Contractors Corner by Solar Power World

Solar Power World

Contractor's Corner is part of the Solar Power World network of podcasts. Solar Power World is the premier media outlet for the U.S. solar market and has the largest solar installer, contractor and developer audience in the industry. In this podcast series, Solar Power World editors talk with the U.S. solar industry’s biggest newsmakers. read less

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Solar Spotlight: Simplifying and automating large-scale solar design

Solar Spotlight: Simplifying and automating large-scale solar design

Utility-scale solar projects are consistently breaking capacity records annually, both in individual project size and overall countrywide output. The sheer scale of these acres and sometimes miles long arrays require an unprecedented amount of worktime to construct, and even before a pile is driven into the dirt, project engineers must spend time designing these systems. PVcase, a software as a service company founded by solar engineers, has for the last decade provided design services for utility-scale solar project globally. David Trainavicius, founder and CEO of PVcase, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss how the platform is helping solar developers automate processes and reduce work hours.

Episodes

Solar Spotlight: Simplifying and automating large-scale solar design

Solar Spotlight: Simplifying and automating large-scale solar design

Utility-scale solar projects are consistently breaking capacity records annually, both in individual project size and overall countrywide output. The sheer scale of these acres and sometimes miles long arrays require an unprecedented amount of worktime to construct, and even before a pile is driven into the dirt, project engineers must spend time designing these systems. PVcase, a software as a service company founded by solar engineers, has for the last decade provided design services for utility-scale solar project globally. David Trainavicius, founder and CEO of PVcase, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss how the platform is helping solar developers automate processes and reduce work hours.

Contractor's Corner: Burns & McDonnell

Contractor's Corner: Burns & McDonnell

In this episode, the utility-scale EPC talks about the importance of relationships with manufacturers and hands-on training time for install crews. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Solar Spotlight: Solar mounting hits the deck

Solar Spotlight: Solar mounting hits the deck

Over the last several years, the shape and size of mounts used in residential solar projects have changed to a lower profile attachment that can be installed over the shingle instead of slid underneath like metal flashing sheets. The next obstacle in residential solar design was expanding these top-mounted attachments that could primarily be installed on rafters onto the decking surface of the roof. Ryan Estrada, technical program outreach manager, and Nico Martinez, senior product manager at Unirac, are here to discuss what’s new with solar mounting and, more specifically, the advancement of direct-to-deck attachments.

Solar Spotlight: Scaling energy storage while facing a climate crisis

Solar Spotlight: Scaling energy storage while facing a climate crisis

As the effects of a changing climate increase in both frequency and severity, the need for technologies that can decarbonize and support electrical infrastructure is paramount. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Zolaikha Strong, senior director of policy and regulatory affairs at Generac Power Systems, discusses the significance of energy storage in the contexts of grid stability, individual energy resilience and the greater mission of combatting climate change.

Contractor’s Corner: Alternative Energy Southeast (AES)

Contractor’s Corner: Alternative Energy Southeast (AES)

In this episode, Alternative Energy Southeast talks about securing R&D credits for trying new solar tech and the keys to regional solar success. Sponsored by Scanifly and Intersolar North America.

Solar Spotlight: Integrating the benefits of rail into a rail-less solar mount

Solar Spotlight: Integrating the benefits of rail into a rail-less solar mount

Solar racking manufacturer SunModo will soon debut its latest pitched rooftop mount, NanoRack, to the residential market. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, CEO Steve Mumma discusses the system features and installation considerations built into NanoRack.

Solar Spotlight: Butyl mounts rooftop solar projects in a flash

Solar Spotlight: Butyl mounts rooftop solar projects in a flash

The shape of solar mounts is changing, and so too are how they’re attached to rooftops. K2 Systems, a solar racking manufacturer, has integrated a butyl sealant onto a new line of roof mounts. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Brett Nielsen, VP of products and services at K2, is here to share the rationale behind adopting this sticky new flashing for mounting purposes.

Solar Spotlight: Meeting the growing demand for solar racking

Solar Spotlight: Meeting the growing demand for solar racking

Domestic solar is consistently breaking installation records year over year and is slated to keep that pace. Yet, manufacturers and suppliers are still feeling the effects of pandemic supply chain delays. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Unirac’s new VP of operations and supply chain, Lee Ingram, and former guest and VP of Unirac’s commercial division, Brandon Carrasco, are here to discuss how the manufacturer is keeping a steady supply of racking for its clientele.

Contractor's Corner: Vibe Solar

Contractor's Corner: Vibe Solar

In this episode, Vibe Solar talks about pivoting the residential business to adapt to California's new NEM 3.0 rate structure. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Renewable IPP

Contractor's Corner: Renewable IPP

In this episode, Renewable IPP talks about the workforce challenges as the first utility-scale EPC in Alaska and O&M considerations for these far northwestern arrays. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Solar Spotlight: Choosing the right battery storage for homeowners going solar

Solar Spotlight: Choosing the right battery storage for homeowners going solar

Energy storage is becoming a more common feature on residential solar installations so homeowners can tap into the power they’ve generated when they need it — not just when the sun is up. Rex Liu, VP of product management at Generac, a manufacturer of batteries for renewable energy applications, is here to share how solar installers can approach pitching and sizing storage for residential PV projects.

Solar Spotlight: Solar canopy project collaboration with a focus on value engineering

Solar Spotlight: Solar canopy project collaboration with a focus on value engineering

With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act and its new offerings in tax incentives for solar projects, contractor collaboration and value engineering have become critical components for creating or selling viable solar projects. M Bar C Construction specializes in solar carport installation across a range of applications and building types. Today, we’re joined by M Bar C’s VP of business development, Erik Krivokopich [Krih-vo-cah-pitch], and eastern division manager, Bobby Bonfanti, to discuss what the company offers as a partner to solar project developers and EPC contractors.

Solar Spotlight: Anatomy of a high-profile solar project

The administration at Emory University, a private school of higher education from Georgia, set sustainability goals for the university, with plans to eliminate carbon emissions production by 2050. Emory has already installed solar arrays across many buildings on its main campus and is nearing completion of a solar canopy PV project at its Musculoskeletal Institute off-campus. Ben Damiani, chief technology officer at Cherry Street Energy, is here to share some details on the development and technology used in Emory’s latest solar endeavor.

Solar Spotlight: Sungrow increases the power of possibilities for string inverters

Solar Spotlight: Sungrow increases the power of possibilities for string inverters

The inverter is a crucial component on a solar project because it converts the power generated by PV modules into usable electricity. Daniel Friberg, director of product and engineering at inverter manufacturer Sungrow, shares some details on the operations, hardware compatibility and environmental readiness of Sungrow’s SG350 line of string inverters.

Contractor's Corner: Solar Power of Oklahoma

Contractor's Corner: Solar Power of Oklahoma

In this episode, Solar Power of Oklahoma talks about the hurdles of selling solar in an oil & gas state, and the progress the company has made in the past seven years. Sponsored by Scanifly and RE+.

Solar Spotlight: Keeping wattage high and footprint low on PV modules

Solar Spotlight: Keeping wattage high and footprint low on PV modules

Photovoltaic solar modules continue to grow in wattage, and that often means increasing their size, too, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Lucas Moura, product marketing manager for international module manufacturer Trina Solar, discusses the significance of the compact yet electrically potent N-type TopCon solar module.

Solar Spotlight: Designing a new solar mounting system from the ground up

Solar Spotlight: Designing a new solar mounting system from the ground up

SnapNrack, a solar mounting and racking manufacturer, is reconsidering the steps to securing solar modules to residential rooftops. Earlier this year, SnapNrack debuted its TopSpeed solar rooftop mounting system, a solution that attaches to solar modules before they reach the roof. Here to discuss the system’s features is Andrew Wickham, Director of Products and Engineering at SnapNrack. This podcast is sponsored by SnapNrack

Contractor's Corner: BQ Energy

Contractor's Corner: BQ Energy

In this episode, BQ Energy talks about how brownfield solar installations have changed over the past decade. Sponsored by Scanifly, Aurora Solar and RE+.

Solar Spotlight: Unirac empowers contractors with Master Installer Program

Solar Spotlight: Unirac empowers contractors with Master Installer Program

Solar racking manufacturer Unirac launched its Master Installer Program in 2020 to offer its customers hands-on training with solar racking installation, design and system optimization and troubleshooting. In this episode, we’re joined by Braden Laumbach, program coordinator, and Zak Kushner, installer sales specialist manager, with Unirac, to explore what the company’s customer initiatives like the Master Installer Program have to offer for the solar industry.

Contractor's Corner: Sundance Power Systems

Contractor's Corner: Sundance Power Systems

In this episode, Sundance Power Systems talks about getting started in 1995 and how the company has forged an unlikely collaboration with North Carolina's biggest investor-owned utility. Sponsored by Scanifly and WAGO.