Solar Power World

A Generation180 report released in 2020 found that 7,332 public and private K-12 schools in the United States had solar power. Seems like a lot, but that's only 5.5% of schools across the country. Educational institutions are a segment of the commercial solar market ripe with opportunity. In this episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, Solar Power World talks with the leadership at Sunrise Power Solutions, one company taking advantage of the open K-12 market. The Long Island-based company works with a lot of schools because, as CEO Heather Ingebrigtsen says, they're the ideal customer. They usually have ample space for solar and the budgets to support energy projects. CFO Mike Ingebrigtsen also explains the next installation market ready for takeoff: electric vehicle chargers. SPW editors also talk about Women's History Month and representation in solar. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/03/contractors-corner-sunrise-power-solutions/

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar carport manufacturer Quest Renewables talks about emerging trends in the market, including accommodating larger or bifacial panels, incorporating ancillary features like water management and much more. Sponsored by Quest Renewables.

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, Baja Carports talks about design considerations for solar carports from coast to coast. Sponsored by Baja Carports.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Top Solar Contractors list this year, Solar Power World was joined by representatives at CS Energy, Borrego, Freedom Solar Power and Scanifly to discuss how the last year affected the solar industry. Panelists discuss lessons learned in 2020 that have changed and improved business going forward. As the world transitioned to online and contact-free interactions, solar companies had to get creative with their sales and installation practices. What new procedures actually increased business and where are we still needing help? Register for future roundtables: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/tsc-roundtables/ Watch the roundtable: https://youtu.be/xhK-e_1mIzE

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, Fortress Power explains the importance of correctly sizing lithium batteries for residential and commercial solar projects. Sponsored by Fortress Power.

Arkansas is an expanding solar market. Ranked 36th in the nation for installed solar in 2019, the state climbed to 25th in 2020. Some of that growth can be attributed to Shine Solar, a five-year-old installer headquartered in the state's northwest corner. CEO Nick Gorden has approached the Arkansas market with education first, and it's paid off. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, we talk with Gorden about how the company uses educational marketing in smaller cities to gain trust in new markets. Now with the company moving into states like Mississippi and Oklahoma, that education aspect will continue to be important. Don't forget to apply to the 2021 Top Solar Contractors list! https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/top-solar-contractors/ See photos: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/02/contractors-corner-shine-solar/

The Georgia solar market is fairly dependable. Consistently in the Top 10 states by installed solar capacity, Georgia has a strong utility-scale pipeline, mostly fueled by large arrays that support major corporations. But the residential and commercial markets are just as strong, said Russell Seifert, CEO of local installer Creative Solar USA. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World talks with Seifert about how Creative Solar has found success in the Southeast market for the last 13 years. Early inclusion of energy storage into its service offerings likely contributed to the company's steady growth. Seifert said over 70% of the Creative Solar USA's solar installations come paired with storage. Be sure to listen to the full podcast for insight into how Creative Solar explains whole-home backup to customers and why representation in local and national solar groups is important. We also have a bonus conversation with all three Solar Power World editors about how new products are tr

Working on utility-scale solar projects requires a lot of hands, and, depending on the region, it may be difficult to find enough help. Construction firm Primoris Renewable Energy has been able to hire skilled workers formerly in the oil and gas industries on its large solar projects in West Texas, but senior VP Kent James said it is more difficult to find people for foreman and other supervising positions. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with James about how the public company uses its reputation to recruit and retain experienced engineers into Primoris' solar construction business. Following the employment theme, we also have a bonus conversation with SPW associate editor Billy Ludt about solar representation in consumed media and how it can encourage new generations of Americans to get involved with solar. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/12/contractors-corner-primoris-renewable-energy/

More women are entering the solar workforce every day, but some areas of the industry are still underrepresented. According to The Solar Foundation, women only make up 26% of the solar workforce. In a largely mechanical and construction-related field, it is nice to hear of a woman-led solar installation subcontractor out of Georgia: Sunshine Solar. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World woman and editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Emilie O'Leary, CEO of Sunshine Solar, about her experience working in a male-dominated segment. She started the company in 2016 because she knew solar was a space she wanted to be in. We also have a bonus conversation with senior editor Kelsey Misbrener about Kent State University and women representation in solar. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/11/contractors-corner-sunshine-solar/

With a name like Simple Solar, the going-solar process has to be as easy as possible for new customers. And that's what the Missouri installer has done for its residential clients since 2017. Luke Arthur started Simple Solar after working at other installation companies and wanting to pare down all the extra noise. Sales calls are quick, product choices are limited to only what works best, and service is the best in the region. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World talks with Arthur about why he wanted to keep Simple Solar focused even though he could be considered a jack-of-all-trades himself. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/10/contractors-corner-simple-solar/

As a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions company, Ameresco is dedicated to meeting its clients' energy needs. From school districts to municipalities to healthcare customers, the company approaches each portfolio holistically to ensure load is reduced before suggesting distributed generation options. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, we talk with Dave Anderson, EVP and co-founder of Ameresco, about the company's beginnings 20 years ago and how solar is just one piece of its energy solution puzzle. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/09/contractors-corner-ameresco/

Barely whisper the name "Sandy" on Long Island and PTSD sets in for many residents. The 2012 hurricane cost New York $41.9 billion in recovery and mitigation expenses, and millions in the Northeast were without power for almost two weeks. When Hurricane Isaias hit earlier this month in the middle of a pandemic, concern was high. Calls for energy storage systems increased significantly for Long Island residential and commercial solar installer SUNation, and now demand for batteries is far outpacing the company's supply. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Scott Maskin, CEO of SUNation, about this crazy year, from being shut down for 12 weeks at the beginning of COVID-19 to now being overwhelmed with business as the next natural disaster hits. WARNING: There is some mild adult language used in this recording. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/08/contractors-corner-sunation/

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar inverter manufacturer FIMER talks about the status of the solar market in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sponsored by FIMER.

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar inverter manufacturer CPS talks about the status of inverter warranties and how they need to improve to better serve project owners.

Southern Florida is getting rocked by COVID-19 right now, and local solar installation company Goldin Solar says that has made business busier than ever, except with a twist — more people want battery backup. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Daren Goldin, CEO and co-founder of Goldin Solar, about why Floridians, who are used to power outages through hurricane season, suddenly find backup power an essential need during the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/07/contractors-corner-goldin-solar/

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar mounting manufacturer Preformed Line Products (PLP) talks about how to deal with unexpected obstacles on both ground-mounted and rooftop solar installations.

DEPCOM Power has always cared for its employees and communities. The utility-scale EPC and O&M company has largely weathered the coronavirus storm and continued to keep its focus on supporting its core team and 2,000 construction contractors. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Johnnie Taul, president of DEPCOM Power, about how the utility-scale contractor is pushing through COVID-19 related slowdowns. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/06/contractors-corner-depcom-power

We have a special podcast for Contractors Corner listeners this week! In this sponsored Solar Spotlight podcast, inverter manufacturer SMA America talks about the challenges of traditional PV system optimization, and the new solutions available from the company.

The Midwest solar market was finally starting to hit its stride before COVID-19 arrived. Still, companies like Iowa's Eagle Point Solar are optimistic about the future and plenty busy installing a backlog of projects. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Larry Steffen, VP of sales for Eagle Point Solar, about how the company is keeping customers interested in solar + storage from afar. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/05/contractors-corner-eagle-point-solar

Wisconsin isn't the largest solar market (SEIA ranks it 34th in the country by kilowatts installed), but solar installer Carlson Electric is still managing to keep its employees busy working on solar projects throughout the coronavirus shutdown. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Tim Dilley, director of business development for Carlson Electric, about how the company is holding up during this COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/04/contractors-corner-carlson-electric