Tag: PV Pointers
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What to know about the simultaneous AC- and DC-coupling of a solar PV system
Traditionally, DC-coupled systems were used mainly in small domestic and off-grid applications. Systems using a charger controller to control the power into the chemical storage, or battery bank, were also not typically used commercially. The DC input voltage into the charger controller was close to the nominal battery voltage inRead More — Solar Builder magazine
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PV Pointer: Safety tips for rooftop solar panels in snow country
If you are installing solar panels in the northern half of the United States, there are a few winter safety precautions you need to take to prevent potentially dangerous situations. Traditional residential asphalt shingle roofs have a high coefficient of friction that helps to hold rooftop snow accumulations in placeRead More — Solar Builder magazine
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PV Pointer: Why mass-customized solutions win in utility-scale solar
SunLink started designing solar mounting systems in 2004 when the concept of commercial rooftop solar was novel. The first systems were custom designed for the particular application because everything was new. Needless to say these first arrays were inordinately expensive by today’s standards, but the success of those installations helpedRead More — Solar Builder magazine
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How to use tracker control systems to your advantage
In the December 2016 Solar Builder, I discussed the industry evolution from passive to active and dynamic systems. Here’s a primer on control systems and how to make them work for your project. The Basics Clients frequently ask how trackers will respond to a given condition. Your tracker manufacturer willRead More — Solar Builder magazine
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PV Pointers: How to future-proof PV systems with a storage-ready inverter
You don’t need to install a battery (yet) to give solar customers a next-gen solar-plus-storage system. Your customer wants reassurance Solar-plus-storage is finally ready for mainstream adoption, thanks to technology enhancements in DC-coupled inverters and continued cost reductions in smart battery technology. Batteries with grid-tied PV will soon be theRead More — Solar Builder magazine