PES Solar 1 2023

SOLAR/PV Kostal Solarnative GmbH VelociWrapper Conference Call Cost-effective energy Why have micro-inverter- Simple yet effective As PV manufacturing production and storage based rooftop installations solutions to very experiences a for a greener tomorrow still not caught on in Europe? common problems in renaissance in Europe, all the solar sector eyes are on Portugal for EU PVSEC from 18th to 22nd September The latest news, views and highlights from the world of solar and PV. How are the latest product developments aiding the journey to carbon neutrality? PES gains insight from some of the sector’s pioneers and leading names. PLUS our regular helping of opinion, reflection, analysis and innovative thinking. POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 1, 2023 A MEASURE OF SUCCESS Rapid industry growth and expansion like never before sees unrivalled market & technology progress & advancement



EDITOR’S NOTE SOLAR/PV Kostal Solarnative GmbH VelociWrapper Conference Call Cost-effective energy Why have micro-inverter- Simple yet effective As PV manufacturing production and storage based rooftop installations solutions to very experiences a for a greener tomorrow still not caught on in Europe? common problems in renaissance in Europe, all the solar sector eyes are on Portugal for EU PVSEC from 18th to 22nd September The latest news, views and highlights from the world of solar and PV. How are the latest product developments aiding the journey to carbon neutrality? PES gains insight from some of the sector’s pioneers and leading names. PLUS our regular helping of opinion, reflection, analysis and innovative thinking. POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 1, 2023 A MEASURE OF SUCCESS Rapid industry growth and expansion like never before sees unrivalled market & technology progress & advancement Editor’s note POWER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS We hope that this, our first issue of 2023 finds you well. Directors As another year begins it promises to be one of rapid growth and therefore likely change Stuart Gillies too, for all involved in the solar industry. From the manufacturers to the end users, our Mark Wilson reliance on solar energy has never been greater or of more significance. Stefann Perrigot Rising electricity and gas prices, the war in Ukraine and world economic uncertainty are Client Liaison Manager all ongoing and are all playing a role in fueling the speed with which we are turning to Vikki Birch renewable energy as the viable alternative. As always, solar leads the way in this transition. Solar panels on rooftops were not that long ago quite a rare sight. Today, they Editor are quickly becoming the norm. Of course, technology must continue to develop to keep Elaine Perrigot up with this demand and ensure continuity in supply and I am pleased to say that within [email protected] the pages of this issue of PES Solar we see industry players doing just that. Associate Editors So the technology continues to progress and projects grow as the sector works together Stephen Pearson towards maximum efficiency. Alongside reliability, cost reductions are another common Zachary George goal and something that R&D departments of the leading companies around the globe have firmly within their sights as they work to advance technology even further. Design Andrew Jenkins It is our pleasure, in this issue, to bring you up to date with some of these advances in [email protected] well-established technologies, as well as shining light on new thinking and innovations, from installation and maintenance to data sharing and analytics. Production Paul Lawson Unsurprisingly, given our increasing use of and reliance on solar energy, storage and [email protected] effective management continue to be hot topics. This is an area of the market that still holds enormous potential, for cost savings and so much more. Sales Enquiries [email protected] We are proud to bring you our usual blend of opinion, exclusive interviews and product news, along with industry round-ups of key developments and innovations. General Enquiries [email protected] Excitement is building too in Europe ahead of two of the leading shows in the sector for 2023. The exhibition calendar begins in the Netherlands in March, at Solar Solutions Media Partnership Enquiries International / Green Heating Solutions. In its tenth anniversary year, the combined trade [email protected] fair promises to be a real highlight. Advertising Opportunities And of course, later in the year it will be time to head to Portugal for EU PVSEC, where the [email protected] agenda will include discussions and clever-thinking around the rise and rise of solar power production. Readers can find out more about both conferences in this issue, including an PES is published by P&G Media Ltd exclusive PES invitation to register for free to Solar Solutions International / Green Heating Solutions. P&G Media Ltd PO Box 310, Bristol, BS10 5WT, We look forward to seeing you in person in 2023 at some of our favourite venues around the world and to bringing you a wealth of information, news and opinions from across the United Kingdom sector in future issues. This publication is copyright © 2017 P&G Media Ltd and Elaine Perrigot may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole Editor or in part without the prior permission of P&G Media Ltd. While every care has been taken during the preparation of this publication, P&G Media cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information published herein or any consequence arising from it. From sustainably managed forests. For more information visit: www.pefc.org www.pessolar.com WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 3

CONTENTS 12 Is it really possible to produce and store 46 While Europe is still stuck with Ingenuity through simplicity. cost-effective electricity without being inflexible string-inverter solutions, 54 Discussing simple yet effective dependent on electricity suppliers and installers and homeowners in solutions to very common problems in the industry, with in an environmentally friendly way? many other parts of the world have VelociWrapper®, that may well have you asking ‘why didn’t I The latest innovation from KOSTAL recognized the benefits of micro- think of that?’ may have made this vision much closer inverter-based rooftop installations to reality. long ago. Solarnative GmbH looks at the advantages that Europe, so far, is missing out on. SOLAR/PV Kostal Solarnative GmbH VelociWrapper Conference Call 2022 was the year of terawatt solar power. With one TW installed worldwide, 14 there are now ambitious targets to reach the next TW within just three Cost-effective energy Why have micro-inverter- Simple yet effective As PV manufacturing production and storage based rooftop installations solutions to very experiences a years. As PV manufacturing experiences a renaissance in Europe, a global for a greener tomorrow still not caught on in Europe? common problems in renaissance in Europe, all platform dedicated to these discussions is the EU PVSEC from 18th to 22nd the solar sector eyes are on Portugal for September in Lisbon, Portugal. EU PVSEC from 18th to 22nd September The latest news, views and highlights from the world of solar and PV. How are the latest product developments aiding the journey to carbon neutrality? PES gains insight from some of the sector’s pioneers and leading names. PLUS our regular helping of opinion, reflection, analysis and innovative thinking. POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 1, 2023 8 The combined trade fair Solar Solutions International / Green Heating Solutions is well known in the world of sustainable professionals. This year, A MEASURE OF SUCCESS the trade fair is celebrating its tenth anniversary, with over 275 exhibitors and more than 13,000 visitors expected to attend Expo Greater Amsterdam in the Netherlands from 14th to Thursday 16th March. Rapid industry growth and expansion like never before sees unrivalled market & technology progress & advancement 18 With the pace of the industry shifting up a gear, new projects and technologies are implemented and PV plants are upgraded much more frequently to optimise energy yields. PES spoke to Kees Hoogendijk, Managing Director of EKO Instruments Europe B.V., to find out how manufacturers are able to respond to this demand. PES Essential Ask the experts 88 Fuel prices are rising exponentially 32 Managing remote power systems is a 72 At a time when the world is increasingly across the world and demand for challenge, but an increasingly necessary relying on green energy including solar, cleaner, cheaper electric vehicles is one. Fortunately, there are new any unpredictability has the potential growing. We thought it was a good time hardware and software technologies to cause problems. PES sat down with to catch up with Soltaro CEO Tynan emerging that will allow solar electric Travis Snyder, Product Manager at Solis Coles, to get his take on the market, the system optimization in the field while Europe to find out how it is reacting to opportunities it presents for the solar reducing downtimes, without being an increased need for solutions that industry and what uptake has been like on-site. Morningstar Corporation insulate electrical users and generators so far. takes a look. to avoid energy outages. 102 Solar panels are becoming increasingly 78 With the growing season approaching, part of our everyday world, so PES caught up with Renu Robotics’ ensuring they blend seamlessly into CEO Tim Matus to find out the latest their surroundings is key. PES looks on autonomous technology in the solar at some possible solutions for color industry and how it can help solve issues solar modules with Sebastian Barth, around vegetation while keeping costs Business Development Manager and energy use in check. Electronic Materials, at Merck. 4 PES SOLAR

CONTENTS 26 60 Talking point 82 Solar panel maintenance is crucial for Think tank 6 Producing over 560 GWh of energy 22 While the European demand for Solar ensuring that the installed photovoltaic annually, the Baynouna solar park is system remains in great working PV soars, why hasn’t the Solar PV helping Jordan achieve its objective of condition, but many problems can go industry raced forward to scale up? meeting 50% of its electricity needs unnoticed for some time and may end Norwegian Crystals argues that the from renewables by 2030. Creating up being quite costly to fix. Hoymiles conundrum is that European companies enough energy to power 160,000 has put together a handy care guide, and investors face a high business homes, this is a large-scale project, with easy-to-follow steps. risk in establishing a sustainable solar with involvement from Masdar, that upstream manufacturing value chain. is also providing jobs and economic 94 G rowth is rapid, demand is strong and opportunities for the area. 50 A stable power supply is the focus of technology is advancing, but letting high 26 As market demand for solar increases, standards slip now is an unthinkable current energy debates. The ultimate option for those companies who are goal is to become independent of fossil so companies within the sector are innovating in the solar sector. Ultra- fuels. However, the change from a few expanding their premises and their black double-glass panels present an centralised energy producers to many product ranges. Among these is opportunity to offer customers the best decentralised ones means a complete Mounting Systems GmbH, a business of all worlds. Belinus looks at where reorganisation of the power grid. that is taking its solutions for pitches might this innovation go next. Solar- Log explores the potential and flat roofs to new heights. challenges and possible solutions. 98 Shifting environmental factors 38 There are common, and intertwined, 64 As Schmid introduces inline single side constantly challenge the efficiency of misconceptions in the PV industry about solar arrays; dust, debris and shade can wet processes along with Atmospheric string inverters today, including the drastically lower power output. With a Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition ‘Christmas light effect’ and the ‘weakest conventional string inverter system, doped glass layers. What are the module in the string’ theory. SMA the least-performing module benefits of these doped glass layers, America helps put the record straight. determines the productivity of the instead of conventional gas tube entire array. APsystems explores an diffusion? 42 As energy is one of the leading costs for alternative option. Corporate focus operating a warehouse, solar can play 106 There is lots of talk about power 60 The transformation from fossil to a crucial role in lowering these costs. Now, many logistics companies are shortages and how we can produce solar and climate-neutral energy planning for another huge challenge: even more power through solar or wind. generation is a huge task. Integrating transitioning company car fleets to fully However, there is another source of sustainability into our entire life cycle electric vehicles. SolarEdge explores energy, that might actually be a way will involve the creation of products and the possibilities. bigger risk if we can’t find a sustainable services to help people and industry solution, and that is heat. Logic Swiss to solarize their energy needs. Thus, 68 DNV looks at how, with some minor takes a look at the possibilities and effectively reducing their emissions. the challenges. This can only really be achieved through modifications to the ‘standard’ electrical collaboration, the likes of which we are distribution design approach for seeing with SKE Solar and Huawei. residential developments, networks may be able to accept high volumes of solar power within distribution code limits. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 5

TALKING POINT Powering the energy transition Producing over 560 GWh of energy annually, the Baynouna solar park is helping Jordan achieve its objective of meeting 50% of its electricity needs from renewables by 2030. Creating enough energy to power 160,000 homes, this is a large-scale project that is also providing jobs and economic opportunities for the area. The Baynouna Solar Energy Company (BSCE), electricity from renewable sources and will November 2022, Masdar signed a a joint venture between the UAE’s world- support its goal of increasing that to 50% by memorandum of understanding with the leading renewable energy company, Masdar, the end of the decade. Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral and Finnish investment and asset Resources to explore the development of a management group Taaleri, has formally Arguably, ambitious, transformative further 2 GW of renewable energy projects inaugurated the 200 MW Baynouna Solar Park, partnerships of this nature are necessary if in the country. the largest clean energy project in Jordan. the promises of the Paris Agreement are to be met and countries are to ensure that they HE Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin The significance of the moment was clear by are holding back emissions, rather than Khalid Al Nahyan, Ambassador the list of dignitaries in attendance, including progress. Particularly as COP28 is likely to Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary His Excellency Bisher Al-Khasawneh, Prime focus on moving from goals to representative of the UAE to Jordan, said: Minister of Jordan, HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al implementation, with a clear focus on ‘This inauguration is a landmark moment Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and demonstrable action on mitigation, in the history of our two nations and will Advanced Technology, COP28 President- adaptation, loss and damage, and finance, serve to strengthen the already powerful Designate, and Chairman of Masdar; HE with the objective of limiting global warming relationship between us. The UAE is Dr Saleh Al Kharabsheh, Jordan’s Minister of to 1.5 degrees. committed to helping our brother nations Energy and Mineral Resources; and HE Sheikh in the region achieve their clean energy Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan, HE Dr Saleh Al Kharabsheh, Jordanian objectives and we stand ready to share our UAE Ambassador to Jordan. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, expertise further with the Government said: ‘Under the directive of His Majesty King and people of Jordan and to help deliver Developed through a power purchase Abdullah II to make Jordan a regional center sustainable economic development.’ agreement between Masdar and National for green development, the Ministry is Electric Power Company, Jordan’s state focused on developing local energy sources Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive electricity provider, the Baynouna solar to achieve energy security, enhance Officer, Masdar, said: ‘The project is one of park produces over 560 GWh of energy self-reliance and limit the effects of climate the fruits of Masdar’s long collaborative annually. The plant also displaces 360,000 change. If we look at the world today, we see partnership with Jordan. We stand ready to tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, that renewable energy, especially solar and support Jordan in its energy transition and equivalent to taking nearly 80,000 cars wind energy, are the fastest growing and will look to increase our presence in the off the road. widespread renewable energy sources and Kingdom through the development of further the time has come to maximize the benefits clean energy projects that will drive The idea behind the solar park is clear; to of renewables.’ economic growth for the nation.’ contribute to Jordan’s climate targets, provide access to clean energy, create jobs Masdar also operates the 117 MW Tafila Financial institutions that supported the and ensure economic growth. Along with wind farm, which was completed in 2015 Baynouna project include the International the Tafila wind farm, Masdar is already and is the first commercial utility-scale Finance Corporation (IFC), the OPEC Fund for helping Jordan produce 29% of its wind project in the Middle East. In International Development (OFID), the KfW 6 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT Group’s DEG, and the Japan International the renewable energy field for a long time. (COP28) in November and December. Cooperation Agency (JICA). We are proud to advance our common global The conference, the largest annual gathering climate change mitigation goals together of policymakers and practitioners focused Peter Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer, with our partners and investors.’ on climate change and sustainability, will see Taaleri Group, said: ‘We are very excited to be well over 70,000 officials from across the inaugurating the largest solar park in Jordan. The energy transition is a central component public and private sectors gather at Expo This impressive project is a testament to the of the UAE’s priorities as it prepares to host City in Dubai. strength of cooperation between Masdar and the 28th Conference of the Parties to the Taaleri, two pioneers who have been active in Framework Convention on Climate Change www.masdar.ae About Masdar Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, also known as Masdar, is the UAE’s clean energy champion and one of the largest companies of its kind in the world, advancing the development and deployment of renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies to address global sustainability challenges. Established in 2006, Masdar is today active in over 40 countries, helping them to achieve their clean energy objectives and advance sustainable development. Masdar is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), and under this ownership the company is targeting a renewable energy portfolio capacity of at least 100 GW by 2030 and an annual green hydrogen production capacity of up to 1 million tonnes by the same year. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 7

CONFERENCE CALL Where the solar industry gathers and innovations are discovered The combined trade fair Solar Solutions International / Green Heating Solutions is well known in the world of sustainable professionals. Installers, consultants, developers, end users and other business visitors have been finding their way to the exhibition floor since 2013. This year, the trade fair is celebrating its tenth anniversary, with over 275 exhibitors and more than 13,000 visitors. 8 PES SOLAR

CONFERENCE CALL The trade fair has a wide variety of new, Seminars and conferences Under the leadership of the globally leading innovative products. Curious about the downstream research and consulting firm latest ultra-light solar panels? Looking to find In three seminar squares, professionals EUPD Research, this 2.5hrs in-depth and out more about smart mounting systems can attend a total of more than 100 free interactive conference session will bring ensuring that no roof has to be left behind? seminars. Interested in floating solar participants up to speed on the latest Or are you interested in the best solutions for projects? Want to know more about energy dynamics driving growth in the booming the heat transition, such as silent heat pumps storage solutions in combination with Dutch market. Specifically tailored towards and efficient heat networks? From Tuesday solar plants? Or perhaps you want to know the needs of installers, developers, utilities, 14th to Thursday 16th March 2023 you will all about commissioning and maintaining technology providers, policy makers, and key discover all this and more, in Expo Greater PV systems according to IEC/EN 62446? renewable energy stakeholders on both Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Then the seminar area is where you need domestic and international level, delegates to be. will gain a comprehensive understanding on The latest products on the market what’s happened, and what’s about to And for those who really want to go in-depth, happen in the Dutch PV Market. Featuring Innovations are given a podium on the there are morning-long thematic rarely seen charts of the trends that are exhibition floor. Right at the entrance is conferences. On Tuesday March 14th the driving the market. Innovation Boulevard, where the latest theme will be large-scale solar projects. The products are on display. These days it’s next day the topic of choice is sustainable Trade fair catalogue like no other almost impossible to say ‘solar energy heating techniques. And on the final day, production’ without saying ‘energy storage’. Thursday March 16th, a conference is aimed at Solar Solutions International has close ties Visitors who are curious about the storage facility managers, helping them with much with the Dutch knowledge platforms solutions available can feast their eyes on the needed information about saving energy Solar365 and Warmte365. This has resulted Smart Storage Innovation Boulevard. The through sustainable renovations. in a collaboration on the trade catalogue. products displayed in these areas are all in Apart from essential information, like a floor the running for the highly sought after Best The majority of these will be Dutch-spoken, plan and information about exhibitors and Innovation Award, which will be announced but on Wednesday afternoon an extra their products, the Solar Solutions during the second day of the trade fair. conference will be held by EUPD Research, International trade fair catalogue will also which will be entirely in English. feature comprehensive articles written by the journalists of Solar365 and Warmte365. Competition at high levels With all the innovation and information, is there also room for some light hearted competition? Yes, with the European Solar Games. The top installers of the nation get up on the roof and do battle to see who installs a set of solar panels the best and fastest. Ready, set, go solar! Digital and hassle free Usually, trade fairs tend to have an element of chaos to them when it comes to the retention of information. Business cards are handed out, information is hastily scribbled on small pieces of paper, only to be lost and forgotten at the end of the fair. Solar Solutions has come up with a clever way to store all information in one central location: the YDEM app. YDEM enables visitors to create and manage a personal database of all the information they have gathered at an event. It allows them to scan any product or person at an event and save the collected information in well-arranged lists within the app. Exhibitors can obtain an overview of their scanned leads and the visitors that have scanned their products. After the information has been scanned, results can be exported in excel lists instantly. Green Heating Solutions How better to use self-generated energy than for the sustainable heating of your home? Green Heating Solutions takes place simultaneously with Solar Solutions; the largest sustainable HVAC trade fair in the Benelux. A large section of the trade fair floor is dedicated to exhibitors showcasing sustainable solutions for heating, cooling, W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M 9

CONFERENCE CALL ventilation and air conditioning. Visitors are Amsterdam, Vijfhuizen from Tuesday 14th to take place on 29th and 30th November 2023 in treated to a treasure trove of information Thursday 16th March. Order a free ticket, Messe Düsseldorf. Another country ready about the state of heat pumps, thermal normally €75, by entering our invitation code for its own edition of Solar Solutions is energy storage, heat recovery systems, ‘PES2023’ at en.solarsolutions.nl. Belgium. On October 25th and 26th, Solar heat batteries and so much more at Green Solutions Kortrijk will welcome the Belgian Heating Solutions. The Netherlands and beyond solar industry to discover, learn and connect with the newest and the latest in the field. Visit the fair for free with our discount code Since 2022, Solar Solutions has been Both editions follow the example of Solar expanding to other countries. In November, Solutions International, with a distinct focus Do you also want to discover new products or the first edition of Solar Solutions on enabling trade and connecting gain relevant knowledge at free seminars? Düsseldorf was held in North Rhine professionals. With their own dedication Visit Solar Solutions International and Green Westphalia and proved to be a tremendous seminar stages, the information shared by Heating Solutions in Expo Greater success. The next German edition is set to industry experts is of the highest level. Solar Solutions International / Green Heating Solutions Date: 14th, 15th & 16th March 2023 Time: 09:00 – 17:00 Location: Expo Greater Amsterdam, Stelling 1, 2141 SB Vijfhuizen, The Netherlands Register for free with our invitation code PES2023 en.solarsolutions.nl 10 PES SOLAR

The largest trade show for solar energy in Northwest Europe 14, 15 & 16 March 2023 Expo Greater Amsterdam Order free ticket with the code PES2023 at en.solarsolutions.nl

PES ESSENTIAL The second generation of the original German hybrid inverter Is it really possible to produce and store cost-effective electricity without being dependent on electricity suppliers and in an environmentally friendly way? The latest innovation from KOSTAL may have made this vision much closer to reality, enabling self-generated solar energy to not only be used directly, but also allowing surplus to be saved for later use. Strong performance, high efficiency and performance features. In the second has three additional switched outputs for smart management are all important generation, the PLENTICORE plus hybrid load control. A total of four digital 24-volt qualities of a hybrid inverter. But how can the inverter proves to be a real expert in outputs are now available, for more functions latest technology be used to push the communication. With integrated WLAN, the and a wider range of applications for your boundaries another step further, to create an company’s original inverter now simplifies inverter, e.g. for activating additional sources inverter that not only thinks and grows with initial commissioning and monitoring. of consumption such as a heat pump, air you and adapts to your needs at any time, but conditioners or charging stations. A new is even more flexible? With its second Two LAN interfaces allow several inverters to monitoring input enables the external generation PLENTICORE plus, KOSTAL be networked in series as a ‘daisy chain’, overvoltage protection to be monitored. believes it has found the answer. making integration of inverters and With integrated WLAN, web-based initial components into the plant owner’s network a commissioning is possible via smartphone or A leading inverter since market launch simple process. This saves time and effort tablet. This means that initial commissioning during initial installation or later expansion of and parameterisation during operation are The hybrid inverter has three DC inputs, the PV system. In this way, larger solar power simplified and can be controlled intuitively. with a wide input voltage range. The third capacities and higher consumption can be input can be enabled for connecting a integrated, for more self-consumption and a In summary, with the new PLENTICORE plus compatible battery if required. It is also higher degree of self-sufficiency. you get a multifunctional inverter all-rounder possible to connect additional AC sources, that always fits the bill, offering more yield, such as further PV inverters, a small wind Further functions now built-in more efficiency and less effort. turbine or a combined heat and power unit. The energy manager implemented in the In its second generation the new inverter also inverter coordinates the power available from PV, battery, the energy supply company’s grid and AC sources present in the house grid. The new inverter has a self-learning and integrated shadow management system for maximum yields, while an integrated data logger continuously transmits yield data to the KOSTAL Solar Portal. This data can be visualised easily in the portal and via an app. The second generation is coming Innovation has always been an important part of KOSTAL’s DNA, with the company continually optimising the functionality of its products and integrating further outstanding 12 PES SOLAR

PES ESSENTIAL Andreas Schmalenberg PES was keen to learn more about the AS: Yes, the original PLENTICORE plus and PES: How do customers know before benefits of this latest inverter and the the new second generation model are purchasing which batteries are thinking behind the changes, from Andreas compatible with each other and can easily be compatible with the PLENTICORE plus? Schmalenberg, Product Manager PV-Inverter linked. Also, the second generation model and Energy Storage Systems, at KOSTAL. can now be easily integrated into the AS: For each compatible battery we have network, thanks to daisy chaining provided documents in several languages PES: It’s great to speak with you Andreas. technology. No additional physical on our website at Firstly can you tell us when the connection to the router is necessary. PLENTICORE plus was initially released https://www.kostal-solar-electric.com/ and what led to the release of the PES: Recently, you released your own en-gb/products/hybrid-inverter/ second generation? wallbox, the ENECTOR. Are there any plenticore-plus/ particular benefits in connecting it to the Andreas Schmalenberg: Certainly. In 2013 PLENTICORE plus instead of another PES: Are there any features that sets we became the first company to introduce hybrid inverter? the PLENTICORE apart from other the hybrid inverter to the market, with the hybrid inverters? Piko BA. And in 2018, the first generation of AS: The ENECTOR is the ultimate solar our PLENTICORE was launched. wallbox, particularly when used in AS: The PLENTICORE plus is a well conjunction with KOSTAL products. It established and reliable product. Of course, Of course, we are always striving to contains powerful functions with support all the advantages of the first generation improve our products. For this reason, from our Smart Energy Meter. Whether fast are present in the second generation as feedback from our customers and charging with maximum power in Power well, such as the AutoUpdate, which can be installers is also important to us. Not Mode or blocking the charging function from activated with one click. So neither the least due to the strong increase in unwanted use in Lock Mode, the KOSTAL installer nor the customer has to worry demand for products related to Smart Energy Meter and the KOSTAL Wallbox about outstanding features. All software photovoltaic systems, we need to ensure manage this in clever interaction. updates are installed automatically, user we can fulfil orders and the tight supply of just has to actively activate the parts prompted us to look for alternative, In addition, further individual charging modes AutoUpdate function once. more readily available components. support intelligent control and simple customisation. With the Solar Pure Mode Also, customers don’t have to pay for As part of this process we took the only self-produced solar power is used. In functions they might never use, but still opportunity to make some adjustments, Solar Plus Mode, the charging power can be have the possibility to unlock the battery such as interface expansion, installation limited to a defined grid purchasing amount. mode at a later time if needed. of the latest hardware components and If the solar surplus increases, the grid the introduction of Push In terminals for consumption will be reduced and the Another thing that sets our products apart easier installation. In addition, the charging power increases automatically until is the usage of displays. We get a lot of PLENTICORE plus has now been awarded the maximum of the solar surplus is reached. positive feedback on this, as our displays the SG Ready label, which indicates that it enable the user to see basic and important meets all the requirements for Another positive aspect is the possibility to information with a quick glance. This compatibility with heat pumps. see the generation and consumption data of remains the case with the second your house including the wallbox charging generation. The PLENTICORE plus also has PES: If I own a first generation product performance in a monitoring portal or app a very intelligent shade management and want to connect a PLENTICORE plus www.kostal-solar-portal.com / KOSTAL system that makes additional solar of the second generation with it, does this Solar App. optimisers obsolete. work without problems? www.kostal-industrie-elektrik.com WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 13

CONFERENCE CALL Over 40 years of cutting-edge photovoltaic research 2022 was the year of terawatt solar power. With one TW installed worldwide, there are now ambitious targets to reach the next TW within just three years. European PV research is performing well and production technology is in greater demand than it has been for over a decade. The PV community is proposing innovative, affordable and sustainable solutions for the sector as PV manufacturing experiences a renaissance in Europe. A global platform dedicated to these discussions is the EU PVSEC. 14 PES SOLAR

CONFERENCE CALL The European Photovoltaic Solar Energy PV systems engineering, integrated/applied the recently announced first-ever Net-Zero Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) is the PV; and PV in the energy transition. Industry Act. The EU PVSEC felt this spirit world’s leading forum for PV Research and when hosting the 8th World Conference on Development and the largest scientific The conference programme is designed by an Photovoltaic Energy Conversion in 2022, with conference on PV Solar Energy worldwide. international and independent committee an increasing number of exhibitors and a It covers a wide range of PV topics such as consisting of nearly 300 experts from all areas sold-out Exhibition Hall. device materials, components and systems, of PV and is coordinated by the European wafering, BIPV, agrivoltaics, floating PV and Commission Joint Research Centre. The EU In 2023, even more companies and much more. PVSEC has several objectives: it aims to organisations from all regions of the world provide a framework for international are expected to join and present their It is also a state-of-the-art PV exhibition, cooperation and explore global partnerships products and services at the EU PVSEC, one where the specialized PV industry presents while supporting skills for PV deployment and of the most influential B2B Solar PV technologies, innovations and new concepts fostering research and innovation. exhibitions worldwide. in the upstream PV sector. Among renewable energies, photovoltaics is Photovoltaics is becoming a key pillar of In 2023, the EU PVSEC will be held in the CCL the best combination of competitive energy global energy production, but global and Lisbon Congress Centre, in Lisbon, Portugal supply for all countries, integration in the widespread deployment of photovoltaics from 18th to 22nd September. human environment, sustainability for the requires cooperation. The EU PVSEC planet and social acceptance while exhibition is the place where new business The scientific conference strengthening energy security. connections are made and old ones maintained. Many regions are showing great This year, the EU PVSEC looks forward to a A state-of-the-art exhibition ambition to expand PV production, but only festive occasion. It is the 40th jubilee of this through joint efforts can the global energy event focused explicitly on the global PV The EU PVSEC is a landmark in the global PV crisis be resolved. solar sector. Divided into five main topics, landscape and has been gathering not only the conference covers the entire range of PV the European PV community but also If you, too, want to be part of the global PV research, technologies and applications and experts, companies and policymakers from manufacturing wave, join the EU PVSEC as an aims to bring the latest scientific and around the world for four decades. exhibitor while enjoying the warm and technological research trends to the market. beautiful city of Lisbon. Photovoltaic manufacturing is experiencing a The five topics in 2023 are silicon materials revival in Europe, boosted by the strong A deep dive into horizontal PV topics and cells; thin films and new concepts; support from the European Commission with photovoltaic modules and BoS components; the European Solar PV Industry Alliance and While the EU PVSEC Conference focuses on the most recent scientific research results that are very detailed and specific to their respective fields, the Parallel Events and Industry Sessions offer a broader approach to the sector. They provide an in-depth look at specific topics around the latest PV technologies, PV applications and market trends and are targeted at global decision- makers from industry, research, finance and politics who do not need to hold specific technical expertise in a particular field. To bring the industrial side into focus, the annual EU PVSEC Industry Summit will be held, in addition to the Parallel Events. It aims to highlight the importance of the PV industry in the global energy transition and to offer a platform to discuss the latest industry achievements, trends and plans for the PV market. The exchange between stakeholders in the international industry market is indispensable for building efficient and future-oriented manufacturing structures. Global energy supply is not a concern of only a few people. It affects every single citizen of this world and everyone can make a contribution. There is a high need to adopt measures to re-establish an upstream solar manufacturing value chain in Europe. The Parallel Events and Industry Summit, which offer a holistic approach to topics such as PV recycling, logistics and supply chain, standards, monitoring, forecasts and more, make the event particularly interesting for younger visitors and participants who do not come from the research sector. W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M 15

CONFERENCE CALL An educational platform for knowledge After the incredible reception and sold-out promote the global energy transition. transfer on PV science event in 2022, the format will continue in Each year, the event captivates with its 2023 and will take place on Sunday, international character, which brings In the framework of the annual European 17th September, in Lisbon with three together PV professionals from almost Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and interesting lectures on solar PV. 70 countries each year. Exhibition, a new educational format was introduced to educate about the fundamentals The former lectures´ recordings continue to We cordially invite you to celebrate our 40th of different PV technologies and to give be available and can be purchased on the PV anniversary with us and join us in graduates and educators the opportunity to Academy website as educational material. September in Lisbon to connect with fellow refresh and update their knowledge. The PV PV enthusiasts, discuss the latest trends in Academy, which was first introduced in 2022, Join the global PV community in Lisbon Photovoltaic Research and Deployment, aims to facilitate newcomers in the field to and simply meet old and new friends in a understand and contribute to PV research as For its 40th anniversary, the EU PVSEC is sunny and warm environment at the EU well as follow talks at PV specialist conferences expecting a large number of guests, experts PVSEC 2023. and help to summarize and contextualize the and company representatives from all over latest developments in PV research. the world to come together in Lisbon to www.eupvsec.org 16 PES SOLAR

EU 40th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition PVSEC 2023 18 22 September 2023 Lisbon Portugal CCL Lisbon Congress Centre

ASK THE EXPERTS The heat is on for sensor technology 18 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS With the pace of the industry shifting up a gear, new projects and technologies are implemented and PV plants are upgraded much more frequently to optimise energy yields. We were keen to speak to Kees Hoogendijk, Managing Director of EKO Instruments Europe B.V., to find out how manufacturers are able to respond to this demand. PES: A very warm welcome back to PES is packed with features and has the most Kees. We’ve spoken before of course, but power-efficient dome heating which can be for readers who may be unfamiliar, can toggled on/off remotely. In terms of cost, you please give a brief introduction to specifications and functionality, it’s a EKO Instruments? game-changing sensor for the industry, and we’re excited to add it to our Class A Kees Hoogendijk: Of course, and thank you. Pyranometer line-up. It is always a pleasure to talk with you. At EKO Instruments, we have a nearly 100-year PES: In fact, would we be correct in saying history of designing and developing scientific that every generation of the EKO instruments, systems, and sensors used Pyranometer has won awards? worldwide for climate and environmental research. Headquartered in Tokyo, with KH: That’s right, the MS-80, MS-80S, and offices in Europe and the US, a strong MS-80SH have all won awards, including the presence in India and China, EKO 2018 Invention Grand Prize and the 2021 continues to grow. Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Science and Today, our products play a critical role in the Technology Award in Japan. In 2022, our success of large-scale renewable energy President was also awarded the prestigious projects through continuous innovation, ‘Medal with Yellow Ribbon’ by the Japanese industry-leading turn-key solutions, and an Government, recognising the MS-80 and uncompromising commitment to quality. MS-80S for their contributions to society. PES: In previous meetings, we’ve briefly And most recently, the MS-80SH won the PV spoken about Pyranometer Dome Heating Magazine BOS Award. We set out to make the and EKO’s new flagship MS-80SH which best Pyranometers available, and it’s nice to launched in the second half of 2022. see that people are noticing. However, the story began with the MS-80, which set new industry standards when it PES: What do you think this success can be launched back in 2016, didn’t it? attributed to? Is it all down to the way the design is continually optimised? KH: Before the launch of the MS-80 in 2016, conventional pyranometers could not KH: With the success of the MS-80, we accurately capture rapid changes in solar wanted to keep what worked so well with radiation. The MS-80 was our solution, a next-generation ‘fast-response’ pyranometer. Heating was also not common at the time, and for this we had an external heater/ventilator unit, the MV-01, which we still use for extreme weather conditions. Subsequently, we introduced the MS-80S in 2019, addressing the need for digital outputs and adding functionality through our proprietary software, and now we’ve added the MS-80SH, which has low power consumption and integrated solid-state heating, actively resisting dew and frost build-up on the dome. PES: And now the MS-80SH is award- winning. Can you tell us some more about that? KH: Yes, we were delighted to get the news at the start of the year that the MS-80SH won the PV Magazine Balance of System (BOS) award. As the award jury noted, the MS-80SH W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M 19

ASK THE EXPERTS that design, but continually add features We now have more than one tested and Kees Hoogendijk that solve the problems and needs of validated solution for this, so it’s about customers around the world. In Japan, we offering the best one for each use case. installed on a 25-year basis, but the pace has also have two PV plants that help our really picked up. Today, new projects and designers, engineers, and salespeople to PES: How much of a bearing does the technologies are implemented and PV understand the needs and challenges changing landscape of the solar sector plants are upgraded much more frequently experienced by many of our customers. also have on how you develop and adapt to optimise the energy yield. And we see your products? clear trends; Class A sensors are leading the PES: Presumably, customer feedback is an way, and more people are realizing the best important part of the optimisation process? KH: As evidenced by the growth of bi-facial quality measurements are needed to PV and agrivoltaics, it’s clear that we are immediately detect PV system performance KH: Exactly, we are listening at every stage. learning and implementing new ideas in the issues, and act accordingly. We heard the concerns of industry solar sector, and the technology needs to professionals about power consumption, keep up, or in our opinion, be one step ahead. PES: The MS-80SH Pyranometer is offset behaviour, maintenance, and particularly suited to complex compatibility; we took these all into account There are also updates to the requirements meteorological networks, hard-to-reach when developing the MS-80SH. of international standards like IEC 61724-1. locations and PV monitoring networks with The most recent of which adds dew & frost restricted access. How in demand is this PES: It must also impact all areas of your mitigation as a requirement for ‘Class A’ Research & Development, is that right? monitoring. But again, it’s not enough for us to meet the requirements; we aim above KH: Yes, and our R&D team doesn’t rest on and beyond, to anticipate and future-proof its laurels. They continuously push the our sensors. boundaries of what’s possible. The new MS-80SH’s <1.4W total power consumption PES: How does this differ across the several has the most efficient dome heating available territories that EKO Instruments covers in any Class A Pyranometer and has been globally? Is there a noticeable difference in carefully designed to avoid affecting the customer demand in Europe as opposed to thermopile sensor characteristics. India and South Asia, for example? Intrinsically due to the low offset KH: The PV industry is highly dynamic, and characteristics of the MS-80, the body was changes in the economy and climate of each designed to handle active heating very well, region play a major factor. We’ve seen a lot so adding this function is something we’ve of growth and adoption recently in countries considered for a while, but we took more time like India and Brazil, but the Middle East is and extra care to research, test and develop also eager to grow in this field and we saw before introducing the best solution. that enthusiasm at the recent WFES event in Abu Dhabi. It was important to fully understand the phenomenon of condensation on the dome Crucially, there’s an urgency now. In the and its impact on measurement accuracy. past, PV systems and projects were 20 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS The emphasis on renewable energy sources has never been more prominent than now, and increasingly people are realizing the vital role that pyranometers play. kind of technology in such situations and as a proper solution to be installed in any PV modules and the surrounding how has this changed since the initial launch harsh and challenging environment. technology must improve if we’re to of the product? combat climate change, and that includes PES: Focusing on the solar industry as a pyranometers. As you can see with the KH: So far the response has been fantastic, whole now, how has this evolved since you evolution from the MS-80 to the MS-80SH, and we are continuing to see demand for this have been involved in the sector? we don’t stop. Like heated seats and solution grow exponentially. Reducing cost, rear-view windows in cars, I think we’ll see maintenance, and optimizing system KH: The emphasis on renewable energy heating in pyranometers become more integration with the same industry and sources has never been more prominent common, but the MS-80SH represents a class-leading specifications were all major than now, and increasingly people are real breakthrough, and when we consider goals when we developed the MS-80SH. realizing the vital role that pyranometers what configurations it can be used in, the Without the need for a ventilation unit in play. It’s through instruments like the possibilities expand greatly. most cases, you have fewer components to MS-80SH that we can control costs, install and maintain, not only in parts of the increase efficiency, and modernize solar PV Like with the MS-80S, we can use two of world prone to dew and frost but also in systems, and all the more so when you’re them to measure albedo in a bifacial PV desert environments. using the highest level of this technology. setup, or in conjunction with DNI sensors to make compact, tracker-less solar monitoring When we were in the Middle East recently, we PES: What do you think the next stations like the MS-90 Plus+. When systems observed many installations using traditional advancements in technology may be? are composed of the best sensors, suddenly, ventilation units to reduce offsets and Can you let us in on any secrets your R&D you have the most accurate albedometer, mitigate condensation and soiling. In a department has in store? solar monitoring station, etc. desert, external units with fans can increase problems related to soiling and the limited KH: There will be new products introduced I’d keep an eye out for creative solutions like life span of the motor. When the fan stops, to the market this year. We are working on these, and more notches added to EKO’s many people don’t realize that for most an exciting new concept that we believe can history of firsts. sensors the offset characteristics will create a great advantage for solar resource change. The MS-80SH has been well received assessment in bi-facial PV monitoring www.eko-instruments.com applications. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 21

THINK TANK 30/30 foresight How will the European PV value chain up production x 30 to meet 30 GW by 2025? Words: M onica Vandenberg & Blake Barthelmess 22 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK While the European demand for Solar PV soars, why hasn’t the Solar PV industry raced forward to scale up? The conundrum is that European companies and investors face a high business risk in establishing a sustainable solar upstream manufacturing value chain. Over the past two years, Norwegian Crystals China to provide the necessary systems2 has been providing thought leadership for solar power. around the rebuilding of the European Solar Value Chain. In this article, we discuss the PV Rebuilding, or rebooting, the European industry’s mismatch to build at speed and PV-industry potentially provides enormous scale, or what we have dubbed the ‘capacity rewards at a geopolitical and macro / synchronicity challenge’, and look at why micro-economic level, including reducing European made PV-products need to energy vulnerability whilst increased energy demand a market premium, which then raises autonomy, stability and resilience and control the issue of end users’ willingness to pay. over strategic, critical materials for energy Finally, we ask, what market mechanisms transition. It will also improve transparency could be used to stimulate investment and of a fully compliant ESG PV supply chain and reduce risk across the entire value chain? reduce emissions in the manufacturing and transportation of PV components. In The European PV Value Chain created with addition, it can create a profitable, speed and scale sustainable European Solar PV industry, which leads to increased European jobs, Last year, EU solar GW installations increased taxes and energy competences. by 47% from 2021. At the same time, we saw the EU solar trade deficit reach an average of To achieve the EU ambitions, a complete €10 billion to €12 billion.1 value chain of 30 GW by 2025, the European PV value chain must build from its low base at Paradoxically, European demand for Solar speed and scale. Figure 1, which shows the PV is not a problem. However, as demand gap between 2022 production and the 2025 grows exponentially and outstrips target, highlights the massive challenge and optimistic forecasts, it exacerbates enormous opportunity to manage this Europe’s dependency, currently 100%, on expansion properly and execute at speed. 1 https://www.pv-magazine.com/2022/12/29/ 2 A t the time of writing this article, China is european-solar-manufacturers-need-state-aid- considering restricting exports of key solar exemptions-now/ manufacturing equipment Figure 1: European production v target v demand. To achieve the EU ambitions of a complete European value 23 chain of 30 GW by 2025 requires a CAPEX of EUR 10~15 billion, similar to the 2022 PV-trade deficit W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M

THINK TANK The capacity synchronicity challenge Figure 2: A solar PV market premium (SPMP): creating a level playing field As each part of the European Solar PV value To create a sustainable, vibrant European Stimulating investment and reducing risk in chain races to scale production to facilitate Solar PV industry and achieve the rewards the European PV value chain efficiencies, higher offtake is required. detailed above, it is essential to generate an Significant risk and uncertainty in offtake appropriate profit. Figure 2 highlights that ESMC in its report PV Manufacturing Lessons along the value chain leads to for the industry to achieve this, it requires a Learned in Europe stresses the ‘European PV inefficiencies, as manufacturers seek large Solar PV market premium (SPMP). manufacturing industry has enormous advance payments to secure customers’ growth potential, but without the offtake obligations and bolster their capital A premium and therefore access to profits operationalization of some support expenditures. It becomes very difficult to will be essential to provide attractive returns instruments without delay this potential synchronize and integrate capacities along on private capital, equity as well as debt, and could be irreversibly wasted.’3 the value chain while growing from thus incentivize lenders and private investors ‘nothing’ to ‘significant’ over a short to invest into the European PV-chain at an Whilst there is strong interest from private time span. early stage. It is also needed to facilitate and capital to invest in European Solar PV, it is justify initial public support, grants, loans and unlikely to happen without broad EU support For example, European upstream products guarantees, attract talent and to afford to to mitigate some of the key risks in achieving may be sold to Asia rather than within Europe generate employment, competency and speed and scale throughout the value chain. because of mistrust in the European PV skills. It will also help manage the higher cost industries ability to secure their offtake. Also, of running a production based on modern Numerous solutions are being discussed, we see European companies not returning to worker welfare in comparison to the 996 including the recently established European PV-equipment manufacturing due to working hour system. Solar PV Industry Alliance which is seeking an uncertainties of economics and timing. extensive support program for the European There are a number of considerations for PV manufacturing industry. More details on Innovating alongside building with the introduction of a SPMP, including how their strategic action plan are available at speed and scale large and for how long should it be in effect? solaralliance.eu Manufacturers can’t fall into the traps of the The core technology of PV is relatively past and rely on subsidies to underwrite The recent announcement of the Green Deal mature, but there are opportunities to their operations. Industry Plan and the establishment of an ‘EU innovate, including technical efficiency Sovereign Fund’ may be able to direct these improvements, embedding circularity Who ultimately is responsible for the funds into current renewable investments. design and lowering the industry’s SPMP? Whether the government environmental footprint. underwrites or the end user pays, the One solution Norwegian Crystals has been challenge downstream is the European deliberating alongside other European Drawing from the lessons of the European customer has no incentive to buy higher manufacturers is the establishment of a PV industries’ past failings, the focus of the priced PV modules. hybrid Contract for Difference Market PV value chain in the short term will be Mechanism. This could operate to calibrate building at speed and scale a modern, Two key areas that appear to be consistent the price premium to ensure competitive competitive industrial platform. To realize amongst the PV chain manufactures is the European PV manufacturing. Enabling stable its potential requires a full-scale, integrated need for a strategy that supports the whole production at high-capacity utilization: the industrial platform. Inserting new PV manufacturing eco system not just key to driving down costs. innovations into the platform during this module manufacturers or those in the period could potentially exacerbate the innovation arena and the need to avoid the There are two aspects to this European PV capacity synchronicity challenge. ‘subsidy trap’ that impacted the industry Market Mechanism (EPvMM) program. 15 years ago. European Government’s focus, and 3 esmc.solar/market-intelligence/ placement of grants, on European PV innovation is not likely to help scale at speed, as industry needs to utilize existing technologies and then adapt. Do European made PV-products need to demand a market premium? For the European PV value chain to ‘walk the talk’ and meet the expectations of government and the public, the highest standards of ESG across the PV value chain are required. This includes compliance to environmental standards and human rights including no forced labour, low CO2 manufacturing and embedding circular economy and circular manufacturing principles. These requirements do increase costs along the supply chain. Compared with Chinese and USA power prices, the European PV industry operates on a playing field that is simply not level. The result: European PV companies have little available access to competitively priced electrical power resulting in higher operations costs and less competitively priced solar modules. 24 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK Firstly, SPMP addresses how the volume, and manufacturing as downstream, the European but it will require bold, focused, coordinated hence the cost to the Government, may be PV-installations/demand outweighs and consistent action over time. Perhaps an controlled by giving the program a budget European module manufacturing. essential ingredient here is to learn from the limit to manage the Solar PV market premium. past and collaborate towards a strong, It would make sense to align and scale the positive vision. This could be structured as a CFD-scheme in budget to facilitate the EU ambitions: that the PV Market Mechanism entity enters 30GW/y production by 2030. www.crystals.no into a contract with each PV manufacturer on a negotiated guaranteed price for their off Conclusion European PV Market mechanism take. The seller negotiates with their (EPvMM) customers to agree on a price. If the buying There is strong interest from private capital and selling price deviates from the to invest in Solar PV as the cheapest form of Upstream polysilicon manufacturers use guaranteed price, the seller will receive and renewable energy available currently and for the EPvMM to justify selling products to pay the difference from or to EPvMM. the foreseeable future. However, it will not European market. When monosilicon happen without broad EU support to mitigate ingot/wafer manufacturing increases and Secondly, an Upstream Inventory Buffer. some of the key risks in achieving speed and consistent polysilicon demand volumes This is a mechanism to provide synchronicity scale throughout the Solar PV value chain. are sufficient the Upstream Inventory between selling and buying capacity as Any supply disruptions to source PV Buffer mechanism for polysilicon could production comes online. The cost to the products will lead to a quasi-immediate stop be phased out. When demand for ingot/ Government could be controlled by of deploying solar power in Europe. Europe wafer from European cell manufactures restricting the volume of inventory or value does not have any resilience against such a reaches 15 GWp the market mechanism that the EPvMM may hold at any time. The sourcing crisis. could then be phased out at this point. focus of the EPvMM would be in the upstream value chain polysilicon, ingot and wafer Public initiatives in cooperation with European industry can make this happen, W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M 25

TALKING POINT Growing along with the energy transition As market demand for solar increases, so companies within the sector are expanding their premises and their product ranges. Among these is Mounting Systems GmbH, a business that is taking its solutions for pitches and flat roofs to new heights. 26 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT As Germany’s only manufacturer of solar value, reliability and a high level of quality. More space, more possibilities mounting systems, Mounting Systems GmbH, located in Rangsdorf, near Berlin, Both with national and international As the company expands, an additional specializes in the development and customers and trading partners, Mounting location in Rangsdorf is another great manufacture of the entire product range for Systems’ products are in great demand and opportunity to drive the growth of its pitched and flat roofs, as well as solar have an excellent and unique reputation in existing headquarters and, along with it, carports and ground-mounted systems. the PV industry. The reasons for this are the energy transition. It has been producing its quality products simple: the use of high-quality materials Made in Germany since 1993. coupled with well thought-out, innovative To quickly supply customers and partners concepts, short supply chains and a with goods, a total area of additional 25,677 In the international market, Germany as a transparent corporate mission statement. m² will be available from spring 2023. production location stands as a guarantee for The new building located next door to the W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M 27

TALKING POINT headquarters will be used as an extension The same key components are used for all Make it as easy as possible for the installer production and logistics site. In addition, three variations, so simply by changing the office space of 1,905 m² will be created, position of the supports, the customer can The new flat roof system is designed so that which will also create new jobs. have three different inclinations of the same the installer only needs minimum tools to system for mounting on flat roofs. The new construct it. Simple locking connections are From the idea of a new innovative flat roof flat roof system is equipped with fully used to ensure quick assembly across the system and the perfect balance between integrated cable management. system, rapidly reducing the overall function, durability, design and cost installation time. Hooks are attached to the module supports, The latest innovative development from into which the installer can attach the cables All key components are manufactured using Mounting Systems is the first release of the between the modules. The base rail is the die-casting process, which means there next generation of flat roof products designed designed to provide sufficient space for cable are no sharp edges on which the tradespeople for ease of installation and a multi-functional containment, and its cover allows the could damage cables or injure themselves. possibility. After many in-depth consultations tradesman to lay the cables in a protected with installers and developers across the manner. The rails are also equipped with Significantly less ballast required globe, the company decided to offer a 10* gutters that provide additional space for south, a 15* south and a 10* east west flat cables so that they do not have to lie in water ‘Initial findings show very favorable ballast roof options in one new system. on the roof. results compared to many existing systems on the market,’ says Jason McCabe, director of products and engineering. ‘The key to this is that we worked on a very aerodynamic design that incorporated different wind deflectors in critical positions, and state-of- the-art wind tunnel expertise. ‘Additional testing was carried out to really focus on creating a low ballast system, reducing the loads on the roof and being compatible with various roof coverings.’ The system can be ballasted on roofs up to 30 meters high as standard, with higher buildings available on request. The ballast is inserted into the newly developed tray, which can accommodate a vast amount of different size blocks, which are commonly found across Europe and further afield. The all-in-one solution for your vehicle The E-Port Home offers immediate benefits and long-term security for stakeholders, be they customers, investors, developers and all those responsible for engineering, 28 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT procurement and construction. A quick and Your guarantor for sustainability E-Port Home Double easy planning guide for seamless design and The E-Port Home Double solar carport a digitized installation manual for user- Above all, sustainability also means a provides a parking space for two cars at once. friendly learning are available. long-term approach. This is why Mounting The E-Port Home Double is equipped with Systems develops durable and recyclable 15 modules that provide up to 4500 watts, Reliable technology products at affordable prices. Making the which is roughly equivalent to the annual most of your own space and becoming more consumption of a 4-person household. In combination with trapezoidal mounting energy independent is not only a worthwhile Similarly, the E-Port Home Single is the technology, the E-Port takes advantage of economic decision, but also contributes to a perfect solar carport for private households the minimally invasive and highly reliable BR healthy climate, a clean environment and an with a parking space for one car. The 10 1/15 rail, which allows for convenient emission-free future. installed solar modules provide up to 3000 horizontal installation of solar modules. The watts and can be used for charging the car as E-Port is characterized using a trapezoidal Independent of rising electricity prices well as for self-consumption in the house. steel sheet with a drainage solution. The E-Port Home is equipped with a rain Switch now to your self-generated solar gutter including downpipe and other Intelligent design power through your own power plant on the essential features. carport roof. Designed to use the electricity generated W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M and meet the special requirements of the charging infrastructure. The battery and inverter systems can be integrated into the design. A trapezoidal steel sheet with a drainage solution ensures complete watertightness. The complete system is supplied in black, including the module clamps, which give the system a slim and elegant appearance. Design your own private energy transition The E-Port Home is a durable, flexible and highly efficient solar carport that will save you money for many years. The highest quality material and workmanship guarantee you many years of enjoyment and maximum yields. In addition, you receive a 10-year manufacturer‘s product guarantee. The smart design enables a quick and easy assembly. Mounting Systems manufactures durable and innovative products, which are state of the art and of highest functionality. 29

TALKING POINT The flexible pitched roof system for almost all situations The Pitched PV mounting system for pitched roofs combines robustness and flexibility at reasonable prices. The Click stone technology and the aluminum profiles make installation on pitched roofs easier for installers and reduce installation times overall. In addition to that, they offer a large variety of roof hooks with different thicknesses for roof stones, roof tiles, corrugated eternit, trapezoidal sheet, corrugated iron and standing seams. Trapeze: the all-round mounting system for all common trapezoidal sheet metal pitched roofs Thanks to the Trapeze PV mounting system, installers can install framed photovoltaic modules easily on almost all common trapezoidal sheet metal roofs. The robust rails are suitable for a wide range of trapezoidal shapes and load situations and enable height compensation. Click stone technology for module fastening Both systems, pitched and trapeze, are compatible with all clamps. These pre- assembled clamps can be mounted quickly and safely to all base rails of the internal click-system through the patented click stone. With universally adjustable clamps, installers always have the right clamps for framed and frameless modules in stock. www.mounting-systems.com 30 PES SOLAR

EVERYTHING’S BETTER WIRELESS LEARN MORE AT HUCK.COM/WIRELESS

PES ESSENTIAL Intelligent control © JCE Energy at the edge Words: W illiam Mellema and Brad Berwald, Morningstar Corporation An extraction platform in the North Sea incorporating solar electricity as a powering solution for systems on-board 32 PES SOLAR

PES ESSENTIAL Managing remote power systems is a challenge, but an increasingly necessary one. Fortunately, there are new hardware and software technologies emerging that will allow solar electric system optimization in the field while reducing downtime, without being on-site. The past decade has seen tremendous The case for smarter solar devices growth in solar electric systems being used and systems to power remote applications and systems. One example is in the oil and gas extraction The development of modern and hybrid industry, where a global network of well over powering systems that are reliable, effective, three million miles of pipelines and 65,000+ efficient and more affordable has firmly extraction sites, with over 9,000 of them established solar as a most valuable player off-shore, means that the vast majority of (MVP) with these and other rapidly expanding operations are far from any electrical grid. industrial applications. As these solar electric remote powering solutions are pushed Expanding the solar frontier further into more remote, inaccessible and often environmentally-hostile locations, it is Yet today’s critical ‘digital oilfield’ creating the need for power conversion and technologies and systems found along those control devices that can make decisions pipelines and at these sites all have one thing independently, manage system dynamics in common: they require electricity to autonomously, and take action when function. Solar electric modules are growing necessary, to minimize down-time and like weeds along pipelines for that reason. interruptions along with sometimes very costly service calls Another prime example is telecommunications. In the developed world, vital tower repeater More recently, remote industrial system networks are often in remote, relatively designers are able to work from an energy inaccessible locations. And in the developing palate that includes solar, fuel cells, gensets, world, the need for rapidly-expanding telecom and other auxiliary off-grid charging services is creating networks that are sources, and sometimes even leverage grid bypassing the ‘copper wire stage’ and resulting power if available, to work in tandem with in an explosion of wireless internet service them. The typical powering system providers (WISPs) relying on many thousands schemes that resulted usually consisted of of small, remote systems to meet the demand discrete components wired together to for connectivity. © Agile Oil & Gas A solar-powered desert extraction site WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 33

PES ESSENTIAL A scalable telecommunications system in Latin America A solar powered wireless internet service provider installation meet the requirements, which added a lot of Solar takes an integrated approach control/communication protocols such as complexity with the potential for SNMP and SCADA. Most importantly, it could miscommunication and outright failure. The next step is developing charging and provide meaningful metrics for busy system Connectivity and communication between control components that integrate all vital operators who are often managing multiple components were often poor or even functions into one platform, providing single- site deployments, sometimes entire fleets of non-existent. And collecting all the system point access for both real-time and logged systems in the field. information necessary to ensure smooth system data as well as system control. The operation was difficult and clumsy, because ideal product would enable on-site access This, along with additional features and it was beyond the means of any one user using mobile apps or a state-of-the-art web capabilities, is what Morningstar envisioned interface or software tool for more app, and provide remote access through in creating its innovative new GenStar seamless operability. Ethernet integration and accommodate MPPT™ fully-integrated solar DC charging system. GenStar is a ‘solar controller on A small rural remote telecom powering system with solar charging and power conversion components on- steroids’ in a sense, it combines the functions board, in an enclosure of a charger with everything required for intelligent control and hybrid system management to maximize energy storage and extend system ‘autonomy’ or the ability to deliver electricity in low solar conditions, something important in remote systems. By leveraging system information to make smarter auxiliary charging source usage decisions on-site, GenStar saves fuel. Solar electric systems exist to power loads, and intelligent control of loads and charging sources is extremely important, especially in remote industrial systems. Toward that end GenStar is capable of sophisticated prioritization of loads and charging sources, choosing from a wide menu of real-time values, instead of relying just on voltage or battery state of charge (SOC) data, like conventional controllers, to make better on/ off decisions. All loads and charging sources in the system are monitored and controlled centrally, whether they are connected via proprietary MS-CAN, through dry contact, or the GenStar’s own integrated load output. Designing for mission-critical applications Long-term reliability and dependability are both essential aspects of remote power 34 PES SOLAR

PES ESSENTIAL systems. Whether a system is operating at a Morningstar’s new GenStar MPPT fully-integrated solar DC charging system mountaintop telecom site, a desert oilfield, or an off-shore gas extraction platform, any maintenance visits are extremely costly in terms of access, downtime and even safety, the fewer, the better. GenStar is engineered to reduce and even eliminate the need for regular servicing. One example is its advanced thermal engineering which made it possible to remove the ‘Achilles heel’ of almost all other solar power conversion components: the cooling fan, which can be the single greatest weak point in a solar charging system for three reasons. First, because they have moving parts, fans inevitably fail. In fact many solar equipment manufacturers put more limited warranties on fans in their equipment for that reason. Second, fans will suck in dirt, dust and debris, compromising the reliability of the entire component by potentially causing overheating with that extra internal coating. And finally fans are a parasitic load. They require electricity to run, and they get that from the solar charging system. Removing the fan increases system efficiency. Engineering for the future, with greater flexibility The GenStar architecture is unique in that while it greatly expands system functions and options, at the same time it also reduces complexity and achieves greater simplicity. That’s accomplished through an innovative and proprietary feature called a ReadyRail™, a built-in ‘docking station’, which enables a system installer to snap-in pre-configured ReadyBlocks™ and add key features when required. The technology represents a breakthrough in system design, prior to it, installers had to add outboard accessories with dongles and Morningstar’s unique ReadyBlock system, as installed on a GenStar MPPT system controller. With the blocks cables, increasing the chances of failure snapped-into place, key features are instantly accessible including closed-loop operation with lithium batteries and compromising reliability and device compatibility, as well as causing costly increases in installation, set-up and programming time. With Morningstar’s ReadyRail technology, key features can be added to the GenStar MPPT at any time via a series of nap-in ReadyBlocks. These are auto-detected when the blocks are added. Once attached to the ReadyRail, their auto-detected presence initiates and enables the associated software functionality in the user interface. There is no additional power or communications, or software addressing, required to get the blocks to talk to the ‘parent’ component, the GenStar. Measurements, data, and control provided by each block are seamlessly enabled in an intuitive way in the user interface. No custom programming is needed to get to the endpoint functionality users need in a DC W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M 35

PES ESSENTIAL With GenStar in place in a system providing remote critical power, users are assured of significant gains in power optimization and system up-time, as well as extended energy storage life and a reduction in site maintenance visits with GenStar technology keeping the critical equipment up and running for them. Integrated load & lighting control off-grid system, eliminating the Protocols: SNMP HTTP. MODBUS configuration time that used to be necessary Internet/WAN NMS with add-on dongle-type accessories. Web & Browser SCADA (LiveView) (MS View) The ReadyShunt block provides battery/ monitoring, key metrics including SOC, Open protocol energy in/out in Amp hours, and current integration measurements for system sources and loads. A ReadyRelay block provides dry contact Switch /Router Network signaling and advanced load control. The Isolated industry-standard network interfaces ReadyBMS enables full communications and control, AKA ‘closed loop operation’, with Dry contact signaling lithium batteries. It is augmented by (system alarms) Morningstar’s Energy Storage Partner program, which provides the data installers Wireless communications needed to seamlessly add the leading brands (future) of lithium batteries to any system. This capability is one reason why the GenStar Dry contact signaling MPPT can boast ‘lithium in its DNA’ as a fully (system alarms) future-proofed system. Solar array Current measurement Enabling system operators to fully take Allows system oversizing & monitoring control while keeping their distance Inverter Battery meter SOC The new Morningstar technology Seamless Integration Lithium battery represented by GenStar MPPT and the BMS interface ReadyRail architecture is engineered to cover with various all the essential parameters that guarantee Morningstar Devices continuous, intelligent and ‘hands off’ operation of remote industrial systems: full Fuel Cell Generator Advanced Battery visibility, logging history, and programmatic Advanced auxiliary charging Management control. And GenStar’s control topology (all chemistries) ensures that there is no difficulty resetting sources management and reconfiguring a system, which is vital in managing remote applications. With GenStar in place in a system providing remote critical power, users are assured of significant gains in power optimization and system up-time, as well as extended energy storage life and a reduction in site maintenance visits with GenStar technology keeping the critical equipment up and running for them. www.morningstarcorp.com 36 PES SOLAR







TALKING POINT © SMA America The ‘weakest module in the string’ myth uniform light and temperature throughout the string, the curve is smooth with one Current will flow in an electrical circuit along This misconception is a variation on the maximum power point. the path of least resistance. Any issue that Christmas light effect. It addresses a causes the normal current path through the scenario in which there is partial shade on the If the I-V curve represents multiple cells, there PV cells to act as a high enough resistance will string, where the shaded portions can could be different irradiance on different cells. dictate that current will instead flow across possibly produce power but not at the same This situation is described as ‘partial shade,’ the bypass diode, and thus around the issue. level as unshaded portions. where all parts of the circuit receive light but not at a uniform level. This scenario will lead to The bypassed PV cells do not contribute PV It is important to understand the operational a power curve that has multiple local MPP’s power to the overall string, but they do not curve of a PV array, called the I-V curve, to where, in a narrow range of voltage around prevent the other sections of the PV module discuss the impacts of partial shade and how each point, power goes down with either an from operating, either. The diodes’ action a string inverter minimizes the impact. increase or decrease in voltage. also allows all other modules in the string to I stands for current and V stands for voltage. operate. Put plainly, bypass diodes will Using a basic MPP tracking algorithm, a string isolate the issue to the portion of the All PV devices, individual cells, one PV module inverter would remain on a local maximum, module they belong to, preventing the of cells wired in series, or a string of PV which is the highest power point within a Christmas light effect. modules, have an I-V curve that details the narrow voltage range along the curve. But allowed combinations of current and voltage only one of these local maximum points will This scenario holds true even when it comes for operation at any specific temperature and result in the highest power. Unless the basic to shaded PV modules. Shade will cause the irradiance. This information can also be used algorithm is working on that point, there is cells to act as high resistance, so bypass to create a power versus voltage curve that another operating point, the global diodes allow shaded portions of one module shows the maximum power point (MPP) for maximum, that would yield more power. to be isolated from the other portions of the string. Working on a local but not the global that module. They also allow completely maximum is usually what someone means shaded modules to be independent of The I-V curve is set by the type and number when they say the inverter is working at the remaining modules in the string. If a PV of PV cells wired in series in the string and the point of the weakest module in the string. module manufacturer chooses to place irradiance and temperature the PV cells are more bypass diodes in their modules, there experiencing. It does not matter what Optimized MPP tracking to maximize are more portions of that module that will inverter type is harvesting power; the production with partial shade act independently, improving resilience inverter cannot adjust the shape of the I-V against shade. curve. But the inverter does dictate the String inverter manufacturers have created a voltage point at which the system will direct solution to this problem: optimizing the It is important to emphasize that the reason operate along the I-V curve. MPP tracking algorithm with a function that the Christmas light effect is incorrect is will periodically test the whole I-V curve to actually completely independent of the The primary job of an inverter is to find the ensure there is not a better maximum point inverter. Bypass diodes have been built into voltage at which maximum power is available than the current operating point. commercially available PV modules for years, available and track it even as light and and there is no need for the use of MLPE, temperature levels change. A basic MPP Testing the curve means the string inverter such as DC optimizers, to avoid the effect tracking algorithm is effective if the power will periodically switch from the basic when modules are built this way. curve is smooth, with one maximum. With algorithm to a sweep function. The inverter pushes operating voltage down to the minimum value for inverter operation, then moves operating voltage back up, past the start point and up to the maximum voltage the string can produce, then finally back down to the voltage where the sweep started. During the sweep, the inverter is tracking string power and if the point where the sweep started and ended has lower power than another point tested, the inverter will move the operating point to that higher power point, the global maximum. All major PV string inverter manufacturers have optimized their products this way to ensure their inverters can find a global maximum, even if there is partial shade. These optimized algorithms prevent the weakest module in the string from trapping the inverter and seriously impacting power production, even in partial shade. Most importantly, this optimization resides in the string inverter and does not require any MLPE to deliver this benefit. While it is still common to see misleading claims in the industry around the ‘Christmas light effect’ or ‘weakest module in the string,’ current technology in PV modules and modern string inverters laid them to rest a long time ago. www.sma-america.com 40 PES SOLAR

Optimise your solar project with a strong and experienced partner With Solar-Log™ you reduce effort, risk and thus increase the efficiency of your energy supply. Our experience is your advantage. With zero-feed-in, self-consumption control, peak load capping, and charging control for e-charging stations, you have a smart energy control system at the grid transformer. Your Solar-Log™ Benefits • You gain transparency about your energy consumption and energy production. • Your Solar-Log™ controller is expandable with modules for additional interfaces. • You fulfill the required certifications for the grid connection. • You get a complete and reliable monitoring of your investment. • You get a maintenance-friendly all-round carefree service, which has access to your plants worldwide. The pioneer in energy management for over 15 years.

TALKING POINT Looking to the sun to lower energy costs Words: C hris Voet, Director of Key Accounts Commercial Europe, SolarEdge Logistics hubs, the central facilities for distributing goods, are the core of logistics companies. Their vast, flat roofs are ideal for installing solar. As energy is one of the leading costs for operating a warehouse, solar can play a crucial role in lowering this outlay. Now, many logistics companies are planning for another huge challenge: transitioning company car fleets to fully electric vehicles. 42 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT For this next step, rooftop solar alone is not challenge, has become an essential emissions, due to more package deliveries. enough. A new smart energy model is needed component in reducing the carbon footprint At the same time, logistics companies are to combine PV production with onsite e-fleet of supply chains. Surging energy prices, being pressured by investors and regulators charging and full energy management. extreme weather, regional conflicts and to achieve more aggressive ESG goals. Logistics hubs, by adopting this new solution, other world events have raised uncertainties could play a central role in advancing about future energy supply, which is A study by Coyote Logistics, which included sustainable supply chains. significantly impacting logistics companies. 250 global shippers across various industries, revealed that 81% of companies believe that Distribution hubs go green for a better In addition, the rise of eCommerce retail to achieve success, their supply chains must bottom line sales, which nearly doubled between 2019 play an integral role in owning sustainable and 2020 and a trend that’s not likely to go initiatives across their networks. Energy consumption in distribution away, has increased transportation warehouses, a complex and multilayered A DHL survey of US consumers in May 2021 found that the majority, 60%, were willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products or services. Fifty-four percent stated they put more trust in a company based on public commitments to environmental sustainability. The survey results reflect the influential role that supply chain sustainability will play in the competitiveness of e-commerce businesses in the future. But, as delivery truck fleets still depend on diesel fuel, the logistics sector is slow to transition completely to carbon neutrality. Still, many logistics companies are already moving to alternative energy sources to reduce their energy costs and dependence on the grid while ensuring uninterrupted operations. According to a new report by the UK Warehousing Association, the warehouse sector in the UK could generate around 13.8 TWh of renewable electricity per year, transforming the sector from net consumers to net producers. In the US, developers lag behind their European counterparts in constructing sustainable warehouses and distribution centers. Nevertheless, American companies are taking steps to make their warehouses more energy efficient, by turning their rooftops into solar farms that can power the building’s operations. These buildings, with typically large, open interiors devoted to storage and only small office areas, would appear to be easier to make green than other real estate. They usually require a moderate amount of energy, compared with more densely occupied structures such as office buildings or hotels. Typically, non-refrigerated warehouses adopting conventional solar solutions consume no more than 10 to 20% of the energy they produce, for lighting and HVAC. This means that most of the produced energy is wasted, unless it is sold to the grid. However, it could otherwise be utilized for powering e-fleets, stored in batteries and transported to another warehouse. Or it could be sold to nearby businesses that cannot produce their own energy. Logistics companies looking to reduce their operating costs are considering smarter cost-effective PV management systems that will optimize solar energy generated on the roof, while promoting a safe work environment below the roof. W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M 43

TALKING POINT PV installation safeguards furniture together with embedded arc fault detection, solutions. This increasing electrification will logistics hub gave the furniture manufacturer the peace of also hike up energy costs. To mitigate these mind they needed. added costs, logistics companies can use An interesting example is a leading Italian smart integrated PV-EV solutions. furniture manufacturer with a 36,000 square- Transitioning to e-fleets will drive SolarEdge’s scalable PV solution design meter logistics hub. A SolarEdge smart carbon neutrality offers a future-ready investment in energy system was chosen for their rooftop renewables, so logistics hubs can meet their installation covering an area of approximately Fleet vehicles are an essential element of evolving energy needs as their business 5,000 square meters. daily life, transporting anything from food grows. Through a smart energy ecosystem to clothing to just about every consumer integrating PV with EV charging and other Several factors played into the decision to item. Internal combustion engine (ICE) energy devices, enterprises will be able to select SolarEdge. The company wanted to vehicles are responsible for nearly 25% utilize solar power produced on the roof for address the sharp rise in Italy’s electricity of total GHG emissions. charging their future e-fleets. prices in 2021-2022 and reduce reliance on Some companies might consider adding solar the grid. In addition, since the roof was Now, as logistics companies increasingly set storage to charge e-trucks after sundown. shaded by electrical wires, maximizing ambitious decarbonization targets, they are Or, they may opt for ‘bi-directional use’, by energy production, and lowering energy starting to move towards electrifying their discharging solar power stored in the truck’s losses due to solar panel shading were fleets. Replacing fossil fuel-powered fleet battery, to the building (V2B). Alternatively, extremely important. vehicles with zero-emission EVs will be a this power could be injected and sold to the huge step towards carbon neutrality. grid (V2G), or to neighboring businesses for SolarEdge Power Optimizers connected to additional revenue. the PV modules ensured that each panel Interest in eTrucks across the logistics sector Later, to better utilize their parking produced the maximum amount of power, and is growing. By 2040, 15 million EVs are structures, solar carports could be installed that underperforming panels did not affect expected to be part of corporate fleets in the and connected to EV chargers, for use by strong ones as is true with conventional string US. According to McKinsey, In the EU more employees and visitors. This could help inverter systems. And, with SolarEdge’s than 30 models of eTrucks will be available by promote more sustainable supply chains. Monitoring Platform, the system installers 2040, and eTruck adoption will exceed 30 were able to accurately track energy percent by 2030 across different classes. www.solaredge.com production down to the panel level. Granular analytics and real time alerts enabled remote Increased supply chain electrification Chris Voet, Director of Key Accounts troubleshooting of underperforming panels, demands PV-EV integration Commercial Europe, SolarEdge which reduced truck rolls and maintenance Chris is a renewable energy expert who costs. This also provided the company with To meet growing consumer demand and has worked for over 15 years in the solar maximum system uptime, a high annual tighter turnaround expectations, many and wind energy business. energy yield, and faster ROI. logistics companies are replacing their Since 2019 he has led SolarEdge’s gasoline and diesel-powered forklifts with pan-European C&I department, Safe work practices over and under the roof electric ones. Many are also adding energy- supporting global enterprises in efficient warehouse robots to increase reaching net-zero emissions targets, by While maximizing profitability was a primary production and significantly reduce their developing optimized energy self- goal for the furniture manufacturer, it was energy bills. Another growing trend is consumption solutions as well as onsite critical for them to ensure the safety of their warehouse drones that find and reach items and virtual PPA scenarios. 100+ employees, as well as inflammable on high racks or in narrow storage areas, and His knowledge and expertise in a range merchandise and expensive machinery. The also transport the goods by air. of renewable energy solutions, SolarEdge system, with its built-in multilayer combined with his financial background, safety features, meets the most stringent As part of the massive growth in the e-delivery enable Chris to work closely with safety standards and insurance requirements. truck market, e-fleet charging is expected to multinationals and SMEs, turning their The system’s safety is proactively monitored increase exponentially in the coming years. In sustainable energy visions into a reality in real-time to mitigate potential risks. The fact, BP recently announced it is building and delivering solid ROIs. SafeDC™ feature automatically reduces the Europe’s first public corridor for ultra fast solar arrays to touch safe levels whenever the charging of e-trucks along a busy freight route grid or inverter are shut down. This enables stretching 600km across Germany. quick intervention by service crews or firefighters and protects the facility in an All this electricity-powered equipment will emergency event. This important feature, need to be supported by more charging power. To avoid downtime, these devices will require effective, fast, reliable charging 44 PES SOLAR

MESSE MÜNCHEN — The World’s Leading Exhibition for the Solar Industry n Connecting solar business: International markets, new business models, latest technologies and trends n Experience the latest innovations: Solar cells, modules, inverters, mounting systems and much more n Stay one step ahead: Exclusive expertise at the conferences, forums and networking events n Industry meeting point: Meet 85,000+ energy experts and 1,600 exhibitors at four parallel exhibitions www.intersolar.de

THINK TANK Why Europe is ready for a shift to micro-inverter based rooftop installations in residential PV 46 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK All over Europe, string inverters have been the standard for decades, not only in large-scale industrial PV plants, but also in residential rooftop installations. Although there have been some alterations in the product standards to tackle performance, safety and other issues, there hasn’t been a major reformation in the residential market for a long time. While Europe is still stuck with inflexible string inverter solutions, installers and homeowners in many other parts of the world have recognized the benefits of micro-inverter based rooftop installations long ago. Safety regulations determined by the danger emanated by that same high voltage their PV plants with a maximum capacity of a National Electrical Code (NEC) have led to the on their roofs and inside their homes. Arcing few hundred kilowatts are paving the way for implementation of single-module control in is rare, but dangerous, and it can cause a fire. this trend. the United States, whether it be with micro-inverters or optimizers. Thanks to this In a PV plant with micro-inverters, DC current In 2022, many suppliers faced much higher development, US homeowners not only is transformed into AC right at the source demand than they were able to meet. For PV benefit from a superior safety standard. They and there is no high voltage in the entire plants of such a small size, micro-inverters are also enjoy much longer warranties and a system. This makes both the work of the perfect fit. Although they were not higher energy yield, since each module runs installers and the lives of homeowners much originally developed for this purpose, the easy at its individual maximum power point and safer. Moreover, in the event of a fire for a plug-and-play installation of these products is because single-module control makes more different reason, the rapid-shutdown well received by tenants as well as installers. roof space accessible for PV installation. function comes into effect, allowing the firefighters to do their work securely and Easy planning and installation Is it time for Europeans to become without any hindrance. acquainted with this alternative system and Although tenants are allowed to install their benefit from its advantages? Enabler for a new trend: solar balcony plants balcony plant themselves in some European countries, many prefer to rely on an expert’s Higher energy generation Most recently, fueled by the ongoing energy help with handling the large and heavy PV crisis, a new trend is growing in some parts of modules and connecting the devices In a residential PV plant with a string-inverter Europe that has put micro-inverters on the correctly. For some installers, this that is usually located in the basement of the map on this side of the Atlantic: balcony PV. unexpected additional business is their first building, even the slightest shadowing, dirt or With these small 1- to 2-module plants, tenants encounter with these smart plug-and-play defect of a single module can cut down the who do not own a house can gain a certain level micro-inverters. energy generation of the whole system of energy and potentially save some Euros dramatically. Either the output power of the while energy prices are skyrocketing. Depending on the manufacturer, some complete string of PV modules is reduced, or systems are so easy to handle, installers the bypass diodes bridge over shaded The need to become more independent from might be tempted to stick with them for sections of a PV module. power suppliers and questionable energy rooftop installations. In fact, they can not sources has led to a high demand for green only save time doing the installation work, Single-module control, as achieved with energy solutions that are accessible to but also in the upfront planning process. micro-inverters or optimizers, however, can almost anyone. Regulations in some While a rooftop plant with a central string- ensure that each panel delivers the maximum European countries, such as Germany and inverter must be designed carefully amount of energy at each point of time. This Austria, allowing their citizens to just plug in according to each specific roof with the also means that various orientations and inclinations can be combined in a single string without any problem, opening up more space for the residential plant. Dormers, smaller rooftop areas and additional space, such as a balcony or canopy can be easily integrated into the PV plant. In some cases, there is not even a minimum number of panels required. Especially in complex rooftop conditions, a PV system with micro-inverters can provide up to 30% more energy than a string-inverter-based plant would. And as a pleasant side effect, homeowners do not have to put up with that large, potentially buzzing device inside their living space. Superior safety In Europe, installers have had to accept handling dangerous high voltages of up to 1,000V for way too long. At the same time, homeowners had to live with the constant W W W.P E S S O L A R .C O M 47

THINK TANK matching inverter size, the planning of a generation breaks down completely in the dedicated mobile app. Some micro-inverters micro-inverter-based PV system is as easy as event of a defect in the string-inverter, the even allow for over-the-air servicing in case it gets: just include one inverter per module, system stays live operating at only a slightly the cause of the defect is on the firmware no matter the total size of the plant. And in lower level in case one micro-inverter fails. side, making maintenance extra easy and fast. case you can fit more modules than expected Due to the monitoring on module level that is during installation, the plant can be easily offered by most manufacturers of micro- At the same time, the usual, llimited product extended with additional micro-inverters. inverter-based PV systems, the inverter in warranty for micro-inverters lasts 25 years, question can be detected precisely without as opposed to a standard of five to 12 years in Simple inventory and stock keeping having to get on top of the roof. string-inverters. This suggests that This is possible, because each individual micro-inverters are really built to last. This characteristic of micro-inverter plants inverter communicates with the system’s Solarnative, a German startup manufacturer brings another advantage that can be of gateway which is connected with the of micro-inverters and other components for great importance to both large and small manufacturer’s IT infrastructure, enabling the residential PV installations, explains the installation companies: just one single user to observe the system in detail by use of a exceptional durability of their product named product can be used for any size of residential Power Stick with its unique thermal design PV plant. Most companies are facing the Solarnative Power Stick micro-inverter and a reduced component count. complexities of managing a number of different string-inverters with varying Each component has a certain probability of wattages. Numerous products must be failure, so a smaller number leads to lower ordered, handled, and stored at the same product failure rates. The inverter’s time to be prepared for upcoming projects. high-frequency technology allowed Solarnative’s engineers to downsize the The alternative is to order the matching device and reduce the number of inverter after finalizing the planning of each components by about 50% compared to plant, resulting in long lead times for the other micro-inverters, perhaps making it the customers. If a project unexpectedly enables most reliable product in its category. more panels to be added, or a homeowner wants to expand their plant at a later point, The company is planning to launch its the string-inverter must be replaced with a innovative product this year. CEO Julian bigger one. Mattheis states: ‘We believe that Europe is more than ready for our Power Stick micro- All these complications are avoided by the inverter. It was designed to make life easier use of micro-inverters. It is even possible to and safer for both installers and homeowners. add a small number of panels to a roof with an Why should anyone pass on the benefits of existing plant without having to replace the single-module-control when it is brought to existing string inverter. As there is no them on such comfortable terms?’ minimum number of inverters per string or plant to get the system running, www.solarnative.com homeowners can just add a separate micro-inverter-plant to generate more energy than before, even if it contains only a very small number of panels. Additionally, installers do not need to handle large and heavy inverters anymore as these are replaced with small, handy micro-inverters. Highest reliability, precise monitoring and error detection Micro-inverters not only maximize the output of a residential PV plant when everything runs smoothly. While the energy 48 PES SOLAR

A Mowing Crew That Works Like A Machine. For most utility-scale solar facilities, the rising cost of vegetation management is the top budget item. Now there’s a solution to this growing problem. The Renubot is designed by solar O&M professionals specifically for vegetation management on these locations. It’s rugged, reliable and remains onsite without oversight. Let’s discuss how Renubot can solve your problem. RENUBOT.COM

THINK TANK Connecting energy for a stable supply A stable power supply is the focus of current energy debates. The ultimate target is to become independent from fossil fuels. However, the change from a few centralised energy producers to many decentralised ones means a complete reorganisation of the power grid, which has existed in this form for over 100 years, something that isn’t entirely without risk. The change to decentralised energy energy monitoring and management experience, this provides reliable solutions production carries many risks, not least that solutions. These systems take over a wide for both the national and international grid stability could be jeopardised. To avoid range of important functions of a PV system. PV market. this scenario, the decentralised plants must contribute to grid stability in two main ways. First and foremost, of course, it must be Avoid yield losses with professional PV On the one hand, autonomously based on the ensured that the expected yields of a PV monitoring available amount of energy produced in system are actually achieved. This, in turn, is conjunction with the grid frequency, and on a core function of energy monitoring and The smooth operation of a PV system the other, centrally controlled by grid control management systems. These calculated should always be ensured to avoid yield centres, mostly aimed at regulating the yields are not only relevant for the plant losses. This can only be achieved for active power. operator, but also for grid stability. They have existing and new systems with seamless been firmly calculated into the quantity monitoring of the system components. The Decentralised generation plants, together calculation of the demands. tasks of the monitoring system are to with corresponding battery storage systems, identify problems immediately and in a offer very reliable control and regulation The Solar-Log energy management system targeted manner and to report them options. On the plant side, the control and shows exactly how these solutions look and immediately with concrete statements on regulation capability are provided by so-called function. With its many years of possible optimisation measures. 50 PES SOLAR