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SolarCity’s Zep Strikes An East-West Pose

It has been a year since the merger of SolarCity and Zep Solar. The first major product born of that union reveals market directions on two significant issues: the future of the commercial-scale market space and the significance of east-west-facing solar as a possible solution to utility load curve problems.

First and foremost, the new ZS Peak line of flat-roof mounting and racking systems puts SolarCity’s marker squarely on the commercial-scale space. The company says the new commercial line inherits the same characteristics of snap-fit assembly and automatic grounding from its residential line. This is largely made possible through a requirement for Zep-compatible grooved modules.

While the company highlights the labor-saving advantages of this design approach, the product says a lot about where SolarCity and Zep Solar, which operates as an independent business unit, see the commercial solar space headed.

“In the last three years, we’ve been experimenting and learning about the commercial space,” says Jack West, president and chief technology officer of Zep Solar. “This is our first big launch into the commercial space.”

The ZS Peak racking and mounting system is intended specifically for flat commercial rooftops. Flat roofs pose a specialized engineering problem because of aerodynamics and weight constraints. In part, such constraints come from the “cookie-cutter” nature of many flat-roof commercial buildings that make ideal solar candidates, whether they be big-box retail stores or logistics centers and warehouses.

As it turns out, an east-west orientation of the solar panels counters some of the aerodynamic issues with south-facing roofs. South-facing rows have an inherent problem, West says, in that the slanted panels produce an air scoop in the back end. On a rooftop, this is typically solved with a wind deflector.

The main drawback of east-west-facing systems is that the overall electricity yield during the day is typically lower than for south-facing systems. Zep Solar’s engineers counter that the lower noon peak is compensated for by having more kilowatt-hours collected during the early mornings and late afternoons. Moreover, the paired arrangement of the east-west-aligned panels enables at least 20% more of them to be put on the roof.

SolarCity has installed its first project with ZS Peak for the city of Quincy, Mass., and expects to begin installing the product in volume in January. - Michael Puttré

SolarCity: solarcity.com

 

TRA Develops
East-West Mounts

There has long been a consensus in the solar sector that pointing solar panels to the south was optimal for virtually all applications - in the northern hemisphere, at least. This has left homeowners with east-west-facing roofs with fewer options. Tilting solar panels at an angle to face south can make them susceptible to wind damage, and the increased cost of such a project is a big deterrent.

Although the updated solar panels don’t face due south, there has been discussion as to whether or not south-facing panels are optimal. One reason east and west may be the best direction to point solar panels is that peak energy usage occurs in the morning and evening. With the angle change, however, overall efficiency is reduced. Because of the reduced efficiency due to bad angles on east-west-facing roofs, many states either do not offer rebates for them or offer reduced rebates - although, this is beginning to change.

Recently, TRA Snow & Sun worked with a homeowner in Las Vegas to develop a new way to mount solar panels on east-west roofs so that they are tilted partially to the south. Nevada offers a rebate to residents who install solar panels on or around their homes, but panels have to be facing mostly south in order to qualify. In addition to the required angle, solar panels must be able to withstand winds up to 120 mph.

TRA’s solution was to engineer an aluminum roof-mounting system to suit the east-west orientation that also enabled the installation and met all the requirements for Nevada’s rebate program. The elevated solar racking system made it possible for the homeowner with an east-west roof to obtain a $10,000 rebate, as well as the benefits of morning and early evening sun.

Such designs have the potential to open up a huge part of the residential solar market that has been underserved. - David Bloom

TRA Snow & Sun: trasnowandsun.com

 

Enphase Unveils
AC Battery System

Enphase Energy Inc. says it has entered the energy storage business with its new Enphase AC Battery, a modular, plug-and-play storage device fully integrated with the company’s Enphase Energy Management System.

Based on a distributed architecture, the AC Battery storage solution is designed for residential and commercial applications and allows system owners to store solar energy for nighttime or future use. Enphase says the AC battery, equipped with the S-series micro-inverter, will provide 1.2 kWh of energy storage and 275 W/550 W power output. The battery can also be monitored and controlled with the Enphase Enlighten software interface.

As part of the AC Battery rollout, Enphase has engaged several installation companies for pilot projects, including Lennar Homes, Hawaii Energy Connection and Vivint Solar in the U.S.; Pretty Green Energy, CJ Solar and Domuneo in Europe; and Metro Solar in Australia. Furthermore, Enphase has selected ELIIY Power, a Japanese battery manufacturer backed by Daiwa House, as the chemistry provider for Enphase AC Battery.

The Enphase Energy Management System, including the Enphase AC Battery, will be available through authorized distribution channels in the second half of 2015.

Enphase Energy: enphase.com

 

DNV GL Offers Inverter Testing Service

DNV GL has launched a new solar inverter testing service to verify product longevity, functionality and performance.

The company says most inverters go through third-party testing only for conformance to standards, which vary globally by geographic region. Meanwhile, DNV GL claims the new service can further help customers in lowering risk and costs.

Through DNV GL’s field testing facility located in Davis, Calif., inverters are given a series of tests covering five levels. The objective is to verify that the inverters tested will operate properly when connected to an actual solar array. Additionally, DNV GL says the laboratory testing will help give confidence that the inverter will meet the expected reliability and lifespan estimates established for the product. These new inverter testing services are available immediately.

DNV GL: dnvgl.com

 

Clean Power Releases
Permitting Software

Washington-based Clean Power Research has launched its PowerClerk Interconnect software that provides an online method for processing paper-intensive interconnection application processes.

Funded by a U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Incubator award, PowerClerk Interconnect is intended to help reduce soft costs by streamlining the application process.

Clean Power Research says PowerClerk Interconnect enables utility program administrators to define and update workflows and forms to meet changes in program requirements, without requiring IT involvement. The program features auto-document generation, electronic signature and electronic document storage functions.

Interconnected solar fleet data is stored in secure databases to support distributed generation solar.

Clean Power Research: cleanpower.com

 

Canadian Solar Ships New Diamond Module

Canadian Solar Inc. has introduced its new Diamond double-glass solar module.

The module features heat-strengthened glass in place of a polymer backsheet and is rated for 1,500 V systems. Canadian Solar says the Diamond module is not subject to potential induced degradation (PID) and contains anti-PID cells and encapsulated material. With no metal module frame, the Diamond glass module does not require grounding.

Canadian Solar: canadiansolar.com S