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Category Archives: pv

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Building-Connected Energy Storage Systems: Installation Considerations for Developers and EPCs

Energy Storage Systems (ESS) have become a critical component of modern energy supply for Commercial, Industrial and DG users. Building-connected Energy Storage Systems (ESS), in particular, offer a range of benefits, from load shifting and demand...

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Bridging the Information Gap: How to Avoid Delays in Commercial PV Engineering

Delays are just about the worst problem for a developer or EPC working on a commercial solar project. Slowdowns cause project costs to quickly accumulate and potentially spiral out of control which can have ripple effects, leading to even further...

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Understanding the Nuances of UL 3741: Rapid Shutdown Requirements for Rooftop Solar

Solar developers continue to search for ways to reduce system installation costs while maintaining a safe and reliable asset. They have begun to look to UL 3741 PV Hazard Control as a means of meeting the National Electrical Code (NEC) rapid...

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Drone Surveys Maximize ROI in Distributed Generation Solar + Storage Projects

Drone surveys are powerful tools that help maximize the return on investment (ROI) in Distributed Generation PV systems. They offer unmatched precision in the design process, which can significantly increase a solar + storage project’s system...

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Roof-Mounted Solar: Structural and Waterproofing Considerations in C&I Applications

In the first part of this two-part article, I covered the roof membranes and roofing systems commonly used in commercial and industrial (C&I) buildings. Roof identification is important because this information drives other design and engineering...

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Roof-Mounted Solar: Identifying Low-Slope Roofing Types

Commercial and industrial (C&I) roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems present a unique set of engineering challenges and technical risks. Some commercial roof considerations—such as the structural analysis and roof loading plan—apply...

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Free Voltage Drop

This is a follow up to the article Design Recommendations for 1500V String inverters, where we only briefly mentioned "Free Voltage Drop" and wanted to dive in a little deeper here.

When we value engineer a large solar project, we can take advantage...

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Solar Carport Optimization - Part 1 of 2

Carports and canopies are the most expensive type of racking or PV module support structure. Therefore, its critical to optimize equipment selection and value engineer these projects.

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Neutral Conductor Value Engineering in 3-Phase String-Inverter Systems

What is a "Neutral" conductor?

To an Engineer: A "neutral" is a current-carrying conductor that carries the unbalanced current in 3 phase systems, and is intentionally connected to the ground. In North America, the neutral is color-coded white or...

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Solar Carport Optimization - Part 2

Carports and canopies are the most expensive type of racking or PV module support structure. Therefore, its critical to optimize equipment selection and value engineer these projects.

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Aluminum Conductors in Solar Applications: How to Save Costs without Sacrificing Reliability

A principle goal of value engineering is to deliver long-term performance and reliability at the lowest cost practicable. One effective way to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) in large-scale or commercial and industrial (C&I) solar...

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Arc Flash Studies for Solar — Introduction

Pure Power performs many types of power system studies, and the Arc Flash Study may be the most important because it is all about worker safety. However, since it’s not always a code requirement and doesn’t have a direct impact on generation, it is...

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