The Next Generation Microinverter —- Enphase

We are excited to work with Enphase and offer a microinverter that is able to track each individual panel and its' efficiencies.

M215 has arrived. The great news about this microinverter is that monitoring is included, along with a new 25-year limited warranty.

The M215 works well with high power 60-cell modules like the 250 and 260 Watt modules. Because of the higher power output and ability to work with cutting edge modules, this is a great option for smaller roof spaces.

A few of the unique advantages of the M215 include the ability to perform at low light conditions as equally as during normal times and a newly advanced and custom "system on a chip" design, which allows for precise analysis of the power flow through the inverter.

The M215 is on par with string inverters and is a great option if you have abnormal shading patterns or just like the idea of applying the advanced technology to your solar electric system.

The acronym BIPV or Building Integrated Photovoltaics refers to photovoltaic systems integrated with an object's building phase. It means that they are built or constructed along with a particular project. They are either planned with a particular project in mind, or they could be built later in the project schedule. Due to specific task cooperation of many different experts, such as architects, civil engineers and PV system designers, proper pre-construction planning is necessary.

Here are some examples of BIPV which are becoming quite popular as an option to enhance the beauty of a specific project as well as providing a functional resource for producing electricity.

• Integrated photovoltaic roof tiles like these from BP are integrated into a roofing system common here in Arizona.
• Window glass and skylight integrated photovoltaic modules like these from Vidur Solar are attractive and serve as both a natural lighting enhancement and power producer.
  

Electric on Demand prides itself on the ability to stay at the forefront of ground breaking innovation in BIPV technology and implementation. -JV

Sun Time or Solar Time is the time of the day when the sun is producing the most energy on a particular location.  The best time for producing solar electricity is between the hours of 9am and 3pm.  At these times, the solar collector or module will be collecting the most energy and transferring it back to the system through the inverter.

It is imperative that during the hours of 9am and 3pm there is no shading of the solar modules in order to capture the most sunlight possible.  Shading can occur from neighboring trees and building structures and can be detrimental to a solar systems efficiency.

There are multiple other factors which affect system performance such as array azimuth and tilt angle, but having a properly placed array with no shading during Sun Time is a must. 

Electric On Demand has the experience and knowledge required to properly position your system in order to harvest the most sun energy possible and deliver as many kilowatt hours back into your system.  This is our mission. -JV

There has been a lot of talk of recent about the influx of renewable energy companies making Arizona a part of their geographical business model.  It's no surprise that with Arizona's abundant solar resource this will be one of the most popular locations in the world for producing clean reliable electricity through photovoltaics.

Here are a couple of companies with aspirations to be the industry leaders in the southwestern United States.

Power-One Inverters

First Solar – Manufacturer of thin film module technology

Suntech Solar Modules

Solon Solar Modules

Take a look at these companies.  These are proven market leaders in the renewable energy market throughout the world, and they have decided to make Arizona their home.  This speaks volumes about the future of solar energy in the southwestern United States and specifically Arizona.

This is great for our national and local economic recovery and we would like to consider the products they produce in our state with local labor a great asset to our everyone in Arizona. -JV

Monday, April 18, 2011 9:30 AM

SRP Project Administration Building
1521 N. Project Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281

SRP is holding a Board Meeting to discuss what the SRP solar incentives should be like for the rest of 2011.   Currently, the SRP incentive structure for residential grid-tied photovoltaics is $1.00/per DC watt installed with a maximum reimbursement of $5,000 (5kW).  If you would like to see SRP raise their rebates, you need to attend this Board Meeting and present a business case for why the solar industry and customers need an incentive structure closer to that of other Arizona utilities.