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Online Tool Helps Track Solar Permitting Compliance

California’s local government officials and solar energy contractors who are seeking details on progress made statewide by cities and counties to create ordinances for expedited solar installation permitting can now find up-to-date information online at the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) website.

Municipalities throughout the state are working to meet the requirements for adopting streamlined solar permitting processes mandated by A.B.2188. The CSE has created a solar permitting act compliance map that shows the actions each jurisdiction is taking.

A.B.2188 requires municipalities to adopt local ordinances that speed up the installation of small rooftop solar photovoltaic systems up to 10 kW or up to 30 kW for solar water heating and other thermal systems. The permitting process must substantially conform to the California Solar Permitting Guidebook.

Solar contractors can use the map to learn if jurisdictions in which they operate have adopted an expedited solar permitting process, as well as gain access to links to ordinances, permitting requirements and expedited solar permitting forms.

The CSE developed the compliance map with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. The center offers free technical assistance to local jurisdictions and solar contractors to help them understand and implement the process. The CSE also offers standardized permitting forms and other training resources.

 

UMEX, Cyberhawk Bring Drone Utility Infrastructure Inspections To U.S.

Colorado-based Unmanned Experts (UMEX), a consultancy and training company in the U.S. unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) market, has joined forces with Scotland-headquartered Cyberhawk Innovations, a provider of UAS aerial surveys, to deliver critical infrastructure inspections (CII) throughout the U.S.

According to the companies, this partnership opens up CII for utility and power companies that require regular, comprehensive surveys of their electricity transmission and distribution towers, substations, coal- and gas-fired power plants, and renewable assets, such as wind turbines and solar panels.

As part of the memorandum of understanding (MOU), training, equipment and procedures have been exchanged to begin CII operations in the coming weeks. UMEX says it has already been selected as a utility vendor for a major utility company, as well as for a number of demonstration flights and pilot programs this fall.

UMEX is currently approved for four separate Section 333 exemptions covering eight types of UAS.

Cyberhawk, which converts drone-captured data into asset management information in the cloud, will work with UMEX to deliver the iHawk software suite. The map-based inspection reporting requires only a Web browser to access and features photographic evidence behind each defect classification.

“It is positive to see that the U.S. is moving in the same direction as the U.K. and Europe, where UAS inspection has become best practice in many industries over the last few years,” says Craig Roberts, CEO of Cyberhawk. “I consider the MOU with UMEX to be a significant step toward making this happen.”

 

SolaTrim Introduces Protective Barrier For Solar Panels

California-based SolaTrim has developed an after-market protective barrier system for solar panel frames.

The barrier system is intended to provide an aesthetic skirting for rooftop panels that also functions to protect the panels from pests and debris. It consists of coated aluminum guards that run perpendicular from the edge of the array to the supporting roof. The barriers are affixed to the array with a “peel and stick” adhesive that does not require metal fasteners.

The system allows for air exchange under the panel array while keeping pests out.

 

skytron Releases PVGuard 2.2

Germany-based skytron energy has launched version 2.2 of its PVGuard photovoltaic plant data collection and analysis software.

The latest 64-bit version of PVGuard will be able to access more working memory, resulting in improved performance. The company says the feature will facilitate the analysis of large volumes of data.

In addition, the new PVGuard Local extension allows the functionality of PVGuard to be used to analyze existing data in the absence of an Internet connection. skytron energy is providing matching server hardware in the form of skyserv Local - a Linux-based server that can be installed at a customer’s site.

skytron says the updated software also improves dashboard navigation and data presentation.

 

SolyMoly Launches Online Shopping For Solar Energy

New Jersey-based solar marketing firm SolyMoly has launched its online mapping and sales platform for homeowners and installers.

The service enables users to specify which area of the rooftop they would like to consider using for solar panel installation. SolyMoly also connects homeowners with approved system installers in the area.

Installers receive a copy of the customer’s detailed report to facilitate the sales and construction process.

“What we learned throughout product development is that homeowners prefer to explore the potential of rooftop solar energy without feeling overwhelmed with options or pressured to act fast,” says Kathir Kuppan, founder and CEO of SolyMoly. “We are simply equipping consumers with the tools they need to make a well-informed decision on their own time lines and from the comfort of home.”