Volume 9, Number 11 G December 2016

Solar On Water?

Floating PV is emerging as a viable alternative to ground-mounted and rooftop solar. page 16

Canadian Market How has solar fared so far in Canada, and what might be in store? page 20 System Finance PACE financing is poised to help democratize solar in the U.S. page 28

a_01_SI1612.indd 1 11/11/16 10:00 AM b_8_19.48_60_SI_1609.indd_LG_SPR_1609.indd 1 2 8/25/16 8:46 AM 8/5/16 4:27 PM _LG_SPR_1609.indd 1 b_8_19.48_60_SI_1609.indd 3 8/25/168/5/16 8:474:27 AMPM ✹ Contents R Features

Floating PV 16 16 Floating PV: A Novel Approach To Solar projects fit the needs of numerous industries, and new market applications for these systems are emerging every day.

Canadian Market 20 Canada’s Solar Market To Enter A New Phase In 2017 The Canadian Solar Industries Association provides an overview of recent provincial and federal renewable policies and what they might mean for the future of the country’s solar sector.

Solar+Storage Design 24 AC vs. DC Coupling: What To Consider With Large Solar+Storage Projects Key system design considerations can help projects be more cost- effective, reliable, efficient and bankable. For utility-scale solar-plus- storage projects, one of the most critical considerations is choosing between AC and DC coupling architectures.

System Finance 28 U.S. Market Picks Up The PACE 20 As an alternative form of paying for solar installations and other upgrades to buildings, property-assessed clean energy financing is growing ever-more popular across the country.

28

24 ✹ Departments

6 Dial 8 New & Noteworthy 14 Products & Technology 30 Policy Watch 32 Projects & Contracts 34 Sundown

On the cover: Located on the Isawa-ike irrigation reservoir in Japan, the 632 kW floating PV project was connected in October and features 2,300 solar modules. Photo courtesy of Ciel et Terre

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Sunshine State Of Mind www.solarindustrymag.com [email protected] ow, what a great campaign! No, I’m not referring to the bitterly divisive U.S. presidential race, but the successful campaign that 100 Willenbrock Road, Oxford, CT 06478 grassroots and national groups launched in Florida. Not long W Toll Free: (800) 325-6745 after the polls closed on election night, it became clear that Sunshine State Phone: (203) 262-4670 Joseph Bebon voters had rejected Amendment 1, a utility-backed ballot measure that Fax: (203) 262-4680 could have severely hurt Florida’s fledgling solar market. Congratulations to MICHAEL BATES local groups Floridians for Solar Choice (FSC) and the Florida Industries Associa- Publisher & Vice President NEW & NOTEWORTHY tion, as well as all of their partners, on a job well done. [email protected] FSC fittingly calledcut the line,the they fight need between to pay for that solar to advocates the future development and the of state solar. utilitiescustomers “a in true Indiana David and Michigan, and Published by Zackin Publications connection.” As DG solar continues to penetrate, has announced its plans to build and JOSwww.solarindustrymag.comEPH BEBON [email protected] Goliath battle.” Although Interesting an times organization can be a curse as withthe needthe todeceiving handle overcapacity name and Consumers operate five for solar Smart generation Solar facili - Editor technically spearheadedwell as a blessing, the effort however. to Tim get Lar Amendment- intermittency 1 will passed, demand sufficientutilities hadties as invested a pilot project. millions The company of (203) 262-4670, ext. 221 rison, vice president at Green storage resources to take up excess says this will add another emission- Shipping Address: [email protected] Willenbrock Road, Oxford, CT 06478 dollars into the measure.Energy Americas, Making said tariffs matters on Chi- worse,demand the and fillamendment in when renewables was really,free source really of power misleading. to its genera - Mailing Address: nese solar cells are not only imposing lag behind. - Michael Puttré tion portfolio, which already includes BETSYP.O. Box 2180, LILLIAN Waterbury, CT 06722 Admittedly, after first reading the proposed measure’s language, I didn’t see what the big deal Toll Free: 800-325-6745 additional costs on PV generation, nuclear, wind and hydro. Associate Editor was. In fact, Amendmentbut also squelching 1 seemed, innovation as Consumers by for Smart Solar claimed, If pro-solar.approved by the Indiana Utility Phone: (203) 262-4670 • Fax: (203) 262-4680 Alas, the devil reducingwas in research the details. and development Amendment Washington 1 declared Utilities it would Get enableRegulatory Florida Commission, consumers the Clean AMANDA FAVA budgets and preventing new tech- Energy Solar Pilot Project will have PAUL ZACKIN Publisher nologies from reaching key markets, Energy Storage Grants a combined generation capacity of Editorial Assistant to own and lease their own solar installations, but as solar advocates pointed out, homeowners [email protected] particularly in the U.S. Three Washington utilities have about 16 MW, producing energy already have that right. However, the solar-related ballot measure also includedequivalent ato sentencepowering more with than DAWN S. HOWE “The irrational behavior [on tar- been awarded $14.3 million in match- MICHAEL BATES Managing Editor iffs] has been shocking to me,” Larri- ing grants from the state’s Clean 2,500 homes for a year, the utility Creative Director the undefined term “subsidize,” and as such, Consumers for Smart Solar claimed the amend- [email protected] son said, especially given the volumes Energy Fund to lead energy storage says. ment would protectof PV consumers products large Chinesefrom manu“unfair- projects subsidies.” with ties toAdding federally fundedthat kind I&M’s of language Clean Energy into Solar the gen - ANGEL L. HERNÁNDEZ MICHAEL PUTTRÉ Editor state constitution,facturers solar represent.advocates “It’s notwarned, a good wouldresearch have at the U.S.opened Department the doorof eration for Florida facilities will utilities be located to in Graphic Artist idea to kill the supplier. You need Energy’s (DOE) Pacific Northwest different areas of the company’s ser- (203) 262-4670, ext. 243 impose new fees onyour solar supplier customers for the 25 years and of thediminish National important Laboratory (PNNL). policies, suchvice as territory . in the two states. Con- [email protected] MINCK Toward the endwarranty.” of the campaign, things gotAccording dramatic to the after PNNL, a leakedthe struction audio is tentativelyrecording scheduled of a to Production Coordinator Over and above the effect of re- three utility-led projects include the begin in early 2016, with completion BETSY LILLIAN Editorial Assistants think-tank leader strictiverevealed trade Amendment policies, Larrison said1 was following: intentionally designed to misleadexpected later voters that year.and The seem utility DALAURENMASE TYLER CARON Chinese manufacturers ■ Spokane-based Avista Utili- notes the $38 million project would Information Systems Manager pro-solar. Solar advocateshave wrung aboutthen all launched of the cost out a last-minuteties received $3.2legal million. battle Its inproj the- Floridaresult in a Suprememinimal impact Court, on cus - DAWN HOWE Creative Director but their pleas wereof their denied. products, Ultimately, and those hop though,- ect includes solar installing proponents a UniEnergy pulled tomer off rates the of lesshuge than 1%.task of CHERYL SAMIDE I&M operates 3,595 MW of DAMASE CARON Graphic Artists ing for additional LCOE efficiencies Technologies (UET) flow battery in Office Manager educating voters towill realize have to lookAmendment elsewhere. Citing 1 was Pullman, a “wolf Wash., in to sheep’s support Washing clothing,”- coal-fired and the generation proposal in Indiana, was ANGEL L. HERNÁNDEZ defeated. his company’s 12 straight quarters ton State University’s (WSU) smart 2,110 MW of nuclear generation in of financial losses, he said he could campus operations. The PNNL will Michigan and 22 MW of hydro gen- ARLENE SORRENTINO Advertising Coordinator Now, about thatnot imaginepresidential where such election: cost savings Hillarycollaborate Clinton with WSU was, to developwithout erationa doubt, in both a states. better The companycan- Advertising Sales didate in terms ofcould clean come fromenergy. on the Icell tried produc to- provea control that strategy in foran this editorial project. notalso providestoo long its customers ago, and with 250I ROB SANDRA SI MINCKMONELLI Production Coordinator tion front. Avista is participating in the Pacific MW of purchased wind generation. Account Executive received some heated Nevertheless, phone callshe remains and “veryemails Northwest from readers. Please Demonstra remember- I&M saysthat it willthe also opinions use the solar PHILL LEGAULT Information Systems [email protected] bullish” on the U.S. market - particu- tion Project and previously received pilot project as an opportunity to Manager I express are solelylarly my the residentialown, don’t and commercial represent athose DOE Smart of Gridthe Investment Solar Industry Grant. study team, firsthand and the are various merely facets of (562) 431-1630 ■ designing, constructing and operat- that - opinions. I sectorspresent - which as manywill be afacts core busi as -this small Bellevue-based page allows Puget meSound to fit, and then the decision C HERYL SAMIDE Office Manager ness for Yingli going forward. Energy (PSE) received $3.8 million. ing a utility-scale solar facility. Ac- is up to you, the readers. Stefan Rinck, Regardless CEO of Singulusof my politicalIts project beliefs, includes installing however, a lithi rest- cordingassured to the that utility, no being matter owner C HRISTINA STANEVICH Marketing Coordinator Technologies AG, a Germany-based um-ion battery. As part of a previous and operator of the solar facilities Z ACKIN what, I am - and always will be - a solar advocate. PUBLICATIONS maker of PV production equipment, project that was jointly funded by will enable I&M to become proficient CHERYL BOTELHO Administration During his campaign,pointed out Donaldduring the panel Trump discus -madethe utility,many the frightening Bonneville Power pledges Ad- in operatingregarding solar cleangeneration ener and -in- tegrating it reliably into the transmis- PAUL ZACKIN gy, including revivingsion that the the coalsame market industry, forces that dismantling ministration, the Primus U.S. Power Environmental and the Protection Agency, Advertising Sales sion grid. impelled the boom in Chinese PV DOE, the PNNL analyzed the costs PresidentBILL O’CONNOR abolishing the Cleanproduction Power and Plancorresponding and backing drop and out benefits of theassociated Paris with Agreement, install- among others. With [email protected](800) 325-6745, ext. 235 any luck, those werein module just pricesempty were campaign a “disaster” promises,ing energy storage but atI havevarious spokensites to a number of solar [email protected] from the perspective of equipment within PSE’s service territory. DOE Offering $4B In Member of stakeholders, evenmanufacturers. at the government At the same time, level, he who■ Everett-based are gravely Snohomish concerned about what a Trump Member of foresees a new wave of capital invest- County Public Utility District was New Loan Guarantees presidency might mentmean in PV for manufacturing, renewables. particu - awarded $7.3 million. Its project The U.S. Department of Energy Regardless, I’mlarly confident for wafer and the cell manufacturersU.S. solar industryincludes installing will prevail. a UET flow No bat matter- (DOE) who has issuedis in athe loan White guarantee in Taiwan looking to supply the de- tery and a lithium-ion battery. This solicitation, making as much as $4 House, solar technologymand for PV will in Japan. continue to advanceproject builds and onbecome experience cheaper, gained, billionand inmore loan guaranteesutilities available and state regulators will At get the ontop ofboard the PV supplythe clean chain, energyas well astrack. the equipment Are there and techgoing- forto innovativebe some renewable major energy chal and- Theresa Jester, CEO of Silicor Ma- nologies installed, with a DOE Smart energy-efficiency projects located in lenges in the future?terials Most Inc., a supplierlikely of- PV-gradeespecially Grid with Investment a new Grant. Republican-controlledthe U.S. that avoid,Congress reduce or thatseques - According to the PNNL, results ter gases. Solar Industry (USPS: 025-268 ISSN: 1942- could help Trumpsilicon, follow said throughthere is still onroom his to energy plans - but the solar industry still has many 213X) is published monthly with a special issue in reduce costs in raw materials. Jester from these Washington-based dem- According to the DOE, this so- Solarthe fall by IndustryZackin Publications, (USPS: Inc. Advertising, 025-268 ISSN: 1942- friends in Washingtonpointed andto her acrossfirm’s plans the to buildU.S. a onstrations are expected to contrib- licitation is intended to support Editorial, Production and Circulation offices are at 213X)100 Willenbrock is published Road, Oxford, monthly CT 06478; by(203) Zackin Publica- new silicon processing facility in Ice- ute to national energy storage efforts. technologies that are catalytic, rep- 262-4670. Periodical postage paid at Seymour, CT I congratulate Trump and his supporters on their victory, and now that the ballots have tions, Inc. Advertising, Editorial, Production and land as evidence that the global solar licable and market-ready. Although and additional mailing offices. Canada Post: Publi- Circulationcations Mail Agreement offices #40612608. are at Return 100 undeWillenbrock- Road, been counted andmarketplace the ugly continues election to evolve is over, and I sincerely hope this dividedany country project that can meets begin the appropri to - liverable Canadian addresses to IMEX Global offer opportunities. ate requirements is eligible to apply, Oxford,Solutions, P.O. CT Box 06478;25542, London, (203) ON N6C262-4670. 6B2. Periodical heal. Nevertheless, U.S. solar proponents mustIndiana stand Michiganready to rise Power up against any future opposi- Subscription: $48 per year. POSTMASTER: Send Echoing a theme from an earlier the department has identified five postageaddress changes paid to: at Solar Shelton, Industry CT, P.O. and Box 2180, additional mailing tion, be it on theIntersolar federal panel, or state CAISO’s level. Berber That’s- Banks why OnI appreciated Solar the recentkey technology victory areas in of Florida, interest: ad - offices.Waterbury, Canada CT 06722-2180. Post: Copyright Publications © 2014 by Mail Agreement vanced grid integration and storage; Zackin Publications, Inc. All rights reserved; no ich said the development of utility- Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), #40612608.reproduction without Return written permission undeliverable from the Canadian where local groupsaccessible and nationalenergy storage heavyweights, is critical a utility including serving more the than Solar 582,000 Energy drop-in Industries biofuels; waste-to-energy; Associa- publisher. addresses to IMEX Global Solutions, P.O. Box tion (SEIA), Vote4 Solar Solar Industry and b AUGUST the 2014Sierra Club, partnered to defeat Amendment 1. That level of 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. Subscription: $48 collaboration in support of solar, though increasingly common, was encouraging to see and per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Solar Industry, 100 Willenbrock Road, Oxford, might becomea_1_13_SI1408.indd even more 4 necessary in the years ahead. After voters rejected Amendment 1, 7/17/14 11:59 AM CT 06478. Copyright © 2016 by Zackin Publica- SEIA suggested the result of the successful campaign was “worthy of recognition on a national tions, Inc. All rights reserved; no reproduction scale.” I fully agree. S without written permission from the publisher.

6 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

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a_Hercules_1612.indd 1 10/31/16 11:39 AM ✹ New &Noteworthy SEIA Crowns Top 10 U.S. Corporate Solar Installers

This Target store in Greenville, S.C., features a 596 kW rooftop solar installation. Photo courtesy of Target

etail giant Target has grabbed the top spot among U.S. commonsense decision that pays dividends for both the en- businesses that are going solar. The Solar Energy Indus- vironment and companies’ bottom lines, and these leaders Rtries Association (SEIA) has revealed Target’s ascension deserve a big round of applause. They’re not only helping to to the top of the list in the organization’s 2016 Solar Means create thousands of American jobs in solar - the nearly 2,000 Business report, which found that more U.S. businesses are in- corporate systems highlighted in this report are generating stalling solar than ever before. enough clean electricity to offset more than 1.1 million metric Adding more solar this year than any other U.S. retailer, tons of harmful carbon emissions a year.” Target now has 147.5 MW of installed solar capacity, according Covering corporate solar installs now in 38 states plus Wash- to the report. This is the first time Target has ranked No. 1 in ington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the 2016 Solar Means Business the report’s five-year history. report tracks nearly 1,100 MW of solar installations at the U.S.’ “We feel honored to be named the top corporate solar in- top companies. To put that in context, the report says, that’s staller in the U.S. by the Solar Energy Industries Association,” enough electricity to power the equivalent of 193,000 homes says John Leisen, vice president of property management at every year. Also noteworthy, in just the first three quarters of Target. “At Target, sustainability is a principle that drives the 2016, the report found 142 MW of corporate solar was added in decisions we make across the company - from the products we the U.S. - more than was installed in all of 2015 (129 MW). make, to the way we run our business. We’re incredibly proud “Solar plays a vital role within our port- of the progress we’ve made in improving building efficiencies folio,” says Mark Vanderhelm, vice president of energy for and reducing environmental impact. Our commitment to in- Walmart. “This is evident by our 2020 commitment of dou- stalling solar panels on 500 stores and distribution centers by bling solar energy projects at our Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs 2020 is evidence of that progress.” and distribution centers across the nation. Our focus is on Other companies recognized in the report’s top 10 for their finding those solar projects that are right for the business. Be- amount of solar capacity and number of solar installations ing recognized by SEIA for our efforts is confirmation that we include heretofore perennial champion Walmart (145 MW), are moving in the right direction with regards to renewable Prologis (107.8 MW), Apple (93.9 MW), Costco (50.7 MW), energy, specifically solar.” Kohl’s (50.2 MW), IKEA (44 MW), Macy’s (38.9 MW), Gen- eral Growth Properties Inc. (30.2 MW) and Hartz Mountain Arizona Public Service Hits Industries (22.7 MW). “These blue-chip companies are proof that sustainabil- Solar Milestone ity and profitability is not an either-or proposition,” says This summer, utility Arizona Public Service (APS) reached SEIA Interim President Tom Kimbis. “Investing in solar is a a major solar milestone, surpassing 1 GW of solar energy 8 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

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_SolarWorld_1607.indd 1 6/8/16 12:24 PM ✹ New &Noteworthy capacity. When generating at full power, this capacity meets the pendent solar developers, contractors and equipment providers partial daytime needs of 250,000 Arizona homes, and the com- and provide 170 MW of capacity. The rest of APS’ grid-scale pany says its total investment in solar energy is approximately solar comes from independently owned power plants across $2 billion. Arizona with long-term agreements to sell power to APS. APS’ solar portfolio is almost an even split between rooftop Most of the power from rooftop solar comes from systems systems and grid-scale projects, with 551 MW coming from owned by homeowners or leasing companies. APS owns 10 rooftop systems and 499 MW coming from grid-scale projects. MW. The utility says the APS-owned systems are strategically “APS customers benefit from the placed on customer homes in a way fact that when you include energy that allows the company to engage from APS’ other renewable energy in research and development activi- sources - wind, geothermal, biomass ties on how solar and other advanced and biogas - and the Palo Verde Nu- technologies, such as smart inverters clear Generating Station, nearly half and battery storage, impact the ability of all the power on APS’ system is of the utility to provide reliable and carbon-free,” says Tammy McLeod, safe energy for customers. APS vice president of resource man- Notably, APS came under fire from agement. “A cleaner energy mix is a some solar advocates earlier this year top priority for us, with solar playing after the utility proposed changes to an important role.” net energy metering rules and other The utility says it receives its grid- solar policies. However, APS CEO Don scale solar generation from a combination of APS-owned Brandt contended at the time, “Our proposal is pro-solar and systems and power purchase agreements. Through its AZ Sun pro-customer. We want to continue Arizona’s solar leadership Program, APS owns and operates nine solar plants across the right way - with more solar, for more customers, without Arizona. These plants were designed and constructed by inde- driving up the energy bills paid by non-solar customers.”

IEA Increases Renewables Forecast Amid Record Growth The International Energy Agency (IEA) has announced The IEA says there are many factors behind this remark- it is significantly increasing its five-year growth forecast for able achievement, including more competition, enhanced renewables, thanks to strong policy support in key countries policy support in key markets and technology improve- and sharp cost reductions. According to the IEA, renewables ments. While climate change mitigation is a powerful driver surpassed coal in 2015 to become the largest source of in- for renewables, it is not the only one. In many countries, stalled power capacity in the world. cutting deadly air pollution and diversifying energy supplies The latest edition of the IEA’s Medium-Term Renewable to improve energy security play an equally strong role in Market Report now sees renewables growing 13% more growing low-carbon energy sources, especially in emerging between 2015 and 2021 than the agency did in last year’s Asia, the agency notes. forecast, due mostly to stronger policy backing in the U.S., Over the next five years, the IEA expects renewables to China, India and Mexico. Over the forecast period, costs are remain the fastest-growing source of electricity generation, expected to drop by a quarter in solar with their share growing to 28% in PV and 15% for onshore wind. 2021 from 23% in 2015. The IEA says last year marked a Renewables are expected to cov- turning point for renewables. Led by er more than 60% of the increase in wind and solar, renewables represent- world electricity generation over the ed more than half of the new power medium term, rapidly closing the gap capacity around the world, reaching with coal. Generation from renew- a record 153 GW, 15% more than the ables is expected to exceed 7,600 TWh previous year. Most of these gains by 2021 - equivalent to the total elec- were driven by record-level wind additions of 66 GW and tricity generation of the U.S. and the European Union put solar PV additions of 49 GW. together today. According to the agency, about half-a-million solar pan- However, although 2015 was an exceptional year, the IEA els were installed every day around the world last year. In says there are still grounds for caution. Policy uncertainty China, which accounted for about half of the wind addi- persists in too many countries, slowing down the pace of tions and 40% of all renewable capacity increases, two wind investments. Rapid progress in variable renewables, such as turbines were installed every hour in 2015. wind and solar PV, is also exacerbating system integration “We are witnessing a transformation of global power issues in a number of markets, and the cost of financing markets led by renewables, and as is the case with other remains a barrier in many developing countries. And fi- fields, the center of gravity for renewable growth is moving nally, the IEA says, progress in renewable growth in the heat to emerging markets,” says Dr. Fatih Birol, the IEA’s execu- and transport sectors remains slow and needs significantly tive director. stronger policy efforts.

10 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

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U.S. Navy And CEC Partner On Clean Energy The Energy Commission (CEC) and the U.S. Department of the Navy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner on renewable energy initiatives, including solar projects at mili- tary bases. CEC Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller and Assistant Secretary of the Na- vy for Energy, Installations and Environment Dennis V. McGinn signed the agreement formalizing a partnership that supports Navy and Marine Corps installation efforts to develop alternative energy resources and increase energy security and reliability. According to the CEC, the MOU ensures continued collaboration and information sharing on energy Women Of Wind Energy projects and initiatives. “California and the Navy are taking action to boost energy efficiency Expands Into Solar and curb our dependence on fossil fuels,” comments Gov. Jerry Brown, Women of Wind Energy (WoWE), an orga- D-Calif. “This agreement will help expand renewable energy at military nization that has long promoted the education, bases and secure water supplies in the face of drought.” professional development and advancement The MOU helps implement some of the key recommendations made of women in the wind industry, is opening its by the Governor’s Military Council last year, and a recent joint project programs and services to go beyond its wind between the Navy and the CEC included the installation of a solar mi- energy legacy. crogrid system with battery storage to ensure mission readiness should In response to ongoing conversations with the commercial power grid fail at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. stakeholders and recent industry trends, In 2009, Secretary of the WoWE says it will continue to work with the Navy Ray Mabus set aggres- wind industry, but the group will now also sive renewable energy goals broaden its scope to include solar, energy stor- to spur the development of age, energy efficiency, energy management, and alternative power and energy- power marketers focused on renewables, trans- efficient technology and mission, distributed generation, and smart operational procedures. Rec- grid technologies. At press time, WoWE is still ognizing the benefits of alter- working to develop a new name and logo to native energy, Mabus stood support its expanded scope and direction. up the Renewable Energy “It is an exciting time as the renewable en- Program Office (REPO) in order to accelerate his goals and bring 1 GW ergy sector grows and women enter the work- of renewable energy into procurement by the end of 2015 - which REPO force in increasing numbers,” says Kristen Graf, completed in just 18 months, according to the CEC. The CEC notes it WoWE’s executive director. “We look forward also works with renewable energy developers to ensure their proposed to working with a broader community of in- projects in the state do not interfere with space owned, leased or used by dustry professionals to advance, connect and the military for training or testing. empower women across various fields who are “One of the three pillars critical to the Navy and Marine Corps’ en- engaged in moving the world toward a renew- ergy transformation is partnerships, like the strong and enduring one we able energy future.” have with the State of California,” says McGinn. “As an organization that, itself, just ex- Following the MOU signing, McGinn revealed that REPO has en- panded its scope and re-branded to the Smart tered agreements to develop solar energy and solar+storage projects at Electric Power Alliance from the Solar Electric three Navy installations in California. Power Association, SEPA appreciates WoWE’s The REPO agreements include the development of the largest so- recognition of the value in taking a broader lar PV facility on Department of Defense land at Naval Air Station perspective on the changes happening in the Lemoore; a and large-scale battery storage system at Naval power sector,” says Julia Hamm, president and Weapons Station Seal Beach; and solar power combined with battery CEO of SEPA. “WoWE’s proven model and technology to supply energy to smaller critical loads indefinitely at Naval structure can be incredibly supportive in ad- Base Ventura County. vancing women across all renewable energy- In addition to the solar projects, the CEC notes that McGinn also related sectors.” announced that the Navy and Marine Corps will lease 205 new electric “We greatly look forward to joining forces vehicles for use at California installations - the largest integration of with WoWE to ensure our continued commit- electric vehicles in the federal government. ment to diversity in the energy storage industry These projects help to further solidify the collaborative efforts be- produces demonstrable results for our commu- tween the Navy and California, according to the CEC. nity,” comments Matt Roberts, executive direc- tor of the Energy Storage Association. S 12 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

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_RES_1612.indd 1 11/4/16 2:40 PM ✹ Products &Technology Elon Musk Unveils Solar Roofs, Powerwall 2 t the end of October, Elon Tesla electric vehicles parked in their Musk, CEO of Tesla and garages. Achairman of SolarCity, intro- “People think of Tesla as an elec- duced highly anticipated solar roof tric car company, but really the tiles and the newest Powerwall ener- whole purpose of Tesla was to ac- gy storage product during an event celerate the advent of sustainable en- at Universal Studios in Los Ange- ergy,” he said, calling the integration les. The joint Tesla/SolarCity launch of the clean energy products an “ob- event came as the entrepreneur con- vious three-part solution.” tinued to make his case for Tesla’s Although typical residential solar proposed acquisition of SolarCity, installations include racking and so- which as of press time, shareholders lar panels attached to a rooftop, the have not yet voted on. Photo is a screenshot from Tesla’s YouTube video of new Tesla/SolarCity solar tiles will the launch event. During the presentation, Musk essentially serve as the roof itself. The reiterated his vision for houses with rooftop solar and inte- solar tiles certainly aren’t the first building-integrated photo- grated energy storage that can power both the homes and voltaic products introduced to the market, but the Tesla/Solar- event garnered a lot of media and public attention. Utility Uses Microgrid To Reduce Musk showed off some homes fitted with the Tesla/ SolarCity solar tiles, which are made of tempered glass Peak Demand and have built-in solar cells that generate electricity. He Vermont-based Green Mountain Power (GMP) has announced said the sleek glass tiles are “a lot tougher” and would last the utility is using its Stafford Hill Solar Farm, a microgrid that “a lot longer” than conventional roof tiles, and they can be combines 2 MW of solar panels with 3.4 MWh of battery storage, installed on new houses or retrofitted on old homes. The to reduce peak power usage and save customers money. new Tesla/SolarCity products are shaped like regular roof In fact, GMP notes it realized substantial savings when it hit tiles, and Musk introduced four designs, including Tuscan, its annual peak on Aug. 12, during which the weather was nearly slate, textured and smooth glass tiles. 90°F. The utility says it was able to reduce its overall energy de- “The goal is to have solar roofs that look better than mand by using both the solar generated at Stafford Hill and all a normal roof, generate electricity, last longer, have better ® of the energy stored in the batteries during the hour that New insulation, and actually have an installed cost that is less Snake Tray Cable Management England hit its annual peak. According to GMP, utilities in the than a normal roof plus the cost of electricity,” he said. for Solar Installations region are charged year-round according to the percent they “Why would you buy anything else?” contribute to the New England peak during that hour, so by The presentation was brief and didn’t offer many Revolutionary cable pathways drastically cut installation significantly reducing GMP’s peak use during that hour, the Staf- more details, including the fate of the solar tiles should times lowering construction costs! ford Hill project saved customers approximately $200,000. the Tesla/SolarCity deal not go forward. However, Musk Located in Rutland and completed in the spring, Stafford Hill also introduced the newest version of Tesla’s home energy was a stand-out project from storage product, the Powerwall 2. He said the Powerwall the get-go for two distinct 2 is “a big step above” its predecessor, offering twice as reasons: It is located on a much power as the Powerwall 1. Providing 14 kWh of capped landfill, and its bat- energy storage and 7 kW of power output, the next-gen Snake Tray products tery storage is used to pow- home energy storage product is expected to cost $5,500. have built-in mounting er an emergency shelter at The entrepreneur also noted the earlier launch of Tes- hardware and nest Rutland High School. Now, la’s latest utility-scale energy storage product, the Power- together for cost-effective GMP says the utility is tak- pack 2. Musk said the Powerpack 2 similarly doubles the shipping and handling. ing the project a step further. Photo of the Stafford Hill Solar Farm courtesy power of the previous generation, offering 210 kWh/50 “When we combine solar of groSolar kW, and he added, “This can scale to unlimited size.” and battery storage, it opens a whole world of possibilities for our customers, and reducing Mercedes-Benz Energy Storage peak demand - saving $200,000 in just one hour - is one example NEW ICE GUARD HAND BENDABLE of how we’re delivering on our promise to customers,” says Mary Heads To The U.S. FOR SOLAR PANELS Powell, president and CEO of GMP. “This is the future of energy, LOBSTER TRAP Germany-based Mercedes-Benz is bringing its sta- PREVENTS and it’s never been more exciting.” DESIGN FOR ROOF tionary energy storage business to the U.S. To handle the INJURIES DUE TO According to GMP, Stafford Hill is also providing fast-acting TOP INSTALLATIONS expansion, parent company Daimler AG has established a FALLING ICE power when the grid needs it as renewable energy fluctuates dur- new unit, Mercedes-Benz Energy Americas LLC, which will ing the day and night, and this is another way the project lowers assume the development and sales of the storage systems Snake Tray® products are patent protected. 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14 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016 solar industry - 1-2 pg ad aug 2016.indd 1 7/1/2016 4:42:57 PM

b_2_15.30_36_SI_1612.indd 14 11/10/16 3:30 PM North American market. Furthermore, Daimler has picked up channel partners, and the systems will be followed by larger Boris von Bormann, former CEO of energy storage company storage systems for commercial and industrial customers. sonnen, to lead the new branch. Mercedes-Benz Energy Americas will work directly with a di- “Mercedes-Benz Energy is uniquely positioned to not only verse customer base to offer tailored solutions starting later in offer solutions to the energy and storage market that will 2017, Daimler adds. Further details, including product pricing, help utilities, businesses and homeown- were not disclosed. ers save costs and solve needs, but also combine the advantages of electric Arcadia Launches Nationwide vehicles and energy solutions in- to one holistic platform,” says von Community Solar Program Bormann. Arcadia Power, an online renewable energy company, has This follows the previous found- announced a nationwide community solar platform that it says ing of Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH gives people around the U.S. the opportunity to support solar in Germany earlier this year, and Daim- energy and get savings on their bills - no matter where they live. ler says system production will remain the According to the company, its technology platform can core expertise of wholly owned subsidiary Image courtesy of connect production from a remote site directly to Daimler AG Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE GmbH & Co. KG. a customer’s power bill and does not require any additional The company adds that the Mercedes-Benz storage units are equipment or installation on a customer’s home. Available in based on the same technology Daimler has been using in elec- all 50 states, the community solar product is ideal for those tric and hybrid vehicles since 2012. who live in apartments, have shaded roofs or don’t want to be Working in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Research & locked down in a 20-year agreement, adds Arcadia. Development North America in Sunnyvale, Calif., Mercedes- Customers can choose from a range of projects, pay an up- Benz Energy Americas will bring initial product offerings to front solar subscription fee, and every month during the term the U.S. in early 2017, beginning with the launch of a modular receive savings on their utility bills. Arcadia Power says the residential product. Each battery module has an energy con- program runs on a software platform that integrates with over tent of 2.5 kWh that can be combined up to 20 kWh and used 100 utility billing systems nationwide, and current available in various applications, such as backup power and solar self- projects include solar installations in California, Massachusetts consumption. Daimler says these will be sold through various and Washington, D.C. S

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solar industry - 1-2 pg ad aug 2016.indd 1 DECEMBER 2016 b Solar7/1/2016 Industry 4:42:57 PM 15

b_2_15.30_36_SI_1612.indd 15 11/10/16 10:48 AM R Floating PV

Floating PV: A Novel Approach To Solar A niche market has emerged within the solar industry as an alternative way to gather clean energy.

by Bernard Prouvost

s solar power becomes increasingly affordable, ac- to the design of a long-lasting power plant. The entire system cessible and prevalent around the world, new tech- must be designed to withstand long-term environmental haz- nologies and methods of installation are emerging. ards, such as rain, snow and wind conditions. Wind has the Specifically, floating solar PV is becoming a com- strongest incidence on the structure’s integrity and should be a Apetitive and viable niche in the solar market that offers a water- design priority for any floating PV project. All electrical com- based alternative to traditional PV installed on the ground, ponents must be strong enough for intense wind conditions, rooftops or carports. as well as waterproof, resistant to dust and able to function Floating PV projects are typically installed on inland com- reliably in extreme temperatures. pounded bodies of water, be they natural or man-made. The A floating PV system is cabled in the same way as ground- projects consist of a floating mounted systems, except that the mounting system, which has a junction boxes (NEMA 4 X mini- framing structure equivalent to mum) mounted on the floating a standard ground-mounted PV arrays are connected to onshore system that is used to support inverters using either a flexible the PV modules above the water marine DC cable or normal DC with consideration to a set pitch, cable protected in an adapted azimuth and distance. waterproof and sealed float- Installation is surprising- ing conduit. The main electrical ly straightforward. First comes equipment is located on the em- the assembly of the floating bankment for easy and safe main- structure. On shore, modular tenance at all times. Lego-type floats are assembled into rows using connection pins Market applications - each one of these “main floats” Photo courtesy of Ciel et Terre Floating PV systems can be supports a PV module. The rows installed for self-consumption by are held together by aisles of secondary floats, which ensure private or public entities to offset their on-site electrical needs the overall structure’s buoyancy and spacing between the PV (e.g., pumps, aerators, factories, refrigerated warehouses, etc.), panels, as well as double as maintenance alleys. PV panels are or the electricity generated can also be fed into the grid and installed, and the structure is simply pushed out or towed into sold to local electric utilities. the water. As the solar island is being assembled, anchors are Floating solar is ideal for energy- and water-intensive indus- installed on the perimeter banks or at the bottom of the body tries, such as water treatment plants and reclamation facilities. of water in which the system will be placed. Industries using large quantities of water as part of their plant The floating structure is anchored via mooring lines, which cooling process (e.g., steelworks), which tend to be energy- are adaptable to water level fluctuations, and cabling is put hungry, may also find a perfectly adapted renewable energy into place. Anchoring is a major component of any floating solution in floating PV. solar project, and accurate bathymetric information is crucial Wherever conserving land is a concern, as for agricultural

16 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 16 11/11/16 11:20 AM At 13.7 MW, the world’s largest floating power plant will be finalized on a dam in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, in spring 2017. With almost 51,000 PV modules, the power plant will generate 15 GWh/year, equivalent to the consumption of 4,700 households. In Japan, where land is scarce and there is a strong commitment to an energy transition, floating solar has become widely integrated with rice irrigation systems, industrial processes and water utilities. Rendering courtesy of Ciel et Terre

companies, wineries and dairy farms, combining floating Floating solar fits the needs of numerous industries, and new solar with irrigation reservoirs can be preferable to ground- market applications for these systems are emerging every day. mounted installations, with the added benefit of limiting wa- ter evaporation. Potential benefits There are also clear opportunities within the mining in- Floating solar creates a new use for the surface area of com- dustry, where old quarries and mercial and industrial bodies of mining pits leave vast water sur- water, which are typically unob- faces after material extraction. scured from the sun, kept out of Here, floating solar provides sight and located near energy- a good solution for both site intensive processes. Consumers, remediation and the ongoing businesses and municipalities energy demand from active op- are facing the challenge of rising erations nearby. electricity costs and uncertainty The synergy between hydro- of volatile power prices. Energy, electric dams and floating solar depending on the industry, can speaks for itself, as solar power be one of the major budget costs, can boost generation during and keeping those costs down is the daytime and, where water critical for everyone. storage is possible, allow more Floating solar is also finding applications on hydroelectric This, compounded with lim- high-value hydropower to be dams, a key opportunity in Brazil. The Balbina ited land or rooftop space avail- produced at peak demand time. hydroelectric dam in the Amazonas region will be ability, is why many water-related Although these hybrid solu- upgraded with a 4.9 MW floating power plant. As the dam industries and businesses invest tions have yet to be perfected, is suffering from severe drought, dramatically reducing its in floating solar infrastructure the combination of floating PV nominal capacity, this project will resolve this issue by projects. Installing solar power and hydroelectric power shows preventing water evaporation and generating 6.8 MWh/ on water allows industries to potential to become a 100% re- year (powering 4,500 homes) with 20,000 PV modules. maximize the value of these un- newable energy system. Photo courtesy of Ciel et Terre derused spaces and yield higher DECEMBER 2016 b Solar Industry 17

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 17 11/11/16 11:31 AM R Floating PV

Photo courtesy of Ciel et Terre

energy production, as the panels are naturally kept cooler by the very reasons, with concerns over drought and algae bloom. temperature exchange between air and water. Contrary to popu- Because floating PV covers a large surface area of reservoirs, it lar belief, solar panel efficiency decreases when affected by tem- limits evaporation problems and the sun’s UV rays into the water. perature increases. Water temperature will be lower than that of Therefore, it naturally prevents algae growth; typically, chemicals the ground or air, and wind action cools the back of the panels. are used to control this issue. If designed using drinking-water- This also prevents overheating of cables in the floating conduits, compliant materials, floating PV can be a turnkey solution that which equally benefit from this exchange. brings together water (and land) conservation and clean power Countries wanting to protect their water resources will generation. also find synergies between floating PV and their conservation Speed of deployment is also one of a floating PV system’s great programs, as covering water bodies with PV modules limits advantages, as incentives and political landscapes can change evaporation and algae growth. In states such as California, cov- quickly. Due to the installation’s simplicity, local labor is typi- ering water utility reservoirs has become a key issue for these cally used and projects contribute back to the local community.

Located in the U.K., the Queen Elizabeth II drinking water reservoir has been upgraded with a 6.3 MW, 23,000-module floating power plant producing 5,800 MWh/year - enough electricity to power 1,800 homes - which the Thames Water utility uses to treat water distributed to 10 million people in the London area. Floating solar is considered highly suited to the U.K.’s geography, as the region’s many inland bodies of water can be developed into valuable areas. Photo courtesy of Ciel et Terre 18 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 18 11/11/16 11:22 AM Furthermore, the low profiles of these systems over large ties linked to perceived risk, and people sometimes need to be bodies of water have little to no visual impact and create an convinced that floating solar is technically viable. Nonetheless, environmentally friendly solution, with limited ground dis- these fears are usually dispelled quickly, and funds become turbance during installation. No civil works, terracing, use of easier to secure once a working pilot is installed in a region. heavy equipment or removal of vegetation occur during instal- Although vast man-made water bodies represent ideal op- lation. Some systems using HDPE plastic are 100% dismount- portunities for floating solar, the largest sites also tend to be able and recyclable, and after dismantlement, owned by public entities, making it some- premises are left as they were before the site’s de- times very slow to approve more ambitious velopment, with no direct impact on property val- Floating PV projects. In this sense, floating solar is essen- ue. Floating PV systems are guaranteed to last 25 tially faced by the same issues as any other years, on average, and have the potential to per- can benefit renewable energy. form better with a longer life span, as the panels Visibility is another challenge the float- and wires typically do not suffer from overheating aquatic life. ing PV industry faces. At present, floating like they might when installed on a rooftop. solar remains a fairly young “niche” mar- ket in which few companies have a proven Misconceptions track record and real expertise. In some regions, it is simply Floating PV systems also boast good environmental perfor- not known that installing PV power on water is a workable mances and have a neutral or positive impact on the water bod- possibility. ies on which they are installed, especially when designed using Again, this challenge will surely be resolved as the industry materials such as food-grade and drinking-water-compliant grows, and it is only a matter of time before floating solar is HDPE. Sensitive wildlife is also not usually present in man- recognized as having a fully fledged role to play in the global made water bodies, where most floating PV installations are transition to clean energy. S developed. Nevertheless, floating PV can benefit aquatic life, as shading from PV modules limits algae growth and water eutro- phication and can provide natural shelter for various species. Bernard Prouvost is founder and chairman of the board at Ciel et Terre, Unfortunately, though, other major misconceptions about a France-based provider and developer of floating PV solutions and floating PV still exist, including the following: projects that recently entered the U.S. market. Installing floating PV is complicated. With no foundation work required, floating PV can actually face fewer barriers to installation than ground-mounted PV. Deployment itself, as de-Renewable Energy’s scribed earlier, is quite straightforward - with the right organi- RenewableRenewable Energy’sEnergy’s zation and technology, a floating PV structure can beOriginal deployed Deep Cycle AGM Battery with little training or equipment at a rate of 1 kW/worker/hour. OriginalOriginal DeepDeep CycleCycle AGMAGM BatteryBattery Ideal sites for floating PV often also feature grid-connection in- frastructure nearby, making deployment even simpler and more economical. Water and electricity do not work together. It seems in- tuitive that water and electricity don’t go together. However, perfectly safe electric installations have been implemented for decades on marinas, reservoirs, boats and floating houses, as well as in offshore and aquatic environments. Using equip- ment such as waterproof junction boxes and cables (IP65-67) ensures safe installation, operation and maintenance. Floating PV is more expensive and too exotic. Like all other renewable , floating solar is enjoying rapidly diminishing costs as the technology evolves, and it is already profitable in many countries. Floating solar installations are easily financeable in many places and benefit from the same options as traditional PV, such as power purchase agreements,Experienced in Energy Storage Since 1987 leases and bank loans. However, as with any new technology, ExperiencedExperienced in in Energy Energy Storage Storage Since Since 1987 1987 some financing parties will be pioneers, while others will focus Sun Xtender® Batteries are constructed with Advanced Deep on only traditional systems and wait for floating PV to build Cycle Technology for grid-tied and off grid systems of all sizes. ® up its track record before they invest. As the floating solarpower mar without- sacrificingExclusive capacity, to Sun cycle Xtender life,, ,andthis this reliability.technology technology provides provides deep deep cycle cycle ket grows, it will become increasingly clear that these projects power without sacrificing capacity, cycle life, and reliability. are long-term, low-risk investments.

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DECEMBER 2016 b Solar Industry 19

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 19 11/11/16 11:24 AM R Canadian Market

Canada’s Solar Market To Enter A New Phase In 2017

Both the federal and provincial governments have provided encouraging signs of support for solar and other renewables in the country.

by Lisa Hatina

very year since 2006, the Canadian solar industry has convened at Solar Canada, the conference and trade show Ehosted by the Canadian Solar Industries Association, the organization that represents and develops markets for the solar market focused on the province of Ontario, whose installed ca- energy industry throughout the nation. pacity has represented more than 99% of the market activity in Although Solar Canada is now one of the the country’s provinces and territories. However, those market largest events for the solar energy industry dynamics are shifting, and this year, there are three key ques- in Canada, it came from humble beginnings, tions on the minds of solar industry stakeholders. with fewer than 100 participants in attendance in its first year. The event was held in Decem- What will Canada’s new federal government do to shape ber in order to coincide with the downtime the solar industry’s future? for the small integration companies that dom- Canada’s federal government has largely been absent on Hatina inated the industry. To say that the optimism climate change and renewable energy for the past decade. Our at the time for this niche technology to drop in cost tenfold, new prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has garnered global atten- disrupt the electricity sector, and become a widespread and tion for his progressive social and environmental views and his mainstream energy option was met with some doubt would be popularity among young people. Now having just passed one an understatement. year in office, Trudeau and his administration have provided Fast-forward to 2016: That optimism from a decade ago has signs that new policies and programs will position Canada for become a business that attracts more than C$1 billion of invest- the low-carbon future. ment and supports 10,000 jobs annually in Canada. Canada has The first early signal that his government will be making become one of the leading markets for solar PV globally and amends for the past decade of inaction was the ratification of represented one of the top 10 countries in 2014 and 2015, with the Paris Agreement, a global pact that commits Canada and an average of 675 MW installed in those years. Our national other nations to work toward limiting the earth’s global tem- cumulative installed capacity will soon surpass 3 GW. Solar perature rise to “well below” 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Canada now welcomes thousands of attendees and hundreds The second signal, the introduction of a minimum national of exhibitors from around the world - a testament to how the carbon price across Canada starting at C$10 per tonne in 2018 Canadian market and industry have matured. and rising to C$50 per tonne by 2022, will begin to level the In recent years, most discussions about the Canadian solar playing field between energy that emits greenhouse gases and 20 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 20 11/10/16 3:59 PM energy that does not. The third, a newly announced commit- and gas resources and their cheap electricity generated from ment to power all federal government operations and build- coal have announced their intent to pursue their renewable ings with 100% renewable electricity by 2025, shows that the resources. Both prairie provinces have an abundance of flat federal government is willing to lead by example. land, a solar resource better than anywhere else in the country, At the time of this writing, deliberations are taking place on and new targets to demonstrate their intent to decarbonize and other major issues, including the future of coal-fired genera- diversify their electricity supply mixes. tion in the provinces where the previous federal government’s Alberta will meet 30% of the province’s annual electricity emissions regulations would have seen coal plants operating needs with renewable resources by 2030. This equates to a tri- into the 2030s and 2040s, as well as the role of a new Canada pling of supply from renewables from today and is in support Infrastructure Bank being created to, in part, support green in- of the province’s phase-out of all coal-fired generation by 2030. frastructure expenditure and leverage private-sector investment. (Coal currently provides about two-thirds of the province’s an- Also at press time, the federal government is considering pro- nual electricity needs.) grams or tax policies to incentivize the deployment of renewable The province will support 5 GW of utility-scale renewables energy in advance of COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco, in mid- through the Renewable Electricity Program (REP), with the November and a First Ministers’ Meeting in early December. first round of competitive procurement to take place in 2017. Although we don’t necessarily know how the federal govern- Successful bidders will have their projects contracted via an ment will deliver on its climate policy goals today, we no longer “indexed-REC” (which functions like a “contract for differ- have to question if it will. We also believe federal-level policies ences” to firm up revenues from the merchant market, while and programs will enable Canada’s solar markets to develop minimizing the level of incentive required) with a 20-year term. more rapidly and more uniformly at the provincial and territo- Although the first round of procurement to contract 400 MW rial levels. of renewables will be “technology-neutral,” carve-outs or set- asides are in consideration for future rounds. What market share of Alberta’s and Saskatchewan’s re- However, near-term utility-scale procurement will also newable targets will solar capture? take place in the province outside of the REP. The Govern- Two provinces in Western Canada best known for their oil ment of Alberta, whose operations are already powered 100% DECEMBER 2016 b Solar Industry 21

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 21 11/11/16 12:20 PM R Canadian Market At press time, the province has procurements for distributed generation, including solar, under way through the microFIT (50 MW) and FIT (150 MW-200 MW) programs. However, Ontario appears to be be- ginning to apply the brakes on utility-scale renewables following the recent postponement of a 250 MW solar procurement under the Large Renewable Procurement program due to adequate supply and a new agreement for hydropower with neighboring Quebec. As a centrally planned electricity market, Ontario has a supply-and-demand planning process that is a critical indicator of the market opportunities in the near to medium terms with regard to government pro- curement. The process to renew the province’s Long During a summit this year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Term Energy Plan - which forecasts future demand, (middle) joined U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President the success of conservation and demand-side manage- Enrique Pena Nieto in reiterating their support for North American clean ment efforts, and then assesses political, economic and energy and the Paris Agreement. Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada technical factors to establish the actions required to by renewables, will procure 135,000 MWh per year of solar achieve the most desirable future supply mix - has begun. The electricity generation to meet more than 50% of its electricity current discussions surrounding the cost-effectiveness of solar needs for the 1,500 buildings and properties the government vis a vis other options such as storage technology and nuclear owns and operates. refurbishments, the demand outlook due to electrification to Located to the east of Alberta, Saskatchewan also has combat climate change, and other considerations will be for- committed to clean energy, with a target to have 50% of the mative for solar in the province. province’s electricity capacity come from renewables by 2030 The Ontario distributed solar market is primed for growth, - representing a doubling of its renewable generation capacity. however, through a revised net-metering regulation and the Saskatchewan’s competitive procure- possibility of transitional incentives ment processes are expected to deliver funded from the province’s cap- a minimum of 60 MW of utility-scale and-trade regime. These regulato- generation. Developers will have the ry developments would allow more option to propose a site or make a electricity customers to self-generate bid to construct, own, and operate on a portion of their electricity to offset a site identified and secured by the electricity costs without depending province’s crown corporation utili- on central procurements. ty, SaskPower. Partnering on projects The Canadian solar market is en- with the First Nations Power Author- tering a new phase as Ontario con- ity and partnering with communities siders whether to increase, maintain, are also options that are under devel- or decrease the scale and pace of so- Alberta plans to add 5 GW of renewables by 2030 opment for future rounds of procure- lar deployment in the coming years. under its new Renewable Electricity Program. ment. A review of the province’s policy Nonetheless, new policies and pro- and regulatory frameworks for distributed generation is also grams at the federal level and in Western Canada are expected to under way. more than compensate for any near-term bumps in the road. Although these commitments create the potential for sig- Solar industry stakeholders have more questions than an- nificant growth in solar electricity generation over the next 14 swers right now about how to best position their businesses for years, it will be the policy and procurement details that define future success in Canada. However, we are confident that the how rapidly this opportunity manifests. answers will point to a rate of market growth in Canada that will continue to advance at an equal or greater rate than that which What future will Ontario’s Long Term Energy Plan hold has been experienced since our Canada event in 2006. for solar? We hope that those who are the most optimistic today Ontario has been the leading solar market in Canada for about solar’s increasing cost-competitiveness and market many years. More than 99% of the country’s almost 3 GW of growth in the face of some doubters become the new bench- solar is located in the province due to the Green Energy and mark that drives investment and creates jobs for the benefit of Economy Act (GEEA), which sought to counter the potentially Canada and Canadians for years to come. More than anything, devastating implications of the global financial crisis of 2008. we hope you consider being a part of Canada’s solar future. S The GEEA gave rise to the province’s feed-in tariff (FIT) pro- grams, which for a number of years made the province one of the hottest solar markets in the world. In fact, if Ontario were Lisa Hatina is the business development and member relations manager a U.S. state, the province would have been ranked third for the at the Canadian Solar Industries Association. The organization is hosting amount of solar capacity added in the years 2013 to 2015. the Solar Canada 2016 conference Dec. 5-6 in Toronto, Ontario. 22 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 22 12/1/16 3:14 PM SI’s 2017 Lineup!

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House_Cal2017_FP.indd 1 11/10/16 10:06 AM R Solar+Storage Design

AC vs. DC Coupling: What To Consider With Large Solar+Storage Projects Choosing the proper coupling architecture impacts inverter selection and can reduce cost and improve efficiency at utility-scale facilities.

by Chris Thompson

he solar industry has shown a much broader interest inverters are single stage, and in this implementation, separate in combining energy storage with solar installations inverters are used for batteries and PV. In this architecture, as grid-integration benefits have increased and battery conventional PV inverters are used. Given the large established costs have decreased. Key system Figure 1: AC coupling market for this type of inverter, this Tdesign considerations can help projects equipment is often considered reli- be more cost-effective, reliable, efficient able, efficient and low cost. In AC DC and bankable. For utility-scale solar-plus- coupling, the batteries are connected storage projects, one of the most critical AC with bi-directional inverters with full considerations is choosing between AC four-quadrant capability. Like PV in- and DC coupling architectures. verters, these bi-directional inverters As each name implies, this architec- DC are single stage and, therefore, also ture defines the way solar PV and stor- efficient, reliable and low cost. age are coupled together. In AC coupling AC DC coupling requires a different (Figure 1), the outputs of the PV and approach and applies a dramatically battery are coupled on the alternating- different inverter topology. With DC current side of the system. In DC cou- DC coupling, the DC sources are coupled pling, as shown in Figure 2, the outputs together; however, in practice, this is AC of the PV and battery are coupled on the more complicated and even poten- direct-current side of the system. tially dangerous. When combining Implementation of both of these ap- DC PV and batteries, installers must take proaches is predicated on the inverter care to never directly combine the technology applied. In AC coupling, the AC DC buses. PV voltage is regulated by inverter directly converts DC to AC. Such a maximum power point tracking

24 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 24 11/10/16 4:08 PM algorithm and changes throughout Figure 2: DC coupling $1,500/MW per year. With storage, ef- the day based on irradiance levels and ficiency is critical because the power module temperature. DC DC is processed both when the battery On the other hand, battery voltage is is charged and then when it is dis- regulated based on state of charge. Per- DC AC charged. Such efficiency losses are ef- haps more importantly, batteries both fectively doubled. accept power and provide power, while DC When comparing AC and DC PV panels only provide power. Errone- DC coupling in large-scale systems, it is ous attempts to “charge” a PV array hard to ignore the substantial “head could be both dangerous and damag- start” that AC coupling has. Solar- ing. Similarly, applying the incorrect DC DC plus-storage projects that employ AC DC voltage to a battery could also be DC AC coupling tap inverter technology that both dangerous and damaging to the is similar to solar and wind invert- batteries. Due to these issues, separate DC ers. In fact, some vendors have their DC/DC converters on the different DC storage inverter platforms based on a sources are used (Figure 2). These con- DC common platform with wind or solar. verters provide both the proper voltage Given the many years and many giga- AC vs. DC Coupling: regulation and the electrical isolation watts that have been installed in wind needed by the PV array and the batteries. When more than and solar, such inverter types have evolved and progressed. one DC input (or port) is provided, it is common to call it a Because of this, these inverter platforms have proven field “multi-port” inverter. Because the ports require isolation, they experience and high reliability, and they are often considered What To Consider With are also multi-stage inverters. This refers to the concept that “bankable” by debt providers. Typically, vendors that promote power is processed multiple times before an output AC wave- AC coupling are large, public and global electrical equipment Large Solar+Storage form is provided. providers - further enhancing bankability. In contrast, multi- Figure 3: Efficiency of two-stage inverters Figure 5: Plant design with AC coupling and 20% storage

1% - 1.5% 1.5% - 2% DC Projects lost as heat lost as heat ➡ AC DC/DC DC/AC DC DC DC 96%-97% ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ AC DC AC E ciency ➡ ➡ DC DC ➡ ➡ AC Point of DC ➡ interconnection DC ➡ Figure 4: Efficiency of single-stage inverters AC

1.5% - 2% DC lost as heat ➡ AC

DC 98% - 98.5% DC ➡ ➡ AC ➡ E ciency AC

The multi-stage aspect of the multi-port inverter is one of port inverters tend to come from private start-ups or other its key weaknesses. When power is processed twice, there are small companies. greater losses. This directly results in lower efficiency, which Design flexibility is another key consideration for large results in greater heat generated in the converter, greater com- projects combining PV and storage. With AC coupled systems, ponent stress and higher failure rates. it is straightforward to adjust the PV/storage ratio. For exam- The impact of this double processing on efficiency is shown ple, 10 MW of PV (using 2 MW inverters) and 2 MW of stor- in Figure 3. In a single-stage AC coupled inverter, power is only age (using one inverter) is shown in Figure 5. This provides a processed once (Figure 4). This yields inverters that are more 20% storage ratio and is easily adjusted to 40% by adding an efficient. additional storage inverter (see Figure 6 on page 26). The impacts of efficiency alone on a project can be sub- Now contrast this approach with a multi-port or DC stantial, particularly when combining PV with storage. In coupled design, as seen in Figure 7 on page 26. many locations, the value of just 1% greater efficiency is easily With DC coupling, the PV and batteries are paired on each

DECEMBER 2016 b Solar Industry 25

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 25 11/11/16 12:24 PM R Solar+Storage Design inverter. This is inherently convenient for 1:1 ratios of PV to Figure 6: Plant design with AC coupling and 40% storage storage, but less so when optimizing designs around other ra- tios. The other attribute that becomes obvious when reviewing DC ➡ these two approaches is the battery arrangement. AC coupling AC is inherently better because it is optimized around a smaller number of larger battery packs; this is less costly and easier to DC ➡ deploy and manage than having multiple distributed battery AC packs. For example, using five smaller battery packs rather

than one large one will require five fire suppression systems DC and five air conditioning systems. This adds both a significant ➡ upfront cost and significant ongoing operations and mainte- AC ➡ Point of nance costs. interconnection DC ➡ AC DC ➡ AC

DC ➡ AC

DC ➡ AC

Figure 7: Plant design with DC coupling

DC DC ➡ ➡ ➡ DC AC ➡ ➡ DC

Implementing the right low-voltage switchgear on the DC and ➡ DC AC side of the inverter helps ensure both long life and fault tolerance. Photo courtesy of Eaton DC DC As previously mentioned, when designing large solar-plus- ➡ ➡ ➡ DC AC ➡

storage systems, there are multiple benefits with AC coupling ➡

vs. DC coupling - in terms of reduced costs and increases in DC efficiency, reliability, bankability and design flexibility. How- ➡ DC ever, it is important to note that this comparison is specifically under the context of high-power, multi-megawatt projects. With residential or commercial projects, many of these benefits DC DC become less significant. In fact, on such projects, the benefits of ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ DC AC Point of ➡ using a single multi-port inverter rather than two AC coupled ➡ interconnection inverters should be considered. In these cases, the multi-port DC

inverter approach can save installation cost and space. ➡ DC When an installer makes any design trade-off decisions, one approach is typically not the best for all applications. In the D D case of utility-scale projects, however, there are significant ben- ➡ C ➡ C ➡ efits to AC coupling over DC coupling. S DC AC ➡ ➡

DC

Chris Thompson is the grid-power business unit manager at power man- ➡ DC agement company Eaton, where he manages product lines for inverters that connect both solar and storage systems to the grid. All charts con- DC DC tained in this article are courtesy of Eaton. ➡ ➡ ➡ DC AC ➡ ➡

Send your news items to DC

[email protected] ➡ DC

26 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

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U.S. Market Picks Up The PACE With a recent nod from the Obama administration, PACE financing is poised to help democratize solar. by Mark Colby s renewable energy and climate concerns mount, across government agencies ratifies PACE as a primary tool the U.S. is working to implement initiatives that for local communities to adopt solar and energy-efficiency will allow everyone to adopt green technologies. To improvements. propel this effort, the Obama administration an- Anounced the Clean Energy Savings for All Initiative this past Advances in solar financing summer, promising to promote energy efficiency and ensuring Over the last decade, two pivotal financing models, the power all American families have the choice to go solar. purchase agreement (PPA) and the lease, have fueled unprec- With this initiative, the administration also expressed its edented solar energy adoption. GTM Research recently reported unequivocal support for the expansion of property-assessed that solar accounted for 64% of all new electric generating ca- clean energy (PACE) financing as a tool for assisting local pacity brought online in the U.S. in the first quarter of this year, communities in meeting their sustainability goals. and the report forecast that annual growth will be up Named one of the top 20 “world-changing” ideas over 90% from 2015. Yet, even with strong demand by Scientific American magazine, PACE is a simple and record-low solar prices, many property own- and effective way to pay for a wide range of energy- ers still cannot afford the upfront investment to go efficiency, renewable energy, climate resiliency, and solar. By some current providers’ own estimations, water conservation upgrades to residential, mul- PPAs and leases allow homeowners to reap only tifamily, commercial and agricultural buildings. 20% to 30% of the savings from third-party-owned Eligibility is based on the available equity in a prop- solar systems, unless prepaid using PACE funds. erty (among other factors) and not on the property Although most residential solar financing is Colby owner’s FICO (credit) score, proof of employment, reserved for customers with FICO scores over 680 income or financial statements. PACE uses a tax mechanism (SolarCity reported the average homeowner FICO score in its so that property owners have no out-of-pocket costs, and pay- portfolio is 744), PACE approval is based on equity, not personal ments are made through a special tax added to the property credit. Further increasing access and affordability, PACE may tax bill and repaid with terms of up to 30 years, depending on have lower payments than other finance options and can be paid the service area and type of improvement. Furthermore, PACE over a longer period of time - up to 30 years in some areas. To financing may transfer with the property upon sale. State and some, the biggest benefit of PACE is the time property owners local governments approve PACE financing to help create jobs, accumulate savings (some up to 30 months) and monetize their promote economic development and protect the environment. federal investment tax credits before making their first payment. The White House worked with the U.S. Departments of Although current PPAs and leases can fall short by limiting Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Health savings and restricting access to financing with FICO-based and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the En- approval, PACE provides a powerful option: affordable financ- vironmental Protection Agency, to create the Clean Energy ing to nearly all property owners. Savings for All Initiative. The initiative includes a goal of gen- Unlike previous financing mechanisms, PACE was built erating 1 GW of solar energy through low- and moderate- from the ground up to scale clean energy. In 2008, California income families - enough to power roughly 700,000 homes passed the first PACE law to help achieve its climate goals. - and PACE financing acts as a cornerstone for achieving this. Since then, the popularity and adoption of PACE financing has The administration also laid out new guidelines for PACE accelerated dramatically. In 2016, PACE financing is projected financing, clearing up a number of previously contended is- to reach $1 billion in improvements throughout the U.S., and sues surrounding the status of PACE liens on Federal Hous- we expect to see an additional $2 billion in financing in 2017, ing Administration-insured mortgages. This vast support presenting an opportunity for property owners to tap into 28 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 28 11/11/16 12:30 PM vast amounts of capital. Simply by allowing PACE providers to tors, this has opened up new markets and unprecedented levels leverage the city’s or county’s property tax collecting authority, of financing. For elected officials, PACE is an engine for job government officials can open access to hundreds of millions in creation, helping small businesses grow and providing eco- private capital for solar installations, as well as a wide variety of nomic stimulus at no cost to local governments. Most impor- other climate and energy upgrades. tantly, PACE provides nearly universal access to the benefits of Contractors and solar providers have benefited from PACE, solar and other eligible measures for property owners regard- installing over $2.5 billion in solar energy, energy-efficiency and less of their credit score. climate resiliency upgrades, creating 25,500 new jobs and gen- erating $6.3 billion in economic stimulus across the country, Other opportunities U.S. Market Picks according to market data from PACENation. While continuing to expand regionally, PACE is also break- Traditionally, contractors have relied on debt-inducing fi- ing into new markets and verticals after proving to be a valu- nancing methods, such as leases, PPAs or loans, to help property able asset to catalyze the residential solar market. For example, Up The PACE owners finance solar purchases. PACE now removes the debt commercial PACE (C-PACE) programs are building momen- factor from the “solar acquisition” equation by incorporat- tum across the U.S., offering affordable upgrades to commer- ing project costs into a recurring payment on the customer’s cial, industrial and multifamily properties - a massive market property tax bill. With minimal fees, no upfront costs and the that has often been neglected but accounts for a considerable easiest option for property transferability, PACE enables 100% amount of the urban landscape. financing for thousands of upgrades, including, but not limited The C-PACE industry has grown exponentially in the U.S., to, solar, heating and air conditioning, roofing, insulation, LED expanding into underserved markets with less than $5 mil- lighting, water conservation and, in some markets, hurricane lion in financing in 2010 to $280 million today, according to preparedness and seismic retrofits. PACENation. Commercial projects have a longer lead time In states where financial incentives for solar are weak or than residential ones - which is why there has been less activity non-existent, PACE has made installing solar financially viable than in the residential market - but the PACE industry is mov- and attractive. Contractors in states such as Florida have been ing to activate C-PACE at scale and provide financial banking able to expand their businesses exponentially by offering PACE financing to property owners who have shied away PACE was built from the ground up to from using their personal credit to make renewable energy upgrades. PACE can generate a wealth of new business for scale clean energy. certified contractors that have, as a result, hired new em- ployees, been able to service new territories and offered new to fund previously underserved markets, such as nonprofits, upgrades to current customers. For example, a roofing business small (resi-mercial) projects and those who want to prepay can learn new skills and leverage PACE financing to offer solar third-party PPAs to lower their energy rates. in conjunction with its energy-efficient roofing products. As the solar industry continues to realize the unique financ- ing benefits of PACE, battery technology companies are also Widespread growth poised to leverage PACE to accelerate the adoption of energy Although there were only a handful of active PACE pro- storage. Every day, energy storage technologies are advancing, grams in 2010, PACE is starting to sweep across the U.S. Ac- and as battery prices drop and utility rate structures evolve, we cording to PACENation, programs are now operating in 19 expect to see a massive uptick in adoption, at first in commer- states and the District of Columbia. Furthermore, 33 states plus cial and eventually in residential settings. PACE will play an D.C. have PACE-enabling legislation that approves PACE pro- ever-increasing role in all segments of energy storage and will grams to operate. help scale this industry by funding retrofits of existing solar For the last few years, PACE has operated without clear customers, as well as by providing all of the benefits of financ- guidelines from the federal government. However, with the an- ing hybrid and stand-alone storage projects. nouncement of the Clean Energy Savings for All Initiative, a With so many benefits, it is no wonder PACE has received clear set of standards focusing on consumer protection has been bipartisan support at every level of government. As a corner- put in place that will catalyze the adoption of PACE programs stone of the Obama administration’s Clean Energy Savings by local governments, making clean energy financing more ac- for All Initiative, PACE has also rightfully earned widespread cessible to their communities. The wide variance in PACE law, support from local elected leaders across the nation, democ- which has slowed adoption, is starting to narrow, and we expect ratizing access to energy and water improvement measures to see many more states adopt and launch PACE programs in previously only available to certain pre-qualified individuals. the next few years. With this new breed of affordable financing, more property For the solar industry, specifically, the primary challenge owners have gained access; contractors have grown and created to scaling adoption is overcoming the barriers put in place by new jobs; and communities have reaped the economic, envi- utilities. Certain net-metering, time-of-use, feed-in tariff and ronmental and development benefits that PACE provides. S other program restrictions dramatically diminish the value proposition to the property owner and make solar a less attrac- tive option, whether financed via PACE or other mechanisms. Mark Colby is general manager of solar and energy storage at Ygrene From California to Florida, communities are turning to Energy Fund, a provider of residential, multifamily and commercial PACE PACE to help with their clean energy transition. For contrac- financing.

c_16_29_SI_1612.indd 29 11/11/16 12:35 PM ✹ Policy Watch Are Utilities Actually Subsidizing Rooftop Solar Users? ounter to some utility claims that for providing excess power to the grid, solar owners don’t pay their fair similar to rollover minutes on a cell Cshare, a new report says solar panels phone plan. The report says these ar- on homes, schools and businesses often rangements have helped solar energy provide more benefits than they receive skyrocket, but in recent years, utilities through programs like net energy metering have increasingly attacked them as un- (NEM). The report, released by the Envi- justified “subsidies,” including in Ne- ronment America Research & Policy Cen- vada, where utility NV Energy urged ter, says solar panels provide pollution-free regulators to end the state’s retail-rate energy that delivers far-reaching benefits to NEM program. the environment and the electric grid. Environment America claims that its “Solar power’s rewards are far greater report, an examination of studies from than its costs,” says Bret Fanshaw, Environment America’s solar around the country, tells a different story - that the dollar and program coordinator and report co-author. “We should be en- cents value of solar is often higher than the credit utilities pro- couraging even more solar, not penalizing it.” vide to customers. Of the 16 studies reviewed, 12 found that the Environment America says the report, Shining Rewards: value of solar energy was higher than the average local residen- The Value of Rooftop Solar Power for Consumers and Society tial retail electricity rate. The median value of solar power across (2016 edition), comes as policymakers around the U.S. consid- all 16 studies was around 16 cents per unit compared with the er proposals from utilities to undermine successful solar energy nation’s average retail electricity rate of about 13 cents per unit. programs, including NEM. In other words, the report says, utilities were likely under- “Today, the vast majority of our electricity comes from paying solar panel owners, not subsidizing them. sources like gas and coal that are pushing us toward the brink “Rooftop solar users are givers, not takers, when it comes to of catastrophic climate change,” says Gideon Weissman of the value they provide to society and the electric system,” says Frontier Group and a report co-author. “Our analysis shows Fanshaw. “In many cases, it appears that solar programs are a that the people and businesses who invest in rooftop solar bargain for utilities, not a burden.” aren’t just guiding us away from the cliff - they’re also provid- According to the report, all 16 studies found that solar panel ing benefits to society and to their fellow ratepayers.” users offered the electric system net benefits. “There’s so much As the study explains, NEM programs credit solar panel to gain by going big on solar, but so much to lose if some utili- owners when they generate more power than they use, provid- ties get their way,” adds Fanshaw. “Let’s make sure we take full ing electricity for other customers. Utilities then credit solar advantage of all the benefits by allowing solar to continue to panel owners a fixed rate - often the retail price of electricity - grow in all our states.” Paris Agreement Enters Force ‘Years Ahead Of Schedule’ The Paris Agreement officially entered into force on Nov. 4, increasing climate action becomes an accepted responsibility much earlier than anyone had anticipated. and a central part of the sustainable development plans of all At last year’s COP21 in Paris, more than 190 countries countries,” says Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the came together to adopt the global climate deal, which the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, White House called “the most ambitious cli- in a press release. mate change agreement in history.” The main Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra aim of the Paris Agreement is to keep a global Club, which noted that the agreement is com- average temperature rise this century well be- ing into force “years ahead of schedule,” says in low 2°C and to drive efforts to limit the tem- a statement, “Following years of dedicated activ- perature increase even further to 1.5°C above ism, months of historic progress and unprec- pre-industrial levels. edented global cooperation, the Paris Agreement Although the U.S., China, India and other has finally jumped off of the pages and into real- nations ratified the agreement earlier, it wasn’t until the Euro- ity. With its official entry into force, the path forward couldn’t pean Union voted to formally join the agreement in October be clearer. Now is the time for leaders to build on and fulfill that nations representing more than 55% of the world’s global their commitments and accelerate the world’s transition to an warming pollution had ratified the deal - crossing the mini- economy powered by clean, renewable energy.” mum threshold for the agreement to enter into force. During a press conference in October, President Barack “The Paris Agreement’s ambitious and essential goals are Obama had said the Paris Agreement “gives us the best pos- now a live reality for every government. From today, ever- sible shot to save the one planet we’ve got.”

30 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

b_2_15.30_36_SI_1612.indd 30 11/10/16 11:02 AM Mayor Unveils Low-Income carbon emissions and helping the environment in the process.” The mayor praised utility company Eversource and Action Solar Initiative for Boston Community Development (ABCD), a regional anti- Newton, Mass., Mayor Setti Warren has announced the start poverty service agency, for working closely with Newton to of the city’s Community Solar Share Initiative, a pilot project bring this pilot project from conception to fruition. Any New- designed to share the benefits of solar power with low-income ton resident or household that is already receiving the electric Newton residents. discount rate from Eversource is According to a press release, automatically eligible for a free over 1,000 low-income house- share of the net-metering credits. holds will save on their energy To preserve the privacy of the bills by receiving a free share of recipients, ABCD will mail a let- the credits generated by the city’s ter from the mayor to all eligible solar carport project, which at residents, who can decide to par- press time, is under construction ticipate in or opt out of the pro- at 70 Elliot St. Expected to gener- gram. By participating, residents ate about 660,000 kWh/year, the agree to allow ABCD to share solar project will also reduce the their electric account numbers city’s carbon footprint by increas- with Newton. ing the amount of clean, renew- John J. Drew, president and able energy in the community. Photo courtesy of the City of Newton CEO of ABCD, says, “This is tru- In announcing the program, Warren said, “Eleven percent ly a landmark program to help those who are in the greatest of Newton schoolchildren are living below the poverty line. need.” One in eight Newton households are trying to live on less than “This pilot is a perfect example of how creative thinking $25,000 per year. We need to do what we can to level the play- and collaboration between public and private entities can reap ing field. Solar power is a great deal for those that can afford innovative results,” adds Marc Lucas, community relations it. Newton has found a creative way to share the benefits of representative at Eversource. “We are excited to partner with solar energy, providing low-income residents with modest, yet the City of Newton and ABCD on this important initiative that measurable, savings on their energy bills. And we are reducing will help our customers, as well as the environment.” S

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DECEMBER 2016 b Solar Industry 31

b_2_15.30_36_SI_1612.indd 31 11/10/16 3:35 PM ✹ Projects &Contracts Napa Valley Winery Installs Microgrid

aise a glass to sustainabili- and the system totally paid for at ty! Alpha Omega, a family- no net cost to us. Besides doing Rowned winery in the something good for our environ- Rutherford Bench area of Califor- ment, the economics of this proj- nia’s Napa Valley, has placed into ect also made tremendous sense. operation a microgrid system fea- No one ever likes to talk about turing 400 kW of solar and 580 money, but we’re willing to share kWh of battery energy storage. what we’ve done and our costs in Alpha Omega says the solar hopes that more people will fol- power system is designed to sup- low suit.” ply nearly 100% of the winery’s According to Alpha Omega, Photo courtesy of Alpha Omega energy needs, and the five arrays the multimillion-dollar microgrid were architecturally designed to serve as shade structures for system has already drastically reduced the winery’s average parking and winery equipment. The new microgrid system also monthly utility bill from $15,000 to $1,000. features Aquion Energy Inc. saltwater energy storage batteries. As the project developer, Blue Sky Utility compiled the fi- “We were able to negotiate a lease using the attributable tax nancing structure and the microgrid solution in conjunction benefits to build a system where the lease costs are less than with engineering, procurement and construction company what our utility costs were,” says Alpha Omega proprietor Rob- Bpi, which selected Massachusetts-based Aquion Energy and in Baggett. “As such, after seven years, the lease will be retired New Jersey-based inverter company Princeton Power as equip- ment providers for the microgrid system. Two NBA Arenas Add Rooftop Solar “What’s equally important is we are making use of batteries and an inverter The home arenas of National Basketball Association (NBA) teams the Sacra- made in America,” adds Baggett. mento Kings and the Utah Jazz have both recently added rooftop solar. With the planned addition of electric SPI Solar Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SPI Energy Co. Ltd., has com- vehicle charging stations, Alpha Ome- pleted a 700 kW rooftop solar project at the Golden 1 Center in partnership ga says it continues to demonstrate its Advertisers Index with AES Distributed Energy Inc., a subsidiary of the AES Corp. Located in commitment to sustainability and set the Sacramento, Calif., the facility is the pace when it comes to embracing renew- new home of the Sacramento Kings. able solutions. Notably, the Golden 1 Center is re- ceiving some power from the recently completed 11 MW Rancho Seco Solar Construction Wraps Power Plant under a deal with the Sac- Up On Midwest ramento Municipal Utility District. According to Xiaofeng Peng, chair- Solar Giant man and CEO of SPI Energy, the bas- Partners have celebrated construction ketball center has become “the first completion of what they are touting as indoor arena in the world to be fully the largest single solar facility in the Mid- powered by solar energy.” west and one of the largest in the U.S. Separately, more than 2,700 rooftop solar panels have been installed at Vivint Featuring more than 440,000 solar panels MOUNTING SYSTEMS TESTING/SIMULATION EQUIPMENT Smart Home Arena, a sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Salt spanning 1,000 acres in Chisago County, Lake City and home of the Utah Jazz. Vivint Solar, a residential solar provider Advertise Minn., the 100 MW North Star Solar Today and sister company of Vivint Smart Home, says the solar project covers more project is expected to come online in De- than 80,000 square feet on the arena rooftop and generates nearly 700 kW of cember and produce enough energy to with energy. power more than 20,000 homes. Solar Industry. The solar installation is one of the initial upgrades made as part of an on- According to an Xcel Energy press going $125 million renovation by the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies of release, Swinerton Renewable Energy Vivint Smart Home Arena. According to Vivint Solar, the new system is the built the $180 million facility and em- equivalent to completely offsetting the electricity for 100 homes per year or ployed more than 300 people during powering approximately 89 home games for the Utah Jazz. peak construction. The two companies “Working with the Larry H. Miller Group to make Vivint Smart Home Arena joined project partners Chisago County, a solar-powered venue is an exciting accomplishment,” says Vivint Solar CEO D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments LLC David Bywater. “We hope it encourages other venues to choose clean, renewable (DESRI) and Community Energy Solar energy as a major source of electrical power.” in marking the end of construction.

32 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

b_2_15.30_36_SI_1612.indd 32 11/10/16 3:33 PM “This facility brings real economic value to our community energy options, and the North Star project plays a role in our and the people who live here,” says Mike Robinson, Chisago goal to be 63 percent carbon-free by 2030.” County commissioner. “The construction of North Star cre- ated many jobs, and the local area is expected to receive about Smarties Candy Co. Is Sweet $350,000 of production and property tax revenues each year from the project.” On Solar Originally developed by Community Energy Solar, the Ce De Candy Inc. (dba Smarties Candy Co.), maker of the property is now managed by an affiliate of DESRI. Xcel En- iconic Smarties candy, and Dynamic Energy Solutions LLC, ergy will purchase power from North Star as part of a 25-year a turnkey solar project builder, have completed construction deal to provide solar en- on a 674 kW solar project on the roof of Smarties’ ergy to customers across Union, N.J., facility. The project will be supported by the Upper Midwest. Ad- the New Jersey solar renewable energy credit incen- ditionally, the electric- tive program. ity generated at North Star “This project will help Smarties to operate more will help power the Min- sustainably. With over 2,100 solar panels on our roof, nesota State Capitol Com- we expect to generate nearly half of our candy fac- plex through Xcel Energy’s tory’s energy usage from the sun. New Jersey has been Renewable*Connect Gov- very supportive of solar, making the economics at- ernment Pilot Program, tractive, as well,” says Liz Dee, executive vice president if approved by the Public of Smarties Candy Co. and granddaughter of founder Utilities Commission. Edward Dee, who founded the company in 1949.

“We’re pleased the larg- Photo courtesy of Xcel Energy “Dynamic Energy congratulates the Smarties team est solar project in the on the completion of this exciting solar project. We were Midwest will deliver the clean, renewable energy our customers thrilled to help Smarties advance their sustainable efforts and want,” says Chris Clark, president of Xcel Energy - Minne- build a cleaner future for the state of New Jersey and us all,” sota. “We are on a path that more than doubles wind and solar says Mike Perillo, CEO of Dynamic. S

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DECEMBER 2016 b Solar Industry 33

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Is Bigger Best In Solar Power?

or nearly a century, it has been considered conventional owned solar project will redirect an additional $5.4 million of wisdom that larger-scale power generation means lower- electricity spending back into local pockets instead of to utility Fcost electricity. It’s a myth that has spread into the solar shareholders. industry, but solar’s unique ability to deliver power where we Utilities are profoundly aware of the cost shift and its threat use energy has debunked the idea that bigger is better. to their market power. The myth of supersizing has some basis in economies of For example, The Brattle Group’s 2015 study exhorting scale. A larger solar project can get a bulk discount on panels the benefits of utility-scale solar was financed by the Edi- or a lower labor cost per unit to produce electricity less expen- son Electric Institute, the trade organization representing sively than a smaller array. This is where many analyses end. investor-owned utility companies. A 2013 study from Edison But there’s a crucial element often warned that distributed solar was an existential threat to the left out of the equation. Utility-scale so- utility business model, and a 2014 report from Berkeley Lab lar may cost less, but it’s also worth less confirmed the fear, suggesting rooftop solar costs little to other to the electric grid. Huge solar projects customers but can be costly for utility shareholders. do produce electricity for less, but un- The relative costs of distributed solar to the customer versus like your Amazon Prime membership, the shareholder explain the political landscape, where utilities there’s no free delivery - they have to mount rearguard actions against net metering or try to change compete with other large power plants the language of renewable energy to favor their continued con- that inject power into the transmis- trol and ownership. In their Orwellian newspeak, rooftop solar sion system. Rooftop solar, on the other becomes “private solar,” in contrast to “universal solar” that hand, competes at the retail level, with John Farrell utilities own and control. retail prices. Big solar and small solar don’t directly compete. The economic arguments between big and small can’t be There’s also little evidence that building bigger makes any taken at face value because the largest players have a vested difference in how fast we deploy solar. In a similar five-year pe- interest in the outcome. Can scale economies generate cheaper riod in Germany and the U.S., both countries installed around electricity? Sometimes. But smaller renewable energy systems 22 GW of solar power, but three-quarters of German projects can also compete at the retail level, where their relative benefit were under 500 kW, whereas only 42% of U.S. projects were and the costs they offset are higher. The choice between big smaller than 1,000 kW. and small is more than a spreadsheet analysis. Instead, it’s an Given the evidence, why the big-versus-small debate? It’s a argument about whether the economic windfall of the renew- question of who wins. able energy transition will accrue to the incumbent players, or At stake is $364 billion a year in electricity sales, which indi- whether tapping the wind and sun in communities across the viduals and communities have an opportunity to retain rather U.S. will result in benefits everyone can share. S than send to utility companies. According to the National Re- newable Energy Laboratory, every megawatt of solar installed in Minnesota, for example, adds $2.5 million and 20 construc- John Farrell is the director of the Energy Democracy initiative at the tion jobs to the local economy. In its 25-year lifetime, a locally Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

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34 Solar Industry b DECEMBER 2016

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