Crystalline modules are delicate creatures. A few cleanings every now and then will help them live up to their full potential. It’s a few months after your solar project “flipped the switch.” You bought these solar modules because the manufacturer promised they were the best in the industry. So whyRead More

The trend for 2012 was a downfall — continuously dropping module prices and shrinking revenues. According to information and analytics provider IHS (formerly IMS Research), the module market will finally see relief in 2013. The decline in PV module pricing will slow down in 2013, eventually stopping by the secondRead More

Common misconceptions customers have about partnering with a solar distributor are listed here. Myth #1: It’s cheaper to buy directly from the manufacturer. • Installers might imagine they are cutting out a huge margin that distributors are taking in, but distribution is generally a high-volume, low-margin business. • Generally, whenRead More

In a fiercely cost-competitive market, it may seem counterintuitive to purchase solar products from a distributor. However, experienced solar professionals know that the right solar distributor can be a key partner in success and provide risk protection, buying power and market guidance. This support is critical in allowing installers andRead More

Combiner boxes enhance safety and improve performance for solar installations. By Brendan Foley As the PV industry has grown and evolved, so too have many of the components found in solar installations. This is especially evident in the combiner box, which aggregates DC source circuits into a single circuit andRead More

Ohio contractor Rudolph/Libbe uses its construction knowledge to grow the solar market throughout the region. A Nile hippopotamus gives birth underwater for the first time on camera, not in Africa, but in Ohio? Not the strongest association with the Buckeye State, but it did happen. The Toledo Zoo’s Hippoquarium wasRead More

The 1,000-volt inverter has officially been certified for more than a year, providing ample opportunities for larger and cheaper solar farms. A little more than a year ago, North America was introduced to the solar industry’s new star — the 1,000-volt inverter. The product, first presented by American Electric TechnologiesRead More

String inverters and microinverters both come with their pros and cons. Determining which is best for a residential or small commercial project really comes down to customer preference. Inverter manufacturers definitely consider each other competitors, but they’re colleagues all the same in the fight to take the solar industry toRead More

The PV industry keeps growing, as does the demand for better inverter technologies. The news that the Americas PV market more than doubled the first half of 2012 comes as no surprise — panel prices continue to fall and installations are on the rise. With this massive increase in capacityRead More

Power purchase agreements make buying solar energy more cost-effective for customers and a better fit in their future plans. Knowing how to approach them encourages building better projects. For decades, businesses and homeowners alike have installed solar panels on their roofs and begun generating their own power to offset theirRead More