Traditionally, DC-coupled systems were used mainly in small domestic and off-grid applications. Systems using a charger controller to control the power into the chemical storage, or battery bank, were also not typically used commercially. The DC input voltage into the charger controller was close to the nominal battery voltage inRead More

If you are installing solar panels in the northern half of the United States, there are a few winter safety precautions you need to take to prevent potentially dangerous situations. Traditional residential asphalt shingle roofs have a high coefficient of friction that helps to hold rooftop snow accumulations in placeRead More

SunLink started designing solar mounting systems in 2004 when the concept of commercial rooftop solar was novel. The first systems were custom designed for the particular application because everything was new. Needless to say these first arrays were inordinately expensive by today’s standards, but the success of those installations helpedRead More

In the December 2016 Solar Builder, I discussed the industry evolution from passive to active and dynamic systems. Here’s a primer on control systems and how to make them work for your project. The Basics Clients frequently ask how trackers will respond to a given condition. Your tracker manufacturer willRead More

You don’t need to install a battery (yet) to give solar customers a next-gen solar-plus-storage system. Your customer wants reassurance Solar-plus-storage is finally ready for mainstream adoption, thanks to technology enhancements in DC-coupled inverters and continued cost reductions in smart battery technology. Batteries with grid-tied PV will soon be theRead More

The primary function of solar will always be to generate energy from the sun. Yet we are seeing impressive advances in how solar interacts with the environment in which it is installed. Evolutions in design approaches and integrating intelligent, connected software is opening up a new era for increasingly valuableRead More

1) Engage manufacturers early Successful renewable energy projects optimize the power generation equipment in accordance with a site’s unique conditions. Unsuccessful projects fight their environment. Rather than advocating a one-size-fits-all solution, your mounting system manufacturer should be involved in project planning from day one to recommend options as to howRead More