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Quick Mount PV Unveils Solution For Tile Roofs

California-based Quick Mount PV has introduced its Tile Replacement Mount, which the company says provides a fast and easy way to install solar on tile roofs while protecting against water intrusion.

The new mounting solution eliminates messy and time-consuming tile grinding and cutting to significantly reduce installation time and labor costs, according to the company. The new mount works with all standard curved and flat tile roofs, as well as all standard rail-based racking systems. The company says the Tile Replacement Mount is fully engineered to meet code requirements and features Quick Mount’s patented Elevated Water Seal technology for waterproofing. It also comes with a 20-year warranty, and to offer installers and distributors stocking and packaging flexibility, the company says the base mount is sold separately from the flashings and posts.

“We saw a need in the marketplace for a simple and efficient method to mount solar on tile without compromising waterproofing or code requirements,” states Quick Mount PV CEO Claudia Wentworth.

Dean Rafaat, owner of Wired into the Future Solar, a solar installer based in Pleasant Hill, Calif., offers a testimonial on the new product.

“The Tile Replacement Mount is really innovative - it not only makes installs go much faster, but also creates spare tiles on the job,” says Rafaat. “Because there’s no tile grinding or cutting necessary, it really reduces our installation time. We just measure out the roof, put the mounts in, replace the tiles and start laying modules. And the stress relief of having extra tiles is priceless.”

 

Vermont Utility Installs Tesla Powerwalls For Customers

Vermont-based utility Green Mountain Power (GMP) has begun installing the Tesla Powerwall home battery for its customers.

GMP explains that the Tesla technology can be paired with small-scale solar, such as rooftop panels, to store locally generated energy, or it can be used without solar as a battery to store power from the grid. During a storm or emergency, the battery is able to power essential parts of the home, including lights, a refrigerator and a furnace, for several hours. Customers can also leverage time-of-use rates to charge and discharge the battery at times that will save them money.

GMP adds it is partnering with customers to maximize the Powerwall’s full potential for both parties, as they will use the batteries during peak energy times (e.g., hot summer days) to directly lower costs for customers by reducing transmission and capacity costs.

“The Tesla Powerwall is a game-changer in terms of power storage and a big step forward for customers and for GMP as we transform the way we generate and use energy,” states GMP President and CEO Mary Powell. “This is all about delivering on what our customers need to move away from the antiquated, bulk power system to one that is cleaner and more reliable, where we generate power closer to where it’s used.”

GMP made its first Powerwall installation at the home of utility customer Troy Turner.

“This is a great investment for our family to increase reliability and lessen the impact of outages,” says Turner. “We really believe this is the future of energy and are very excited to be a small part of the revolution.”

GMP explains customers can lease a Powerwall for about $37.50 a month with no upfront cost. They can also choose to partner with GMP to purchase the Powerwall and, with shared access, will receive a monthly bill credit of $31.76. Both options represent the value of leveraging the battery to help lower peak energy costs, according to the utility.

 

SolarCity Offers New Loans

SolarCity has unveiled a solar loan program to replace its MyPower loan offering with new options that include fixed payments and shorter terms. The company says it leveraged its installation volume to negotiate more favorable terms on behalf of its customers, and SolarCity initially launched the new program in 14 states.

“We can now offer a loan that makes it possible for many customers to pay less for solar from day one and still receive thousands back in tax credits on top of that,” says SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive. “This program will allow thousands of additional customers across the U.S. to install solar this year and start saving money immediately.”

According to the company, the new program offers customers a range of features, including the following: a 10-year loan with an annual percentage rate as low as 2.99%; a 20-year loan with an annual percentage rate as low as 4.99%; an option to prepay their entire balance or prepay a portion of their loan to lower their monthly payments at any time, with no fees or penalties; and a service package including a 20-year warranty, production guarantee and continuous monitoring. SolarCity notes it will provide and install a Nest Thermostat at no additional cost for qualifying customers.

At press time, the company’s new solar loans are available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington, D.C. SolarCity expects to add more locations to the list.

 

AET Adapts Rooftop Mount For East-West Orientation

Solar racking company Applied Energy Technologies (AET) has expanded its ECO line of products with its Rayport-B ECO East-West System, which the company says provides an east-west orientation to maximize PV production and increase array density on the rooftop.

“For many rooftop installations, an east-west orientation yields much better results in PV production,” says Aaron Faust, AET’s vice president of business development.

AET says the Rayport-B ECO East-West System is constructed from galvanized steel, has one common bolt for all joints and features panel clamps with integrated grounding. The system is wind tunnel tested, UL 2703 listed and comes with a 25-year limited warranty.

 

GE Invests In sonnen

GE Ventures, the venture capital arm of U.S.-based conglomerate General Electric, has invested in sonnen, a Germany-based manufacturer of residential energy storage systems.

sonnen says its sonnenBatterie system has enabled more than 10,000 households worldwide to meet their energy needs with self-produced renewable energy, and the company also notes that its sonnenCommunity online platform allows households to share their self-produced energy with other people.

GE Ventures and sonnen did not disclose the financial details of the deal in their announcement, but at press time, a Bloomberg report says GE Ventures has bought a minority stake in sonnen for a “mid double-digit million-euro” amount.

“We believe in sonnen’s vision, and that is why we are excited to partner to provide clean and affordable energy to all,” says Jonathan Pulitzer, managing director at GE Ventures.

Christoph Ostermann, co-founder and CEO of sonnen, adds, “With GE Ventures, we have not only partnered with one of the world’s largest power and water technology companies, but gained a supporter for our vision of a sustainable and affordable energy future for all.”

In a research note, Marianne Boust, principal analyst at IHS Technology, says the investment will help speed up the German company’s expansion.

“sonnen was the largest provider of residential energy storage systems in Germany in 2015 and is now rapidly expanding to the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, where demand for behind-the-meter energy storage systems is quickly growing,” says Boust.