Battery-Free and Battery Back-Up PV Systems: Free Lecture”
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… Continue reading “Wes Kennedy Weighs in on Stand Alone Solar Storage Systems”
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… Continue reading “Reassessing DC Voltage Drop Conventions”
Solar PV Storm and AC vs. DC Safety Considerations On the Solar PV Installer Boot Camp Training + NABCEP Entry Level Exam Prep discussion board… Student 1: Fred, what is the standard for lightning protection systems? The book touches this topic briefly. Is it the norm to have lightning protection? Do… Continue reading “Solar PV Storm and AC vs. DC Safety Considerations”
Solar Women Summer Series: Silicor CEO & WiSE Award Winner Terry Jester We met Terry Jester, CEO of Silicor Materials, at the WiSE Luncheon during the ASES Solar 2015 Conference at Penn State. She spoke with us about her role as CEO, the benefits of solar silicon, Silicor’s Icelandic expansion and her… Continue reading “Solar Women Summer Series: Silicor CEO & WiSE Award Winner Terry Jester”
9 Things You Must Know to Become a Solar PV Designer What is it that solar PV designers do? What are their responsibilities and what’s required of them? First, it’s important to note that there is are geographical differences between solar PV designer responsibilities. In the Northeast quadrant of the United States, the designer… Continue reading “9 Things You Must Know to Become a Solar PV Designer”
Tips & Tricks for Residential Solar Installation Done Right This is an exciting day for the residents of a small white cape in Waltham, Massachusetts; today the new solar photovoltaic electric system goes live. A year of study is about to end and the result of all this research… Continue reading “Tips & Tricks for Residential Solar Installation Done Right”