Welcome to another edition of Contractor’s Corner, a Solar Power World podcast series in which our editors talk with solar contractors and installers just like you. This podcast series is a companion to the Contractor’s Corner column in the back of our print magazine and on our website, so make sure you look for our
Will Polymers Change The Face Of Solar Racking?
This article is meant to provide an overview of polymers and the manufacturing processes associated with polymer-based solar mounting systems. Until recently, solar racking systems were made of metal — but that may be changing as advanced plastics hit the market. Currently, the most common form of flat-roof mounting has been metal-based rail systems. Polymer-based
Low-Voltage Solar Solution Provides 45% More Energy
When at Solar Power International in Chicago next week you may want to stop by the tenKsolar booth #2434. The Minnesota-based company offers low-voltage PV systems that is says have been proven more reliable and provide higher energy yields than conventional high-voltage solar systems. This can result in up to 45% more energy per rooftop. The company says
Icarus Had Nothing On Us: Report Says Solar Industry Soared In Q2
When, in the famous Greek myth, Icarus flew too close to the sun, the wax on his wings melted, and he crashed into the sea. Fortunately, since the solar industry thrives on the sun, its meteoric rise — which continued in the second quarter of 2013 — will not succumb to the same fate. GTM
Solar Speaks: A Little Lug Goes A Long Way
As you all know, one of the solar industries’ largest shows of the year, Intersolar North America, is quickly approaching. As a service to our listeners, we will be speaking with vendors in the weeks leading up to the show to give you a preview of what you can expect to see on the show
Insights from Solar Power World’s Top 100 Solar Contractors
Simply The Best All companies love to be ranked. Whether it’s by the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List or the Inc. 5000, company rankings give us a measure of how we stack up against the competition and gives us a sense of what we have to do to get better. That’s why Solar Power World
Solar Power World Top 100 Solar Contractors: Residential
Solar Power World received 195 applications for its 2012 Top 100 Solar Contractors list and of those, 104 of them competed in the residential sector — by far the most competitive segment on the list. The competition for the first five spots was fierce, and we congratulate the companies who earned the spots by installing a combined
Harnessing Solar Power From Spinach
An interdisciplinary team of researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a way to combine the photosynthetic protein that converts light into electrochemical energy in spinach with silicon, the material used in solar cells, in a fashion that produces substantially more electrical current than has been reported by previous “biohybrid” solar cells. “This combination produces current […]
Cool Solar Infographic Shows U.S. Support
Research shows supersized support for solar power in the United States. This detailed infographic outlines America’s love affair with clean, reliable solar energy.
Solar Power World Receives Bronze for Editorial Excellence as a New Publication
The winners of the 34th Annual ASBPE Azbee Awards of Excellence have been announced, and Solar Power World is honored to be one of them. SPW received the Bronze Award for Editorial Excellence as a New Publication. “We at Solar Power World are humbled by this award,” says Editorial Director Frank Andorka. “Receiving this award […]
Webinar July 18: The ABCs Of Utility-Scale Inverters
As the renewable energy boom around the world continues to grow, larger utility-scale projects are becoming the norm. Sometimes the inverter piece of the project gets lost in the weeds. To help sort out the specifics of this growing segment of the industry, we’ve invited Kent Breaux, Global Director of Renewable Markets for AETI, Zach Ward, Director […]
Clean Energy College Sees First Graduates
Ecotech Institute, which says it’s the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in clean technology and sustainability, will hold its first graduation on Thursday, June 21, 2012. Forty-two students will receive their associate’s degrees, which prepares them for a career in the clean technology industry. The graduates will receive […]
These folks will monitor your wind system for you
S&C Electric Company offers asset monitoring services for critical electric grid equipment in wind projects. These services include PureWave CBM Condition-Based Monitoring for the company’s PureWave family of power quality products. PureWave CBM, powered by AlsoEnergy’s cloud-based software platform, can help equipment owners improve the reliability of their power systems and extend equipment life. Additionally, […]
Satellite Communicator for Remote Wind Project Locations
The inReach satellite communicator From DeLorme allows cell phone messaging in areas without service. With 90% of the Earth’s surface lacking any cell phone service, inReach is the first affordable communication solution for anyone who works, travels or engages in outdoor activities in off the grid environments. It’s even applicable for techs on wind or solar […]
AWEA 2012 Show Recap
Despite comments from many attendees saying booth traffic was slow, I think AWEA’s Windpower 2012 was a success. I even have the blisters to prove it. AWEA hosted the show in Atlanta, a major manufacturing hub, and consisted of two huge halls with well over 1,000 exhibitors. The “slow” traffic can be attributed to the state […]
Solid State Hydrogen Storage Replaces Gas
Kathryn Tomiello is the Staff Editor, Design World Traditionally, hydrogen energy has had many limitations, mostly because of issues related to its storage and transport. According to Scott Redmond, Vice President of Product Architecture, Limnia, Inc., “One of the biggest perceived challenges for any new energy is the infrastructure. At one point, it was predicted…
When Outsourcing Fails the Test
Edited by Kathryn Tomiello, Staff Editor, Design World Edited by Kathryn Tomiello, Staff Editor, Design World The right partner is critical to the successful execution and delivery of a design, as Foresite, a process consulting company and analytical laboratory, discovered. The engineers designed a special test cell for C3 printed circuit boards and then outsourced…
Smart Cameras Fill Gaps in Optical Inspection Applications
Kathryn Tomiello is a Staff Editor, Design World Low cost photoelectric sensors are inadequate for many automated optics-based inspection applications. To meet the need for more detailed inspections, manufacturers introduced multicomponent, PC-based vision systems that capture still images and convert them into digital data. This information is used for assembly verification, gage and dimensional measurements,…
Medical Device Designers Meet at MD&M West
Kathryn Tomiello, Staff Editor Kathryn Tomiello, Staff Editor The Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West exposition will celebrate its 24th anniversary this year. It will take place from January 29 to 31, 2008 at the Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim, CA). Visitors can also attend the event’s conference for education and networking opportunities from January 28…
Keep an Eye on the Race-not just the Finish Line-with Transparent Pneumatics
Online Editors Note :: “Live for Speed” Live for Speed is a small development team dedicated to making the best online racing simulator. Their current release is S2 with which they attempt to recreate the thrill and fun of real racing, by simulating all aspects important to racing. www.LFS.net Festo’s “Live for Speed” Race Car…
Software Will Change the Way You Build Your Robots
Growth in the robotic industry has remained largely inhibited because the industry lacks a standard software platform. David Goodin, President, All Motion, compares it to the PC industry of the 1970’s. Companies were manufacturing hardware with proprietary software until Windows came along and unified the drivers and application software. Microsoft Robotics Studio, introduced by Microsoft…
Turning the PC into a personal supercomputer
Universities, research institutions, and companies in the geosciences, molecular biology, and medical diagnostics fields face a big challenge: as their simulation models become increasingly complex, so does their need for better computational resources. NVIDIA’s Tesla brand of computing products is based on a graphics’ processing unit (GPU) that transforms today’s workstations into personal supercomputers. Tesla…
Monitor Your Bearings To Save Cash
The aircraft industry continues to struggle over financial losses. Adding to their struggles is the cost of maintaining their fleets. One such cost is fan bearing failure. Maintenance personnel must calculate each fan’s maximum number of operating hours, then remove and overhaul it. Failure of the fans often interrupts normal flight operations. Each fan’s operation…
Energy Efficient Torque Control
According to Microchip Technology Inc., a provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, electric motors consume, by some estimates, over half of the energy generated in the United States. With increased energy regulations, OEM’s are adopting field-oriented control (FOC) of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSMs) for energy efficient torque control. This also satisfies consumer demands for…
Occupant Safety And Biomechanics
Pam-crash 2G is virtual testing software that comprises three main components: a solver offering physics-based models for crash and other impact problems; a visual environment portfolio, a suite of CAE process automation products; and finally, validated compute models. According to Lars Greve, CAE Methods, Volkswagon Research Group, when his team used the software for front…