March/April 2015 Evaluating Glare from Roof-Mounted PV Arrays ® Optimal Design, Installation & Performance solarprofessional.com Distribution and Substation Transformers Utility-Scale Inverter Systems Vendor Perspectives on Centralized and Decentralized Designs Residential Solar Business Software Choosing the Right Platform to Manage Leads, Sales and Projects Projects North Coast Solar Sunlight Solar Energy industry professionals SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE solarprofessional.com Sunsense Solar SMPA Community Solar Farm Paradox Valley, CO f Value. Performance, Bankability, Cost Leadership chintpower.com/na [email protected] 855-584-7168 RT- [ E ] Mount AIR TM The most reliable rail-less mounting bracket under the sun. ® Contents March/April 2015 Issue 8.2 Features 50 18 Distribution and Substation Transformers The transformer for your commercial or utility solar project may seem like a relatively mundane piece of equipment. However, this is true only if you choose the correct transformer and order it with sufficient lead time. In this article, we provide a definitive and practical guide that will help you select and specify pad-mounted distribution transformers for commer- cial and utility solar facilities. BY ALEXEY KONDRASHOV AND TOBIN BOOTH, PE 32 Centralized and Decentralized PV Power Plants: Vendor Perspectives While the size and sophistication of centralized power conditioning systems for utility-scale proj- ects continues to grow, a compelling trend is chal- lenging the centralized “bigger is better” approach. In the last two years, the industry has seen the develop- 32 ment and introduction of a new class of high-capacity string inverters that are well suited for both commer- cial and industrial use and increasingly are showing up in utility-scale PV power plants. 50 Residential Solar Business BY JOE SCHWARTZ Software Platforms Choosing the right business software platform—based on company business model and strengths—could help smaller residential solar installers remain com- petitive. In this article, we explore how software tools have changed the industry landscape and how smaller solar compa- nies can take advantage of opportunities to streamline and optimize their business practices—advantages that used to be available only to larger national firms. BY PAMELA CARGILL 18 2 SOLARPRO | March/April 2015 The TRIO. Goes anywhere. That’s why it’s everywhere. The ABB TRIO is a favorite of installers worldwide. Partly, because of scale — the TRIO serves 20KW rooftop mounts just as well as 30MW power stations. Partly, because of flexibility — the TRIO comes with four wiring box options, accommodating the trickiest designs while eliminating the need for expensive extra components. But increasingly, it’s because of the future: The TRIO is a NEMA 4X, smart inverter, compliant with NEC 2014, includes ramp rate and advanced dynamic reactive power controls. So while our TRIO is valuable to installers today, it’s designed to be even more valuable tomorrow. Sign up for the TRIO rebate program at www.abb-solarinverters.com/trio-rebate Contents2 March/April 2015 Issue 8.2 Incident Normal light Reflected light Departments Angle of Angle of incidence reflectance a a FRONT END 12 6 Contributors Experience + Expertise 8 The Wire Industry Currents BACK END 12 QA Quality Assurance 64 Projects System Profiles Evaluating Glare from Roof-Mounted PV Arrays North Coast Solar, Stony Point Rock Quarry Sunlight Solar Energy, Puffer Residence 67 Advertiser Index 64 f ON THE COVER The San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) Community Solar Farm is a unique installation that was commissioned in 2012. Located in remote Paradox Valley, Colorado, the project is a collaborative 8 effort between Clean Energy Collective, Martifer Solar and Sunsense Solar. Sunsense led the design, engineering and construction of the 1.1 MWdc system that deploys 4,784 Hanwha SolarOne modules on S:Flex racking. Power conditioning is provided by an AE Solar Energy PowerStation 1000NX that integrates two AE 500NX-HE inverters and a 1,000 kVA 25 kV/480 V transformer, as well as additional BOS components. Photo: Courtesy Sunsense Solar 4 SOLARPRO | March/April 2015 Say Yes to Tile More Options. More Sales. More Solar. Master the art of installing solar on tile with Quick Mount PV’s highly versatile mounting options. Mounting PV on tile has never been easier, stronger, and more waterproof. Quick Hook® QBase® Universal Tile Now available with multiple height options and Strongest tile roof mount available. Flashed at designed for use with side-mounted or bottom- both the deck and tile levels for code compliance mounted rails. Includes preformed flashing for code and superior waterproofing. Works on both curved compliance and superior waterproofing. and flat tile. Free Sample Visit our website quickmountpv.com (925) 478-8269 Made in USA Contributors ® Experience + Expertise Publisher/Editor Joe Schwartz Managing Editor Kathryn Houser Senior Technical Editor/PV Systems David Brearley Tobin Booth, PE, is the founder and CEO Technical Editor/PV Systems Ryan Mayfield of Blue Oak Energy. With nearly 20 years of experience delivering solar facilities, Engineering Editor/PV Systems Blake Gleason, PE he is a pivotal figure in transitioning the Creative Services Midnight Oil Design US energy infrastructure. Booth attended North Carolina State University and Colo- Copy Editors/Proofreaders Kim Saccio-Kent, rado State University, where he earned a Gail Nelson-Bonebrake mechanical engineering degree. Advertising Directors Kim Bowker, Connie Said Operations Director Scott Russell Pamela Cargill, principal of Chaolysti, specializes in process improvement and Data Manager Doug Puffer operational effectiveness in residential solar. She developed new programs for and scaled large national brands such as Proud supporter of: Alteris Renewables (now Real Goods Solar) and Sungevity. Her decade of experience includes design, installation, project management and customer expertise. Roger Colton is an attorney and econo- mist specializing in regulatory economics at Fisher, Sheehan & Colton of Belmont, Massachusetts. As a co-chair of the Bel- mont Energy Committee and a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Energy g CONTACT US Group, Colton drafted Belmont’s solar Subscriptions Advertising zoning bylaw and assisted in drafting the To apply for a free subscription: For advertising opportunities, visit: Belmont Light Department solar tariff. solarprofessional.com/subscribe solarprofessional.com/advertise Send subscription questions to: Western States Sales Office Alexey Kondrashov is a project engineer [email protected] Connie Said, Advertising Director at Blue Oak Energy, designing large-scale [email protected] To change subscription information: solar projects. With practical experience in Direct: 541.326.5773 solarprofessional.com/myaccount the construction industry and an engineer- Eastern States Sales Office Letters to the Editor Kim Bowker, Advertising Director ing background, Kondrashov has made Email your comments and suggestions to: [email protected] significant contributions to renewable [email protected] Direct: 541.858.1791 energy deployment. He holds electrical Industry PR Marketing engineering degrees from St. Petersburg Send news and equipment releases to: Promotional opportunities and offers: Electrotechnical University in Russia. [email protected] [email protected] Joe Schwartz is the CEO of Home Copyright © 2015 Home Power, Inc. Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced Power. He serves as the publisher and without written permission. SolarPro is a registered trademark of Home Power, Inc. editor of SolarPro magazine and the While SolarPro magazine strives to publish only safe and accurate content, we assume no executive editor of Home Power maga- responsibility or liability for the use of this information. zine. Schwartz worked as a systems Interior paper is made from 85%–100% recycled material, including 20%–30% integrator prior to entering technical postconsumer waste. publishing and holds a Limited Renew- National Electrical Code®, NFPA 70® and NEC® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts. able Energy Technician license in the state of Oregon. SolarPro magazine | PO Box 68 | Ashland, OR 97520 | US 6 SOLARPRO | March/April 2015 / Perfect Welding / Solar Energy / Perfect Charging COMMERCIAL PROJECTS THAT LAST. THE FRONIUS SYMO. / 10 – 24 kW. Three Phase SnapINverters for unparalleled ease of installation. / Protect your investment in sustainability - with the only truly field serviceable commercial string inverter. / Fronius SuperFlex allows for utmost design flexibility in 208/240 and 480/204 AC applications. / Complete Solution inside: NEC 2014 compliant, on board WiFi, Modbus, AFCI, String Combiner & DC disconnect. / Only string inverter to allow for both a standard wall mount and mounting completely flat on a roof or on a pole. www.fronius-usa.com • Follow us @FroniusUSASolar on Twitter! the Wire Industry Currents TROJAN BAttERY LAUNCHES NABCEP Hosts V RLA AGM Upcoming Continuing Education Conference PRODUCT LINE [Clifton Park, NY] The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) will [Santa Fe Springs, CA] Trojan Battery be hosting its annual training and continu- introduced a new line of valve-regulated ing education conference March 30–April 1 at lead-acid (VRLA) absorbent glass mat the Desmond Hotel and Conference