Solar Power 2011

If you’re going to be at Solar Power International 2011 (SPI) you’ll want to visit the SunWize team at booth #2608 on the 2nd floor.

We’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while now. Although last year’s event was phenomenal, we expect Solar Power International (SPI) 2011 to be even better. As a Kilowatt Sponsor, here’s what you can expect to see from SunWize:

  • Over 50 members of the SunWize team in attendance
  • A chance to get your hands on the latest solar power technology
  • A brand new booth with a state-of-the-art document browsing system

After-hours we’ll be hosting an exclusive customer appreciation event. This soiree is by invite only; If you’d like to attend (and who wouldn’t want to sample a Fronius Fizz or a Sanyo-rita?) please get in touch with your SunWize sales manager ASAP.

Some interesting facts about Solar Power International:

  • SPI is North America’s largest solar power trade show and conference, and this will be the largest SPI event to-date
  • Over 24,000 energy industry professionals from 128 countries representing businesses spanning the entire spectrum of the industry will attend
  • Nearly 20% of SPI attendees come from abroad
  • Last year, 34% of attendees were CEOs, business owners, or executive management
  • 74% of exhibitors and nearly 70% of attendees deem SPI a “must-attend” event
  • 62% of attendees agree that SPI plays an important role in selecting products and services to purchase
  • SPI 2011 will have 36 general sessions, 14 workshops, a utility executive roundtable, and keynote speeches by Magic Johnson and Marcus Buckingham

Did we already say we’re excited?

Just The Facts:

  • What: Solar Power International 2011
  • Where: Booth #2608 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas
  • When: Oct. 17-20

See you there!

Fronius Tech-Tip

Here’s a great tip for the Fronius IG Plus String Combiner from our partners at Fronius USA:

Each Fronius IG Plus inverter comes with a built in string combiner perfect for use when the inverter is in close proximity to your panels (like ground mounts and carports). The use of string fuses in the inverter adds fuse protection to the inverter and panels, and reduces balance of system costs from external fused string combiners.

Calculate the correct size fuses based on NEC rules, and use either Littelfuse KLKD, or Cooper Bussmann PV fuses rated for 600 volts.

Each fused input is capable of handling up to 20 amps and up to a #6 wire. If several solar module strings are combined outside of the inverter into one string, the current of the solar module string may be higher than the current permitted for a DC terminal (20 A). In this case, you have the option of connecting the DC cables to the inverter using a connecting distributor kit as shown in the diagram(SunWize part #158077), or with crimp lugs or a “chair lug”.

For additional product information, please click here.

For a limited time, SunWize is offering Fronius IG Plus 6kW inverters (Sunwize Part #158064) for $2,399. Orders must be shipped by November 1, 2011 to qualify for low promotion price.

AUO ACUnison combines its premium PV module with reliable microinverter technology

AUO is a large scale, global high tech manufacturer with revenues bigger than Suntech, First Solar, Sunpower, Trina, Yingli, LDK, and CSI combined. They have a 20% worldwide display market-share providing displays for cell phones, tablets, monitors, and televisions to Apple, HP, Vizio, Dell and others. With over 43,000 worldwide employees and over $16 billion in revenue last year, AUO has used their corporate strength to build a vertically integrated solar business that will reach 500MW of module capacity this year.

SunWize is proud to be the distribution partner for AUO’s innovative new integrated AC module, the AC Unison. This first-of-its-kind product offers unprecedented simplicity for solar installers.

  • Installation Simplicity: Since the module and inverter are pre-assembled (and tested) in the factory, it is truly “plug and play”.
  • Eliminates need for in-field assembly of micro-inverters or extra connectors
  • AC module certified to UL 1741 means no NEC DC disconnect or GEC required
  • Modules and inverters are grounded internally eliminating the need for external grounding.
  • Warranty Simplicity: One 25-year warranty backed by a company with over $16 billion in annual revenue covers both the module and inverter.

To find out more:

LADWP

Customers serviced by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) have not been able to take advantage of solar rebates because the program was suspended in January, 2011.

Beginning September 1, 2011, LADWP will offer new rebates to reduce the cost of going solar.

Read more ...

The California Solar Initiative (CSI) rebate for Southern California Edison (SCE) is decreasing! Over the next three weeks, we expect the rebate step for SCE to be fully subscribed. The rebate for ‘Step 6’ will decrease 40% from $1.10 to $0.65 per watt.

For an average 5.5 kW residential solar system, the current rebate will be $6,050. After the ‘Step’ changes, the expected rebate will be $3,575. In this example, a homeowner would save $2,500 if their rebate was processed before the step drops. SunWize is advising homeowners to act by August 31, 2011.

Read more ...

A SunWize Solar Installation-Southern CA

In part three or our series, Matt Ziskin, Sr. Director of Marketing discusses the payback of residential solar under different payment plans.

Like any home improvement, solar systems can vary widely in cost and size. And now, there are more payment options to make solar accessible to more homeowners. Ziskin highlights three ways to think about the financial benefits of installing solar. “Most homeowners evaluate the cost of solar in terms of how much money they will save off of their monthly utility bills, how quickly they can recoup the cost of the system with their post-solar energy bill savings, and how much they can save compared to utility electricity costs over the life of the system.”

Read more ...

OutBack

Available next month (September, 2011), the OutBack Radian Series uses Outback’s next generation technology to make design and installation of battery based systems of any size as easy as string inverters. They have heard the cries of PV installers to make it easy to design and install battery based systems for both grid interactive and stand-alone applications and that is what they’ve produced in the Radian Series Inverter/Charger.

On July 28th SunWize held a public webinar to give insight and training on this innovative product. Phil Undercuffler OutBack’s Director of Product Management and Strategy provided installation and application information on the new inverter/charger. The slideshow and Q&A can be viewed on the webinar page on the SunWize site.

Did you know?

Did you know there is a difference between the term ‘power’ and the term ‘energy’? Energy is the result of power supplied over a period of time or

Power (P) x Time (T) = Energy (E)

How does this relate to designing a solar electric system? You can find out by reading this engineering bulletin.


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Since 1992 SunWize Technologies has specialized in solar electric solutions. To find out more, please visit the About Us section of our website.

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