For solar installation topics that require more attention than an article or web post, they become Solar Builder Special Reports. All of the downloadable Solar Builder Special Reports are produced in partnership with industry sponsors. If you have an idea for a Solar Builder Special Report, let our sales team know at rcarson@benjaminmedia.com.
EVERVOLT Case Studies
How Panasonic installers solved six customer dilemmas
In this new special report in collaboration with Panasonic, we show how one system — the Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery System — can be configured six different ways to meet six different customer needs. Panasonic relays six real world examples from its roster of Panasonic Authorized Storage Installers.
Homeowners know they want to lower their electric bills. They often want protection when the grid goes down — some want to move beyond the grid altogether. Luckily, solar installers can meet all of these
needs — and install a system that can easily expand to meet future needs — with one system provided by a bankable, trusted brand, under one warranty.
EVERVOLT Case Studies:
- Hybrid Inverter-only
- Home Battery System with SmartMeter
- Home Battery System with SmartBox
- Battery System added to existing PV
- More PV added to Home Battery System
- Full EVERVOLT System with Generator
Power Controls & NEC 2023
Using code to surpass the 120% rule and avoid MPU
Recent updates in the National Electric Code have positioned the power control system (PCS) as a central component of home energy management and solar + storage integration. Two valuable PCS selling points include avoiding main panel upgrades (MPU) and surpassing the 120% rule.
In Power Controls & NEC 2023, a special report from Solar Builder and FranklinWH, we explain the origin of PCS in code, the application of PCS in solar + storage system design — and how it impacts your installation business.
“Home electrification will likely drive the need for a larger utility service in the home,” says Douglas Amarhanow, Product Manager with FranklinWH. “Upgrading the utility service for the home is an expensive and complex procedure, which earns electricians revenue but is one they do not enjoy. PCS may be used on the existing service and maintain safety in the home while each electrical appliance is used.”
Inside Power Controls & NEC 2023
- The definition of PCS in NEC 2020 & 2023.
- How PCS allows you to surpass the 120% rule.
- Why AC-coupled ESS is crucial for PCS.
- The role of intelligent circuits in avoiding MPU (main panel upgrades).
Integrating for Success
This whitepaper is a game changer, providing you with the tools and knowledge to not only survive but thrive. Explore solutions to improve automation, reduce admin time, gain real-time data for business decisions & delight your customers for a brighter, greener future. Download it here.
5 Ways to Maximize Home Battery Investments
In this special report, Panasonic experts explain five ways to maximize that ESS investment. They also showcase how the full EVERVOLT product line — from new solar modules to ESS to energy management — can make a difference. Download it here.
The Case for Microinverters in C&I Solar
Technology is changing the norms of commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop solar system design. Panels are getting huge and climbing upward of 600 W. UL 3741 compliant systems are expanding options for meeting NEC 690.12. And beefed up microinverters are poised to do for C&I what they’ve done for residential solar — simplify everything. Unsure about that last one? Then it’s time to get up to speed on the advancements of microinverters built for C&I. Solar Builder explores the case with APsystems in this special report. Download it here.
Breaking Down and Breaking Through Soft Costs
In the US residential solar market, system costs have declined by 25% since 2014. However, customer acquisition and overhead costs have increased by 31% during the same time. Additionally, the Solar Energy Industries Association points out that soft costs in the US are some of the highest globally, representing 60–70% of the total cost of residential-scale solar PV systems. Based on data like these, it is no surprise that solar industry stakeholders have a collective and often self-reinforcing perception that a solar PV system’s soft costs are perpetually stubborn. This whitepaper explores opportunities to reduce soft costs in residential-scale systems in the US solar market by streamlining and optimizing the solar sales process and business operations and workflow. Many opportunities to mitigate individual soft costs presented here also apply to small commercial systems.
Top 10 Reasons To Go Rail-less
When you look at the largest residential solar installers across America, for the most part, they’ve all gone rail-less. What was once a niche option is now the installer go-to for the most prominent and smallest installers alike. In Top 10 Reasons to Go Rail-less, Roof Tech goes in-depth to make the case, showing how rail-less solar mounting: Gives Designers and Installers Flexibility, Reduces Structural Stress, Requires Less Material, Eases Supply Chain Challenges, Eliminates the #1 Cause of Water Intrusion and much more.
Solving Home Battery Storage For Every Customer
Solar plus battery storage technology is now a readily accessible and affordable option for many homeowners. The tricky part is designing a system that puts the solar array’s output and the battery’s capacity to best use. The pairing must provide consistent, reliable power when a homeowner needs and/or wants it — which could be two different things. In this free report, Panasonic assesses three customers with different home profiles who all have different expectations for how their system will perform, and match the best solar + battery system for their needs.