OutBack Power Technologies Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications, today launched OnSite Direct, the company’s commitment to half-price shipping of batteries within five days of order placement. Often the heaviest and most difficult elements to handle in solar or renewable energy systems, batteries present challenges for distributors and installers to manage between storage and the jobsite without risking deterioration or damage. OnSite Direct eliminates long battery delivery lead times to renewable energy projects and ensures peace of mind for installers and distributors, while providing customers the shortest path to energy savings. OnSite Direct reflects OutBack Power’s ongoing commitment to support solar installers with the best technology, support and training in the industry.
Solar adoption is growing at a breakneck pace in the U.S. Southwest, where residents in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are taking advantage of state incentives and the steady levels of sunshine year round. As solar penetration grows beyond California to other sunny states, the demand for effective design and maintenance from knowledgeable labor is also booming. When energy users lose power, it can cost them a day of productivity, driving the need for uninterruptible backup power and making direct battery shipping more attractive for PV system owners and designers.
“When designing a new system for customers, any delay can be disastrous, especially if they’re counting on solar as their primary source of electricity,” said Eric Pipkin, founder of Pipkin Solar and U.S. Solar Mount. “OutBack Power was the perfect choice for a project we completed for a ranch in Texas, not only because of the equipment’s ability to handle demanding loads onsite, but its arrival time helped us have the system ready within a week, making the customers very happy with the final result.”
OnSite Direct ramps up as OutBack Power opens registration for its inaugural Certificate Training Program class in the company’s newest training center in Phoenix, furthering OutBack’s dedication to educating electrical contractors and solar installers. With more than 200 installer graduates to date, the OutBack Power Certificate Training Program is an intensive three-day class covering everything from solar photovoltaic (PV) system fundamentals to system specification and sizing, design, installation, testing and commissioning. Training participants earn continuing education credits toward their PV Installer Certification or Solar PV Recertification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
“Electrical contractors and renewable energy installers recognize the competitive advantages to adding solar services to their electrical support portfolios, but for the majority of the country, the seasonality that affects jobsites means time is of the essence for this growing industry,” said Brandon Provalenko, director, North American sales of OutBack Power. “OnSite Direct and our NABCEP training in Phoenix provide installers with several tools for success, including reliable delivery times and year-round solar training.”
The OutBack Power Certificate Training Program roster of instructors includes Jason Lerner, founder of Waldron Power and Light Company, who has been designing and installing off-grid solar electric systems since 1994 and is an instructor with Solar Energy International (SEI). The class includes 17 learning modules, five learning labs, two hands-on practice sessions focused on system sizing and field wiring, and a final project that ties all of the session concepts together. Successful graduates earn 18 contact hours toward the NABCEP PV Installer Certification or 12 hours toward the NABCEP Solar PV Recertification.
Following sold-out OutBack Power Certificate Training Program sessions in its Arlington facility, the company is now accepting registration for the next class, which will be held in Phoenix from April 22 to April 24, 2014. The training registration fee is $399 per student. To register, contact training@outbackpower.com.
— Solar Builder magazine
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