PES Solar 1 20 Full Mag Final

SOLAR/PV EKO Instruments h.a.l.m SITEMARK Studer Looking at developments Measurement of Solar monitoring solutions We are delighted to in solar irradiance high-efficiency bifacial with a difference hear from head of silicon solar cells sales, Serge Remy As ever, we bring you all the latest innovations & technological advances from across the solar/PV sector. We bring you up to speed on the latest project & policy developments and are delighted to hear from several of the industry’s pioneers & leading names. PLUS, our regular helping of opinion, reflection, insight & analysis POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 36, 2020 IS KNOWLEDGE REALLY POWER? Yes it is, if we take what we have learned from asset management in other industries and apply it to operational safety in battery energy storage systems.

More than 300 GW successfully connected Attention to precision and reliability. In every detail. As a pioneer and global market leader for connectors, Stäubli Electrical Connectors has amassed over 20 years of experience in the photovoltaics industry. To date, more than 300 GW or 50% of the PV power worldwide has been successfully installed using over 1 billion original MC4 connectors. As of January 2017, original MC4 inventor Multi-Contact conducts its business and services as Stäubli Electrical Connectors. Your bankable partner www.staubli-alternative-energies.com Original MC4 Connector Staubli is a trademark of Stäubli International AG, registered in Switzerland and other countries. © Stäubli 2020 | Photocredits: Stäubli

CONTENTS SOLAR/PV EKO Instruments h.a.l.m SITEMARK Studer Looking at developments Measurement of Solar monitoring solutions We are delighted to in solar irradiance high-efficiency bifacial with a difference hear from head of silicon solar cells sales, Serge Remy As ever, we bring you all the latest innovations & technological advances from across the solar/PV sector. We bring you up to speed on the latest project & policy developments and are delighted to hear from several of the industry’s pioneers & leading names. PLUS, our regular helping of opinion, reflection, insight & analysis POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 36, 2020 IS KNOWLEDGE REALLY POWER? Yes it is, if we take what we have learned from asset management in other industries and apply it to operational safety in battery energy storage systems. Editor’s note POWER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS First and most important things first, we hope that everyone reading this is secure, safe and healthy. Directors Stuart Gillies It’s hard to believe that we are not yet through the first half of the year! With so much Mark Wilson going on during the last 3 or 4 months, the year has moved on at such incredible speed… Stefann Perrigot and seems like a blur to many of us. Client Liaison Manager There is no question that our industry has never seen times like these before, this Vikki Birch statement is probably also true for any and all industries. The good news? Things certainly appear to be improving. Long may it continue. Editor Elaine Perrigot The global solar/PV industry too, is changing, of that there can be no doubt. This change [email protected] will only be hastened and amplified with the current global situation from an economic perspective, but also from a human standpoint. I believe that in challenging times like Associate Editors these, adversity can certainly serve as a catalyst for change and indeed for progression. Stephen Pearson Zachary George We have some great features within this issue. As always there are the usual hot topics: the ever-increasing size of solar parks and the components required to keep them Design operating to maximum efficiency, the continued demand from the industry to drive Andrew Jenkins down costs and increase yield. Technology as ever, is developing and solutions and tools [email protected] are becoming more and more and precise and efficient. Production As ever, energy storage and related technologies continue to be a source of much Paul Lawson discussion as innovations and developments show no signs of slowing. Our predictions [email protected] from a few years ago have come true, as this topic is becoming a real industry driver. Sales Enquiries Inspection and monitoring tools are continuing to evolve, with remote solutions and [email protected] drone technologies playing an even more prominent role within the sector. General Enquiries Business is going on and the renewable energy industry as a whole has a tremendous [email protected] opportunity to display the fantastic, robust nature and resilience of the market moving forward, as the energy sector is seen as a key in the global recovery, in the months and Media Partnership Enquiries years ahead. [email protected] There is no doubt that with some of the major industry events and exhibitions being Advertising Opportunities cancelled and/or delayed, it has changed the way that many of us are communicating- [email protected] but the communication has not and will not cease. The lessons we learn here will far outlast this global pandemic, and will benefit our industry into the coming years and PES is published by P&G Media Ltd months. P&G Media Ltd With that in mind we have never been more optimistic about the sector moving forward PO Box 310, Bristol, BS10 5WT, and the success that will come during the coming months and years. United Kingdom With so much happening across Europe, the US and further afield, don’t miss our incisive insight, opinion and industry round-up of key developments and innovation within our This publication is copyright © 2017 P&G Media Ltd and first issue on 2020. may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the prior permission of P&G Media Ltd. We sincerely hope to see you all very soon. While every care has been taken during the preparation of this publication, P&G Media cannot be held responsible for Stay safe and take care. the accuracy of the information published herein or any consequence arising from it. Enjoy the read, From sustainably managed forests. Elaine Perrigot For more information visit: www.pefc.org Editor www.pessolar.com WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 3

CONTENTS 56 Mário Pó, PhD, lead scientist and 86 Combining highest throughput 76 Every company that owns solar plants wants to Dmytro Podolskyy, Business and precision in IV measurements generate the highest return. In order to achieve Development Manager, both at of high-efficiency bifacial silicon this, the system’s maintenance teams need to EKO Instruments EU discuss solar cells – Courtesy of h.a.l.m constantly ensure the optimal functioning of all developing a new angle on solar system components, especially the panels and irradiance inverters. A solar monitoring system enables you to be informed of your PV system’s performance. The views of Stanislas van der Vaeren, Founder and Customer Innovation Manager, SITEMARK SOLAR/PV EKO Instruments h.a.l.m SITEMARK Studer 34 From its beginning, Studer has been in the forefront of battery- based systems. Despite the constant evolution of the sector, and Looking at developments Measurement of Solar monitoring solutions We are delighted to in solar irradiance high-efficiency bifacial with a difference hear from head of silicon solar cells sales, Serge Remy the arrival of new competitors, Studer has kept a leading position. As ever, we bring you all the latest innovations & All manufacturing is carried out in Switzerland, to the highest quality technological advances from across the solar/PV sector. We bring you up to speed on the latest project standards. Serge Remy, Head of Sales, gave PES a look back of over & policy developments and are delighted to hear from several of the industry’s pioneers & leading names. 30 years of history and bringing us right up to the present day PLUS, our regular helping of opinion, reflection, insight & analysis POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 36, 2020 IS KNOWLEDGE 6 Is knowledge really power? Yes it is, if we take what REALLY POWER? we have learned from asset management in other industries and apply it to operational safety in Yes it is, if we take what we have learned from asset battery energy storage systems management in other industries and apply it to operational safety in battery energy storage systems. Ask the experts with input from customers, provides 52 Maria Stefanidou, Sales Director at plant operators with an even faster 10 T his year marks APsystems’ 10th and deeper fault analysis, saving Mounting Systems, gave PES Solar an considerable time and expenditure. interesting insight into the importance anniversary. While the situation They are at the cutting edge of of racking systems. Just outside of worldwide is facing unexpected digitalisation and that is where they aim Berlin, this German manufacturer challenges on many fronts during this to stay supplies a whole range of products to very particular year 2020 with the our industry. The latest is for solar car Coronavirus pandemic, Dr Zhi Min Ling, 30 Over 1.6 billion connectors from ports. Read on to find out more ... co-founder and chairman of APsystems, shares his views on his entrepreneurial Stäubli’s solar range have provided 71 PES had a great catch up with Mark story with Maxime Boiron, Senior reliable connections all over the world Director of Marketing EMEA & Australia, since 1996. This represents a PV Kingsley, CEO of Alion Energy, also at APsystems output of over 300 GW, which is almost California. Leaders in solutions for impossible to believe. Matthias Mack, trackers and O&M robotics and 14 Jonas Dobner, Application and Project Director Global Alternative Energies currently enjoying the bifacial surge and member of the Management Board in our industry. Although the current manager at Pfeiffer Vacuum dropped at Stäubli, came to talk to PES about Covid 19 situation presenting some in on PES Solar. Needless to say, we Stäubli Electrical Connectors, its challenges, he has no doubt about the were very interested to hear about their company values and the future direction future opportunities latest vacuum technology and solutions. These are already making an impact in 48 PES dropped in on Tony Etnyre, the 92 Bill Mellema, Director of Engineering the renewable energies segment and used in leak detection and various types CEO at FTC Solar, Inc, a new company, and Brad Berwald, Product Manager of lithium batteries. The company has a with a very experienced, committed and Technical Training Manager, at long history in our business and is ready team. Their latest PV tracking system, Morningstar Corporation, met up for the challenges ahead Voyager, is easy to install, cost with PES to bring us up to date on the effective and suitable to use on the solutions offered by this innovative, 26 PES met up with Brigitte Beck, CEO most challenging sites. Their close employee owned company. Here the collaboration with their customers is of workers are proud of their products and at Solare Datensysteme GmbH. Their paramount importance and flexibility is provide only the highest quality and new portal, developed over 2 years, their watchword efficiency to the market 4 PES SOLAR

CONTENTS 50 Think tank business, completed in the first quarter parameters, is crucial to accurately 18 Over the last years, some new sensors of 2020, FIMER took a decisive step calculating the performance ratio (PR) forward in its strategy. Leonardo of a solar energy plant. IEC 61724, have been developed, for monitoring Botti, Head of Global Sales and published in March 2017, is the latest photovoltaic plants. This has been Product Management explains how and most comprehensive international possible due to close co-operation, FIMER is shaping a new era in solar standard to address these issues. But in research and development, as digitalization will level the energy what does it mean? Clive Lee, Technical between Ingenieurbüro Mencke & playing field, enhance Distributed Sales & Services Manager, Kipp & Zonen, Tegtmeyer GmbH (M&T) and Institut Energy Resources (DER) operations brings us up to speed für Solarenergieforschung Hameln/ and propel solar adoption Emmerthal (ISFH). The new PVIS 80 G rid integration is a key issue in the reference irradiance sensor will be 42 PES has the privilege of hearing from available later this year, once the expansion of renewable energies final optimization and accelerated SolarCleano to learn more about throughout Europe. The requirements environmental testing is completed the evolution in solar panel cleaning for power generation plants at all voltage solutions levels have changed significantly with Corporate focus the pan-European harmonisation of 22 We are delighted to hear from the H-J 60 Atonometrics was founded in Austin, grid connection requirements and the resulting adaptations to the national Family of Companies as they discuss Texas, in 2007, with the mission foundations. The aim of the EU making a difference in photovoltaic to provide high-quality test and regulation is to create a stable electricity transformers measurement equipment to the small grid throughout Europe in order to but growing photovoltaics industry. The further increase the share of renewable Talking point company founders came from a long energies with respect to climate goals 38 Following the acquisition and background in test and measurement equipment for the semiconductor 100 D an Ibbetson, Managing Director, Global integration of ABB’s solar inverter industry. The experience of the management team included over 30 Products & Technology at Aggreko talks years of R&D, product development, to PES about decarbonizing energy in a sales, marketing, and manufacturing time of crisis and beyond… 64 Reliable measurement of solar irradiance, and other environmental WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 5

PES ESSENTIAL IS KNOWLEDGE REALLY POWER? Yes it is, if we take what we have learned from asset management in other industries and apply it to operational safety in battery energy storage systems. Words: A lastair Parlett, head of asset management UK, Natural Power 6 PES SOLAR

PES ESSENTIAL Utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming a more common feature of the UK electricity network for the purpose of frequency regulation and balancing. There is also growing interest in the integration of storage systems with renewable technologies such as wind and solar. This technology has a vital role to play in the These risks are also exacerbated by the fact Alastair Parlett global energy mix. It provides an answer to that many of the new users of BESSs are not one of the biggest challenges faced by energy specialists. Before, these systems location of the BESS as a high voltage (HV) renewable generators, the intermittent would have been used by companies that substation. This is due to the likely presence nature of supply, offering a way to capture had an in-depth understanding of their uses of HV switchgear, transformers and cable clean energy and balance energy generation and potential dangers. Today, a buyer of a systems. You must therefore put suitable against demand. BESS is just as likely to be a property electrical safety rules and security developer, council or university, and they arrangements in place to make sure the BESS National Grid has highlighted energy storage will have a limited understanding of the is compliant with the applicable legislation. as a key growth area and estimates that as inherent hazards. much as 30GW installed capacity could be required by 2050. These new and unfamiliar users give us a good reason to identify and look closer at the BESS projects introduce new challenges for processes, systems and procedures needed operational personnel who may be more to make sure BESS projects are safe and familiar with more well-known technologies. efficient. We also need to make sure their However, we can effectively apply the operation and management are compliant knowledge and experience gained in with the applicable legislation. In particular, technologies such as wind and solar to BESS we will look at how to address electrical projects. While the use of batteries is nothing safety and emergencies. new, what is new is the size, complexity, and energy density of the systems, and the Key considerations for operational safety Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery chemistry involved. Since there is a lack of familiarity To effectively manage operational safety, with BESS technology, there is also a lack of we need to look at four key areas: electrical knowledge about and the hazards, electrical safety, live working, emergencies, and and chemical, associated with large Li-ion work control. battery installations. And these hazards can lead to significant fire risks. Electrical safety You will typically need to categorise the WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 7

PES ESSENTIAL This includes the electricity at work modules (the weight of a ‘cell’ may be emergency response plan (ERP). regulations and the electricity safety, quality 30-40kg each) means that personnel should and continuity regulations. Only authorised use suitable lifting equipment to remove or Two things are essential for early personnel should have access to the BESS replace battery modules. intervention in the case of emergencies: area, so you will need to think about what monitoring and immediate response. You happens when sub-contractors or others Preparing for emergencies should have continuous remote monitoring visit. Electrical safety rules must also address by a 24-hour control room (which may also the requirements for safety co-ordination There is a risk of fire in battery systems. act as a primary point of contact for across the control boundary with the ‘Thermal runaway’, a cycle in which excessive stakeholders), and you need to have staff distribution network operator (DNO), heat keeps creating more heat, is the major available and ready to go to a site transmission licensee (TL), or another risk for Li-ion battery technology. It can be immediately if there is an emergency. network operator. caused by a battery having internal cell defects, mechanical failures and damage or You also need to regularly test ERP and Live working overvoltage. These lead to high emergency response procedures to make temperatures, gas build-up and potential sure they are effective. This should take the Planned and reactive maintenance tasks explosive rupture of the battery cell, form of exercises involving key stakeholders. associated with the battery installations will resulting in fire and/or explosion. Without require work and testing on or adjacent to disconnection, thermal runaway can also Work control live low voltage (LV) apparatus. Only spread from one cell to the next, causing personnel qualified to do so should carry out further damage. You need a robust work management these tasks. They should complete their process in place to make sure there is a safe work in accordance with specialised Added to this, battery fires are often very system of work and that any work is carried procedures and electrical safety rules. They intense and difficult to control. They can also out in accordance with health, safety and should understand BESS technology; be very dangerous to fire fighters and other environmental legislation. This work operating and maintenance procedures; and first responders because, in addition to the management process will need to include the application of the electrical safety rules. immediate fire and electricity risks, they may access control procedures as well. A wide This will require formal training and be dealing with toxic fumes and exposure to range of issues need consideration here, and authorisation. hazardous materials. the management systems and competency of personnel are important. Specialist work procedures will require the Although a regular planned inspection and use of live working techniques, tools and maintenance programme and fixed fire The work management process should equipment, including suitably rated arc-flash suppression systems provide effective ensure that: personal protective equipment. mitigation, the fire risk assessment for the location and consultation with the local fire • the work is clearly specified; In addition, the weight of individual battery and rescue service should also inform the • only skilled personnel perform the work; 8 PES SOLAR

PES ESSENTIAL • suitable and sufficient risk assessment is Types of BESS from renewable sources such as solar performed, and method statements or wind. produced; BESS’s use electro-chemical solutions and include some of the following types • Flow: flow batteries are quite large and are • there are appropriate control measures of batteries: generally used to store energy from implemented; renewable sources. • Lithium-ion: these offer good energy • personnel are given the relevant and storage for their size and can be charged/ About Natural Power correct information to carry out the discharged many times in their lifetime. work safely; They are used in a wide variety of consumer Natural Power is an independent consultancy electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and service provider that supports a global • the work is not interrupted by or disrupts laptops, electronic cigarettes and digital client base in the effective delivery of a wide other work; cameras. They are also used in electric cars range of renewable projects including onshore and some aircraft. wind, solar, renewable heat, energy storage • monitoring and control are in place for and offshore technologies. It has a global high-risk tasks, for example, live working • L ead-acid: these are traditional reach, employing more than 400 staff across 11 on LV apparatus. rechargeable batteries and are inexpensive international offices. Its experience extends compared to newer types of batteries. across all phases of the project lifecycle from Conclusion Uses include protection and control initial feasibility, through construction to systems, back-up power supplies, and grid operations and throughout all stages of the We have identified that there are a number of energy storage. transaction cycle. key considerations when operating a BESS project, especially when it comes to • S odium sulphur: uses include storing www.naturalpower.com management and safety. energy from renewable sources such as www.twitter.com/Natural_Power solar or wind. www.linkedin.com/company/natural-power Areas that house BESS projects are typically classified as HV substations. As such, access • Z inc bromine: uses include storing energy to and work on the BESS should be subject to suitable electrical safety rules, and only authorised and trained workers should undertake any work that’s needed on a BESS. Additionally, live working on and adjacent to LV apparatus is necessary and needs specialised procedures. Emergency preparedness should include procedures for dealing with Lithium-ion battery fires, and 24-hour monitoring through a control room should ensure early intervention in emergency. Supported by local resources, including HV support, personnel should be available to go to a site promptly in an emergency. You also need a work management process to ensure compliance with legislation and the implementation of safe systems of work. Experience suggests that systems and processes developed for use in the operation and maintenance of established renewables technologies, such as wind, are readily applicable to BESS projects, following suitable training for personnel. As a result, from an operational safety perspective, operators can apply common systems and processes to projects where BESS installations are integrated with other technologies, or to standalone BESS projects. What is a BESS? Battery energy storage systems (BESS) store energy via the use of a battery technology for it to be used at a later time. The BESS can be charged by clean electricity generated by a renewable source such as solar. Energy storage plays an important role in creating a more flexible and reliable grid system. For example, when there is more supply than demand, such as during the night when low-cost power plants continue to operate, the excess electricity generation can be used to power storage devices. WWW.PESWIND.COM 9

ASK THE EXPERTS: INVERTERS Yuhao Luo, co-founder& CTO (LEFT), Zhi-Min Ling co-founder& Chairman (RIGHT) When uncertain times defy innovation, new opportunities shine brightly for the future This year marks APsystems’ 10th anniversary. While the situation worldwide is facing unexpected challenges on many fronts during this very particular year 2020 with the Coronavirus pandemic, Dr Zhi Min Ling, co-founder and chairman of APsystems, shares his views on his entrepreneurial story with Maxime Boiron, Senior Director of Marketing EMEA & Australia, also at APsystems. From its very beginning, when the economic building long-lasting opportunities. grateful. It is a major milestone for the effects of the 2008 financial crisis were still company, especially in this very fast-changing strongly present, to where APsystems is Maxime Boiron: 2020 is the year of inverter industry which is at the crossroads of today, having become the No.1 multi-module APsystems celebrating its 1st decade, how high-tech microelectronics, energy and microinverter supplier in the world. It is as if does it make you feel? environmentally-friendly building sectors. challenging uncertainty could also be a key in Staying alive is one thing, but growing Zhi Min Ling: Fortunate, honored and 10 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: INVERTERS Maxime Boiron Dr Yuaho Luo, my colleague, also co-founder larger solar projects and to make it even more of APsystems, who is also our CTO sharing his attractive, we developed this microinverter as Olivier Jacques time between Cupertino, California and our a QUAD, i.e. connecting four PV panels per headquarters in Jiaxing, and myself acquired unit. The YC1000 was progressively launched profitably when you need to heavily invest in extensive technical knowledge in the Silicon across the world in 2015 and 2016 with great R&D on one side, while keeping enough agility Valley, where we worked for several decades in success, demonstrating that Quad to adapt to an ever-changing emerging High Tech companies such as AMD, Xilinx or Microinverters were not only possible to market on the other side, is another challenge. Solaria Corporation. manufacture but they also had a real place in The fact that we have been growing for 10 the market for 3-phase installations. years while reaching profitability every year Xilinx is the inventor of Field-Programmable since 2012, is primarily down to the hard work, Gate Array (FPGA) circuit design, a Being able to successfully launch determination and patience of the hundreds semiconductor design approach allowing multi-module microinverters in various parts of talented and committed people who have programmable firmware to be used for of the world was a great achievement, joined and believed in this company over product upgrades and customization. This is something no one else had done before so I the years. the hardware technology we have been using am quite proud of our team for this. Besides, MB: What encouraged you to set up in all the microinverters we manufacture. We the innovation journey has continued since, APsystems? And how has the company decided to take that path in technology mainly with a fully ZigBee-integrated single-phase evolved over the years? for future-proof flexibility and the microinverter range providing robust ZML: The company has changed dramatically cost-savings advantages it brings to communication capabilities, launched over for sure. We can look at the company’s customers over other options. It was also a the past two years with our YC600 duo and development in two phases, I think. The phase when we had to build all departments of QS1 quad. foundation 2010 – 2012: it was the very the company, acquiring the right leadership beginning where every priority was focused on team from R&D to manufacturing and building MB: What were the main challenges along setting up our expertise in power electronics the appropriate investment ecosystems to the way? conversion designs to create a robust and allow us to drive our ambitions forward. cost-efficient microinverter solution. ZML: It is quite fascinating to be able to be Within about two years, we managed to part of this solar revolution. Helping to make design, manufacture and launch our 1st single solar an affordable clean energy solution to and duo microinverter products with the everyone on this earth is inspiring but of YC250 and YC500 which later became the course, the technological challenges are big. best-selling duo microinverter worldwide. We If you take communications for example, set up our headquarters in Jiaxing, China, microinverters manage a considerable where we still manufacture our products number of data points that need to be thanks to the help of the TDG group, our main communicated back from the microinverters shareholder and share our R&D department through the gateway and to the monitoring between Jiaxing and Cupertino. platform in the cloud. This means when systems like the YC1000, QS1 and YC600 Then the 2nd phase was characterized by one apply remote firmware upgrades, this creates obsession: how to make APsystems Grow a demanding bidirectional data flow and Internationally with no compromise to traditional powerline communication isn’t profitability. Although we are still in this phase going to cut it. with constant profitability every year since 2012, I would say that over the past six years This is the reason we moved our portfolio to (2013-2019), and especially since Olivier high-speed wireless Zigbee, which is up to Jacques joined the company in 2015, we have three times faster than conventional managed to structure ourselves by Business powerline communication (PLC), creating a Units on all continents enabling us to local 2.4GHz mesh network for fast and serve our customers in more than 80 reliable data communication between the countries today. microinverters and the gateway. We also had to resize our server infrastructure on the We started this period by rebranding the cloud to be able to manage 100 000 company from APS to APsystems, providing a installations online sending back and forth clear mission statement vision, values and a steady stream of data today and probably working principles to all employees. It 10 times more tomorrow. continued with the creation of subsidiaries in Australia, United States, Netherlands, France Another constant challenge has been to and recently Mexico. Of course, this adapt to increasingly complex market needs. international expansion has required strong The progressive integration of PV into the investments in experienced local sales, electricity networks has inverter services and marketing teams but has also manufacturers in many countries to release demanded a strong leadership to accelerate products capable of interacting in real-time the company’s footprint in a sustainable way. with grid operators. Whether it is to adjust the PV production instantaneously, depending on Olivier Jacques, who is now President and the state of the network, or to prevent any Global Executive VP, in charge of all BU electron from being sent back, performing development and profitability, has been such a functionality for the coming 20 years in instrumental in this ongoing journey. It was a reliable manner with a product smaller than also a period which enabled us to prove our an A4 sheet and weighing 3kg average is a innovation capabilities in the long run, genuine achievement in technological constantly pushing forward the boundaries of integration, entailing very sophisticated R&D, our creativity. In 2014 we invented the 1st manufacturing and testing capabilities. native 3-phase microinverters adapted to WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 11

ASK THE EXPERTS: INVERTERS QS1 HD with AC cable YC600 HD with AC cable We are one of the only microinverter America etc. This situation put our entire everyone as an individual but it is also a companies worldwide which has its Reactive organization in front of an unprecedented genuine opportunity to confront and Power Control (RPC) microinverter range collaboration challenge. challenge ourselves by overtaking obstacles ready, which means compliant to be installed with self-confidence. I strongly believe that almost everywhere in Europe including in Fortunately, organizations of our kind have the creativity and flexibility of our industry will Germany, but also in Australia, or California been leveraging digital working practices for a rapidly lead to recovery during the 2nd half of for example. long time. This has helped in keeping our team this year. committed and close to our customers in this MB: How is the pandemic situation affecting difficult period. Whereas priority has of course MB: What’s next for APsystems? your activity? been given to every possible measure to ensure the health of all our employees, we ZML: APsystems is now well recognized for its ZML: When COVID-19 first appeared in China have for example successfully run several leadership in multi-module microinverters at the beginning of the year, our activities webinar series all over the world to support solutions bringing innovative products to were relatively spared since part of our our customers and keep them well informed market that are built to last. This is the DNA of production comes from outside China, even and trained on our solutions. We have the company and will continue to be. We have though a slowdown in manufacturing provided masks on a large scale to our several new microinverter products planned occurred during a period of about 1 month in employees and customers and encouraged to be launched in the coming 18 months the first quarter. our workforce to work from home by including a new native 3-phase QUAD all means. microinverter at the end of this year, but our The good news is that as we mastered the ambition moving forward is also to increase production infrastructure, we were able to Despite the inherent agility of our distributor our position in other Module Level Power quickly increase our production rate when the partners and solar installers staying open and Electronics. situation improved a few weeks later, ensuring continuing their job as far as possible, we have a constant continuity of supply to all our inevitably been confronted by a slowdown in Recently we launched, primarily in the United customers and warehouse locations across our sales activity worldwide this quarter. States, APsmart, a new Business Unit that the world. Then all continents were impacted Uncertainty is the most difficult parameter to includes advanced safety products such as a one after the other by the sanitary situation: deal with when it lasts, it is the same for Module Level Rapid Shut-Down (MLRSD) Europe, The United States, Australia, Latin device to meet new safety regulations on MW-scale solar projects. The APsmart MLRSD System is a SunSpec Alliance Certified device which maintains constant communication between the RSD and Transmitter, constantly monitoring voltage and current. APsmart offers state-of-the-art PV module rapid shutdown devices (RSD), ideal for any new or existing string or central inverter system, and meeting U.S. NEC 2017 690.12 Rapid Shutdown requirements. APsystems is also working on a modular AC coupled Energy Storage System (ESS) for residential where priority, similarly to every product we manufacture, is given to high quality and reliability. We have had an exciting first 10 years and are very much looking forward to the next 10! APsystems-YC1000 apsystems.com 12 PES SOLAR

#1 Multi-module microinverter manufacturer in the world* 212 kW Multi-Residential Zero Energy 10 years of innovation, YC600 QS1 YC1000 an international impact emea.APsystems.com | +33 (0)4 81 65 60 40 Expert in power electronics at the module level (MLPE) *In MW shipped in 2019 for over 10 years, APsystems has more than 110 patents on its products and has become # 1 multi-module micro- inverter manufacturer in the world. Offering the widest range of microinverter solutions with the YC600 and QS1 in single-phase for residential and the YC1000 in native three-phase for large roofs, APsystems continues to be a leader in photovoltaic innovation serving customers in more than 80 countries around the world.

ASK THE EXPERTS: TECHNOLOGY It’s all in the vacuum 14 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: TECHNOLOGY Jonas Dobner, Application and Project manager at Pfeiffer Vacuum dropped in on PES Solar. Needless to say, we were very interested to hear about their latest vacuum technology and solutions. These are already making an impact in the renewable energies segment and used in leak detection and various types of lithium batteries in the company has a long history in our business and is ready for the challenges ahead. Jonas Dobner The company is a global player and has 3,200 same way? employees worldwide. Pfeiffer Vacuum PES: Welcome back to PES Solar/PV, it’s offers reliable vacuum and leak detection JD: No, the production steps vary slightly for great to talk with you. Would you like to solutions, for battery production in the the different cell types. There are three begin by giving us a brief overview of Li-ion battery market. common types of battery cells: Pfeiffer Vacuum? PES: We know that climate change and The pouch cell which is also called coffee bag Jonas Dobner: Pfeiffer Vacuum develops, environmental awareness mean a higher because of its appearance, the prismatic cell, produces and distributes components and demand for renewable energy solutions, where the cell is integrated into a stable solutions for vacuum generation, using improved technologies in the field of rectangular housing and the cylindrical cell measurement, analysis and leak detection. energy storage. As these all depend on which we all know from the supermarket. This vacuum technology, could you explain what applies for consumer type cylindrical cells and this is in general and specifically in regards their larger counterparts for e-mobility or to lithium-ion batteries? grid-connected applications. JD: The application of vacuum is PES: Although there are numerous types of indispensable in the production of Li-ion Li-ion batteries, would it be fair to say that batteries. Vacuum is required for mixing the several of the production steps for the so-called slurry, which is applied to the batteries require vacuum technology? battery cell electrodes. The coil drying and electrolyte filling also takes place JD: Absolutely! As long as we are talking under vacuum. about Li-ion batteries, with liquid electrolyte there are no differences in vacuum Furthermore, leak detection is an essential applications. With the development of step in quality control to protect battery solid-state batteries, which have a solid components, cooling systems, battery electrolyte, the whole thing will look a bit modules and battery packs from moisture different and other vacuum processes will ingress. In addition, the generation or escape become relevant. of hazardous substances is avoided. PES: We have heard about your leak testers PES: We know that Li-ion batteries are and we would like to know more, is there a being used in more and more applications. one fit for all users or does it depend on the Are all these batteries produced in the area the client is working in? WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 15

ASK THE EXPERTS: TECHNOLOGY ‘As the market becomes more dynamic, an agile and innovative product development process is essential to optimally serve the needs of the customers.’ JD: This really depends on the application. HiScroll to our product portfolio, which offer strong global sales and service Battery components like the cell cover guarantees short cycle times and increased network. clearly are the domain of tracer gas leak energy efficiency. detectors, with their low detection limit. PES: What are your predictions for the solar Other applications like cooling circuits are Regarding the production of Li-ion batteries, industry in the coming year and Pfeiffer optimum for our high precision Micro-Flow it is especially used for electrolyte filling Vacuum in particular? leak detection technology, which uses air as a processes. With our Roots pump HiLobe we tracer gas. offer a pump for low and medium vacuum JD: Pfeiffer Vacuum has been able to applications, at lower operating costs and participate in the growth of the solar Some applications are even covered by both short pump-down times. industries over the past few years. We see a detector technology types. This applies for significant investment cycle starting from example to testing battery packs. Earlier this year we also introduced our new 2021. In the meantime, in the solar business Parameters like PASS/FAIL criterion, Helium and Hydrogen sniffer leak detector, are researching new technologies to localizing or integral test, and last but not ASM 306 S, for faster cycle times especially in optimize their production lines and to least, costs lead all too soon either to leak battery pack testing. increase the efficiency of the solar cells. testing with a specific tracer gas, or use of The demand for renewable energies will air-based test methods. Additionally, we can provide analytical tools push the solar industry enormously in the in the area of mass spectroscopy, such as the long term. We are proud of our strong application OmniStar GSD for the detection of support, which assists our customers in electrolytes. www.pfeiffer-vacuum.com selecting the right test criteria and methods. PES: Why should a prospective client Pfeiffer Vacuum PES: Please could you also tell us about your choose your products, what makes them vacuum pumps, why are they important to stand out from the competition? Founded in 1890 the process? JD: In its 130-year-old history, Pfeiffer Workforce: approx. 3,200 JD: In general, the pumps generate the Vacuum has distinguished itself first and vacuum which is needed for the different foremost in collaborating, with customers to Sales and service companies: production processes. The pumps have to develop customized solutions. In the field of more than 20 worldwide have a high resistance to poisonous and leak detection, Pfeiffer Vacuum is the only toxic fumes in drying, filling and formation company that offers leading air leak testing Manufacturing sites worldwide: 10 processes. Pfeiffer Vacuum pumps generally solutions, as well as better tracer gas leak are known to be robust and efficient to detection technologies. Pfeiffer Vacuum also Pfeiffer Vacuum is one of the world’s ensure sustainable production of Li-ion can provide pumping solutions, with leading providers of vacuum solutions. batteries. outstanding performances for short cycle times and efficiency. In addition to a full range of hybrid and PES: In an industry where things change so magnetically levitated turbopumps, the rapidly, how important is R&D to you? PES: We know Pfeiffer Vacuum is a global product portfolio comprises backing player, are there any markets that you pumps, leak detectors, measurement JD: As the market becomes more dynamic, would like to break into, geographically and analysis devices, components as an agile and innovative product development speaking? well as vacuum chambers and systems. process is essential to optimally serve the needs of the customers. Pfeiffer Vacuum JD: We can proudly say that we have Ever since the invention of the also collaborates with relevant industrial massively expanded our existing facilities in turbopump by Pfeiffer Vacuum, the partners in the development of pumps and Wuxi, China, with a new production plant. In company has stood for innovative leak detectors. the Li-ion battery market especially, it is solutions and high-tech products that necessary to be present in Asia. Most of the are used in the analytics, industry, PES: Currently are there any new products major battery producers are based there. research & development, coating and in the pipeline? semiconductor markets. But also, in Europe, where new battery JD: In March we introduced a completely new manufacturing plants are planned, we are developed series of scroll pumps called prepared to fulfill the local needs and can 16 PES SOLAR

RELIABLE INSIGHTS INTO PV PLANT PERFORMANCE When it comes to the engineering, procurement, and construction of a new solar power station, there are many elements to consider. Learn more about meteorological monitoring to create a well-performing PV plant at www.kippzonen.com/epc Meteorology Division of

THINK TANK New sensors for monitoring photovoltaic plants Words: D irk Tegtmeyer et al. Over the last years, some new sensors have been developed, for monitoring photovoltaic plants. This has been possible due to close co-operation, in research and development, between Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH (M&T) and Institut für Solarenergieforschung Hameln/ Emmerthal (ISFH). The new PVIS reference irradiance sensor will be available later this year, once the final optimization and accelerated environmental testing is completed. Whilst we now concentrate on this sensor, We would like to thank all colleagues, who D. Hinken1,*, T. Gandy1, I. Kunze1, K. Bothe1, which conforms to the IEC 61724-1:2017 have made this technique possible. M. Köntges1, N. Maris2, D. Tegtmeyer2 und standard as well as with WPVS (World A. Weber2 Photovoltaic Scale), we will present the new Aptitude test for reference irradiance BigRef sensor in the next issue of PES Solar. sensors for use according to IEC 61724-1 For investors and the O&M Management (Operation & Maintenance) of photovoltaic Figure 1: Photo of the new reference irradiance sensor plants systems monitoring reliability is indispensable. One important part of the 18 PES SOLAR monitoring systems is the precision measurement of the global irradiance, using an irradiance sensor. The requirements of such sensors are defined within the IEC 61724-1:2017 standard and are demanded for financial input by many investors. Section 7.2.1.4 of the standard demands for PV reference equipment (solar irradiance sensors based on solar cells) states the following: • The fulfilment of all requirements of the IEC 60904-2:2015 standard. Among other things, this includes testing the suitability for outdoor use, according to the IEC 61215-2:2016 standard. Applicable tests to irradiance sensors are: MQT 11 temperature change load test, MQT 13 humidity heat test and MQT 10 UV pre-treatment. • Fulfilment of linearity requirements

THINK TANK Figure 2: Non-linearity acc. IEC 60904-10 of the new designed solar irradiance sensor, exemplary shown here especially low drift of −0.1 % to −2.1 % of the before during and after the UV pre-treatment. calibration value, after the various climatic tests. These drifts are mostly compensated during measuring mode by recalibrating the sensors and the linearity, with a maximum percent deviation of 0,1% (of measured value) in comparison to an ideal solar cell, see figure 2. Concerning the measuring uncertainty, figure 3 shows that the maximum measuring uncertainty according to the 3.0 % standard of measuring value, is considerably undershot for irradiances from 100 W/m² to 1500 W/m² and the complete operating temperature range of −40°C to +80°C with 1.2% to maximum 2.55%. The new reference irradiance sensor can be calibrated by the producer, with a factory calibration certificate, or within the calibration laboratory ISFH-CalTeC, using an audited measuring procedure (DAkkS calibration certificate) from the German Accreditaion Body (DAkkS). 1Institut für Solarenergieforschung GmbH (ISFH), Am Ohrberg 1, 31860 Emmerthal 2Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH, Schwarzer Weg 43A, 31789 Hameln according standard IEC60904-10:2009. therefore, should be in conform to IEC www.ib-mut.de Here a non-linearity of less than 2% is 61724-1 standard. A photo of this sensor can required. be seen in figure 1. • T he calibration in respect to that in IEC The sensor exists as a reference sensor in 60904-3:2019 indicated reference WPVS format (WPVS: World Photovoltaic spectrum. Scale) and a mechanically detachable case extension, using electronic measurement. • A maximum measurement uncertainty The electronic measurement provides the (k=2) of 3.0% for irradiances between 100 irradiance as temperature-compensated and W/m² and 1500 W/m² for a high precision calibrated 10 V, or 20 mA signal respectively, PV irradiance sensor (class A). via an RS485/MODBUS interface. This makes the sensor compatible with almost all The authors have developed a new reference common PV monitoring systems. irradiance sensor (class A), which fulfils all requirements mentioned above and The results of the suitability tests show the Figure 3: Measurement uncertainty of the sensor with a) 10 V signal and b) 20 mA signal for temperature range of -40°C to +85°C at irradiances of 100 W/m² up to 1500 W/ m² (factory calibration). WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 19

2020OmUeTdiNaOdWata YOUR SOLAR WORLD COVERED EKO Instruments Kipp & Zonen Kameleon Solar Conference Call EKO Instruments h.a.l.m SITEMARK Studer Meteocontrol Ecoprogetti Sintef Conference Call An exciting update for the Ruud Ringoir brings us the latest We hear exclusively from We preview of two of the We hear exclusively from product PES caught up with CEO, Laura We hear the views of Senior We look ahead and preview the global PV market leading industry events Looking at developments Measurement of Solar monitoring solutions We are delighted to Research Scientist, Martin Intersolar Europe 2019 in Munich scheduled for 2018 in solar irradiance high-efficiency bifacial with a difference hear from head of Bellmann – regarded by many as the most silicon solar cells sales, Serge Remy important trade fair around the SOLAR/PV from an industry pioneer CEO, Guust Verpaalen manager, Markus Holzapfel Sartore for her exclusive insight globe each year SOLAR/PV SOLAR/PV As ever, we bring you the latest technological & innovative As ever, we bring you all the latest innovations & As always, we are delighted to present you with the latest product & developments and advances from many of the industry’s technological advances from across the solar/PV technology innovations as well as project developments and advances key players. sector. We bring you up to speed on the latest project from a number of key mover’s and shaker’s in the market. Plus, our usual dose of expert opinion, insight & analysis. & policy developments and are delighted to hear from Plus, our regular helping of opinion, industry insight & analysis. several of the industry’s pioneers & leading names. PLUS, our regular helping of opinion, reflection, insight & analysis POWER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 33, 2018 POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 36, 2020 POWER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 34, 2019 SMARTER PV? IS KNOWLEDGE Managing PV Energy REALLY POWER? The Industry is continuing to evolve at quite a pace. It will come as no surprise that the industry continues to change at an Are the advances in both knowledge & technology Yes it is, if we take what we have learned from asset almost unrelenting rate. But it may be down to how we manage and react leading us toward a PV market which is becoming management in other industries and apply it to operational safety in battery energy storage systems. to these changes that shape the future of the market moving forward. smarter by the day? From cost reduction, increased efficiency and the digitalization of data, how are we managing to keep solar PV ahead in the global energy race? SOLAR ENERGY’S ESSENTIAL MEDIA DESTINATION 24,000+ READERS EXTENSIVE ONLINE AND MOBILE REACH BIG NAME INTERVIEWS NEWS, VIEWS AND ANALYSIS UNMISSABLE FEATURES AND AGENDA-SETTING COMMENT email [email protected] today www.pessolar.com

Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH Since 1993 Your Best Choice for: • Silicon Irradiance Sensors Largest Range of Types Silicon Irradiance Sensors for Monitoring Solutions with Highest Quality Temperature Compensation Best Accuracy Analogue Output (Voltage or Current) • I-V Curve Analyzers Digital Output (RS485, Modbus) Indoor and Outdoor Improved Accuracy by the Use of Better Calibration References Multi Module Multiplexer High Accuracy Calibration with DAkkS certificate (optional available) Cells and Modules Additional Temperature Measurement Additional Wind Speed Sensor (for Digital Sensors) • Meteorological Sensors Additional Ambient Temperature Sensor (for Digital Sensor) Pyranometers Glass Filter for Adapted Sensitivity Temperature Sensors Wind Sensors Since 2016 Si types even made better because of Improvements in: Combined Clima Sensors Reference Cells made by PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) Optimisations of Sun Simulator for Sensor Calibration (Class AAA) More Precise Specifications of Electronic Components Measurement Uncertainty (for the Complete Working Temperature Range) acc. Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty Measurement (GUM k=2): 5 W/m2 + 2.5 % of measured value (AM 1.5, vertical light incidence) I-V Curve Analyzers with Meteo Sensors INGENIEURBÜRO for Use with Sun Simulators or under Natural Sunlight Multi-Module Multiplexing Test Stands for automatic I-V curve MENCKE & TEGTMEYER GMBH measurements, incl. module temperature and meteological sensors Inhouse or DakkS Certified Calibration of Measuring Ranges Distribution and Service New Temperature Sensors (enhanced versions) Headquarter in Germany Many Advantages Like (also Production Site) One Range for both Surface and Ambient Sensor (-40 to +90°C) Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH Extended Power Supply Voltage Range (12 to 28 Vdc) Schwarzer Weg 43A Calibration Protocol for every Sensor Electronics 31789 Hameln Measurement Uncertainty: 1 K Germany Aluminium Housing Internet: www.ib-mut.de E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +49 51 51 / 40 36 99 - 0 Fax: +49 51 51 / 40 36 99 - 19 America IMT SOLAR 1801 North French Road Amherst, NY 14068, USA Internet: www.imtsolar.com E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +1 716 / 276 84 66

CORPORATE FOCUS High Voltage Test Laboratory Making a difference in photovoltaic transformers The electric energy industry has long been a conservative business taking very deliberate and measured steps in adopting new technologies. The renewable energy markets have forced companies to adapt to a fast-paced and rapid technology development cycle. The exponential growth and the demand for more power in a smaller envelope continue to drive rapid development. H-J has accepted these challenges and we product development for both high and low turbines are being developed and released on are leading the renewable energy voltage bushing applications. a regular basis. This is driving a series of transformer industry with material and fundamental changes in transformers for New, higher power solar inverters and wind 22 PES SOLAR

CORPORATE FOCUS Engineering and QA working together renewable applications: At H-J, we are dedicated to developing is no longer rigid. This may compromise industry-leading bushing solutions by the bushing’s physical integrity and, • Solar inverter containers are open and listening to our customers. Solutions for high most importantly, the sealing integrity of exposed to elements, voltage bushings include plug-in type the bushing. technology for 38 kV class with 150 and 200 • Converting from dry-type to liquid-filled kV BIL options. Bushings are available with H-J has developed a new high temperature transformers, 600, 900 and 1200 A continuous current epoxy in order to help manufacturers match ratings. Higher voltage and BIL versions are the transformer high temperature insulation • Using high-temperature insulation currently under development to support systems. This new high temperature epoxy is systems and operating temperatures, and industry needs. These are dry, solid, suitable for continuous use at 155°C. This internally-shielded epoxy resin bushings. The greater range of temperature allows users to • Increasing current ratings and the high bushing interfaces are designed in pack more power into smaller footprints by voltages to 35 kV, 200 kV BIL class and accordance with relevant IEC or IEEE running the systems hotter. The efficiency of beyond. Standards to provide interchangeability with these liquid-filled high temperature different molded rubber elbow solutions in transformers is still far superior to dry-type the market. transformer solutions, and provides tremendous benefits in terms of size and The standard operating temperature for performance in space-limited applications bisphenol-A and cycloaliphatic epoxies are such as solar inverter containers and wind 105°C and 120°C. However, an important turbine nacelles. consideration with epoxies is that the maximum temperature must not be Solutions for low voltage bushings are exceeded in operation. Above these equally important and present a more temperatures the epoxy nears or enters the customized and diverse range of product glass transition range (Tg) where the material needs. The need for matching the inverter 3.6KV, 60KV BIL, 5000A epoxy bushing 5KV, 75KV BIL, 5000A bushing 1.2KV, 30KV BIL, 6000A bushing WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 23

CORPORATE FOCUS Epoxy resin bushings are ideal for photovoltaic transformers. Here’s why: • High level of customization: dimensions and features can be easily changed to match the specific needs for internal and external connections. 38KV, 200KV BIL, 600A plugin epoxy bushing, 155C rated operating temperature • Ability to offer high current options: epoxy resin is molded directly onto the conductor, allowing for significant cross-sectional areas of copper to carry large amounts of current safely. connection and internal transformer winding • No need for assembly at OEM site • Ability to withstand cantilever and short connection optimization requires a high level circuit forces: epoxy resin is more forgiving of customization. We embrace this at H-J and • F ewer gaskets mean fewer possibilities than porcelain insulators while still provide solutions which work for each for leaks maintaining strength and performance individual customer project, big or small. integrity. • Bushing leak tested as a complete system H-J’s low voltage bushing offering includes at H-J • Less fragile than porcelain: epoxy resin can voltages from 1,2 kV, 30 kV BIL to 5 kV, 75 kV better withstand rough handling and BIL with current ratings up to 12.000 A. The epoxy resin is directly molded into the strenuous usage. These are dry, solid, one-piece epoxy resin conductor, making it a single unit. There are bushings which may be exposed to UV rays only three components required for a • Hydrophobicity: water molecules with no deterioration in life expectancy. H-J complete bushing assembly: a bushing, a accumulated on sheds are better repelled offers our proprietary epoxy blend options mounting clamp and a mounting gasket all and thus, use less space than porcelain, for 105, 120 and 155°C maximum operating provided direct from H-J. resulting in fewer chances for creating an temperatures. electric path. As the solar inverter industry changes from totally enclosed containers to open containers, this also presents additional challenges with low voltage bushings connecting inverter to transformer. The bushings can be made with shedded designs which provide the necessary creep and strike distances to account for external contamination. However, this requires space which is a premium in solar inverter containers. Instead, manufacturers prefer to use an enclosed bus duct system for the low voltage connections. This reduces contamination but means that the bushings will be operating in a hotter environment. H-J’s high temperature 155°C epoxy is ideal for this environment and helps to reduce footprint on the solar inverter container platform. The conductors are typically aluminum or copper with plating options such as tin, silver and nickel. The entire bushing can be customized, from the insulator to the internal terminal to the external terminal. Our low voltage bushings are single-piece PV application MV transformer equipped with customized HJ epoxy resin bushings design which provides several advantages: 24 PES SOLAR

CORPORATE FOCUS Epoxy resin customized mold press • F lexible installation: bushings can be High Ridge, Missouri, USA Xi’an, China mounted in vertical or horizontal Toronto, Canada Busan, South Korea orientation since there is no oil inside. Leon, Mexico Taipei, Taiwan Bogota, Colombia • C ompact Design: distances are reduced Pereira, Colombia The H-J Family of Companies has been while meeting voltage and creep distance Blumenau, Brazil continuously developing new designs since requirements due to fewer components Belo Horizonte, Brazil 1969, helping shape and improve our industry needed for construction. Barcelona, Spain through innovation and reliability in good Frankfurt, Germany times as well as in times of need. We will • F ewer chances for oil leakage: single-piece Mysore, India continue to do so moving forward. bushing design mitigates potential leak Manila, Philippines points and provides for better sealing Tianjin, China www.h-j.com between epoxy and conductor. About our company: laboratory. • Quick development process: The design and production of an epoxy resin mold are The H-J Family of Companies celebrated Quality, R&D and production process quicker than porcelain, thus shortening our 50th anniversary in 2019 - a major capabilities have been at the forefront of lead times. milestone for our family-owned company the company’s values, but our people are located outside of St. Louis, Missouri, what make the difference. Our bushings Why choose H-J bushings? USA. We offer a broad range of products have been used for many decades in for the electrical transformer and various applications such as H-J is constantly innovating to meet the switchgear industry from bushings to pole-mounted transformers, market’s needs, positioning ourselves to connectors, fuses, tap changers, valves, pad-mounted transformers, compact provide value without sacrificing quality to and even transformer manufacturing substation transformers, submersible our customers. Vertical integration is one of machinery. H-J’s global manufacturing transformers, completely self-protected our strengths to develop the product from facilities include an epoxy resin casting transformers, and more. The bushing raw materials to final solution. facility, chemical engineering and technology used in each transformer development laboratory, state-of-the-art design can be customized, and we offer With our proprietary, in-house formulations tool and die machine center, non-ferrous multiple insulation types such as and production H-J maintains control over foundry, porcelain manufacturing, porcelain, silicone, thermoplastic, and the components that go into the bushing multiple machining and plating centers, five different proprietary epoxy resins. design, streamlining the flow of production. and a state-of-the-art high voltage test H-J has established manufacturing, engineering and commercial facilities around the world to stay closer to our customers and better support each market: WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 25

ASK THE EXPERTS: DIGITALISATION One portal, many components PES met up with Brigitte Beck, CEO at Solare Datensysteme GmbH. Their new portal, developed over 2 years, with input from customers, provides plant operators with an even faster and deeper fault analysis, saving considerable time and expenditure. They are at the cutting edge of digitalisation and that is where they aim to stay. PES: Hello Brigitte, it is my pleasure to Solar-LogTM and it’s great to have the largest energy service providers in welcome you to PES Solar. It’s been a while opportunity to get informed. The company Switzerland, for quite some time now and since we talked to someone from has been part of the BKW Group, one of the there was a change in the management of 26 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: DIGITALISATION Credit: Stanislav Erman restrictive policies. collected used? Brigitte Beck In Germany, for example, the 52 GW subsidy BB: Monitoring is essential to ensure the cap is making the further expansion of functionality and thus the financial efficiency the company last year. Would you first like photovoltaics very difficult for us. The strong of PV plants and PV fleets. A sensible energy to give our readers a brief overview of the movement to reduce CO2 emissions in management system must also be able to company? combination with the partial phase-out of coal reliably perform regulation and control tasks and nuclear power is promoting alternative in order to secure the return on the PV Brigitte Beck: Solare Datensysteme GmbH energy sources, and the PV industry is investment at all times. (SDS) has been very successfully active in the benefiting from this. global market for almost 15 years with its Solar-LogTM permanently processes the well-known Solar-LogTM brand. Since 2015, Progressive digitalisation and a wide range of collected data so that the monitored plant SDS has been part of the listed energy group services are constantly bringing new players can always be optimally controlled. We are BKW AG in Switzerland. We have developed onto the market. Here, too, competition is able to evaluate the anonymised data from from purely providing PV monitoring into a stimulating business and ensuring that the plants in order to advance the further provider covering the entire energy developments in the renewable energies field development of our products in a management spectrum. In 2019 and 2020, are advancing with a rapid pace of innovation. correspondingly customer-led manner. Our Solar-Log has taken further decisive steps servers are all located in Germany and into the future and is venturing into new PES: Please could you tell us about Norway, which guarantees the greatest dimensions with innovations in the hard and Solar-Log’s managing and monitoring possible data security. software sector. We have transformed, or systems? newly implemented processes, in order to PES: We have been hearing about your new develop even faster and closer to the market BB: Our self-developed hard and software WEB Enerest™ 4 portal, can you explain to and customers. covers all requirements for modern energy us what it is? management worldwide, irrespective of the In recent years we have supplemented our size of the respective plant and plant fleet, up BB: Solar-Log WEB EnerestTM 4 is a team of experts with numerous new to 2 MW and larger if required. completely new portal developed from specialists and managers with industry scratch that deploys cutting edge experience in order to implement the latest Intelligent plant control with solutions, for technologies. It was created during two years technologies. The networking with BKW has example, for optimising self-consumption, of extensive development work. The aim was been further expanded, resulting in a transfer feed-in management and the direct to create the best platform on the market of knowledge in both directions and many marketing of electricity are just as much a and provide plant operators with an even helpful synergy effects. part of our product portfolio as our faster and deeper fault analysis and save comprehensive range of services with our them considerable working time. PES: Would you say the solar/PV industry is Solar-Log™ WEB-4U platform for plant expanding at the moment? operators and investors. WEB 4 is extremely clear, absolutely intuitive to use and can be configured according to BB: Overall, yes, although the consequences PES: Monitoring is very important to our users’ preferences. We ensure this with many of the corona crisis will of course continue to industry, why is that and how is the data newly developed features. In short: accompany us for some time yet, the supply Solar-Log WEB EnerestTM 4 is intended to bottlenecks for solar modules are a case in become the installer’s best employee! point. Unfortunately, the situation in some markets is difficult due to indecisive and WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 27

ASK THE EXPERTS: DIGITALISATION PES: Why did Solar-LogTM decide to invest to integrate new features and tools. organism. That means it’s constantly considerable resources in building a new Occasional problems in the past are evolving. Here, too, it’s about offering users monitoring platform? therefore now passé and we are now very the greatest possible benefit with the least well positioned. The interaction of our new, possible personal effort. Updates are BB: We have become, if you will, victims of powerful hardware with the flexible software therefore made automatically; users do not our own success. With well over 300,000 leaves nothing to be desired for users. have to worry about them. New plants now monitored by Solar-Log™ functionalities are constantly being worldwide, it was foreseeable that we would PES: Can you tell us a little bit about the developed to meet the constantly changing eventually reach our performance limits with handling, is it complex to master or do you market requirements. the previous portal. need special training for it? PES: You have a customer-oriented Solar-Log™ is constantly evolving and with BB: User-friendliness was the main focus innovation process, how did this come the new platform we wanted to create the from the very beginning in developing the about and how does it work? basis for further future products and services new platform. In our opinion, a quickly relating to renewable energies. Now we are comprehensible and intuitive operation is BB: Involving future users in the development delighted about its unlimited performance essential nowadays. After all, users should be of the new WEB EnerestTM 4 at an early stage, and flexibility, including for future market able to work quickly and successfully with the has enabled us to implement their requirements. portal on a daily basis and not have to spend a suggestions and wishes in many ways. We lot of time familiarising themselves with it. have supplemented our know-how from PES: What are the technical benefits of the having the longest experience in the market new WEB 4, or is it just a graphical Simple handling, a clear structure, clear with that of our customers and external makeover? presentation and user-definable settings experts. After all, we wanted to develop a were right at the top of our developers’ product that was always practice-oriented BB: Everything about WEB EnerestTM 4 is specifications from the start. There were and not one that was created in an ivory tower. absolutely new! As already mentioned, it was also considerable demands regarding the developed from scratch to offer users the constantly changing access needs for During an elaborate beta phase prior to the optimum in usability, perfect overview and different users that allow graduated visibility release, installers, wholesalers and investors fast error analysis. Our development team and options, including with a variety of were able to continuously contribute their has created a completely new software options based on the latest security input, which provided us with many more architecture for WEB EnerestTM 4 and divided standards. valuable hints and tips that have been the individual services into a newly designed incorporated into the new portal. We have server landscape. PES: Are improvements and updates developed WEB 4 with our customers. We are imported automatically, or does the user therefore sure that it will meet the Availability and performance have become have to follow a special process? requirements of our customers in the long run. absolutely future-proof. This has enabled us BB: A portal like ours is in some ways a living 28 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: DIGITALISATION ‘The interaction of our new, powerful hardware with the flexible software leaves nothing to be desired for users.’ PES: What about customers currently using management and plant control. This is components. The new WEB 4 is accompanied the older version of the monitoring worthwhile and brings with it even greater by a raft of services that relieve customers of platform, can they automatically switch to cost efficiency. The existing ‘compatibility work and ensure yields. An example here is the new platform or is the system simply with almost all inverter manufacturers’ has direct marketing from a single source. updated here? been further developed as a unique feature. PES: What are your predictions for the BB: Of course, the existing portal can The open system platform integrates many solar/PV industry in general and your continue to be used for the time being. At the systems. In short: one portal, many company in particular for 2020, are there beginning of 2021 we will contact users of the currently any new projects? ‘previous’ portal who have not yet migrated to convince them to migrate with a simple, BB: Despite the Corona crisis, which of automated process, whereby the WEB course has also not left our industry EnerestTM 4 portal speaks for itself. For new unscathed, we are confident that we will customers it naturally makes sense to start continue to experience many technical right away with the new Solar-Log WEB innovations, not least from our company! EnerestTM 4. After all, the energy transition is not over, but PES: Why should prospective clients choose rather is only just beginning. We at your solutions, what makes Solar-LogTM Solar-LogTM will certainly do our part in stand out from the competition, what are helping to further disseminate the benefits in terms of cost and environmentally friendly energies and are performance? already positioning ourselves more broadly than in the past. Linking the individual BB: As already mentioned, we wanted to bring sectors in the energy industry will bring with a portal to the market with the highest it many new opportunities. possible benefits and manageable costs for users, which can also be configured flexibly. Digitalisation poses a considerable challenge for our industry in general and our company In addition to standard monitoring, which is in particular, but it also represents a great simple, fast and clear with WEB 4 and ensures opportunity. One thing is certain: there’s no long-term plant success, the new platform future without renewable energy! offers extensive possibilities for energy www.solar-log.com/en/ WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 29

ASK THE EXPERTS: COMPONENTS Bankability through smart solutions Over 1.6 billion connectors from Stäubli’s solar range have provided reliable connections all over the world since 1996. This represents a PV output of over 300 GW, which is almost impossible to believe. Matthias Mack, Director Global Alternative Energies and member of the Management Board at Stäubli, came to talk to PES about Stäubli Electrical Connectors, its company values and the future direction. PES: Welcome back to PES Solar. We have dedicated activities: Connectors, both fluid maintenance cost. had the pleasure of several interviews with and electrical, Robotics and Textile, founded your company, and have followed your in 1892. Safe and efficient products along the whole progress with great interest. As always, we electrical PV supply chain, from roof top have many new readers, for their benefit Stäubli Electrical Connectors, formerly installations to power optimizers and energy could you give us a brief history of Stäubli? Multi-Contact, is an experienced specialist storage, provide reliability and zero and market leader in electrical connectors for maintenance to increase the bankability of Matthias Mack: We are part of the Swiss photovoltaic solutions. We offer reliable, the project. family-owned Stäubli Group, a global long-lasting quality components and mechatronics solution provider with three services that help to reduce operational and PES: Is the solar PV industry still a growth area for you and why do you think this is? 30 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: COMPONENTS Matthias Mack the focus on capacity and sales development they relate to your work and employees? in the decentralized photovoltaics sector, MM: Decentralized photovoltaics will ensure technology costs will fall continuously. This MM: Creating value for our customers is at grid parity for solar power worldwide. With will transform photovoltaics from a luxury the heart of everything we do, this makes us good into a marketable and competitive a preferred and reliable partner. We have the economic good. Big global players will enter motivation to move forward, using our the game by advancing into the industry expertise and broad industry know-how to while high-quality components will win over improve productivity in the processes. To markets driven by ROI and bankability. ensure a clear added value to our customers’ efficiency and sustainability, we pursue We expect to see around 105 to 120 GW of structured workflows worldwide in all areas new PV capacity and more than 17 markets and locations. exceeding 1 GW of installation this year. Our Q1 sales figures and customer People make the difference, that is why we requests clearly underline this increased assign high value to a close exchange with market demand. our customers, which allows us to anticipate queries and propose improvements of Despite the current situation due to concepts, designs or implementation. This COVID-19, we see little change in the proximity keeps us at the pulse of events and short term and are convinced that the enables us to work out innovative solutions. predicted GW figures will be installed. For 2021 the forecasts are still vague, but we PES: How important a role does R&D remain optimistic. continue to play for you as a company? PES: We would like to know about the MM: R&D plays a paramount role in sustaining company values, what are they and how do our leading position in the industry. We take into consideration all aspects of the customer needs and the product portfolio when defining R&D projects. This covers a wide field from material and their interdependency, electrical aspects, safety aspects, product and quality improvement, but also gathering more information about our products and their behavior while in use. R&D is a discipline we do in-house, in close cooperation with our supply partners and also with highly reputable partner institutes in the academic world. All this with one aim, to serve the market with a robust and reliable product. PES: We would be interested to learn about new products and campaigns you are embarking upon currently, or in the near future: what technologies will be used and what are the benefits to the client? MM: A strong focus of our communication activities will be our holistic market approach based on the concept of bankability. In general, we will discuss measures for risk reduction through product solutions and services in relation to eBOS components. The goal is to minimize the LCOE by optimizing the balance between CAPEX & OPEX. However, we also aim at a communication that transports our conviction to do something sustainable for the future of renewable energies to the outside. A communication that underlines our attention to detail. We plan to expand our offering in terms of in-depth education through white papers, webinars and on-site training. Furthermore, we strive to provide smart solutions that go beyond the mere supply of connectors to support our customers in the best possible way. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 31

ASK THE EXPERTS: COMPONENTS Original MC4 PV connector; 300 GW PV capacity rely on more than 1.6 billion connectors. PES: How do you test new products to Therefore, the right decisions have to be Furthermore, Stäubli’s presence in markets ensure they are durable and perform to a made at early stages of a PV project. Wrong with a wide scope of requirements, enables high standard, this must be particularly choices in planning, due to lack of knowledge us to provide solutions adapted to real-life challenging with the variation in climatic or low quality components, can cause uses. With such long-standing industry conditions and different norms in various unexpected loss of production or potential know-how, we also know how to cope with parts of the world? safety issues during the lifecycle of a PV today’s challenges in the face of COVID-19. system. Bear in mind: The smallest MM: We are a certified manufacturer and component can be systematically relevant In the short term, our focus now is on pride ourselves in meeting all the and put the whole system at risk at the same maintaining all important operations in requirements of the respective markets and time. Stäubli is this one partner whose terms of logistics and supply chain – local regulations. Complying with products you can entirely rely on. customer care is still of utmost concern as international standards goes without saying well. We want to adapt as flexibly as possible and is fundamental for us. For this reason, we PES: We know Stäubli is a global player, are to the market in China, the epicenter of the assure that our products meet or exceed there any markets that you would like to global PV industry, and handle uncertainties relevant industry standards. break into? in a professional and agile way. We attach great importance to field data, MM: In fact, our PV products are already On mid- and long term, we expect to return testing according to customer specifications present via the vast majority of global OEM to the pathway we have been on since and long-term in-house testing. Our own suppliers for all types of PV systems. For this 2018/2019. This offers steady annual test laboratories worldwide are regularly reason, we can proudly claim to already have growth rates for PV, with Asia as the most reviewed by the national and international global coverage with our PV portfolio. powerful growth engine. This allows us to standard organizations. At the same time, we remain optimistic when it comes to the participate actively in the relevant standards Environmental issues have played a major development of the PV industry in the near committees and can therefore quickly adapt role in this. Public awareness has increased future and makes us proud to contribute to to changes. considerably, with most people agreeing that making photovoltaics the key technology in alternative energy sources need to be used. the transition from conventional energy PES: Why should a prospective client sources to renewable ones. choose you, what makes your products What we aim for is to maintain this global stand out from the competition? presence. We will certainly look at some www.staubli.com specific markets and invest in such a way that MM: The attention Stäubli pays to every detail it becomes as easy as possible to do business About the product is what creates trust and makes us a bankable with Stäubli. This encompasses measures in partner and supplier of reliable components to all aspects of marketing and sales of the The original MC4: Its excellent keep your PV installation up and running Stäubli PV portfolio. characteristics have made the MC4 - MC = efficiently and safely. By choosing Stäubli, Multi-Contact, the ‘de facto standard’ for customers benefit from profound expertise, PES: Apart from the corona crisis, where do connectors throughout the world for over extensive support and long-life connectors you see the challenges for Stäubli in 18 years. that help to obtain a low LCOE. 2020/2021? What has been achieved so far and how do you see the market developing? The heart of every connection is the tried There are several reasons that make Stäubli and tested stable MULTILAM Technology, the partner of choice for eBOS components. MM: We have over 56 years of practical which guarantees consistently low With us, you are entering into a long-term experience in producing reliable electrical performance loss throughout the service partnership built on reliability, dynamism and connectors for different industries. The life of the connector. exceptional quality in both products and first industrial photovoltaic connector services. Stäubli is more than ‘just’ a product (MC3) was introduced by Stäubli in 1996 The MC4 meets the conditions for the or a system component and this is what really followed by the original MC4 in 2002 setting IP65 and IP68 degrees of protection and is matters in the complexity of a PV project; all the quasi industry ‘standard’ ever since. approved for use within a temperature the details to mitigate the risk and to ensure During this time, more than 300 GW of PV range of –40°C to +85°C (IEC and UL, 1500 V). the return on investment of a PV system. capacity, or almost 50% of the PV power worldwide, has been successfully installed The impact-resistant polycarbonate This can only be achieved through secured using over 1.6 billion original MC4 housing can withstand UV radiation, salt efficiency in the long term on the basis of connectors from Stäubli spray and ammonia vapors. high-quality components and workmanship. Electrical Connectors. 32 PES SOLAR

Vacuum solutions for battery manufacturing Pfei er Vacuum provides dry and oil-sealed standard and ATEX pumps for drying processes (coils) under vacuum or pre-evacuation prior to electrolyte filling. We also o er leak testing systems with air and tracer gases for components (e. g. cell covers), cells, modules, packs and coolant circuits. Pfei er Vacuum o ers solutions for the following process steps: ■ Drying ■ Filling under vacuum ■ Leak testing in various processes Are you looking for a perfect vacuum solution? Please contact us: Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH · Germany · T +49 6441 802-0 · www.pfeiffer-vacuum.com

CORPORATE FOCUS Manufacturing power electronics in Switzerland for more than 30 years Studer exhibitions 2: Booth design in the early years. Photo credit: Studer Innotec From its beginning, Studer has been in the forefront of battery-based systems. Despite the constant evolution of the sector, and the arrival of new competitors, Studer has kept a leading position. All manufacturing is carried out in Switzerland, to the highest quality standards. Serge Remy, Head of Sales, gave PES a look back of over 30 years of history and bringing us right up to the present day. Serge Remy 34 PES SOLAR

CORPORATE FOCUS Studer´s innovations stood out because they didn’t stop with a mere invention; rather, they established a place for themselves in the market with new products, solutions and services. In 1998 Studer created the very first inverter/ charger compact all-in-one integrated solar charge controller. Over the next decade, business expanded worldwide to other applications within the renewable energy sector such as mobile, back-up and telecom systems. On the eve of 2000, the local player Studer Innotec became a global player. Pure innovation From the very beginning, Studer has been defined by its innovativeness. This is the quality that actually gave birth to our company. The following decade brought the first Xtender multi-unit system, which was the start of a series of products for the optimizing the use of available energy, either as an off-grid inverter, battery charger, current injector, or support to an AC source. The Xtender is a high-tech device and a key player in the management of an energy system. Swiss made power Developed, manufactured and tested in our facility in Sion, in the middle of the Alps, all Studer´s products ensure Swiss quality. This means we have full control of the development and the manufacturing process, right through to the final testing of every single product before it’s dispatched. Maximum power available In 2014 Studer once again challenged the market, with the introduction of the Varioring, the first high voltage MPPT solar charge controller, which offered the highest The pioneer years The very first exhibition in Switzerland, 1989. Photo credit: Studer Innotec Here is the story of a company which started small, in a tiny country called Switzerland. The man who founded this company in 1987, Roland Studer, had a great idea: to offer high value power electronics to a brand-new market, which then was still in its youth and to offer it beyond the frontier of Switzerland. Of course, it was solar photovoltaic. The first solar charge controller 200Wp with analog display is born Only one year after, the first device was improved and got up to to 300Wp, incorporating a digital display. The belle epoque During the 90´s, Studer grew exponentially and developed its first sine wave inverter. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 35

CORPORATE FOCUS A design concept image of next, the new device that Studer will launch later this year. to Serge Remy, Head of sales, who has been Photo credit: Studer Innotec with the company for more than 20 years. efficiency and the fastest regulation for We ensure that our products will meet and PES: Hi Serge, please tell us how you similar products on the market. All this, exceed the needs of the sustainable markets think the sector has evolved over the last allowing for the longest life possible of the of tomorrow. three decades. battery. To round off this period, Studer was the winner of the International Solar award, With an eye on our latest device, and with SR: Well, the solar sector quickly progressed recognizing its work over the years. more than 30 years of experience behind us, to grid-tied applications, and focused on the whole production process has been maximizing energy production. Since the Studer took another step forward modernized, we are proud to underline that beginning Studer designed and planned introducing new battery technologies. Thus, we have upheld our values since the first day. devices for battery-based systems. proving to be adjustable to any environment However, the industry only recently turned and situation. All of the products are now Later this year Studer will be launching its towards battery storage and really only since compatible with Lithium, NiFe, RedoxFlow new advanced and revolutionary product line the appearance of the self-consumption and and Saltwater batteries, making the product called next, with next3. electrical vehicle applications. even more versatile. This new solution combines the latest This has resulted in a big jump in terms of battery Thirty years later, our users can rely not only technology, ensuring high performance technology evolution. While storage is a new on the products, but also on our reliable and maximum design flexibility for the field for many people, it has been the core presence and after sales support for the entire system. element of our installations since the beginning. duration. Studer Innotec is a family company. We find ourselves in a very interesting position, To learn a little more about Studer, PES spoke as experts for battery-based systems, our track record is a great asset. PES: How has the customer profile changed since you first began? SR: Our first customers were involved in small off-grid installations for very specific applications: mountain huts and isolated households. Then the device proved to be a great solution for off-grid mobile applications, such as boats, camping cars, etc. Then with the boom in self-consumption, especially in Germany for us, our devices started to be used in the residential sector and attracted the interest of bigger clients and bigger sectors. However, our philosophy has always been the same, and that’s why the common point between all our clients is loyalty. We have been working with many of them for over 20 years. Studer exhibitions 1: Welcoming clients to one the first Solar exhibitions. Photo credit: Studer Innotec 36 PES SOLAR

CORPORATE FOCUS Studer lab: The laboratory where Roland Studer manufactured its first device. Photo credit: Studer Innotec PES: Studer manufactures all of its products factory, with a simple software upgrade it specialization in the sector makes us experts in Switzerland. How does the relocation could fit in a very modern installation with at problem solving! trend of similar products affect you? lithium batteries and Modbus communication, including a Scada system. It may sound strange, but we love challenges! SR: Our products are conceived to be The Xtender changed the way the energy was Our motto is ‘if there is no solution, we help installed and operated, where the most managed in a system. you find one’. important aspect to bear in mind, is the lifetime installation cost of maximizing the PES: As a small or medium-sized enterprise, www.studer-innotec.com amount of energy available and ensuring the how does Studer manage to be present longest battery lifetime. Our products are throughout the international scene? Join Studer, test innovation! designed to perform for the long run. SR: Studer reaches the different markets Highlights: We address markets, where cost saving over through a network of more than 120 partners the system lifetime offsets upfront cost. around the globe. We are certainly a business • S tuder Innotec is a family company, Of course, we have to offer further to business company; we therefore rely on which joins Swiss technology together differentiation, which we do through our local partners to sell our products. with the Swiss culture of excellence and innovation and an outstanding service to reliability, to offer only the best our customers. Many of them I´m proud to say have been working with us for the past 20 years. So, • W ith several hundred thousand units PES: What would you say was the turning they are our eyes and hands where we manufactured and running all over the point at Studer Innotec? personally do not reach. world, our products are applicable in any field and are at the same time SR: Definitely, the Xtender. The first smart PES: How does the Support Team, which designed to fit special applications battery inverter-charger, which resulted in a you always highlight, respond to a certain swiss-knife kind of concept. The same device demand? • F rom the beginning Studer has was used in a variety of different dedicated its know-how and innovation applications, different contexts and regions, SR: Well, we like to highlight this support, to the battery-based systems. It is our and it has evolved along with the sector. because first of all its personalized. One of expertise and it will be our focus for the our team will follow the request right through years to come If we take the first Xtender produced at our until the end. And then of course our WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 37

TALKING POINT FIMER Headquarter

TALKING POINT Shaping the future of solar Following the acquisition and integration of ABB’s solar inverter business, completed in the first quarter of 2020, FIMER took a decisive step forward in its strategy. Leonardo Botti, Head of Global Sales and Product Management explains how FIMER is shaping a new era in solar as digitalization will level the energy playing field, enhance Distributed Energy Resources (DER) operations and propel solar adoption. Leonardo Botti Thanks to its distributed nature, reliable energy but on how it can be controlled, performance and competitiveness, solar integrated and balanced through In a global scenario where the demand for energy will continue this trajectory. digitalization and artificial intelligence to renewable energy is constantly growing, solar create powerful energy sharing models. has the power to shape new and progressive In the future, the energy market will energy models for a sustainable world. experience a massive surge in energy The high penetration of PV combined with diversification and solar will be a key power digital technologies, microgrids and Recent reports indicate that, in the current source supporting all business models advancements in storage are already causing climate, demand for renewable sources are effectively, including energy generation and a seismic shift in maximizing holding their own with several MW distributed energy resources (DERs) to self–consumption through solar, boosting investments taking place in territories such self-consumption and peer-2-peer (P2P) Virtual Power Plants (VPP) via the as Spain, South East Asia and the Middle East technology. Geographical limitations will also prosumer mechanism. with solar being one of the principle be reduced, as solar today is much more energy sources.* effective and viable even in areas where the But we want to challenge the status quo and sun irradiation levels are modest or in hilltop breakdown barriers in terms of locations thanks to new topologies and interoperability. We want to explore new advanced technologies which can boost wave consumption and storage models which energy harvesting. focus not just on feeding into the grid, but importantly adding value through smart FIMER’s industrial 80-year heritage and energy management. Today and in the entrepreneurial spirit to drive forward a new future, deeply controlling the energy flow will era in solar, has ensured that its expertise be a must as this will turn into efficiency and and tenacity is reflected across its new profitability of the complete system. central and string inverter technologies for installers, EPCs and developers within Open source technologies, compatibility and residential, commercial and utility scale integration with legacy systems, as well as PV projects. combining solar with other renewable energy sources will drive adoption among residential In this new era, FIMER will also focus on and commercial PV projects. The significant investment in R&D with product aggregation of multiple energy stakeholders renewals and digitalization to increase the in energy communities is already a reality and value and adoption of solar. there is no doubt it will increase. At FIMER, we are investing heavily to support this Energy sharing models direction with our smart string inverter solutions which are already deployed on Today, the solar industry needs to pivot, and several projects throughout Europe and not only focus on how it can produce cleaner rest of world. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 39

TALKING POINT Distributed Energy Resources (DER) grid operators will need to deeply integrate Greater yields, faster deployments DER and look at the bigger picture. PV In addition to the growing prosumer inverter solutions will play a key role at grid Through digitalization, utilities can now movement, the increasing difficulty of grid level as the inverters can work manage the demanding performance operator codes in managing emerging simultaneously as the local power converter expectations and increasing complexity of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), is and energy gateway to ensure seamless and modern energy systems that will form the pushing the industry to adopt a smarter best in class integration and system smart grids of the future. approach with more intelligence needed performance. from an integrated smart environment. There are already several benefits for To further enhance system efficiency, grid customers and system integrators using DER projects are growing fast. By 2050, DER operators need to interact and communicate digital management platforms including penetration is likely to be more than seamlessly with inverters to correctly improved operational performance, 60 percent of the energy market. Western implement the demand response using efficiency and productivity through countries are already paving the way, but digitalization. Peak shaving, ancillary enhanced uptime, speed and yield. other territories are following closely.** services reduction and deferring transmission and distribution upgrades are With greater yields, quicker project Reduced environmental impact, lower just some of the achievements possible by deployments in days and not just weeks, emissions, greater grid flexibility, acceptance demand response. along with greater demand, it is fair to say of energy storage and the rise of microgrid that digitalization in solar has a bright future. environments featuring solar plus other For utilities which have traditionally been renewables, are delivering versatile and focused on supply and demand, the growth Have you started to enhance your inverter flexible energy options. And yet many of of DERs, convergence of energy storage and solutions through digitalization? Are you these projects are still creating significant renewable penetration provide viable looking to introduce digitalization? What are challenges for grid operators with greater opportunities to pivot and future proof the challenges you are facing? We would like complexity to manage integration of business models. to hear your thoughts on how we can shape a renewable energy and build profitable new era for solar together as we look to business models as they transition. Historically, utilities played the role of support and answer some of those questions ‘Energy Provider’ in an almost monopolistic with our solutions. Digitalization will ensure DERs provide safe, way, which is no longer valid thanks to reliable and affordable power to their millions of VPPs spread across all countries. * https://www.ft.com/content/205e5a30-4aba-4b9e- customers through agile management and In fact, utilities have changed and are b27d-cc8a654ff684 system visibility provided by AI and IoT adapting their business models, still platforms. supporting the end users but acting as ** https://arena.gov.au/blog/what-are-distribute- ‘Energy Service Providers’ instead. To understand complexity and assure supply, energy-resources/ www.fimer.com 40 PES SOLAR

MORE THAN A MANUFACTURER IT‘S A BRAND www.mounting-systems.com

TALKING POINT Cleaning solar panels: an evolution The craze for solar panels begins in the 1980s. Following the oil shocks, electricity produced by ‘alternative’ sources appears to be an effective long- term solution. The first MW of production at the world level is reached in 1999. The United States, a pioneer in the field to the point of owning 21% of the total photovoltaic surface area in 1983, is quickly caught up by Germany, and today by China, which now produces 29.7% of the world’s solar energy (figures from 2017). A directly correlated issue to the rising number of solar panels is their long-term maintenance in order to ensure ongoing efficiency. Therefore, the way to keep them clean. At the time of the photovoltaic ‘boom’, widespread opinion is that solar panels do solar panel producers is commonly accepted, knowledge about the maintenance of solar not need to be cleaned because ‘wind and although experiences with other objects left panels is very limited. Until 2010, the most rain water clean them’. This argument by outside over a period of time seem to prove it 42 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT wrong. For example, a car parked outside will without damaging the panel. However, these brushes still require a person show traces of dirt despite being subject to working at a height on the installation, rain and wind. This efficient cleaning system for small, to especially in the case of roof-installed panels. very small installations, quickly shows its The risks associated with working at a height After several years of using solar panels, limits with the arrival of increasingly larger are therefore not ruled out. owners of solar power plants begin to notice plants. The cost of labour and cleaning time a drop in production and fouling of the reduce the profitability of the cleaning At the same time, brushes dedicated to solar installed panels. In some regions of the world, operation. However, this method is still panels are developed for the type of ‘solar where dirt accumulates rapidly under the preferred today for small and very small field’ installations: a brush is fixed at the end effect of wind while maintaining a high installations, or in some countries with low of the line and cleans the row assigned to it. degree of sunshine, values of decrease in workhour rates. This invention is adapted to solar fields energy production of up to -30% are installed in deserts, with constant and detected. Similarly, many professional solar panel significant dust, profitable single line activity. cleaners think first of equipping themselves However, being less use for other installation As there is no solution available on the with manual brushes. This is of course for types, it remains tied to a very specific market at this time, the job of cleaning the financial reasons and despite the physical market. So due to the lack of a more efficient technical surface of the solar panels is given constraint of such cleaning. The innovation solution, installations whose assembly, or to professional cleaners. Due to the following this development is the rotating quantity do not allow the use of this type of sensitivity and high investment costs of the brush, which reduce the drudgery of the work brush still have to be cleaned by hand. solar panels, cleaners exclusively use and speed up the process somewhat. manual brushes. Not knowing yet the impact The first cleaning robots make their of machine cleaning on solar panels, it is Working on the same principle as manual appearance in 2015, with the rise in the believed to be the safest way to clean brushes, they clean more efficiently. market of professionals dedicated to cleaning solar panels. As large installations are now the norm, for example shadings over car parks, on building roofs, etc., more modern cleaning techniques are becoming imperative. Most of the robots operate with a power supply connection and their ability to clean on inclines is limited. Moreover, these robots require cherry pickers to be lifted onto the solar panels, increasing the cost of use and shortening the effective cleaning time. Only a few years later does the technology develop further and robots become suitable for the vast majority of installations. In 2017, SolarCleano shakes up the market by launching its first robot: SolarCleano F1 (Fast One), the only robot designed for maximum convenience and the safety of the operators. Making the use of cradles obsolete, encouraging safe work from the ground, the robot shows a perfect understanding of the daily life and needs of professional cleaners. Its speed of execution makes it possible to follow the movement of an increasing number of solar panel installations of all sizes and types: floating, on the ground, on the roof, on solar trackers etc. Available in several versions, mini for small installations, with 2.2m brushes for increased capacity, SolarCleano reaches out to every need in the solar panel cleaning market. At present, there are several solutions for cleaning solar panels. Although their efficiency has been surpassed by robots, manual brushes continue to meet with some success with cleaners, as they allow easy and precise cleaning of even the smallest installations. Several solutions are competing for the market of large solar installations in the form of fields, which are developing particularly fast in Arab and Maghreb countries. This is of course the ‘one brush one panel’ WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 43

TALKING POINT solution described above, but other solutions cleaning with a single brush and an operator and on the supply of fuel for the tractor. are already in place, such as large tractor- who moves from one row to another by mounted brushes. When the distance tractor. However, this solution depends on Robots of different sizes and capacities clean between rows of panels is sufficient, this the availability of the solar panels in medium to large installations, with specific solution offers the advantage of quick sufficiently spaced rows, on human presence features for each brand. Different systems are used, suction cups or skids, with varying results and capacities. Some models incorporate additional technologies to manage panel maintenance in addition to cleaning. Others, such as SolarCleano, include additional options to extend the cleaning capabilities: wheels to stabilize the robot on floating panels, lights and camera to allow cleaning despite low light conditions. Lastly, some companies, among them SolarCleano, are starting up solutions to get to the next step of solar panel cleaning: automatic cleaning of solar panels, with as little human input as possible. Several types of automated versions are considered: a ‘teach and repeat’ system that would automatize the cleaning of specific solar installations, by memorizing the cleaning path used in the past, an automatic detection of the edges of a solar field for cleaning with random cleaning paths… Cleaners keep their eyes open every day as the market is evolving fast. SolarCleano still has many projects in the pipeline. Every year, solar panel cleaning robots experience new innovations! We are looking forward to many more productive years, to bring clarity to many more panels around the world. www.solarcleano.com 44 PES SOLAR

M1 F1 Usable • E cient cleaning in one passage thanks to 2 sets by one person of brushes, in combination between 4 brushes independently adapted in function of the dirt • Fastest robots on the market: up to 1600 m²/hour • Available in di erent sizes and configurations to • Adapt to all panel types with inclination up to 25° suit every installation and cleaning necessity • Lightweight, battery-powered, remote-controlled and fully modular Available with multiple accessories Safety glider for high inclinations, LED lamps for cleaning during nighttime, Extra sets of brush for dry cleaning, softer cleaning, harder cleaning… Rollers for cleaning of floating panels Request a demo at [email protected] SolarCleano s.à.r.l Follow us 43-45 ZA Op Zaemer 4959 Bascharage, Luxembourg solarcleano T: +352 28 80 69 www.solarcleano.com/





ASK THE EXPERTS: TECHNOLOGY Reliable, flexible, personalized and collaborative solutions Voyager Oregon 150 MW Portfolio PES dropped in on Tony Etnyre, the CEO at FTC Solar, Inc, a new company, with a very experienced, committed team. Their latest PV tracking system, Voyager, is easy to install, cost effective and suitable to use on the most challenging sites. Their close collaboration with their customers is of paramount importance and flexibility is their watchword. PES: Hi Tony, it’s a pleasure to welcome you abroad. FTC Solar was established in 2017 coupled with the software and engineering to PES Solar. Would you like to begin by with a team of solar professionals who had services we provide, meet that need. Our giving our readers a brief overview of FTC been involved in designing and building solar mission is to provide high performance, low Solar, Inc? plants for over a decade. We were convinced cost PV tracking systems that are easy to there was a need to build a better, more install, minimize BOS costs and are suitable Tony Etnyre: The team at FTC Solar has simplified single axis tracker for the global for a wide range of site conditions. industry leading experience designing, market. developing, supplying, and deploying over 4 PES: Would you say the solar/PV industry is GW of single axis trackers across the US and We believe the Voyager Single Axis Tracker, expanding at the moment? 48 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: TECHNOLOGY Tony Etnyre TE: The data is very clear: global solar our Voyager Tracker, we focused on our installations continue to grow year over year. historical perspective as a plant designer and PV modules power increases, invertor sizing construction team. From that experience we improvements, and the growth of single axis know product cost is important, but what tracker deployments are making solar plant mattered was the trackers impact to the construction more efficient and more total system cost and production. affordable to build than ever before. Our goal was to drive our customers The industry used to rely on government installation cost, provide design flexibility subsidies and people trying to do the right and land utilization efficiency, impact the thing for our environment. Economics are total balance of systems cost, and provide now the primary driver for the scale of PV the most optimized structure for the trend to buildout we are currently seeing. This bifacial modules. Voyager delivers that with a industry will continue to expand dramatically 2 in Portrait, 60-meter-long row, with a based on the economics alone. balanced 4 string architecture, while being the simplest, most efficient tracker to PES: Please could you tell us about your construct. Simply put, we designed Voyager for Voyager tracking solution? reliability, performance and ease of install. TE: When we set out with a clean sheet for PES: What are the technical benefits of the new Voyager, or is it just make over of an existing tracker? TE: We believe Voyager has significant technical and system cost benefits. We noticed that the cost of the overall system continued to come down, while the cost of labor remained relatively flat. We put an immense amount of time and research into making this the fastest 2P tracker to install. It was also designed to fit a project’s unique characteristics such as poor soils, land constraints, and topo challenges. Voyager can be deployed on the most challenging sites. The tracker is shorter than most, it has a has a range of motion up to +/-60° and can accommodate Ground Coverage Ratios (GCR) anywhere from 20-65%. With roughly 40% fewer foundations than standard 1P trackers, we’ve seen a lot of traction on projects with poor subsurface conditions or rocky soils. Voyager has reliable communications architecture between the row, zone and site controllers, providing communication and data redundancy. The tracker has a self- powered drive and control system with 3-day autonomy. This mitigates interruptions, ensures reliable operation even during grid downtime events, and means that there is no need to run any auxiliary power to the trackers. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 49

ASK THE EXPERTS: TECHNOLOGY Voyager 52 MW Vietnam Project Trackers have expanded the utility solar we had a system that was able to withstand market which has in-turn been growing and aeroelastic instability. PES: Why are trackers so important in adding legitimacy to the solar industry as our industry? a whole. Although it took us roughly one and a half years to develop the system, we feel TE: Trackers allow for increased energy PES: Did you encounter any challenges extremely confident that our damping production vs a fixed tilt system. Trackers during the development phase? technology, which is IP protected, is able to can increase the production of a site by cope with this sort of wind instability. anywhere from 15-25%, depending on the TE: We encountered many challenges local solar resource. This results in higher designing our tracker. The biggest problem PES: Customers are always asking suppliers ROI’s and lower LCOEs, it can make all the to date has been failures on the 2P systems and partners to be as ‘flexible’ as possible, difference in getting a project financed. that have not adequately accounted for wind both in terms of the product itself, as well instability. Therefore, we spent a lot of time as the application. What does ‘flexible’ Trackers are not the right solution for every with 3rd party wind experts to help us ensure mean to FTC? scenario, but as costs have fallen so has the trade-off between tracker and fixed tilt. Voyager Golden Row Installation Training 50 PES SOLAR