PES Solar 1 2021

THINK TANK h.a.l.m bifacial module: the projection flasher cetisPV-IUCT-M allows flexible Module-EL: the electroluminescence option for h.a.l.m.’s projection flasher integration into module lines with product sizes of up to 2.60m by 1.60m and systems allows detailed defect analysis and quality documentation for laboratories offers the highest standard on light uniformity in production and production – without the need for an additional measurement station 15 °C to 75 °C that ensures a very precise measurement results within a mere module manufacturers choosing h.a.l.m. homogeneous temperature distribution. 40 ms. The short flash avoids any align with the test equipment of many For the customer, this directly translates to a temperature-changing effects that longer independent test laboratories. higher throughput of the semi-manual flashes could cause. Nevertheless, it is workflow. Additionally, h.a.l.m. offers a possible to use section measurements and Testing in production is vital for continuously template function for automatically creating flashes of up to 105 ms with optional power delivering quality, uninterrupted operation, measurement reports in Word and PDF boosters for evaluation purposes. and preventive risk management. Beyond format to streamline the customer process. testing the final module, module As laboratories and R&D departments face a Extending the system to perform full manufacturers should consider test stations wide and evolving variety of modules and 3-quadrant measurements with h.a.l.m.’s for incoming cells and module tests at the technologies, the measurement system cetisPV-EL3-M option increases the pre-lamination stage. The upfront demonstrates its quality by accurately accuracy for determining the open-circuit investment for such a dense control scheme measuring even challenging ones. voltage and hence the associated resistance may appear high, but the cost caused by For bifacial modules, increasing the light parameters. cetisPV-EL3-M allows a higher scrap production and missed customer intensity to up to 1200 W/m² allows testing voltage measurement range from -150 V to deadlines can quickly outweigh it. according to the equivalent irradiance (GE) 300 V and is the recommended choice when method. When measuring high-capacitance customers offer a complete range of module Manufacturers are especially at risk if modules, such as heterojunction (HJT), IBC, inspection services. production workflows with few control and TOPCon, with a h.a.l.m. system, the points allow large quantities of modules advanced hysteresis function of h.a.l.m.’s Beyond the precise IV measurement, the between potentially error-prone steps and proprietary PVControl software allows electroluminescence option offers further product control. h.a.l.m.’s module testers possibilities to analyze and document module are the perfect way to control production Damian Koesters defects like cracks or connector issues. quality and quantify module characteristics. Within h.a.l.m.’s full-range portfolio, When laboratories and industrial R&D manufacturers can choose between two departments are looking for the highest approaches for line integration. accuracy in module characterization, h.a.l.m.’s cetisPV-Moduletest3 is the Due to their compact footprint, table optimal solution. cetisPV-Moduletest3 is flashers have become a common choice for widely used in labs worldwide, like those of module inspection in production globally operating certified bodies, environments. cetisPV-IUCT-Q-L is independent test labs, renowned research h.a.l.m.’s most recent innovation in this institutions, and leading module segment and allows measuring modules of manufacturers. With its modular design, up to 2.30m by 1.40m with a class AAA rating. customers will certainly find a cetisPV-IUCT-Q-L integrates easily into configuration supporting and enhancing existing or planned production lines with its their unique value proposition. low required transportation height. Measurement systems in production It does not require additional housing due to the modules’ sunny side down orientation. In a time of rapid business growth, module With a maximum throughput of 200 modules manufacturers look for a reliable supplier per hour, cetisPV-IUCT-Q-L is ready to keeping their pace by delivering on high handle demanding high-volume production throughput, high uptime, low maintenance requirements. Both the sealed design that effort, and a long lifetime. With its strong impedes dust ingress as well as the easily foothold in cell testing systems, h.a.l.m. has accessible flash tubes with a long lifetime proven its technological and organizational support manufacturers to meet high maturity. h.a.l.m. is the natural choice when standards for availability KPIs constantly. manufacturers create a unified machinery Furthermore, customers can order cetisPV- landscape with a single point of contact for IUCT-Q-L with an optional motorized training and support. As a by-product, transportation system. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 101

THINK TANK Moduletest3: by combining the qualities of a projection flasher system with a large variety of options, cetisPV- Customers find an optimal solution for a Moduletest3 enables laboratories, test facilities and R&D departments to characterize almost every aspect of seamless line integration cetisPV-IUCT-M modules of up to 2.60m by 1.60m together with h.a.l.m.’s professional project management. Detailed technical consulting Alternatively, module inspection in planning regardless of changing module in all project phases makes cetisPV-IUCT-M production environments can be performed product roadmaps. a future-proof choice in expanding using projection flashers like h.a.l.m.’s production environments. cetisPV-IUCT-M. Even though customers Based on a maximum throughput of 200 could regard their larger footprint with the modules per hour, cetisPV-IUCT-M is thus h.a.l.m.’s PVControl software allows necessary projection distance (of 3.5m to ready to fulfill ambitious goals to increase manufacturers to configure effective 4m) as a disadvantage, the greater maximum productivity. The possibility to integrate measurement schemes to ensure superior module size and the resulting light field h.a.l.m.’s electroluminescence option for product quality. Customers with quality reflected by a class A+A+A+ rating can defect inspection and quality documentation heterojunction modules or other high- easily make up for that. When assembled in a is yet another advantage as it is fully capacitive technologies greatly profit from vertical tower or a horizontal tunnel layout, integrated within the flasher and needs no h.a.l.m.’s single flash advanced hysteresis that cetisPV-IUCT-M inspects modules of up to additional measurement time or an accurately measures steady-state IV curves 2.60m by 1.60m and allows long-term reliable additional measurement station. while reducing the required flash length. Independent of whether customers decide for a projective or a table flasher system, module testers designed by h.a.l.m. are an asset for every manufacturer. With their tight integration supporting the production process, h.a.l.m. testers give manufacturers a competitive advantage. Summary For both manufacturers and labs, h.a.l.m. offers high-end test equipment to the global PV industry. h.a.l.m.’s portfolio offers solutions for cell and module characterization based on its highly accurate IV measurement technology and complementing inspection methods. With a strong focus on innovation and a strong team of project managers and service technicians supporting our customers from our locations in Suzhou (China) and Frankfurt (Germany), h.a.l.m. is the established partner of many recognized photovoltaics brands. www.halm.de IUCT-Q-L: with its compact footprint, cetisPV-IUCT-Q-L is easy to integrate for module manufacturers and offers high throughput with up to 200 modules per hour 102 PES SOLAR

Improve your power output predictions Q4cast Irradiance Now- & Forecasting • System with multiple sky cameras • Stand-alone software with local or remote data processing • Live view and accurate predictions for the next 20 minutes • Coverage of up to 10 x 10 km² per system • Solar irradiance map with up to 5 x 5 m² resolution Your experts in solar resource assessment. www.cspservices.de | [email protected] Cologne, Germany | Almería, Spain

TALKING POINT Calibrate, document, design and simulate. The newly developed app from ETU Software enables quick and precise measurements of the building, by taking digital measurements based on a photo and target-oriented inputs to simulate the photovoltaic system. This allows the user to document and provide initial estimates while still on site. SimpleMeasure saves time in the bidding phase and enables the workflow to be documented precisely in advance. Subsequent processing time in the office is also remarkably reduced. Taking individual images from different without many instructions. An assistant The selected area can now be measured. In appropriate perspectives to access difficult guides you through the individual steps. addition to rectangles, polygons are also areas such as roof surfaces is possible as available for selection, which can be used for well. This makes it easy to take The captured or selected photo can be cutout areas. Furthermore, areas can be measurements for roofing work and PV rectified and edited in different resolutions. provided with lines, dimension chains and planning. As an advantage, a tabular list is This ensures a more accurate method of labelling fields. This facilitates the bid automatically output, which contains all working. The photographed area is selected preparation and structures the recorded areas, extraction areas and PV and calibrated with the help of a grid to documentation process. modules. This documentation can be determine the layer. For more precise exported in various formats for further use. positioning of the corner points, the zoom In order to cover the roof with the The approach: the app can be purchased function displays the selected corners. One appropriate PV modules, the corresponding directly via the Play store/App Store. After or two known reference dimensions can be widths and heights as well as the distances registration, the first project is created easily entered for calibration. The more precise the between the modules are entered. This input work, the more accurate the result. enables a manufacturer-neutral working © ETU Software GmbH method and reduces the selection from catalogues. The final selection of suitable modules and inverters is made using the catalogue from the PV simulation. Once the areas and dimensions have been determined and the PV modules are placed, a corresponding tabular listing is output. Several formats are available for export: Area lists in CSV format, a project report as PDF or the image file as a screenshot. In addition to the area and building survey with SimpleMeasure, the dimensions and the occupancy can be entered into PV Simulation 3D and used to simulate the photovoltaic system. The intuitive user interface including a complete CAD (HottCAD) leads step by step through the program. The system is designed based on a few relevant characteristic values by simplified 104 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT © ETU Software GmbH consideration. Alternatively, a complete roof © ETU Software GmbH design can be carried out in 3D based on a © ETU Software GmbH digital model. Shading calculations of the building and Meteonorm climate data are already included. Besides an extensive and monthly updated manufacturer database, own inputs can also be added and thus enable a multitude of interconnections. For each selected combination of module and inverter, the program determines the interconnection options and lists the variants in comparison. Battery storage can optionally be considered and simulated in the same system model. The display of the state of charge for each day enables to draw conclusions about the selection of the right size of storage. The cost-effectiveness of a system is determined with the integrated profitability calculation. In addition to the profitability calculation with payback period, risk analysis with various financing and loan options can be taken into account as well. The transfer of parts lists in common formats is implemented for the preparation of offers. Descriptive diagrams and detailed tables enable complete documentation, which can be output in a comprehensive report. The approach: After creating a new project, the simple building entry is selected. The relevant dimensions for the occupied roof area can be entered from the app. Inverters and modules are selected from the manufacturer catalogue and interconnected. The optimal connection is evaluated based on various performance data and the smiley on the right. The output includes the annual WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 105

TALKING POINT © ETU Software GmbH yield and self-consumption, detailed diagrams of the climate data such as © ETU Software GmbH corresponding radiation data, the electricity generation (DC, AC yields), the electricity 106 PES SOLAR distribution and the state of charge of the battery (if a battery storage was selected). The ‘SimpleMeasure’ is available for €99 (2-year license) or for €3.99/per month in the App or Google Play Store. In addition, the PV Simulation 3D can be purchased for €399 as a yearly license. For further information, the team of the ETU Software will be happy to assist you. Contact us via email or phone: ETU Software GmbH Von-Hünefeld-Strasse 3 50829 Cologne Phone: +49(0)221.70 99 34 40 Fax: +49(0)221.70 99 33 44 E-Mail: [email protected] www.etu-software.com Website Campaign: www.etu-software.com/SimpleMeasure

cetisPV module tester line High precision Class A+A+A+ measurement systems for PV modules • Available for large solar modules up to 2600 mm x 1600 mm • Applicable for all kinds of technologies including PERC, TOPCon, HJT and thin film • Fast and high precision IV and EL measurement up to 180 modules/h • Lab system with automatic power rating matrix measurement • Future-proof and upgradable due to modular design

TALKING POINT Carbon reduction and energy cost stability for large UK manufacturing site Words: C laire Gardner, Marketing Manager for Solis After establishing a solid position within residential solar markets across Europe, the commercial and utility scale sector has begun to strike up quite a liking for Solis. With a robust financial position, a focus on quality and customer service, the brand is fast becoming the inverter of choice for many large-scale solar developers. 108 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT Building relationships with partners is part food on the go. They incorporate sustainable many businesses the desire to demonstrate of the reason for the success and growth solutions into the packaging that can reduce Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is at within the large-scale solar sector. Product carbon emissions and that contribute the core of the Faerch strategy. Customers availability, technical support, both online positively to products with environmental and end consumers are demanding more and on site, has been key to one such focus. The company’s strategy on from suppliers and businesses to prove their partner, Engenera. sustainability is clear: to lead the industry’s credentials when it comes to climate change efforts in making food packaging circular. and sustainability. Engenera, one of the UK’s leading renewable energy companies, continues to expand its The desire for solar and the drive to net zero ‘Faerch Plast have a clear and single-minded diverse portfolio with a recently completed strategy regarding sustainability and wanted 2MW solar project at Faerch Plast, County With multiple large manufacturing sites, to utilise as much of their rooftop estate as Durham UK. The Engenera Renewables Faerch have capitalised on the space possible. Delivering a Solar Energy Power Group provide renewable energy solutions available by utilising the building rooftops to Purchase Agreement (PPA) with them for business owners across the UK working deploy solar and unlock financial benefits as ensures they obtain energy price stability as with them to understand their needs well as delivering against their carbon well as moving towards hitting their carbon and objectives. reduction strategy. The company is working reduction targets,’ says Glendinning. towards becoming net zero and are Bryan Glendinning, CEO for Engenera says implementing alternative energy solutions at Why Solis? ‘Clients often have fragmented or unclear pace to deliver on this. Additional motivation objectives around energy and sustainability. also included the fact that energy prices Ginlong Technologies, known globally as This could include energy savings, becoming continue to increase putting additional Solis has been operating since 2005 and as a carbon neutral and wanting to introduce a pressure on businesses. public listed company recently published its green commitment to their business. It is our 2020 annual results. In a year complicated by job to assist them in pulling it all together to Over the last 10 years large industrial the Covid-19 pandemic the company develop a solution that meets – or ideally consumers have experienced the highest adapted quickly to rapidly changing market exceeds – their objectives.’ increase in electricity prices with up to 75% requirements and as a result, reported an increases in some areas*. These higher 83% increase in revenue for the year. Faerch Plast, part of the A P Moller Group tariffs, alongside costs throughout the produces high quality packaging for the food supply chain climbing, steered them towards Focusing on the development and industry, specifically for ready meals and an energy mix that would include solar. Like manufacture of string inverters and with a WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 109

TALKING POINT Analysis of energy system key criteria for the system which any chosen inverter needed to comply with: global strategy to use technological Chase and Bank of America and recognised innovation to promote continuous product by BloombergNEF as a bankable brand. - F inancial Credibility. A PPA solar project development has brought many years of requires detailed due diligence checks such consistent growth. The project as financial history and company stability of any prospective manufacturer partner. The emphasis on product development and The site in Country Durham in the UK is one Warranties are of the upmost importance financial stability are what makes the of several that Engenera are working on with so it is vital to know that a company will be company and brand attractive to solar Faerch Plast to install solar PV on their there to offer support in future. developers and financial institutions. building rooftops. At 2MW and with over Alongside numerous awards for innovation 4000 modules this was a substantial large - Reliability. Critical to the success of any and product quality, Solis is listed by leading scale solar project. During the decision- project is having confidence in the global financial institutions such as JPMorgan making process at Engenera when analysing equipment being installed and the stability and benchmarking equipment, there were of the manufacturer. Both the reliability of the product and reputation of the company behind them are key to success. Solis’ track record speaks for itself. - Grid Connectivity. As with many countries export to the grid in the UK is becoming more and more limited. A solution which was G100 compliant and could easily incorporate export power management was going to be required. - M aximum Power Point Trackers (MPPTS’s). Multiple MPPT’s within the inverters were seen as critical to maximise the yield from the modules, add flexibility to the design and ensure ROI is optimised. The benefit of more accurate monitoring was also considered. Other more functional considerations such as product availability and consistency of supply were also important.Solis was chosen because of the ability to deliver against all benchmark criteria. The result has been a successful installation and a solar plant that is now operating 110 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT efficiently and, most importantly, delivering in forward to cultivating an ongoing mutually and local teams where you are, to support line with the customers objectives. Since the beneficial relationship’ companies anywhere in the world with plant went operational, Faerch have recorded whatever their installation needs or annual CO2 savings of over 450 tonnes per The Solis commercial rooftop solar solution sustainability goals might be. annum directly attributed to the solar energy generation. Average annual savings on Designed for improved efficiency, increased Find out more at www.solisinverters.com. electricity are in the range of £85,000 or £2m+ yield and worry-free operation and over the lifetime of the system. maintenance, the 110kW is a perfect solution *Source: BusinessElectricityPrices.org for this type of installation. Sandy Faerch Senior Management said ‘We are Woodward, Solis Regional Director for Solis Fact File delighted with executing the next step in Europe said, ‘Designed specifically for our renewables and carbon journey. Energy commercial rooftop applications, the 110kW Company established 2005 and environmental management are at the integrates our fifth-generation technology heart of everything we do and we are and best-in-class components to deliver an Stock listed since 2019 committed to improving our production industry leading efficiency and performance. processes to minimise any negative effects Working together with our commercial - Single Phase, No2 Global share* on our surroundings. customers we can ensure that the maximum energy yield and ROI is realised.’ - Three Phase, No4 Global share* We are, therefore, delighted to have achieved our goal of using 100% renewable energy The launch of the new SolisCloud intelligent *source: Wood Mackenzie throughout the entire Group. Having monitoring platform means that all succeeded in reducing our energy installations can be tracked and partly BloombergNEF Endorsed consumption by a third since 1996, all of the maintained online with remote firmware electricity we use now comes from updates also reducing many costly trips to site. EUPD Top PV Brand award winner every renewable sources’. year since 2016 Looking to the future Glendinning continues, saying ‘Working NEW advanced technology 20GW within the plastics sector, Faerch are leading 2021 is forecast to be another great year for manufacturing plant begins operation in the way with their European environmental solar especially with the world’s eyes on Q2 2021 drive and carbon strategy. We are delighted global leaders and their commitments to net that they chose Engenera to be their Solar zero targets. Solar, large scale commercial String inverters from Mini 700W to High PPA partner in the UK. We are currently and utility in particular, are critical to the Voltage 255kW modelling their second UK site and look achievement of these goals. Solis is well positioned with a broad product portfolio Local service & support in over 15 countries worldwide WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 111



Solis Commercial & Industrial PV Inverter Solis-110K-5G Efficient Safe 10 MPPTs, Max. efficiency 98.7%, > 150% DC/AC ratio AFCI protection, proactively reduces fire risk High power tracking density 90MPPT/MW Built-in PID recovery for better module performance (optional) Compatible with bifacial modules Type I SPD for AC (optional) Smart Economic Night SVG function Power line communication (PLC) (optional) Intelligent string monitoring. Smart I-V curve scan Support \"Y\" type connection in DC side Remote firmware upgrade with simple operation Supports aluminium wire access to reduce cost www.solisinverters.com t: +44 (0)113 328 0870 | e: [email protected]

TALKING POINT Actionable ways to use emerging technology in field service Words: Brad Dore, Director of Marketing SMA America There are a variety of field service applications across industries involved with power and energy solutions. The constant desire for efficiency motivates industry leaders to evaluate which technological advancements provide opportunities to optimize. Be it enterprise-level, commercial or program to remotely monitor, troubleshoot management needed for service repairs utility-scale, field service plays a vital role for and even replace faulty inverters and inverter or replacements. maintenance and repair. The availability of components. SMA Smart Connected technology enriches performance and leverages the data supplied by Sunny Portal, Installers can leverage the program to target operations in various ways. the world’s largest PV monitoring repository, customer service solutions specific to the to receive inverter information and offer site, saving time, conserving analysis costs, Through innovation and self-solve tools, proactive service. and minimizing system downtime. The result customers can cut costs and handle some of this innovation is peace of mind for the maintenance by leveraging manufacturer This technology allows the field service team customer and more efficient, and less costly supplied resources catered to their own to identify the correct fault diagnosis without service operations for the installer. industry and expertise. a diagnostic trip. This can reduce service trips by 50%, resulting in significant time and cost In addition to Smart Connected automation, Here are three ways we see tech innovation savings. Automated monitoring and analysis SMA also offers two Solar Monitoring impacting the PV field service industry. also allow a new device to be shipped before Centers (SMC), one in California and one in an on-site technician is even aware of the Germany These innovative hubs provide a Automated Monitoring and Analysis issues, further reducing the administrative watchful, proactive eye on commercial and utility solar investments. Through SMA uses an automated data analysis 114 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT continuous, real-time remote monitoring maintain optimal array performance. A account. Now, each login can see all open capabilities, the SMC ensures systems properly maintained solar system can cases, making it easier for installers to continue to perform as expected. This keeps increase yields by as much as 30 percent and manage their service operations. revenue growth on track by maximizing accelerate return on investment. With aerial performance and minimizing downtime. The thermography, maintenance can be more This innovation allows unprecedented access SMC technology analyzes performance to accurate, faster, and cost-effective than in to information and speeds resolution. ensure maximum inverter power generation. the past. If there are problems that arise, they are To further expedite service, the user identified in real-time via a notification. This SMA has FFA-certified experts working with interface links the online service center and process assesses the need for a truck roll, the field service team to make aerial Sunny Portal, the SMA global online creates a ticket and dispatches field service thermography available through plantwide monitoring portal, eliminating the need for engineers to resolve issues quickly. operations and maintenance services. Using manual entry of information from one to the drones, issues can be detected down to the other. Customers can now manually adjust Aerial Thermography cell level. This technology is critical as the their ship dates as well, and there will soon be identification of these hot spots can indicate information to track shipments indirectly Drones are used across many industries and more problems or future issues in process. through the platform. In addition, customers are becoming popular for field service. When aerial thermography is utilized, time is can access all products and software updates Drones and aerial thermography are saved with diagnosis and challenges are from a single source. transforming commercial, utility and storage addressed quickly so customers can keep installation service. Within solar field service, their systems running at maximum output. The Online Service Center also provides easy historically, technicians had to manually access to information in the knowledge review sites for hot spots in a PV array. Online service center database, which expedites support. For Drones have the capacity to fly over projects example, users can search the site for and take thermal readings from above. In 2020, SMA America launched a new online articles and see which articles are trending. service center, a web portal that elevates Additionally, FAQs are accessible with This type of technology is now utilized to service and accelerates resolution. Through SMA-authored knowledge ranked on the this technology, installers can now access most frequently asked questions. resources that previously required calling a service technician. With the online service All these resources empower installers to center, customers can track the progress of a focus on revenue centers. service case, inverter exchange or request a rebate, sign up for an extended warranty and Field Service Mobile Apps update delivery details. One of the biggest game-changers in field This new technology in field-service has service technology is the proliferation of applications across industries. This model is mobile apps. The team at SMA has recently a one-stop shop for customers to do a range released a new mobile field service app which of activities that previously involved waiting has made servicing inverters onsite faster to speak with phone line support. and simpler. For example, the online service center Our app empowers residential and features case tracking for all activities commercial PV installers to access up-to- concerning both individuals and companies. date systems information, obtain quick error Service communications for each case are analysis and get more timely assistance with collected in a single feed which simplifies repairs. In turn, the day-to-day experience is customer communication. This streamlined much easier for installers. Instead of needing approach also provides a needed solution to rely on phone support, mobile apps when there are multiple logins per company provide practical solutions and documentation for relevant SMA products. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 115

TALKING POINT Plus, they save time, a valuable resource or tablet. When technicians leverage this Bio across industries. tool, they can access fault identification and are instructed on solutions to replace parts Brad Dore is the director of marketing for With the SMA field service mobile app, an in addition to finding the documentation they SMA America, the U.S.-based subsidiary installer can enter an error code and an need. This type of innovation allows users to of SMA Solar Technology AG, intuitive fault analysis tool on the app will navigate inside an inverter through headquartered in Germany. Dore is give recommendations and solutions to augmented reality, zoning in on the area in responsible for leading the marketing troubleshoot the problem. The app also question and accessing video content to team to support product and service guides installers, when needed, through the make service simple. sales throughout North America. step-by-step process of replacing inverter components. Plus, the app also works both Regardless of the specific industry or size of He directs all marketing and drives offline and online, ensuring the app is helpful your organization, proper maintenance and public-facing activities for SMA, to installers and service technicians even quick troubleshooting are key priorities to including advertising campaigns, public when they’re in remote locations. maximize energy production and protect relations and social media efforts to investments. ensure consistent communication In addition to standard mobile apps, there are throughout all segments of the highly specific applications that target a Technology like apps, drones and aerial photovoltaic industry. niche or customer need. SMA has also thermography are enhancing the way we introduced its Virtual Support App that service customers and improve ROI. It’s an Dore serves as SMA’s spokesperson to onsite technicians utilize through augmented exciting time to watch as technology will the media, regularly pens articles in reality. This powerful field service assistant continue to develop in renewable energy. trade publications, and participates in helps locate components on a smartphone speaking engagements and webinars for www.SMA-America.com the company. He began his career at SMA America in 2009 as a member of the marketing team. Prior to joining SMA, he held positions in public relations, marketing and sales for top-tier companies. Dore obtained a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from San Jose State University. SMA America SMA America is the U.S.-based subsidiary of global PV leader SMA Solar Technology AG. SMA is a power conversion, energy management and service support provider for residential through utility- scale photovoltaic systems. SMA’s leading range of solar inverters and related technologies spans all power classes and is compatible with all module types, resulting in the largest solutions portfolio in the industry. 116 PES SOLAR

Fleet Management Individual Views Task Management Remote Configuration User Rolls (Security) Real-Time- Browser-Update Anytime. Anywhere. Increase yields and minimize downtime! The user portal for photovoltaic plant monitoring from Solar-LogTM was developed in close cooperation with users from the photovoltaic industry to meet the needs of those who work with it every day. Test the new Solar-Log WEB EnerestTM 4 monitoring portal and secure your customers’ yields in the long term. www.solar-log.com

PES ESSENTIAL New solar cell technology bridges the gap between cost and climate change goals Cutting-edge technology is combining with unmet demand in a now stagnant solar PV market to progress clean energy transitions. A new disruptive bifacial p-PERT PV cell technology, with over 90% bi-facility and higher stability, providing n-type Si performance in p-type silicon is coming to Europe and the U.S. 118 PES SOLAR

PES ESSENTIAL Analysts predict that solar and wind energy at almost any standard PERC production will provide almost 50% of the world’s power line, by replacing only a few steps in the by 2050, with renewables accounting for 90% process and 2-3 tools, and is commercially of new power capacity expansion globally in ready for use. 2021-22. However sustained growth in the market is contingent on the continued Headquartered in Israel, SolAround’s team decrease of the price of solar energy. The key has a proven track record in the is highly efficient photovoltaic cells, with high development of Bifacial PV cells and panels energy production and higher energy density and their transfer to industrial per installed unit, while maintaining low development, alongside mass industrial production costs. According to the production of these cells in Germany. International Energy Agency, advancement on energy technologies is failing to keep The science behind the cells pace, raising concerns about meeting long-term climate goals. The SolAround cell is a bifacial p-PERT cell, SolAround offers a possible solution: its new i.e. cell with n+-p-p+ structure fabricated p-PERT PV solar cell technology produces using monocrystalline p-Si starting material. 10- 40% more energy per unit area installed, In contrast to PERC type cells, with local Al per installation type and operating alloyed p+ regions, the p-PERT cell is based on conditions, compared to current mono-facial a Boron doped p+ -layer covering the entire and bifacial systems. This is at standard back surface. The cell structure is similar to market PERC cost-of-production, lowering the structure of n-PERT cells made on n-type the cost of solar energy (LCOE) by 25% Si, achieving the highest efficiency for solar relative to monofacial systems and by 7-10% cells produced by diffusion technologies. The relative to other Bifacial cell technologies advantage of p-PERT cells in comparison to available or coming to market. n-PERT cells is the ability to achieve the same Counting the cost of climate change high parameters at a significantly lower cost, The use of the company’s technology-based all whilst using the industry familiar and PV panels maximizes energy density and preferred p-Si. reduces energy costs, whilst significantly impacting the environment by helping to A seemingly simple replacement of the reach climate change goals. This high- original n-Si turns out to be possible due to efficiency, high-bifaciality, highly stable the SolAround developed technology, which p-PERT PV solar cell technology presents an ensures the absence of degradation of the ideal and cost-effective solution for the lifetime of minority charge carriers in the cell $450B global solar market. The IP-protected base region. According to its CEO, Avishai technology is suitable for mass-production Drori, SolAround is unique in its reporting and use of high-temperature (diffusion) SolAround ISE Fraunhofer rooftop test installation - Geilenkirchen, Germany processes that do not degrade the carrier lifetime in p-type material. Positive news for the solar era Describing the process as ‘the holy grail of renewable solar energy’ Drori commented: ‘Our solar PV technology will be an energy cost-efficiency game changer for solar enterprise companies looking to enter their solar era and significantly enhance their revenues from electricity to unprecedented levels. It will also play a major role in contributing to the global climate goals and protecting our environment.’ So what are the advantages, in real terms? According to SolAround, they include: • Higher Front Efficiency Potential. Achieving very high efficiency cell values is unambiguously associated with the possibility of ensuring a high bulk lifetime, and this is also the reason for the highest efficiency achieved in n-Si solar cells. Improving the technology for growing high-quality p-Si and its preservation in the process of manufacturing solar cells is the basis for achieving the maximum efficiency of solar cells. The PERC+ bifacial cell is limited to ~23 % front efficiency vs. p-PERT with its front efficiency potential reaching 24% and above. The structure potential of the WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 119

PES ESSENTIAL SolAround bifacial/monofacial comparative test installation - Adlershof, Germany SolAround cell is proven to have beyond SolAround R&D Center, Konstanz, Germany 23% front efficiency by measurements of the Implied Open Circuit Voltage, iVoc, exceeding 700 mV. SolAround will reach 23% and above front efficiency when working in an industrial and clean line environment after an improved back contact system, not of the TOPCON type. SolAround’s Boron doping technology and cell structure allow the use of wafers of higher resistivity, i.e. with lower doping compared to wafers in use for PERC cells: 2 – 5 Ohm.cm instead of 0.5 – 1.5 Ohm. cm, enabling much higher starting bulk lifetimes. This, together with preserving the high lifetime level over the entire process, allows a much higher potential front and rear-side efficiency levels compared to PERC. These factors, together with what the company terms a ‘simpler’ cell structure and its unique opto-electric design, lead to inherently higher front side efficiency for p-PERT compared to PERC and PERC+. The presence of a continuous rear p+ layer reduces the series resistance and energy losses on it, increasing the FF and the 120 PES SOLAR

PES ESSENTIAL efficiency of the cell. At the same time, PERC processes, provide p-PERT with a Looking to the future the continuous surface field (BSF) formed much higher stability performance due to a continuous rear p+ layer, along the solar panel’s lifetime. SolAround’s p-PERT silicon cell structure is a improves the passivation quality of the good candidate for the silicon sub-cell of rear cell surface. b) Improved stability levels were proven tandem solar cells, in combination with • Bifaciality: due to its cell’s back structure by independent measurements in the sub-cell based on semi-conductor with wider the p-PERT cell has a 90%-92% bifaciality Fraunhofer CSP institute, Germany, width of forbidden band gap, such as factor, superior to the PERC+ bifacial, which showed close to zero cell perovskite. The company is in the R&D phase bifaciality factor of 65-70%. degradation, the lowest compared to for developing such tandem cells, as part of a • T otal energy generation expressed in other cell technologies. bi-lateral consortium with the Helmholtz terms of the equivalent efficiency, bifacial Center, Berlin, JCMwave Germany, and the efficiency, pending installation type; • As expected, the PID degradation which is Ben Gurion University, Israel. SolAround’s role p-PERT reaching 27%-30%, vs. PERC+, caused by the disruption of the in that consortium is the design of the entire bifacial, 24%-27% passivation layer is reduced as result of bifacial tandem solar cell device, 4-terminal • Higher long-term stability: lower LID/ the continued positive influence of the design, optimization of the p-PERT sub-cell, Le-TID - SolAround’s Boron-BSF built-in back field (BSF). highly professional outdoor rooftop potentially provides a much better measurements and bifacial/tandem devices long-term stability of its rear-side • E asy implementation: the SolAround energy generation modeling and simulations. passivation compared to any ‘thin film’ process can be applied in almost every technology, as PERC, PERC+. existing production line, by adding up to 3 www.sol-around.com a) SolAround’s Boron doping technology additional steps and eliminating others, depending on choice of tools, including Key facts: allows the use of higher wafer resistivity dopant deposition and a high temperature values (= lower base doping) compared Boron diffusion step. p-PERT technology to wafers in use for PERC, contributing to a near-zero Light-Induced • C ost of production: the inherent • Simple & stable cell structure Degradation (LID) and Elevated production cost of p-PERT is similar to Temperature Light-Induced- the cost of PERC. This is easily proven by a • C ontrollable Boron Doping, on Boron Degradation (Le-TID), both of less than differential CAPEX and OPEX comparison or Ga Doped p-Si Wafers 0.5%, relative to PERC/PERC+ cells of process steps, of the two technologies, which suffer from a much higher p-PERT and p-PERC, in a specific • 22.5%-23% front efficiency degradation (LID/Le-TID) in the order production line. of 2%, when not specifically treated by • >90% bifaciality added process steps. These factors, • N arrow production distribution. The together with the very high manufacturing experience showed a very • 27%-30% equivalent efficiency, per temperatures involved in the p-PERT narrow distribution of cells’ performance installation type process relative to the ones involved in around the average value. PERC+ technologies, on the other hand, are • Higher stability (near zero Le-TID) SolAround bifacial installations, Jordan Valley reported to have wider performance distribution which negatively affects the • Standard production costs overall yield. • A pplicable for almost any cell production line, with minor adaptations and investment. • M odule power: applicable to any new high-power module concept, adding 7%-10% added power vs. PERC- Bifacial modules, and 25% vs. PERC-Monofacial modules. • Ready for production Financial key facts • 2 5% energy cost (LCOE) reduction vs. monofacial modules • 7 %-10% cost of energy (LCOE) reduction vs. other bifacial cell technologies available or coming to market. (PERC+, Topcon, HIT/HJT, IBC) • 1 0% to 25% emission reduction, respectively • 1GWp solar farm: - IRR: 40%-60% higher i.e. from 7-10% to 10-15% over 30 years - N PV: additional $150-450m in revenues, per 1GWp installed, over 30 Years. • A llowing solar project competitiveness vs. Asian module prices. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 121

The Innovation Hub for New Energy Solutions MESSE MÜNCHEN, GERMANY RESTART 2021 For a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry Cross-sector solutions for electricity, heat and mobility From the latest insights to current best practice examples Meet 20,000+ energy experts and 800 exhibitors at four parallel exhibitions Be Part of the Leading Energy Exhibitions and Conferences at The smarter E Europe

Revolutionary p-PERT Bifacial PV Cell & Module Technology p-PERT TECHNOLOGY FINANCIAL KEY FACTS § Simple & stable cell structure § 25% cost of energy (LCOE) reduction vs. § Controllable Boron Doping, on Boron or Ga Doped monofacial modules. p-Si wafers of any size § 7%-10% cost of energy (LCOE) reduction vs. § 22.5%-23% front efficiency other Bifacial cell technologies available or § >90% Bifaciality coming to market. (PERC+, Topcon, HIT/HJT, IBC) § 27%-30% Equivalent efficiency, per installation type § Higher stability (Near Zero Le-TID) § 10% to 25% emission reduction, respectively. § Standard production costs § 1GWp Solar farm: § Applicable for almost any cell production line, * IRR – 40%-60% higher (i.e. from 7-10% to with minor adaptations and investment. 10-15%) over 30 years § Module power: applicable for any new high-power * NPV – additional $150-450M in revenues, per module concept, adding 7%-10% added power 1GWp installed, over 30 Years. vs. PERC-Bifacial modules, and 25% vs. PERC- monofacial modules. § Allowing solar projects’ competitiveness vs. Asian § Ready for production module prices. SolAround is seeking strategic BIFACIAL PV CONCEPT partners and solar energy players to leverage our technology towards High efficiency + High efficiency = Leading total & Lower higher solar projects’ revenues by front side (open) rear side system efficiency LCOE forming vertical JVs in the US and Europe, manufacturing cells and Front-side Substantial panels, installing systems, and collection reflected & selling electricity. scattered Rear-side energy collection Ground reflection (Albedo) Israel Headquarters Germany R&D Lab Avishai Drori Dr. Harold Wiener Lev Academic Center Rudolf-Diesel-Straße 15, CEO Active Chairman 21 HaVaad Haleumi Street D-78467 Konstanz [email protected] [email protected] Jerusalem 9372115 Israel Germany

ASK THE EXPERTS Smart batteries PES had a great exchange with Tynan Coles, CEO at Soltaro. Did you know there are now smart batteries? It seems that we are in a period where software can be added to anything to improve performance. We heard today about the built in possibilities, which allow the user to control the output of the batteries. Read on to find out more about this revolution in the solar battery world. PES: Welcome to PES Solar, it’s good to talk in the Solar PV industry. The company was PES: We have been hearing about your with you. Could we begin with a brief established to design and engineer smart smart batteries, could you tell us about overview of Soltaro? battery systems that would not only have the different models available and how lower paybacks on their investments, but they work? Tynan Coles: Soltaro is an Australian solar would also provide stable and consistent battery manufacturer established in 2016. power supply for the end user. TC: Smart batteries are effectively solar Our partners have over 30 years’ experience battery systems with software that utilises 124 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS lower tariffs and excess solar to further for the end user. This leads to longer TC: Smart batteries are available whenever decrease the power dependence of the paybacks, sometimes outside of the there is a smart software solution that can energy grid. acceptable limit for the consumer. provide these additional benefits for the battery system. These software solutions Currently our software works with our Soltaro batteries use high cycle lithium iron are available for domestic all the way up domestic All-In-One product range but will phosphate cells which are guaranteed for through large scale industrial applications. soon be available for our commercial 10,000 cycles over their 10 year warranty battery solutions. period. Therefore, we want to be cycling our Soltaro currently has 5kW/5kWh and battery modules multiple times per day. 5kW/10kWh All-In-One battery system for PES: How do they differ from normal This is only possible through smart domestic applications. Each model is batteries in terms of performance and technology to control the battery systems expandable up to 3 battery modules which efficiency? to best suit the end user which ultimately effectively provides a battery storage range of decreases their paybacks. 5kWh up to 30kWh for domestic applications. TC: Normal batteries use excess solar to charge the batteries and discharge power PES: Are the smart batteries available for Our commercial battery modules start from from the batteries when there is not enough domestic, commercial and industrial use, 7.68kWh and are scalable up to MWh+. This is power provided by the PV system. Outside of would they be the same batteries in due to our unique cluster design which allows this solar self-consumption model, they are different sizes? flexibility for any project requirements. All very limited in providing additional benefits commercial systems are design in house by WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 125

ASK THE EXPERTS our engineering team to ensure our battery office services partners all through Europe. usage. That being said, any builder can work systems work as efficiently as possible. with one of our battery solutions from day 1. PES: We understand you work in Our engineers can design the system based PES: Could you explain the benefits of the partnership with different companies on the house size and number of people living additional software? installing solar in their new builds, how does in the home. this work and is there a list of criteria for TC: There are many benefits that our software perspective collaborators? PES: Do you have any interesting projects can provide some of them are as follows: in the pipeline that you are able to share TC: We currently work with selected house with us? • c harging the batteries when energy spot builders who are installing solar and batteries prices are at their lowest and discharging to offset most of the household’s energy TC: In Australia we are rolling out our these batteries when the energy spot domestic battery system in a network of prices are at their highest retirement villages. Once all the battery systems have been installed, we will be using • t urning on appliances during the day when our software solution to share power there is excess solar to prevent using all between all the individual villas and common your battery power when these areas within each village. appliances would normally be manually turned on in the evening PES: Is research and development an integral part of your business? • assisting the grid frequency and voltage through charging or discharging a smart TC: Yes, it’s a major part of our business. battery network Now that we have the hardware finalised our main focus is on software to further • b ehind the meter power sharing in local increase the benefits of battery systems. As communities far as we are concerned, only 20% of a battery system is the hardware. The PES: Can this software be added remaining 80% is the software. retrospectively to make traditional batteries ‘smart’? The main reason for this is that our software will allow us to cycle the battery module TC: At this stage our software only works multiple times per day based on smart Soltaro battery systems, but the technology. The more you cycle the battery development plan is to be able to retrofit to the more benefits you get out of them. any Solar PV or battery system through an external device that sits locally at the end There are also many grid services that we can user’s site. provide through our smart battery systems that will allow the network operators to have PES: We know you are present in Australia a more stable electricity network. This and the UK and were wondering if you have cannot be achieved through just hardware. plans to expand into other areas? For these reasons our R&D is now focused on TC: We also have an office in South Africa the software to allow our battery systems to which services the African market. Our UK 126 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS be more flexible. Our development plan was always to provide these software functions and this is why we designed our battery modules to allow 10,000 cycles during the 10 year warranty period. PES: What makes your solutions stand out from the competition, what are the benefits to the end user? TC: Our All-In-One 2 solution has been developed over the past years, further improving our All-In-One 1 solution. The focus has been on making the system installation as plug and play as possible. This means that less things can go wrong with our system during the installation and commissioning phase. Secondly our AIO2 visual design has been focused on creating an appliance rather than a solar product. You can see from the physical design, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing battery systems in the market today. Finally, our focus on our software solution to make our batteries smart differs quite considerably to most battery manufacturers. The end user can have comfort that they are getting a battery system that includes a hybrid inverter, battery modules and software system all from the one manufacturer. PES: What do feel is the biggest challenge facing the industry today? TC: The biggest challenge in our industry is making batteries affordable for the WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 127

ASK THE EXPERTS consumer. Without smart batteries you particular and the solar industry in We were lucky enough to be involved in the need high electricity tariffs to achieve general, in 5 years’ time? solar PV boom in the early 2010s and are return on investment that is acceptable. We predicting that the solar battery boom is just acknowledged this challenge 2 years ago TC: In 5 years’ time we plan to being in the around the corner. It’s important for and made a focus towards developing Top 5 solar battery systems suppliers consumers to choose a smart, reliable software as another layer on top of our throughout the world. We are focused on battery system and know Soltaro can be battery hardware. innovation and through our 30 years’ trusted to deliver. experience in the solar PV industry, we know PES: What sort of impact has the pandemic what the consumer wants. www.soltaro.com had on your company and do you see that changing as move forward in 2021? TC: Being an Australian company we have been extremely lucky in that we have had very little restrictions imposed on us throughout the pandemic. Most of our team have been able to continue developing our product without any delays caused through the pandemic. Our European and African sales have been affected due to the lockdowns in these areas, but 2020 was always planned as a development year so it wasn’t a major factor in the operation of our business. The AIO2 was certified at the start of 2021 so hopefully the pandemic eases and our partners can start operating their businesses normally again. PES: Where do you see Soltaro, in 128 PES SOLAR



TALKING POINT Securing solar parks against theft and vandalism using video surveillance 130 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT Given finite resources and an increasing demand for energy, renewable energies rank as one of the most important sources of electricity for the future. An expansion in their use is of key importance in many countries, to guarantee their energy supply and make it more climate-friendly. The topic of energy transition has made it onto the political agenda and not only in Germany, but also in other European countries. At the same time, European solutions are also being worked on transnationally. According to the European Green Deal, Europe wants to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In this regard, wind and solar energy are the the coronavirus crisis of the last year, it’s Arkadiusz Plaskowicki most important renewable energy sources. becoming increasingly difficult to replace The use of sun and wind as energy sources them. As a result, solar park operators have plays a fundamental role in the development suffered financial losses in the mid-six-figure of economically viable and climate-friendly range in some cases. Acts of sabotage on energy supplies. solar plants are also being reported more and more frequently. The damage ranges from High security requirements in the power broken fences to the destruction of modules. generation sector Due to the plants’ remote locations and The expansion of renewable energies, inadequate security, criminals often have an especially in the area of photovoltaics, easy time of it. They effectively gravitate means the number of solar parks is also towards the parks’ poor and fragmentary increasing. Valuable building materials are security. For the most part, these plants are used and high-quality components only equipped with simple fence protection. employed. However, criminals are also This is no obstacle for planned thefts, aware of the value of these components. particularly by professional thieves or Solar modules, cabling and transformers organised gangs. As a rule, solar parks are fetch good prices on the black market and located far away from housing estates and are thus popular with burglars. In solar regularly frequented areas. Burglars can thus parks, thieves mainly target inverters. carry out their stealing almost undisturbed. Due to supply shortages, especially during Theft and vandalism cause high financial damage Whether theft, sabotage or vandalism – tampering in solar and wind parks involve high risks and cause unforeseen costs. Operators not only have to replace their stolen modules, but also compensate for yield losses. Power generation as part of the electricity supply is of great importance for the functioning of the community and has a direct impact on the state, the economy and society. In addition, massive image damage can occur and disputes with insurance companies can take up time and be draining on the nerves. If a plant is still under construction, it often comes to a standstill, which entails further costs. It’s therefore essential for operators of such plants to invest in the security of their construction sites and facilities. Protection against theft is essential both during plant construction and operation. Although deploying security guards on site protects against attacks, it requires a correspondingly high financial outlay. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 131

TALKING POINT Protecting solar parks cost-efficiently of new software and IoT sensor and control against intruders. This highly efficient and reliably technology as well as the development of camera technology easily captures large innovative electronic components using 3D areas and extensive grounds and provides Operators can protect themselves against design and printing, including prototype security particularly where solar parks are theft and vandalism using efficient production. One of the main focuses of the easily accessible. When motion is detected, surveillance systems. Mobile camera LivEye® Research & Development Centre is the intelligent analysis software reliably systems can be used flexibly and are also the ongoing further and new development differentiates between people, animals, perfectly suitable as a temporary security of software to optimise LivEye® system vehicles and recurring movements. Errors measure. Video surveillance systems enable components. And yet the modus operandi are thus reduced thanks to the latest motion seamless monitoring of extensive areas of of the monitoring systems is as simple as it analysis software and intelligent parameters. land and can be used 24 hours a day. is efficient. As soon as an intruder is detected, our continuously staffed Video Monitoring & This makes them a cost-effective alternative How LivEye® video surveillance works Alarm Centre is notified. or even an addition to conventional site security. Camera systems can also be LivEye® uninterruptible video surveillance The operator on duty first checks the alarm supplemented by other useful warning efficiently protects solar parks of any size and initiates further measures if necessary. systems such as fire detection systems. This provides even more security and cost savings. Any unnecessary travel to the facility can thus be eliminated. Mobile video surveillance from LivEye International Every site has different surveillance requirements. As a result, their security requirements are as diverse as the surveillance projects themselves. LivEye develops security concepts across Europe that are tailored to the applicable circumstances and requirements. ‘With mobile surveillance systems and our own control centre, our company offers video surveillance at the highest level,’ explains Arkadiusz Plaskowicki, CCO LivEye International Group & CEO LivEye sp.z o.o. As a result, areas that are difficult to access and potential changes of location are no problem. State-of-the-art camera systems provide high-resolution video images in a radius of up to 200 metres. When it gets dark, their night vision mode switches on automatically. In this way, any threat is reliably detected and can be eliminated at an early stage. An orange illumination, particularly suitable for use in populated areas – also has a preventative effect and ensures that intruders are deterred at night. If they wish customers can also observe the monitored area themselves at any time via an app. ‘To ensure that privacy remains protected and the recordings are GDPR- compliant, partial areas of the surveillance image, such as public streets or residential areas, can be pixelated,’ Plaskowicki explains further. State-of-the-art video surveillance State-of-the-art technology such as the LivEye® analysis software and intelligent parameters ensure reliable surveillance and reduce errors to a minimum. In order to continuously develop its systems and solutions, LivEye maintains its own research and development unit. At its Schönecken site, new approaches and concepts in the field of mobile video surveillance solutions are researched and developed. This includes the development 132 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT 1. Cameras recognize suspicious activity 2. Notification to the alarm centre 3. Live announcement to the intruder 4. Notification of the police or security guards If unauthorised persons have gained access With the LivEye® PRO 2.0 surveillance still under construction, there is also the fact to the site, the persons concerned are first system, protection via video surveillance is that the site is constantly changing and its requested to leave the area immediately by no problem. Highly functional PTZ cameras security must be adapted to the respective a live announcement via the integrated are installed in a theft-proof manner, have a construction phase. loudspeaker system. If this request is not dust- and weatherproof housing and enable complied with, the police or security targeted surveillance. ‘Our mobile systems can be set up anywhere guards are alerted. The stored video and flexibly repositioned depending on the material also provides investigators with ‘In contrast to residential areas, we usually progress of construction,’ Plaskowicki valuable evidence that will assist in solving do without night-time lighting for remote stresses. In order to secure the site the case. locations so as not to attract undue attention efficiently and comprehensively right from to them,’ explains Plaskowicki. Thanks to a the start, individual needs are first Reliable protection even away from suitable power supply system, the LivEye® determined and a corresponding security infrastructure PRO 2.0 system can operate completely concept created. self-sufficiently for up to three months, Solar parks are usually located in remote ensuring a fail-safe power supply and thus LivEye’s security experts accompany areas, away from residential areas and continuous recording. This makes it flexible projects through all construction phases without the appropriate infrastructure or and ideal for use on extensive grounds and in and take over the coordination, site sufficient power supply. ‘LivEye® monitoring remote locations. adaptation and installation of the systems are available in both power- surveillance systems. Repositioning of the connected and stand-alone versions. This React flexibly to changes surveillance technology, adapted to actual means that even remote areas without the construction progress, ensures optimal and corresponding infrastructure can be However, solar parks are not only affected by continuous site monitoring. comprehensively secured,’ says Plaskowicki. theft and vandalism during their operation, but also during their construction. If a plant is www.liveye.com WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 133





TALKING POINT Innovate, achieve, advance © EKO EMPOWER Words: James Loginov, Head of Marketing & Communications, EKO Instruments How EKO Instruments plan to support the next generation of scientists, students and engineers; young people, working to imagine, invent and create solutions to seemingly impossible challenges. 136 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT Beyond business and industry, ‘Shinto’, often regarded as Japan’s indigenous religion, encourages people to learn and adapt to nature, with ceremonies, festivals, and ubiquitous shrines and symbols, even in inner-city Tokyo, venerating the natural world, a part of everyday life. In this respect, CSR, particularly regarding environmental issues, is both personal and professional, traditional and new. EKO Instruments was founded in 1927 and, over ninety years later, remains a family- owned business. This history, and continuity, helps to affirm our commitment to our customers, our community, and more recently to initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in turn leading to our pledge in 2019 to phase out all single-use and non- recyclable plastics from product packaging by the end of 2022. Our history also provides stability. Stability, combined with a Japanese obsession with quality and craftsmanship, has helped EKO lead the industry with the highest quality solar energy sensors. But history and stability also confer on us a responsibility to do more, to find new ways to help build a better, more sustainable future. This led us to create ‘EMPOWER’. ‘For over 90-years, our company has been driven to engineer the most accurate and innovative solutions for our customers across science, academia, and the renewable energy industries. With EKO EMPOWER, we want to help the next generation to accelerate global efforts towards sustainability, and contribute to improving education, reducing inequality, and eliminating discrimination.’ President, EKO Instruments, Toshikazu Hasegawa While ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) and contribute to the greater good of the EMPOWER can still feel like a relatively new concept, wider community grew during the rapid popularised in the 1990s and 2000s, spurred post-war industrialisation of Japan, in part, In 2019, EKO Instruments Japan sponsored on more recently by the growth of social as a response to the environmental the ‘Kogakuin University Solar Car Team’ at media, it is, for many Japanese companies, a damage it caused. Far from resisting new the Bridgestone World Solar Car Challenge deeply ingrained part of their business rules and regulations imposed by the (BWSC). The toughest and most prestigious culture and practice. government, Japanese companies raced to solar car race in the world, watched by a mitigate or offset their impact through global audience of over 25 million. The idea that a business has a duty or a voluntary initiatives that went further than responsibility to better the world around it simple compliance. An endurance battle as much as a race, the BSWC is a 3,000 km trek through the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide, with every vehicle powered exclusively by energy from the sun. The race challenges young engineers, mainly from university- based teams, to push the limits of innovation and engineering, contributing to the ongoing development of solar technologies and solar-powered vehicles. It also generates industry partnerships WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 137

TALKING POINT James Loginov Toshikazu Hasegawa Ruben Holsbeekx across sectors, from energy and automotive, ‘Sustainability, and the global ‘The idea of building a car as a student is through to financial, material sciences, and sustainability goals published by the downright great. Not only can you take IT, giving participants not just a fantastic United Nations, aren’t only about on the responsibility of building a solar learning experience but the opportunity to solving problems today. They encourage car, which is very instructive from a fast track their careers. us to focus on the future… Through technical point of view, you also get to EMPOWER, I hope we can contribute to a learn how to work as part of a complex EKO provided the Kogakuin team with a set of virtuous cycle of inspiration, innovation, team, and gain logistical experience… pyranometers to measure solar irradiance. and improvement that benefits all.’ It’s an incredible gift to take this package The team used these sensors to help President, EKO Instruments, of knowledge and experience into a generate as much power as possible from Toshikazu Hasegawa professional career at such a young age.’ their solar array and for performance monitoring during the race itself. Despite Solar car teams Agoria Solar Team, crashing twice due to adverse weather Our six teams, chosen from around the Ruben Holsbeekx conditions and strong winds, the Kogakuin world, include the ‘Agoria Solar Team’ from team finished 5th and won the ‘CSIRO Belgium, winners of the 2019 Bridgestone Aachen’ from Germany, with others yet to Technical Innovation Award’, a remarkable World Solar Challenge, the ‘University of be announced. achievement against a record 53 entries from Michigan Solar Car Team’ from the United 24 countries. States, the ‘Kogakuin University Solar Team’ EKO Instruments started to deliver sensors, from Japan, and ‘Team Sonnenwagen including our industry-leading MS-80S Class In 2020, we started searching for new ways A Pyranometer, and other tools, to each to support and promote the SDG’s, © EKO EMPOWER team in the summer of 2020; to help them particularly the goals around ‘Affordable and Clean Energy’, ‘Quality Education’, and ‘Gender Equality’. We kept coming back to the determination, perseverance, and ingenuity of the Kogakuin team during the race in Australia. We realised that they, and other solar car teams around the world, were already fantastic examples of these goals, and other SDG’s, in action. Working on a solar car team is, by definition, a unique educational opportunity, and many teams include and encourage more participation by female, and LGBTQ+, students. Each team strives to be more efficient, acting responsibly to create something new, helping to drive future economic growth, and the transition to affordable, clean, renewable energy. ‘EMPOWER’ evolved from an aim to ‘do more’ and has become a practical way for us to contribute to activities and organisations that offer young people learning opportunities and real experience in engineering, clean energy, and atmospheric sciences, starting with six university-based solar car racing teams. 138 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT © EKO EMPOWER ‘Enthusiasm definitely helps with a third straight win for the team, while the year in 2027, marking 100-years of firsts. challenge this big, on top of studies… Punch 2 finished in sixth place. but what I enjoy most is working From the first Japanese made pyranometer together with my team, researching and Sonnenwagen, likewise entering two cars, in 1933 and the first locally designed and built developing innovative solutions to managed to finish in fifth and eighth place dome pyranometer in 1955, through the counter climate change, this is what despite setbacks, also managing to set the development of the world’s first UV-B sensor motivates us day and night; the chance second-fastest lap time of the entire race. in 1990 and the launch of the revolutionary to contribute towards a cleaner future.’ MS-80 Class A pyranometer in 2016; EKO has With the success of the European Solar a history of leadership. Sonnenwagen Aachen e.V. Challenge behind them, both teams began to Tim Sanders look ahead to the BWSC in October and the Not only were we the first solar sensor chance to go up against the best teams from manufacturer to achieve ISO 17125 develop their cars, plan their strategies, and around the world. However, in February 2021, accreditation for our pyranometer and refine their designs. the organisers of the BWSC announced that pyrheliometer calibration laboratory in this year’s race was cancelled due to the Tokyo, but we also remain today the only The first significant test for the new Agoria ongoing risk from Covid-19. manufacturer to own and operate our own and Sonnenwagen teams arrived with the solar parks; a unique testbed for product 24-hour iLumen European Solar Challenge Despite the disappointment, every team development, with a combined annual power at the Circuit Zolder in Belgium. Held in supported by EKO has chosen to continue generation capacity of 2,066,290‬kWh. September 2020, the race was able to developing their cars, to target other races proceed, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, and opportunities and, though the challenge EKO’s future and the future of EMPOWER will with social distancing and other precautions may be different, each team and each build on this legacy and our corporate vision in effect. student’s passion to continue, continues to to lead with commitment, inspire with inspire us to ‘do more’ through our technical innovation, and engineer solutions for a more The Agoria Solar Team entered two cars, the partnerships, and the provision of industry- sustainable world. BluePoint and the older Punch 2. The leading environmental and solar sensors. BluePoint came first with the highest number Follow EKO | EMPOWER on Twitter of laps after 24-hours of racing, delivering a Future @EKO_emPower EKO Instruments will celebrate its centenary www.eko-eu.com WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 139

THINK TANK Difficulty in finding labor ‘It’s hard to find good help these days.’ How many times have you heard that phrase? More times than there are entries on your CV? Skilled tradesmen have grown harder and harder to find, with 52% of contractors saying they are struggling to fill hourly craft positions, according to a September 2020 Associated General Contractors of America survey. When looking specifically at Utility Infrastructure contractors, the rate is 60%. So called ‘Baby Boomers’, who predominantly perform these skilled trade roles, are retiring at an increasing rate, and the western world’s emphasis on college education is not producing enough laborers to replace them. As the world modernizes and pivots to new material joints, or welding in extreme These challenges can be learned from and utility infrastructure, the demand for skilled environmental conditions. overcome, but we need to support our laborers will continue to outstrip supply, and Bolting solutions now employ exotic material employees through and motivate and equip contractors will fight over the shrinking pool grades, tightening into the plastic region or them to succeed. At a minimum, these of candidates. We must take a few steps back with complex multi-stage tightening additional hurdles in onboarding and and remind ourselves, our employees, and methods, and post-installation inspection, equipping will sap productivity and our target candidates who we are, what we re-torquing, and marking. Riveting is a very efficiency, and have the potential to have are passionate about, and what we can offer flexible and affordable solution, but there is environmental health and safety impacts. We each other in terms of personal and much interplay between fastener and joint, need to prepare our organizations and corporate achievement and growth. quality and consistency often varies widely, departments to properly invest in training and vibration and corrosion resistance in long and tooling advancements to shift some of Time to onboard labor term installations may prove challenging. these burdens and uncertainties off workers and onto the fasteners and tooling Infrastructure and construction projects Standard nut & bolt innovate and evolve with the times, and the Figure 1: Nut and Bolt vs HuckBolt Engagement skills and tools needed from laborers follow suit. It likely goes without saying, but this has become an even larger challenge than finding personnel to hire in the first place. If we do not properly train and equip new additions to our workforce, they grow frustrated and lose motivation to learn and contribute. Engineering and manufacturing teams do the yeoman’s work of preparing designs and components for modularity and remote global deployment, but the work phases of assembly, fastening, and inspection in the field will always remain and require distinct attention to detail. Depending on the type of structure and geography in which it is installed, this may be welding, bolting, riveting, or some mix thereof. While these joining technologies have existed for decades, their capabilities continue to be expanded and stretched. For welding that may look like robotic automation, high strength steel joints, mixed 140 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK Figure 2: HuckBolt Installation Process Step 1: Insert pin into the prepared Step 2: The installation tool is applied Step 3: At a predetermined force, the Step 4: When swaging of the collar into hole, spin the collar onto the pin. to annular pull grooves. When the anvil begins to swage the collar into the pin lock grooves is complete, the tool is activated, a puller in the nose the pin’s lock grooves. Continued tool ejects the fastener and releases assembly draws the pin into the tool, swaging elongates the collar and pin, the puller to complete the sequence. causing the swaging anvil to press on developing precise clamp. the collar, drawing up any sheet gap. themselves; we can enable them to work sound intimidating or confusing because it first major variable in traditional bolt clamp is harder and smarter and multiply their efforts introduces a new term into your vocabulary, the torque input method; how accurately and with the right equipment and preparation. but in reality, it is simple and could precisely is the operator able to apply torque? revolutionize your structural and assembly Simple hand wrenches and socket wrenches There is a simpler way planning. Nuts and bolts are installed with and subjective ‘feel’ for applied torque provide torque; an installer holds the bolt head fixed unreliable input, nut drivers are faster but not At Howmet Fastening Systems, we offer on one side of the joint while applying necessarily more accurate, and nut runners products and solutions to meet these torque to the nut on the opposite side of the and torque wrenches can be as accurate as challenges. We live and breathe heavy joint. The triangular shape of bolt threads ±4% under controlled conditions. structural assembly. Over the past 60 years converts the applied rotational forces into we have helped countless customers in a desired axial clamping forces. However, as The simple linear swage action of a lockbolt is wide range of industries and applications this is an indirect conversion of force, many precision controlled by hydraulic, deploy our HuckBolt® lockbolt fasteners to variables can, and regularly do, come into pneudraulic, or electrical control, and is thus assemble their structures faster, more play. Lockbolt swaging generates desired highly repeatable. So far, we have only consistently, and with less operator training clamp directly; a single tool on one side of considered only torque input variation; the or potential for error. the joint pulls on the tail of the bolt while conversion to clamp must still take place, and pushing back on the collar, removing any the next major variable must be considered: Lockbolts are a two-piece joining sheet gap and generating low level clamp. coefficient of friction. The highly simplified technology roughly analogous to nuts and Then, the specially toleranced ‘swage anvil’ equation for torque to clamp conversion is bolts, but with engineered and optimized on the tool begins to slide over and around clamp = torque / (coefficient of friction x bolt geometry and function. A key distinction is the collar in a press fit, deforming the collar diameter), and the coefficient of friction can how the two components engage with one onto the bolt while stretching the bolt and vary from 0.04-0.3 or more based on bolt and another; nuts and bolts are manufactured generating extremely consistent joint nut materials and surface finishes, joint with mating helical threads, while lockbolts clamp. The tool then retracts off the collar materials and surface finishes, thread are a threaded pin and a smooth bore, slip fit and pin and installation is complete, with no quality, thread lubricant or lack thereof, and collar that is ‘swaged’ or deformed onto the torque or angle measurement required to environmental conditions i.e temperature, pin upon installation. The clearances ensure joint integrity. humidity, debris. required between nuts and bolts for assembly are their Achilles heel; they act as Installation and inspection Therefore, even if you are able to control a secret pathway for transverse vibrations your torque input to ±4% or better with to use to loosen and potentially destroy Linear-pull swage installation is far superior to torque-angle-yield (TAY) approaches, your joint. Conversely, the swaging action of traditional torque installation because the coefficient of friction will play an important a lockbolt ensures full engagement on both torque to clamp conversion and its inherent and detrimental role in the realized joint the loaded and unloaded flanks of the variables has been eliminated. Clamp in a clamp. HuckBolts do not need to take groove form, so there is nowhere for traditionally bolted joint may vary by as much coefficient of friction into account, as the vibrations to cut in (See Figure 1). as 30% due to these variables, while clamp in a installation tooling develops and controls the lock bolted joint will vary by 5% or less. The joint clamp load. The highly engineered, The swaging process of a lockbolt may WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 141

THINK TANK Figure 3: HuckBolt geometry optimization simple to operate tooling removes all guess and the Engineer of Record can sleep well at bolts, this is likely done by re-checking with a work and variables out of the installation night knowing that the field contractor’s calibrated torque wrench or inspecting bolt process, so onboarding and training time is installation method and site’s environmental stretch directly with ultrasonics or calibrated drastically reduced. Therefore, HuckBolts variables will not chip away at his or her calipers, if the bolts are properly can be utilized in more material, grade, designed safety factors. manufactured with such inspection in mind. diameter, and coating combinations than With HuckBolts, the swaged collar can be standard nuts and bolts, but with far higher Once bolts are installed, the job is only half inspected visually and/or dimensionally for effectiveness and reliability. They can be done. They must then be inspected and guaranteed mechanical performance. Most specified on structural assembly drawings marked before final project sign-off or collars are manufactured with witness dots based on their published mechanical values, product shipment. With traditional nuts and on their flange that are contacted and Figure 4: HuckBolt vibration loosening resistance 142 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK deformed by the installation tooling. Figure 5: With and without 1000 Hour Corrosion Protection This makes for a strong yes/no indicator to Each and every thread root is designed and Solar fields often exhibit many of the criteria the inspector that an installation has been manufactured to take more abuse and heavy driving high corrosion; temperature cycling, fully performed. Secondly, collar coatings load cycling than today’s optimized bolt humidity cycling, UV exposure and abrasive that exhibit high contrast between pre- thread forms. debris. We can select fastener finishes to installed and post-installed conditions are combat these effects and coordinate real available; and thirdly, caliper dimensions or The second major way that we manufacture world testing to correlate lab performance to inspection ring gauges can be provided for our fasteners for the long haul is through real world longevity in your application. quick single step verification that a collar has coating development and selection for been installed and joint integrity is achieved. specific end use. For aluminum alloys we Fastening solutions Once inspected, you can be confident in joint have developed a wide range of custom- performance and do not need to re-inspect tailored passivation and anodization Whether your problem is fastening system or re-torque. processes including color coding for complexity, training of personnel, installed application matching or part identification. consistency, vibration loosening, or Long term reliability For stainless alloys we can compound corrosion attack, we have engineers and corrosion resistance with passivation, designers trained and equipped to provide a Solar Energy collection, conversion, and sealants, and topcoats. The lion’s share of labor and cost efficient solution. We have distribution takes place in some of the our structural fastener offering is of carbon HuckBolts and blind fasteners deployed in harshest, most remote regions and terrains or alloy steel composition, and we have a tracking and fixed solar energy generation in the world. These projects can span tens plethora of coatings to match. projects all over the world, from PV panel of thousands of acres, and send energy mounting and grounding to structural steel thousands of miles away. The last thing a Smaller diameter and lower strength assembly to rectifier and combiner box project owner wants to do is worry about fasteners are well matched by black oxide, subassembly to cable tray assembly and the long-term viability of their investment. zinc or zinc nickel electroplate finishes with mounting. We know your sites need to be With PV panels now carrying 25-year or without passivation and topcoats, while assembled and commissioned quickly and warranties, one needs assurance that larger diameter and higher strength accurately, and our engineered fasteners and supporting structures will last at the very fasteners are typically protected by zinc flake tools have a long track record of helping least that long. At Howmet Fastening dip spin coatings and topcoats. These global customers do just that, even amidst Systems, we engineer decades of installed advanced finishes can survive over 1000 today’s challenges of remote site locations, life into every one of our fasteners, and want hours in ASTM B117 salt spray testing before workforce turnover, and evolving joint to give you the confidence to integrate that exhibiting any sign of red rust. Figure 5 shows materials and complexities. Look us up at into your project plans. an example of a HuckBolt collar with and hfsindustrial.com, tell us about you without ‘HuckGuard,’ one of our high- challenges, and let us trade your stresses and The first way that Huckbolts are engineered performance coatings, after 1000 hours in an challenges for solutions and peace of mind. for high performance and long life is ASTM B117 test chamber. geometry optimization and integrity. Our www.hfsindustrial.com/us/ patented and proprietary bolt threads and lock grooves have been refined through Contact: decades of research and development and customer collaboration. We have taken a Europe : hfsindustrial.com | clean sheet design approach to root radius +44 (0) 1952-290011 | optimization, cross sectional area [email protected] maximization, and manufacturing with strict manufacturing and processing controls. This Americas: hfsindustrial.com/us | allows structural engineers and planners to +1 800-388-4825 | get every last ounce of strength out of each [email protected] joint, and not waste a lot of installed mass on fasteners. In some cases, this can even Australia: hfsindustrial.com/au | amount to smaller diameter fasteners, or +61 3 8545 3333 | fewer fasteners in multi-bolt patterns. [email protected] This geometry optimization in conjunction with full thread engagement from the collar swaging process greatly increases joint fatigue life and vibration resistance. The improved geometry has smoother radii and more continuous curve transitions, so the stress concentration factor for bolt bending and tensile considerations is greatly reduced. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 143

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FREE TO ROAM ©2021 Howmet Aerospace Inc. All rights reserved. HUCK® RANGE FORCE™ BY MAKITA No hose to pull. No power source to fuel. Just untethered joining – even in hard-to-reach places – using a single finger to adjust from zero to 4,500 pounds. Range Force is powered by a standard Makita® 18V lithium battery, so you’re free to roam anywhere around the job site. Contact Howmet Fastening Systems today. We’re here to set you free. Uses nosepieces for HuckBolts® Learn more about Huck and Huck® structural blind rivets products for PV panels and up to 1/4” diameter. frames or email sales at [email protected]

ASK THE EXPERTS On top of the world From one extreme to another 146 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS Derek Jones, Renewable Energy Group Manager at Campbell Scientific, speaks to PES about their measurement systems. They use the latest, best technology, to provide the most accurate data to the solar industry. They have a full range of solutions which can be tailor made for clients and cover an extreme range of temperature. PES: Welcome to PES Solar, Derek. It’s and excellent customer support, Campbell lovely to have you with us. To kick-start the Scientific endeavours to meet the interview, it would be good to learn a little instrumentation needs of our customers. bit about the background to Campbell PES: Focusing on solar energy in particular, Scientific. Could you give us an overview of what solutions do you provide? when the company was founded and the DJ: Campbell Scientific offers a wide range of services you offer? solutions for the solar energy market. By using the rugged, reliable, and flexible data Derek Jones: Campbell Scientific has been a loggers we offer as the core to our systems, trusted leader in measurement systems for we can design for many different over 40 years. Our top priority has always applications. We provide systems for solar been to provide the most accurate, reliable resource assessment, power performance, data for research and industry. and operational monitoring. Industry researchers also use our data acquisition We design and manufacture instruments systems for their research projects to using state-of-the-art technology, and we advance the industry. make them rugged, so they are reliable in Recognized in the renewable energy markets harsh environments. For example, Campbell for years, we have used the incredibly Scientific weather stations are currently on versatile and powerful CR1000 datalogger. many of the highest mountain peaks in Although now upgraded to the CR1000X, the Europe (Mont Blanc), South America platform retains the characteristics that (Tupungato), and Asia (Mount Everest), and made the CR1000 popular to begin with and on August 16, 2020, a Campbell Scientific adds many features that make it even more station recorded the hottest temperature on well suited to the solar energy market. Earth, 54°C (130° F) at Furnace Creek, Death A few years ago, we released an industry- Valley, California, USA. So, as you can see, we specific data logger, the MeteoPV, for use in go from extreme cold to extreme hot, and systems that require a lower cost solution everything in between. and have limited technical requirements. The MeteoPV, with its intuitive user Campbell Scientific was organized in 1974 by interface, configurable nature, and POE two brothers, Eric and Evan Campbell, in capability is an ideal solution for making Logan, Utah, USA. distributed measurements. The first product we marketed was the CA-9 Derek Jones Path-Averaging Laser Anemometer in 1974. The laser anemometer was followed in 1975 with the company’s first data logger, the CR5 Measurement & Control System. Since the introduction of the CR5 in 1975, Campbell Scientific has manufactured and delivered more than 400,000 data loggers, also called data acquisition systems. Building on decades of experience, we have developed increasingly powerful data acquisition systems that have achieved worldwide use in solar energy applications. Over the years, Campbell Scientific has also established itself as a reputable manufacturer of numerous related product lines for the measurement field, including a wide variety of sensors, as well as devices and software for the collection, storage, communication, and retrieval of data. Through innovative product development, the manufacture of high-quality products, WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 147

ASK THE EXPERTS PES: Do your engineers provide customised QC for multi- and c-Si based solar cell manufacturing DJ: The reason our systems have been solutions as well as off-the-shelf products selected by organizations across the world and how does this work? DJ: Certainly. One such standard, yet for both research and operational customizable, system is the SunScout. This is applications in the most extreme conditions DJ: Yes, we do. One of the strengths of a station we have developed for solar resource is simply the reliability. Campbell Scientific is the versatility of our assessment (SRA) campaigns. It is a station CR1000X and MeteoPV platform. As such, we designed with an eye toward easy field Our equipment was selected to monitor the are often designing custom systems for our deployment, everything from installation to weather from Mount Everest because of clients. We commonly are asked to provide final site configuration. With our reliability; to monitor the flooding conditions monitoring solutions for R&D arms of understanding of the requirements for SRA of Harris County, Texas, USA because of companies and research organizations that stations, we have been able to balance best reliability; to monitor the world’s longest sea are working on cutting-edge products and practice measurement techniques with smart crossing, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao industry innovations. and efficient power supplies. Bridge, because of reliability; to monitor the Earlier we mentioned the MeteoPV, a solar energy applications across the globe That being said, we have recently been purpose-built PV resource data platform, because of reliability—reliability that the leveraging our market knowledge and ideal for distributed PV monitoring and data is accurate and reliability in the people experience to develop customizable functioning as a plane-of-array (POA), albedo, at Campbell Scientific who you will be standard monitoring systems. and soiling secondary weather station. We will working with. Standardization will be beneficial to us and continue to develop similar systems that our clients by reducing design work and incorporate industry best practices while PES: You mentioned your resource custom documentation, ultimately resulting being economical and easy to deploy. assessment station, the SunScout. What is in a system customized to the project needs We also provide a full line of meteorology, this and when would someone need this type at a lower cost with shorter delivery dates. solar radiation, and back-of-panel of station? temperature sensors and data tools that This standardization will also benefit clients support data display and management, both DJ: Prior to procuring funding for a solar with a large portfolio of Campbell Scientific PC- and Cloud-based. installation, the investors or bank want to systems as they will be more consistently PES: What makes Campbell Scientific stand know if the investment will pay off or if the similar across different projects. out from the competition? What benefits loan is secure. Of course, this is very can your clients look forward to from dependent on the harvestable solar energy at PES: Could you talk us through your working with you? the site. Solar project stakeholders need the product range briefly? SunScout, an SRA station designed to provide the high-quality data required to justify investment in a large solar power installation. We have been providing these stations to customers for many years as custom solutions. With the SunScout, we have taken the most commonly requested configurations and industry standard sensors, and built them into a single package that is easily configurable for most customers’ requirements and sensor preferences. This versatility is possible because it is built on the backbone of the CR1000X datalogger. PES: Campbell Scientific is headquartered in the USA, but do you operate on a global level and, if so, in which countries? DJ: To better serve our customers worldwide, in 1980, we began to open offices across the globe. Today, we have offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, India, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. With this global footprint, we have successfully executed solar energy monitoring projects worldwide. PES: How do the territories you operate in differ from each other? Do they have their own specific set of challenges and characteristics? DJ: We operate as a global company. Our renewable energy operations are directed and managed out of our corporate headquarters in Logan, UT, USA. There are unique challenges to many different regions. However, having regional offices spread across the world allows us to be sensitive to regional and local conditions, 148 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS regulations, and specific needs. locations where general packet radio service the solar industry generally, do you foresee (GPRS) coverage is poor. any long-lasting changes as a result of the Some regions of the world are just beginning For their satellite data solution, Wireless past year or so? to explore solar energy, where others are Innovation integrated a number of our much more experienced. In both cases we CR1000 dataloggers into the Iridium DJ: In spite of the challenges, 2020 has been can provide assistance to help the projects network. The CR1000 dataloggers were exceptionally good for solar energy and for be much more successful. rugged enough to withstand the harsh, Campbell Scientific. We have worked on remote environment of the Atacama Desert, several very successful projects this past PES: We’ve seen from your case studies that offered low-maintenance requirements, and year and see many more coming in the near you have been involved in some exciting and integrated seamlessly with the satellite and long-term future. There have been brief wide-ranging solar projects in the past. Do solution. Data retrieval via email was aided by supply chain challenges in 2020, but mostly any stick in your mind as being particularly the use of Campbell Scientific’s LoggerNet we have seen very positive growth. challenging or interesting that you would software. Consequently, Solar Millennium like to share with us? was supplied with the detailed radiation and We see no reason to believe that the industry climatological measurement data they as a whole will not continue to grow. DJ: We have certainly been involved in many needed for their site suitability assessments. Certainly, at Campbell Scientific, we have very interesting and exciting projects. One PES: 2020 was a challenging year for invested into this market and it is a key part of that comes to mind is a project in Chile. Solar everyone, but how has the pandemic our long-term commitment. energy resource assessment projects were impacted Campbell Scientific? Thinking of conducted in many different territories by PES: Much greater focus is being given to Solar Millennium AG, a global project MeteoPV implementation the potential for solar energy in creating developer for solar thermal power plants. more energy efficient and green-thinking The developer’s task entailed gathering radiation and climatological data to assess the suitability of particular locations. Their assessment task was complicated because the sites that Solar Millennium had to research and test were often in remote and inaccessible desert locations. Any equipment used to gather the data had to be rugged enough to withstand the harsh, remote environments. In addition, because it was impractical and hazardous to retrieve the data manually from these locations, the equipment needed to have low-maintenance requirements, and the data needed to be remotely retrievable through a reliable and secure connection. One location that Solar Millennium researched was in the Atacama Desert in Chile. For this solar energy resource assessment project, a variety of sensors were used: pyranometers, anemometers, wind direction vanes, temperature sensors with radiation shields, and tipping bucket rain gages. To supply the necessary wireless communication solution, Solar Millennium contracted with Wireless Innovation. Wireless Innovation is a global provider of satellite solutions to the telemetry marketplace, has worked extensively in the renewables market, and has experience providing communication solutions that integrate with Campbell Scientific data loggers and LoggerNet software. For the Atacama Desert project, Wireless Innovation designed and employed a communication solution that operated via the Iridium Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network and a MiChroSat 2403 satellite modem. The Iridium satellite network provides complete coverage of the earth, enabling communication services to and from remote areas where other forms of reliable communication are not available or feasible. The MiChroSat 2403 modem allows data-logging solutions to be deployed securely and reliably in remote and hostile WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 149

ASK THE EXPERTS Roger Smith by station with solar panel societies. Have you seen this focus shift in increased certainty of returns through PES: Finally, is there any particular aspect the last five years or so and what do you maximized energy yield and controlled of the business or services that we haven’t think is driving this? operational costs needed to convince covered that you would like to focus on? governments and financiers that solar DJ: Certainly, there is a drive toward more energy is a future worth investing in. DJ: Let’s discuss the importance of renewable energy sources to minimize our accurate data. It can often be tempting to carbon footprint. But even with a more At Campbell Scientific, we are very sacrifice data accuracy for lower cost green-thinking society, success of optimistic that solar energy is a very viable equipment. A MET station is the least alternative renewable energy sources is source of renewable energy that will expensive item on a solar or wind energy supported and made possible by reduction in continue to develop. farm. A great deal of attention is given to costs. A recent report* indicated the price of the quality of the sensors. And there are electricity from solar declined by 89% from PES: And with the future in mind, what’s standards written covering what type of 2009 to 2019. I think this is a huge driving next for Campbell Scientific? Can you share sensors should be used. Often, they fail to factor. It’s a better investment for producers. with us any current projects you are address the data logger. working on, or any plans for new services PES: What do you think the future holds for and solutions you may have? Sensor quality alone is not enough if the data solar energy? logger cannot measure the signals reliably DJ: Without sounding too boastful, we can and accurately or if its accuracy shifts with DJ: Climate change is the defining issue of say without hesitation that we have temperature or relative humidity, etc. It is in our time. The impacts are global in scope and mastered the art of making measurements. every stakeholder’s interest to reduce the unprecedented in scale. Irreversible, Now we are focussing our attention on uncertainty in every measurement and this catastrophic changes to global climates and providing actionable insights from these starts with the data logger. ecosystems are happening. Without drastic measurements. action, these effects will continue to become This is the main area we take pride in. Our more pronounced and far reaching. This is easier said than done as our core data loggers are not only rugged and reliable products are used in a wide array of fields in extreme conditions. The accuracy Obtaining energy from renewable sources, from environmental science, climate science, specification provided for our data loggers such as solar energy, is an important element renewable energy, and micrometeorology to are over a wide temperature range, making in our fight against climate change. infrastructure monitoring. We are developing them the optimal choice for monitoring on cloud-based systems where the measured solar energy installations anywhere. As we continue to see decline in the cost of data can be stored, processed, and accessed material for PV solar energy due to increased at the click of a button. www.campbellsci.com funding in technology, there continues to be 150 PES SOLAR