What Happens to Your Solar PV System during a Grid Outage

As we all just went through the significant power outage that impacted all of San Diego County, I received a number of questions about the role of solar PV systems under such conditions. I thought it would be useful information to share. Unfortunately, most PV systems also shut down in a grid outage. All grid-tied solar inverters have to meet the UL1741 safety requirement, which is known as "anti-islanding." This means that if the inverter does not detect presence from the grid, it has to shut itself down in a millisecond, and it would not be operational in a grid outage. However, it is possible to keep the inverter working if you create your own "artificial autonomous grid" usually from batteries, or a generator, which has to be decoupled from the public grid with a transfer switch. Typically, you would have a separate critical loads sub-panel for the circuits you want to keep powered up, such as refrigerator or lighting. If you have such a system installed with your solar PV system then you would be self-sufficient even during a power outage. As a full-service solar contractor, we have the expertise to design a new system or upgrade your existing PV system with either battery or generator back-up, or both. Do not hesitate to contact us for any further questions.

Local Solar Installer Earns Industry’s Most Prestigious Certification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pekka Laine, President, Photon Solar Power Inc.

Tel: (760) 556-8170


Escondido, California —Pekka Laine, owner of local business Photon Solar Construction, has earned the industry’s leading recognition of expertise as a certified installer of solar electric systems (aka “photovoltaic” or “PV” systems) from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

NABCEP is the most respected and well-established national certification organization for renewable energy professionals. Designation as a NABCEP certified solar PV installer is widely recognized to be the most important and meaningful certification of its kind in the renewable energy industry.

“Receiving NABCEP’s Certified Installer status is personally very satisfying,” said Laine. “More important, it means we can offer our customers the added confidence of knowing their installation will be performed to the highest standards in the solar industry.” As an installer, Mr. Laine is excited about the prospects offered by the San Diego market for the solar energy systems. He states, “If you are planning to install leading edge solar systems in Southern California, we have a great team in place to take care of the entire process. Our team consists of professionals who can help you design, build and even finance your solar system.”

To earn his NABCEP certification, Laine was required to demonstrate his competence as a solar PV installer by passing a rigorous exam that covers the multi-craft aspects of being a professional PV installer. He needed to demonstrate knowledge on subjects as diverse as system design, electrical and job safety, the National Electrical Code, roofing and construction techniques, system commissioning, and troubleshooting.

In addition to passing the exam all certified NABCEP installers are required to show that they have real-world experience as a senior person on the installation crew as well as a minimum number of hours of advanced training.

“One thing you can be assured of with NABCEP Certified Installers is that your job won’t be their first,” said Ezra Auerbach, executive director of NABCEP. “Anyone who makes the considerable effort required to earn NABCEP Installer Certification has been required to document their experience and education as part of the eligibility process. They have also made a very real commitment to upholding high standards of ethical and professional practice. We are delighted to welcome Pekka Laine of Photon Solar Construction to the ranks of the industry’s leading solar installers.”



About Photon Solar Construction

Established in 2008, Photon Solar Construction is a Better Business Bureau accredited renewable energy services company engaged in the design, integration and installation of solar power systems and other renewable energy solutions to residential, commercial and government customers with offices in Escondido, California and Evergreen, Colorado. Mr. Laine also serves on the Board of Directors of San Diego Renewable Energy Society, a local chapter for American Solar Energy Society.



For more information about the solar systems installed by Photon Solar Construction, please contact Pekka Laine at 760-556-8170 or visit www.PhotonSolarPower.com.



About NABCEP

NABCEP is a non--‐profit organization governed by a board of directors consisting of volunteer representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades. NABCEP’s mission is to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners by supporting and working closely with professionals and stakeholders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. To learn more visit www.nabcep.org.

Photon Solar Power Showcases Latest Solar Technology in Escondido Home

Escondido, California - A residence in Escondido has been approved by San Diego Gas & Electric to operate the latest technology in solar electric as well as solar thermal systems by Photon Solar Power, Inc. The house features 26 multi-crystalline photovoltaic modules by aleo solar North America that are embedded with SolarEdge Technologies’ PowerBox DC to DC power optimizers enabling optimized Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for each module. Unlike traditional photovoltaic installations, this PV system combines the optimization, monitoring and safety shutdown of the individual module, while centralizing key functions such as DC to AC conversion and communication with the utility. Having achieved an unsurpassed 97.5% efficiency rating, SolarEdge DC-AC solar inverters gain recognition as the most efficient single-phase inverters in the US. “We are proud to be confirmed as America’s most efficient single-phase solar inverter,” said John Berdner, SolarEdge General Manager for North America. “It is part of our commitment to our customers world-wide to supply the most efficient, safe, reliable and cost effective PV systems,” he added.


The high efficiency of the SolarEdge PV inverters means not only more power to all users, but also higher incentive payments for system owners in the US, as some incentive calculation methods are directly related to the California Energy Commisions’s (CEC) inverter efficiency rating.

Being the first grid interconnected SolarEdge installation in the United States, the project has raised a lot of interest among the local solar professionals. “We are excited to have partnered with SolarEdge on this project. We see great benefits from this optimized system, and are pleased to be the first installer in the United States to offer this technology to our customers,” says Pekka Laine, President of Photon Solar Power Inc., the solar contractor and integrator for the project. “This is going to be a showcase project for Photon Solar Power in the San Diego area,” he adds.

Also featured in Photon Solar Power’s Escondido project is the latest solar pool heating system and domestic hot water system based on high-efficiency solar thermal collectors supplied by Vaillant Solar Systems. “These collectors are great performers in the mild San Diego climate,” says Dr. Burkhard von Spreckelsen, President of Vaillant Solar Systems, Inc. “This energy-efficient system is using a titanium plate-and-frame heat exchanger that transfers the solar thermal energy via a closed-loop system instead of having to pump the chlorinated pool water on the roof, therefore eliminating leaks on your roof down the road associated with the traditional non-glazed solar pool heaters,” he adds.

Established in 2008, Photon Solar Power Inc. is a renewable energy services company engaged in the design, integration and installation of solar power systems and other renewable energy solutions to residential, commercial and government customers with offices in Escondido, California and Golden, Colorado. As an installer, Mr. Laine is excited about the prospects offered by the San Diego market for the SolarEdge and Vaillant systems. He states, “If you are planning to install leading edge solar systems in Southern California or Colorado, we have a great team in place to take care of the entire process. Our team consists of professionals who can help you design, build and even finance your solar system.

For more information about the solar systems installed by Photon Solar Power Inc., please call Photon Solar Power Inc. at 1-888-SUN-ACDC (1-888-786-2232) or visit www.PhotonSolarPower.com. For SolarEdge Technologies Inc., please contact John Berdner at 530-277-4894. For Vaillant Solar Systems, Inc., please call 858-259-0305. For aleo solar North America, visit www.aleo-solar.com





About Photon Solar Power Inc.

Photon Solar Power Inc. is a renewable energy services company engaged in the design, integration and installation of solar power systems and other renewable energy solutions to residential, commercial and government customers with offices in Escondido, California and Golden, Colorado. Photon Solar Power Inc. has in-house engineering staff and employs NABCEP certified installers. For more information visit www.PhotonSolarPower.com



About SolarEdge

SolarEdge provides the world's first end-to-end Distributed Solar Power Harvesting and PV monitoring solution, allowing maximum energy production at a lower cost. The company works with industry-leading partners to embed its active electronics directly into PV panels. The SolarEdge PowerBoxes™ are DC-DC power optimizers that perform MPPT per individual panel while monitoring performance of each panel and communicating across existing power lines. Moreover, PowerBoxes always maintain a fixed DC string voltage, allowing optimal efficiency of the SolarEdge PV inverter, which is tailor made to work with power optimizers. As a result, the SolarEdge system provides more power from any given installation, eliminates design constraints, provides complete panel-level and whole-system visibility for monitoring and maintenance alerts, solves all safety hazards and provides anti-theft mechanisms, all while reducing the cost of energy. For more information, visit www.solaredge.com.



About Vaillant Solar Systems

Vaillant Solar Systems manufactures solar thermal systems that provide solar hot water for your home, pool, or commercial building. By combining advanced German-engineered technology with American design and installation, Vaillant Solar helps you cut your utility bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase the value of your property. For more information, visit www.vaillantsolarsystems.com

Photon Solar Power Chief Engineer becomes a NABCEP Certified PV Installer

Photon Solar Power Inc. is happy to announce the Professional NABCEP PV certification of its Chief Engineer Jaska Tarkka.

According to NABCEP.org, "consistent with its mission, NABCEP offers certifications and certificate programs to renewable energy professionals throughout North America. NABCEP began that work by creating a certification program for solar electric installers—referred to as the NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification. As of September 2009, 936 individuals have passed NABCEP’s PV Installer Certification exam."

Don't miss out - last days of solar rebate at $1.10/W

We are coming down to the wire on Step 6 of the CSI photovoltaic solar rebate at $1.10/Watt. There is only about 1 MW remaining on the residential side. The Step 7 rebate drops down to $0.65/W. The last bit of allocation usually goes very quickly as there is a mad rush at the end for everyone to get their reservation in before it's gone. It could be a matter of a few days before CCSE stops accepting further applications for Step 6.


If you are considering a solar PV installation in the next 12 months, you would need to act quickly now to get locked in at the current rebate amount. Remember, there is no penalty for NOT completing a solar installation even if you have submitted a rebate application (the reservation simply expires after 12 months). You don't even have to make a final decision on the details of the system yet - the goal would just be to get in a reservation for the rebate for a certain size system in your name. I know it's a big decision, but it would be a shame to miss out on the higher rebate if there is a chance you will proceed with an installation in the next 12 months...

Please let us know if you would like to get in your rebate reserveration under Step 6. We'd be glad to help, but we need to hurry!

San Diego County approves property tax financing for solar

Here is the link about the County approving property tax financing for solar.


It will take awhile for the actual program to be implemented, but the fact that the City of San Diego has already been working on it, it might go faster for other cities to get going since many of the details have already been worked out by others... No info available yet on terms, but I would guess it'll be similar to the City of San Diego "Clean Generation Program" which interest rate will be based on the 20 year treasury + 245bps (=6.89% on 10/21/09). The loan would be attached to the house (passed to the new owner when the house sells) and included as an item on your property tax bill. The loan (up to 20 years, $5,000-50,000) interest would be tax deductible. I'll keep you posted on progress as I hear more ...

$1500 California rebate for propane water heat customers expires 12/31/2009

We wanted to be sure you were aware of the $1,500 cash rebate available to you under the Solar Water Heating Pilot Program (SWHPP) that is set to expire at year end. As part of the California Solar Initiative, the SWHPP provides incentives to SDG&E business and residential customers who install qualifying solar water heating systems. Although a new statewide solar water heating program is expected to begin in 2010, homeowners who use propane to heat their water will NOT be eligible under that program.


As you may know, solar thermal systems are the most efficient and affordable renewable energy solution for homeowners. A solar water heater will help you:

Reduce your hot water bills by as much as 80% (that’s about $520 in annual savings for propane users)

Lock in your energy rates for the next 25 years

Reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating 125,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions

Qualify for a 30% federal tax credit for 2009

Increase the value of your home by $20 for every dollar in energy savings

Contact Photon Solar Power today at 888-786-2232 (888-SUN-ACDC)