Poster Wall

2020 SPI, ESI, and North America Smart Energy Week

Anaheim

September 14 – October 27, 2020 (Monday – Tuesday)

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Building the Flexible Grid: How 8minute Solar Energy Exercises Multiple Value Streams with Dispatchable Solar 1322631 Will Van Cleve Doosan GridTech Building the Flexible Grid: How 8minute Solar Energy Exercises Multiple Value Streams with Dispatchable Solar Grid Integration & Generation Throughout 2020, 8minute Solar Energy and Doosan GridTech will design and implement predictive dispatch strategies for grid-scale photovoltaic solar plus storage (PV+S) systems. The goal is to make solar a flexible dispatchable resource capable of tapping into multiple value streams. The approach utilizes a combination of 8minute-developed technology and Doosan’s advanced software controls. This pilot project demonstrates how this control solution improves PV+S plant output predictability and unlocks additional value streams for 8minute and the Springbok 3 solar plant off-taker, the Los Angeles Department of Power & Water (LADWP).

1500V DC Power Supply Topology for Integrated In-field Measurement of Solar System Data 1322579 Greg Linder IEEE 1500V DC Power Supply Topology for Integrated In-field Measurement of Solar System Data Finance and Asset Management Modern power electronics have made possible 1500VDC solar inverter systems. For some large scale systems, however, AC lines and data communications conduit are still being run for sensors installed in large scale solar systems. This paper presents a use case for a family of high voltage (1500VDC IN) power supply systems, safely supplying operating power to a full field suite of IEC-61724 compliant sensors, including a weather station, module temperature sensors, and Pyranometers. As well as inverter communications, if they are nearby. This topic is important because the cost of solar is going down, putting pressure on the BOS costs associated with SCADA and monitoring systems. Using an in-field 1500V power converter topology to run the required in-field sensors and data acquisition equipment saves substantial costs on conduit installation for data lines and power lines in large sites. This topology offers the promise of fully-standalone sensor suites, powered by the 1500VDC arrays themselves, via an extra fuse in an existing combiner box. This is relevant because many standard SCADA system designs are based on traditional power system supply topology for their sensing needs. The immediate application is for when you lay out your next field, you can specify your pyranometers, weather stations, and module temperature sensors to be installed where they NEED to be, without any concern about the extra cost of conduit and trenching to get them there. The target audience is design engineers struggling with instrumentation placement, as well as commissioning and testing staff who need to know that the Right Instrumentation gets installed at the Right Place. Having a power topology that runs only on the DC side means that this data can be made available prior to AC energization of the equipment, which could have substantial scheduling benefits for large scale system construction.

360 Analysis of Solar PV Utility Scale Projects, A Balanced Scorecard Approach 1322602 Ignacio Smith SM Solar 360 Analysis of Solar PV Utility Scale Projects, A Balanced Scorecard Approach Regulatory Innovation and Policy Drivers The general accepted approach to analyzing Solar PV Utility Scale projects is by examining the financial data and the different relationships it can generate through the calculation of financial ratios. Seldom, the impact on communities and the environment is considered. Many times, it is assumed that these projects have a high degree of inclusion and a positive impact on the environment. Notwithstanding, in all large-scale projects you are going to be exposed to positive and negative stakeholders, where their expectations must be satisfied, and it is in the context that a methodology such as 360 balanced scorecard becomes a useful tool. Developed in the nineties 90s by Robert S, Kaplan and David P. Norton, the balance scorecard has become a very popular tool for performance evaluation and strategy development among Fortune 500 Companies. Adding, the impact on the environment and communities makes it a unique tool used for the evaluation of Utility scale and Distributed Energy Resources. A 360 Analysis based on a balanced scorecard methodology is predicated on the establishment of a point system that allows the analyst to score the different aspect of the project. On the financial side, we have: Internal Rate of Return, Return on Assets, Return on Equity, Cash Flow and Economic Value Added. On the environment, you may want to determine the impact on the environment per every dollar spent on the installation, Certificates of Emissions Reductions Contributions, Renewable Credits Contributions, Corporate Sustainability assessment, Carbon Neutral Index, Community Performance Index. However, such an analysis will only be complete once the social element is considered, among the many ratios, we have: Social Return on Investment, Impact Investment. The process begins when the analyst computes and scores the project in three areas: the economics, its contribution to the environment and its positive impact on the community it is going to service. If an average score of 80 is achieved, the developer is given the thumbs up, however, if the project scores below the average, the analyst explores ways in which he or she can assist the contractor in improving the score so that I becomes an option. By having an iterating process, the developer manages to see the short falls of the project and improve on them, making it a viable option. The conclusions drawn, is that it captures all aspects and provides an ample view that allows investors to measure profitability and sustainability.

A Financial Algorithm for Computing the Levelized Cost (US$/MWh; €/MWh) of Storing Solar Electricity (LCOS) at a Grid Scale Energy Storage Plant (ESP) 1338111 Michael Stavy Advisor on Renewable Energy Finance A Financial Algorithm for Computing the Levelized Cost (US$/MWh; €/MWh) of Storing Solar Electricity (LCOS) at a Grid Scale Energy Storage Plant (ESP) Finance and Asset Management This paper discusses the levelized cost (LC) method for computing the cost of storing solar electricity (LCOS) at a model grid scale (>1MW│>1MWh) energy storage plant (ESP). The paper presents an ESP LC algorithm. An ESP can provide for the daily, weekly or seasonal storage of solar electricity (energy). It can also provide ancillary services (voltage, frequency control, reactive power [var]) for the grid. This paper’s model ESP only provides daily storage. It does not provide any ancillary services. The LCOS algorithm equations are presented. For rapid computation, an Excel LCOS Algorithm Workbook is provided (FREE download). The LCOS algorithm uses nine industry recognized ESP specifications (specs) (metrics) [independent variables] to compute the LCOS [dependent variable] of the stored solar electricity. These nine required specs include the ESP-LC of the solar electricity to be stored (LCOE) (US$/MWh), ESP-Power Output-MW, ESP-Daily Energy Storage Capacity-MWh/day, ESP-CapEx-US$/MWh, ESP-Efficiency-η, ESP-Operating Life-yrs and the ESP-Cost of Capital-%. Certain US$ values are converted in € for overseas readers. The nine required specs (assembled from published, complied or derived sources) for a Tesla Megapack battery (BatESP) and for the Cabin Creek (Clear Creek County, CO) Pumped Hydro Storage Plant (PumpESP) are used in the paper’s two case studies to demonstrate the LCOS algorithm. The two case studies also show the reader the work required and how to assemble the nine specs for a BatESP (PumpESP). The paper’s LCOS algorithm gives the reader who has the nine required ESP specs, the ability to quickly do a sensitivity analysis to see how a change in any one of the nine specs can cause a change in the computed LCOS. The LCOS algorithm also allows the reader to do a quick “back of the envelope” verification of a commercial developer’s or an academic (industrial) researcher’s published LCOS. The paper is written so that readers who are or who have been graduate students at a university will first be able to learn about the technology of a BatESP (PumpESP); second, be able to understand the levelized cost (LC) method of computing the cost of storing solar electricity; third, be able to do the work required to assemble a data set of the nine required specs for a sample group of BatESP (PumpESP); and fourth, be able to use this spec data set with the paper’s Excel LCOS Algorithm Workbook to compute the LCOS for each BatESP (PumpESP) in the spec data set. After some experience in solar energy storage economics, the reader will realize that the algorithm’s computed LCOS minus the solar electricity’s LCOE is the additional (marginal) cost of storing the solar electricity.

A Spotlight on Workforce Development Needs in the Renewable Energy Industry 1330986 Remy Pangle REpowering Schools Heidi Tinnesand National Renewable Energy Labs Michael Arquin The KidWind Project Remy Pangle REpowering Schools Cat Mosley sPower A Spotlight on Workforce Development Needs in the Renewable Energy Industry Managing Growth We are proposing a panel discussion on workforce needs within our collective industries. In this panel we will bring together folks from industry, government, academia, and educational non-profits to have an open discussion about the workforce needs within the wind and solar industries - specifically addressing skills gaps, recruiting and training for critical workforce roles. The session will focus on constructive dialog to understand solutions to address these needs, discuss how to address skills gaps, and bring to light how to bridge the needs of industry with the offerings from academia and other training programs. Educational Institutions are more often attending SPI, and a panel like this would attract those program/institution representatives that can position themselves to best meet the needs of industry.

Albedo and Albedo Spectrum Measurement in Different Ground Conditions 1338089 Ajay Singh Campbell Sceintific Inc. Albedo and Albedo Spectrum Measurement in Different Ground Conditions Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) The fraction of the incident solar radiation reflected from the background surface is defined as the albedo. Albedo plays major role in energy balance of earth’s surface. Albedo is also important to study in order to increase the energy produced by Solar PV panels. Bifacial solar panels capture sunlight on both front and rear side. The light from sun shines directly on the front side and the reflected light from the ground or other structurers nearby gets collected by the rear face. These are emerging in the solar industry at a rather increasing rate. Gain in electrical energy production of 10-30% is advocated by the manufacturer. The chemical constituents of the surface absorb part of the incident radiation and reflects the rest. Thus, the reflected light will have different spectral contents compared to the incident radiation. Since energy conversion by PV panels depends on the spectrum of the light incident it is important to understand the spectrum of albedo from different background surfaces in order to characterize the effectiveness of these modules. In this study we present intensity and spectrum measurement of albedo from four different background surfaces.

Aligning Host's and Developer's Goals in a Behind-the-Meter SMART Program Solar with Storage Bid World 1338112 Tom Michelman Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC Aligning Host's and Developer's Goals in a Behind-the-Meter SMART Program Solar with Storage Bid World Finance and Asset Management Aim/Objective: To provide a method of incorporating the benefits of storage into a request for price proposal bid (RFP) construct for behind-the-meter (BTM) hosts. Background: VNM power purchase agreements (PPAs) have flourished in the ISO-NE states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. These PPAs have been relatively straight-forward: either offering a fixed price, or fixed discount off the VNM rate. The proliferation of VNM projects dominated by greenfield development on sparely loaded radial lines has led to rural outcry, extreme interconnection upgrade costs and project delays. In reaction, policy makers are proposing incentives that will tip the balance to on-site BTM projects, particularly those combined with storage (e.g., see the MA DOER’s incentive proposals 400 MW review SMART Program straw proposal). Including storage w/ onsite solar means that benefits (and risks) traditionally associated with demand response are now available to the onsite Host. The goal from the Host’s perspective has evolved from the obtaining the lowest net metering PPA $/kWh price to the lowest Host net costs of delivered $/kWh; that is, it has evolved to a shared savings model, and any RFPs must evolve as well. Methods: The goal of a shared savings solar w/ storage project proposal is to request bids for the Host to minimize its Net Costs. Host Net Costs equals the sum of Project Delivered Energy Costs (i.e., the cost $/kWh of energy consumed from the project), plus Project Consumed Energy Costs (if the storage system is connected so that it can consume the Host’s electricity), less Demand Management Benefits (which includes lowering the Host’s monthly peak utility demand charges and annual ISO-NE ICAP Tag assigned retail costs), and less Market / Program Participation Revenue (e.g., active demand program response revenue, forward capacity revenue, and potentially other ISO-NE revenue from the regulation, reserves and other markets). This presumes a tracking mechanism (e.g., Price Bid form spreadsheet) in order to provide an “apples-to-apples” comparison of bids, of which many of the assumptions will be stipulated over a 20-year project life (e.g., hourly 8760 load curve, hourly meteorological data, $/kW demand charges, $/kWh retail price of electricity, etc.). The Bidder provides, modeled production, cost of energy provided and by calculation the Host Net Costs for at least three shared savings cases (e.g., 0%, 25%, custom). Results: An RFP using this construct has bids due early January 2020. The poster will provide details of the methods used to elicit bids, a summary of bids received, reaction from bidders, and comparison of proposed Host net costs under each shared saving case. Conclusion: Storage with solar BTM projects with this RFP construct hopefully will provide a way to drive down Host net costs while providing upside for developers.

Analyzing Critical Bolting Factors to Inverter Failures 1374494 Hidenori Araki Nord-Lock Group Analyzing Critical Bolting Factors to Inverter Failures Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) A common response to Inverter failure due to loosened bolted connections: the installer simply didn’t torque it properly. While this is certainly a possibility it is difficult to truly know the real root cause after the event has already happened without some intelligent monitoring system in place each bolted joint (which in reality today there is no cost-effective way to accomplish this). We will be discussing several critical factors that influence bolted joint integrity in this application including joint settlement, relaxation, and vibrations.

Battery Storage - Key Enabler for EV Charging in Multi-family Houses and Commercial Buildings 1325509 Matthias Vetter Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE Battery Storage - Key Enabler for EV Charging in Multi-family Houses and Commercial Buildings Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure Objective: For large-scale market development of electric vehicles it is essential to enable “at home charging” not only in single family houses but also in apartment buildings. Secondly it is also crucial to prepare basement garages of commercial buildings for charging huge numbers of electric vehicles. Methods: The integration of battery storage as a buffer into EV charging stations of multi-family houses and commercial buildings render the extension of the grid connection point and also the extension of the distribution grid. Furthermore such battery storage supports the utilization of building integrated photovoltaics for electromobility purposes and enables high fractions of local use of the generated PV electricity. In case of a building integrated CHP unit a battery storage allows the decoupling of electricity generation and charging of EVs as well. As buffer storage, integrated into EV charging stations, 2nd use batteries are an interesting alternative to investments into new systems. Typically, batteries, which are not suitable anymore for EVs, can still be used in stationary applications as for example in the addressed charging stations. Such 2nd life concepts prolong the usable life time of batteries and therefore improve their overall CO2 footprint. 2nd use concepts need the investigation of various technical and economical topics addressing safety, reliability, performance and expected life-time as well as regulations for integrating stationary battery storage into buildings. For identifying and forecasting the technical behavior of used batteries within 2nd life applications simulated based analyses are providing valuable information by using models for the electrical, thermal and aging behavior. Results: Within this presentation the approach and results of two building integrated battery storage examples will be shown. The first one is based on a new battery system for a mixed commercial / residential building, which is combined with building integrated PV. The second one is based on 2nd use batteries for a multi-family house, which is combined with building integrated PV and a CHP unit. In both buildings the technical concepts are enabling flexible EV charging in high numbers and utilization of local resources at the same time. Conclusion: Integration of battery storage in multi-family houses and commercial buildings offers smart solutions for enabling EV charging and flexible coupling to locally installed power generators such as photovoltaic systems and CHP units. Based on the elaboration of an adapted system design, such concepts can avoid low voltage grid extension and extension of the grid connection points of buildings.

Benchmarking PV Module Quality: GWs of Quality Risk Statistics Projects in a Very Dynamic Sector 1322606 George Touloupas Clean Energy Associates (CEA) Benchmarking PV Module Quality: GWs of Quality Risk Statistics Projects in a Very Dynamic Sector Managing Growth There is a great need to measure and benchmark PV module production quality. CEA has developed the Supplier Benchmarking Program, which is based on production quality data from quality assurance engagements from over 15 GW of projects and hundreds of Factory Audits. The Supplier Benchmarking Program data are accessible via an interactive online platform, with powerful data visualization capabilities. The data can be filtered in many different ways, and the map gives insights into the logistics of supply.

Boosting Solar Installation & Service Profits – Leveraging Advanced Mobile Work Process Management & Automation (mPMA) Technology 1322563 Babak Sardary Scoop Solar Boosting Solar Installation & Service Profits – Leveraging Advanced Mobile Work Process Management & Automation (mPMA) Technology Managing Growth As hardware prices have continued to fall, the non-hardware portion of solar PV system costs - often referred to as Soft Costs - now account for over 50-64% of the total expenses of deploying a typical solar system. This means that in relative dollars, Soft Costs are nearly 3 times as large as the average profit a typical solar installer garners on a per project basis! As such, even a small reduction in Soft Costs can translate to a significant increase in profits for solar installers. It is therefore evident that Soft Costs Reduction represents the next major opportunity for solar business performance improvement. Mobile work Process Management & Automation (mPMA) is an emerging category of advanced mobile, cloud and AI-based technology that focuses on addressing inefficiencies and manual processes contributing to Soft Costs. Unlike CRMs or traditional Project Management tools that are designed and built for back office staff, PMA helps significantly reduce Soft Costs by engaging all stakeholders. mPMA standardizes and mobilizes work processes as easy-to-use Apps customized to the needs of each project stakeholder wherever they may be: across field or office, within the internal team or partner & subcontractor organizations. mPMA not only centralizes key project documents, drawings and communication it makes these assets available to each stakeholder within their purpose-configured app. Lastly mPMA uses intelligence to automate critical workflows and project or service work hand-offs to significantly cut down manual steps. In this poster we summarize the results of 5 case studies we conducted with a range of solar providers. We describe how these firms leveraged mPMA to bring process digitization and work automation to their operations. We show how savings in 3 key categories resulted in an average of $715 in quantifiable labor savings per completed project or a 37% increase in profits. We further enumerate how in addition to these significant savings these companies gained a number of - arguably more important - benefits as key ingredients for growth. The poster will cover: - A breakdown of the major categories of soft costs - How Process Management & Automation technology eliminates soft costs - An enumeration of where waste is being incurred and how mPMA remedies these - Measurable savings, increase in profits and return on investment (ROI) - Strategic / growth benefits solar operators may expect from deploying mPMA Our target audience of managers overseeing solar projects EPC and O&M operations will benefit from an increased understanding of where their own businesses are likely incurring soft costs, and the potential for savings through increased automation and efficiency with mPMA technology.

Build Transfer Agreements: Technical Risk Management for Utilities and Renewable Energy Developers 1322688 Michael Cookson DNV GL Build Transfer Agreements: Technical Risk Management for Utilities and Renewable Energy Developers Grid Integration & Generation Incentives for utility ownership of RE projects are changing, and there is new interest in different ownership models, including Build-Transfer Agreements (BTA). DNV GL has seen a number of variants of BTAs being deployed in the marketplace, including one in which utilities sign asset purchase agreements (APA) earlier in the development process (as opposed to at COD). As a part of the APA, Developer stays on to provide remaining development services, and often acts as construction manager. The developer often maintains a “carried interest” to align interests. The APA often includes a “form of”, or even final form of, EPC agreement, which the utility is motivated to negotiate in parallel with the APA, in order to minimize risks (both commercial and technical), as they end up being the EPC counterparty (Owner) once the BTA transaction closes. Based on its experience supporting a number of utilities in this context, DNV GL will describe the main technical risk elements to consider in negotiation of the APA/EPC, and its recommendations as to what constitutes best practice for each. For a number of these elements, there is a balance to strike between i) defining the project (from a technical perspective) in great enough detail to ensure quality and reliability in the asset that the utility will end up owning, and ii) leaving enough flexibility from a design perspective to ensure a) EPC pricing will be competitive, b) EPC contractors won’t balk at requirements, and c) opportunities for optimization (ie. tracker options, bi-facial, etc) remain.

Challenges and Solutions to Developing Solar Projects in Flood Zones 1322605 Jamie Macnab Wood Group USA inc Challenges and Solutions to Developing Solar Projects in Flood Zones Managing Growth The importance of this topic: When developing a solar project in areas with increased flood risk, it is imperative to understand the cost impacts and potential mitigation that can be included in the analysis and design to maintain a cost effective opportunity. Custom engineering solutions can provide the necessary design solutions and permitting plan for the efficient development of utility scale solar projects in areas with increased flood risk. The informative and relevant nature of your topic: Using a combination of proactive site analysis and best in engineering practices, a Project can anticipate and design around the risk of flooding. Clear and immediate application to the learner’s work: This presentation explains some of the issues associated with the feasibility assessment, design and construction of sites within a floodplain. It will aim to show that with efficient planning and mitigation, sites with increased flood risk need not be excluded from the development of future solar facilities. This poster shows how to connect site survey results to actionable design, permitting work and cost estimating. Who will benefit from this education (target audience): All project stakeholders from equipment vendors to developers and EPCs can be more competitive with an understanding of the limits and considerations for building in flood zones. This beneficial at all stages, but especially early in development - including designing more appropriately to local conditions and constraints, easing the permitting process through reduced design changes, more accurate energy yield analysis for PPA negotiations, and maximizing project value throughout development.

Challenges of Using Lithium Batteries with Residential Inverters 1325532 Robb Protheroe Atlas ESS Inc. Challenges of Using Lithium Batteries with Residential Inverters Energy Storage Aim: Explain the difficulties with operating small capacity lithium batteries with residential battery based hybrid inverters and the solutions to overcome these problems. Methods: Problems and solutions based on real world experience installing lithium batteries with popular brands of residential battery based inverters and charge controllers. Results: Recommended settings for residential inverters and charge controllers to work with lithium batteries. Conclusion: Small lithium batteries can operate with residential inverters and charge controllers designed for lead acid batteries.

Collector System Overvoltages in Solar Facilities 1322653 Eduardo Enrique RRC Power & Energy Collector System Overvoltages in Solar Facilities Grid Integration & Generation The design of collector systems with a single-grounding reference located at the substation is a generally accepted practice in utility-scale solar facilities. The rationale behind this practice is that the inverters behave as current sources and therefore, during switching transients, these source-types do not enforce line-to-line voltage relationships at their output terminals. The objective of this paper is to uncover conditions where the overvoltages impinged on the collector system arresters and across the contacts of the feeder circuit breakers exceed their withstand capabilities. Examples are presented to show how the use of grounding transformers and circuit breakers with interlocked grounding switches eliminate circuit breaker restrikes, reduce overvoltages and maintain the effectively grounded conditions of the collector system.

Co-Location of Renewable Generation and Storage 1322592 Alex Stickler Hatch Ltd. Co-Location of Renewable Generation and Storage Grid Integration & Generation The energy industry is becoming challenged with the volume of intermittent generation on the grid brought upon by large scale renewables. Electricity operators prefer higher firm capacity and dispatchable generation. Co-locating renewable generation with the addition of storage allow developers to provide a firmer resource with the benefit of dispatchability. Wind and solar profiles complement one another making a good combination of generation when coupled with storage. In addition to the benefits for the grid operators of a firmer resource, collocating renewable generation projects allows the developer to benefit from capital investment and operational savings by utilization of land identified for wind developments, sharing PPAs, proving greater revenue streams and overall lowering the cost of energy. Where there is benefit there is always challenges, often locations ideal for wind are not ideal for solar. Some reasons include harsh climate conditions, challenging terrain, ad unique geotechnical requirements. There is an increase in the modelling complexity of solar facility coupled with wind; variable installation terrain, turbine shadowing, horizon shadowing. The use of a battery energy storage system with renewables can accelerate degradation of the battery requiring careful consideration of use. In order to overcome these potential roadblocks an important analysis in the prefeasibility phase needs to be done to consider potential energy mix, technologies to be used, and conduct complex hybrid modelling. Innovations in technologies also assist with overcoming the challenges of renewables co-location including redeployable solar racking systems for easy install in complex terrains, increasingly common use of string inverters for utility scale solar design and increasing efficiency of lithium ion batteries requiring less space for more storage capabilities. Collocating renewable technologies with energy storage systems is the new mainstream in the renewables space and important considerations need to be made early on in the development of these projects.

Commercial PV and Energy Storage Cost Benchmark 1325541 Vignesh Ramasamy NREL Commercial PV and Energy Storage Cost Benchmark Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) The growth of PV and energy storage system installation in the commercial sector is largely driven by various economic metrics of total system installation cost, which differ by region. In order to drive the expansion of commercial system deployment in the USA we need to understand the cost drivers of various balance of system components for different system configurations, including DC-coupled and AC-coupled energy storage systems. While NREL’s annual cost benchmark reports, so far, have already covered the total system installation cost of utility scale PV and energy storage, commercial roof-top PV and residential PV, this study details regional cost factors including labor costs, material & equipment costs, sales taxes etc., using a system-level bottom-up cost modeling approach for commercial ground-mounted PV and energy storage systems. The new commercial-scale cost models for the year 2020 identifies all-in PV and energy storage installed cost, by state, for ground mounted systems in the USA. Also, we assess the potential cost reduction opportunities with new balance of system technologies to aid future R&D in this area. Based on the new system cost models, our preliminary analysis indicates that the total system installation cost vary between: $1.63/Wdc (2 MW) and $2.45/Wdc (100 kW) for commercial-scale ground mounted PV systems, $507/kWh (4-hour duration) and $2,444 (0.5-hour duration) for a 600kW commercial-scale energy storage systems.

Converting a Solar Installation into a Microgrid Using a Residential Synchronous Condenser 1322689 Eric Cummings Maxout Renewables, Inc. Converting a Solar Installation into a Microgrid Using a Residential Synchronous Condenser Grid Integration & Generation Grid-scale synchronous condensers have long been used to stabilize grids. They may soon support disaster or power-outage operations, where they can be used to minimally retrofit a conventional solar array, which turns off during an outage, into a high-surge-capacity microgrid. A synchronous condenser is a motor/generator attached to a flywheel. When the flywheel motion is synchronous with a stable AC waveform, the motor/generator only draws power required to overcome frictional losses. Through the motor/generator, the flywheel’s rotational inertia resists changes in the AC waveform, sourcing or sinking power up to the surge rating of the motor. The condenser can be also be operated to source or sink reactive power. A household synchronous condenser suitable for emergency or power-outage operations is presented and analyzed. After disconnecting from the grid, a microgrid is created by energizing the synchronous condenser and maintained by power from a conventional photovoltaic grid-tie inverter. The synchronous condenser uses modest battery storage to ‘charge’ the flywheel. When the flywheel stabilizes to the target rotation rate, it is connected to a grid-tied inverter, which detects a healthy ‘grid’ and begins feeding power into it. The synchronous condenser controller must ensure power production from the inverter balances consumption, but the flywheel inertia provides seconds or more of reaction time to maintain a stable, high-quality AC waveform. The synchronous condenser surge capacity costs much less than comparable battery storage and can avoid exotic or energetic materials for scalability and safe deployment to disaster areas or residences.

Criteria and Development of Solar on 110 Closed Landfills in Minnesota 1325223 Rachel Walker Barr Engineering Co. Erin Feehily Andy Polzin Criteria and Development of Solar on 110 Closed Landfills in Minnesota Regulatory Innovation and Policy Drivers Minnesota’s closed landfill program (CLP), comprising 110 sites, hold important potential for solar PV development, and could also be assets in meeting the state’s greenhouse-gas-reduction goals. Currently, however, there is little information about which CLP sites are suitable for solar PV development, what barriers exist, and what actions are needed to address those barriers. In 2019 the Minnesota State Legislature provided funding to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to conduct a study to address these questions. Barr was awarded the project and we present the findings of this study including a summary of the criteria for evaluating these sites and their potential for solar development. The results include important insights for other states, utilities, and developers for developing solar on landfills or other brownfields sites.

DC Fast Charging in NC: Behind the Numbers 1322668 Jacob Bolin Advanced Energy DC Fast Charging in NC: Behind the Numbers Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure Achieving the electric vehicle goals outlined in NC Governor Roy Cooper's Executive Order No. 80 will require significant investment in DC fast charging, particularly in rural areas and along corridors for tourism and interstate travel. Fortunately, progress continues to be made thanks to developments from local governments, electric utilities, the Volkswagen Settlement, Clean Cities Coalitions and others. This presentation will provide an overview of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging in North Carolina, with a focus on DC fast charging. It will cover where these stations are located and how many more are likely needed to support the 80,000-vehicle objective of Executive Order No. 80. (North Carolina is currently home to approximately 15,000 electric vehicles.) It will also highlight the players in this sector who are working to fill the gaps, and the efforts they are pursuing. Attendees will gain a detailed understanding of the state of electric transportation in North Carolina, where it looks to be headed and who’s helping to get us there.

Decarbonizing Industrial Processes Beyond Clean Power: Case Study of “Solar Powered Hydrogen” for Ammonia Production 1322652 Matt Campbell Terabase Energy Decarbonizing Industrial Processes Beyond Clean Power: Case Study of “Solar Powered Hydrogen” for Ammonia Production Grid Integration & Generation In 2019 Terabase Energy, a California-based company digitalizing the solar power plant, and ANT Energy Solutions, an Australian hydrogen engineering firm, collaborated on a feasibility study for a large scale solar to hydrogen project in Queensland, Australia. This first-of-its kind project aims to produce 24 tons a day of 100% solar-powered hydrogen for Dyno Nobel’s Ammonia Nitrate manufacturing facility. The scope of the study included 1) determination of the necessary solar generation and hydrogen storage capacity required for the hydrogen plant to operate off-grid year-round, 2) pros and cons of centralized vs. distributed DC collection system, and 3) optimal design and technology options to minimize the plant’s Levelized Cost of Hydrogen. The study concluded that a 220 MWp solar facility, paired with hydrogen electrolyzers, could support the Dyno Nobel Ammonia Nitrate manufacturing facility year-round. The proposed solar and hydrogen facility is now slated for a 2021 COD.

Deciphering Degradation: Utilizing Irradiance Data to Assess Typical Solar Production Degradation in Massachusetts 1338113 Toby Armstrong Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC Deciphering Degradation: Utilizing Irradiance Data to Assess Typical Solar Production Degradation in Massachusetts Managing Growth Aim/Objective: Our goal was to assess the typical degradation rate experienced by large (>1 MW) solar facilities in Massachusetts. Our analysis assesses the “all-in” degradation rate, which is inclusive of both typical PV degradation as well as O&M issues. This analysis can contribute to a better understanding of solar facilities’ production profiles and the importance of O&M with respect to a facilities’ production. Methods: We utilize a sample of 25 facilities ranging from 1 MW to 6 MW with uninterrupted production data beginning in 2013. To assess the average production profile of the sample, we index each facilities' production to allow for comparisons across facilities of varying capacity. These production indexes are then adjusted using an index of historic irradiance data to normalize for the effects of weather. This lets us observe the average percentage change in year-to-year production across our sample, sans variations in weather. To address the effects of snowfall, winter months are omitted from analysis. A separate analysis is performed by breaking the sample into high-variance and low-variance groups to better assess the range of typical outcomes. Results: Results indicated that facilities typically experience startup issues, with peak production occurring one year into operation. The average degradation rate following this one-year startup period was 1.6%. Results indicate that degradation rates vary substantially across facilities. For instance, our high-variance group exhibited a two-year startup period followed by a degradation rate of over 3%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that real-world degradation rates are well above those typically assumed by the solar industry (1% to 0.5%). This finding suggests that O&M practices have considerable influence over a facilities’ production profile. By adjusting our results to account for the effects of weather, we provide a unique contribution to the understanding of solar degradation.

Deploying Solar Through Municipal Franchise Agreements: Data and Lessons Learned From Pioneering Cities and Utilities 1322560 Jeff Cook National Renewable Energy Laboratory Deploying Solar Through Municipal Franchise Agreements: Data and Lessons Learned From Pioneering Cities and Utilities Regulatory Innovation and Policy Drivers Cities have a wide variety of renewable energy procurement options to help them achieve their goals. One emerging trend is for cities to leverage an electric franchise agreement to partner with their local utility on new renewable energy projects or programs. Franchise agreements are contracts between municipalities and electric service providers that grant the utility authority to serve customers in the municipality. The agreement also typically structures the utility’s activity in the public right of way and includes a fee remitted back to the municipality. Some cities have successfully negotiated solar and other clean energy objectives into their franchise agreements. When these agreements are implemented, a city and utility then work together to deliver on a variety of outcomes, including new energy-related projects. New National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) research provides the first available analysis of franchise agreements nationwide. The analysis evaluates the extent to which municipalities have the authority to enter franchise agreements, how many have pursued additional energy objectives in or alongside their agreements, and to what effect. NREL collected franchise-related information from over 3,500 municipalities across the 30 states where municipalities were identified to have this authority. Of these municipalities, 467 referenced at least one energy-related objective. NREL completed five case studies of cities that pursued renewable energy objectives including: Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Sarasota, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Salt Lake City, Utah. From these cases, NREL further modeled the potential impact of widespread adoption of similar franchise agreements nationwide. The results demonstrate significant potential for deployment exceeding 273,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) by 2030. 1,300 cities within NREL’s dataset alone will have expiring franchise agreements between 2020 and 2030. NREL’s data along with the lessons learned from these cities will provide a critical foundation for other cities, solar project developers, and utilities to maximize the opportunity provide by expiring franchise agreements to support significant solar deployment nationwide.

Deploying Thermal Energy Storage in C&I Applications: Real-World Performance Data 1322632 Collin Coker Viking Cold Solutions Deploying Thermal Energy Storage in C&I Applications: Real-World Performance Data Grid Integration & Generation The cold storage industry accounts for more than $40 billion of electricity annually and maintains the highest energy demand per cubic foot of all industrial categories. With the right resources, however, it can become a powerful load-shifting grid asset. The San Diego Food Bank serves 400,000 people per month and stores roughly 22 million pounds of food per year. The refrigeration energy needed to store this food accounts for nearly 60% of the Food Bank’s total energy consumption. Now equipped with a solar+storage solution, however, the Food Bank is able to achieve net zero energy usage and independence from the electric grid for their refrigeration and cold storage needs. This presentation will evaluate a case study of the San Diego Food Bank, which effectively deployed a Solar+Viking Cold Solutions Thermal Energy Storage system to shift peak demand and reduce its grid energy consumption by 95 percent.

Designing and Deploying Fire-Safe Energy Storage Systems 1322618 Wes Kennedy Blue Planet Energy Designing and Deploying Fire-Safe Energy Storage Systems Energy Storage As we move towards distributed resources, developers across the globe are installing energy storage systems to ensure a reliable power supply. The vast majority of these systems use lithium-ion battery technology due to its relative low-cost. However, concerns remain about the safety of lithium-ion technologies and how they are utilized in fielded projects. Fire events involving energy storage pose an obstacle to widespread adoption. In 2019, South Korea experienced over 20 fires and suspended operations for energy storage projects within the country. The energy storage industry faces increasing obstacles to the mainstreaming of the technologies until these valid safety concerns are adequately addressed. This panel brings together key industry stakeholders, including codes and standards experts, with experience in energy storage product development, system integration, and the evolving regulatory environment within which these systems operate. The panel will explore practical solutions for an agenda of fire-safe energy storage deployment.

Designing Light Systems in Oil Fields: How Off-Grid Solar Provides Reliable Power in Hazardous Environments 1322684 Kyle Willsey Morningstar Corporation Designing Light Systems in Oil Fields: How Off-Grid Solar Provides Reliable Power in Hazardous Environments Grid Integration & Generation Oil and gas facilities operate in fundamentally hazardous and volatile conditions, and as such must comply with international Hazardous Zone classifications and standards. Oil field operators must perform constant risk assessment, making clear visibility crucial. In an environment in which a single spark could cause a catastrophic explosion or fire, lighting systems must meet the strictest standards for reliability and safety. In this presentation, Kyle Willsey will present a case study on how ECOSOL ENERGY developed an off-grid solar lighting system for Kuwait Oil Co. to keep the oil fields running safely and efficiently. EcoSol Energy installed a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery system with a Morningstar TRISTAR MPPT 60 Controllers. While NiCd batteries, or “NiCads” as they are popularly known, are rare in residential installations due to cost, they are popular in industrial situations since they can withstand very cold temperatures that would compromise the performance and shorten the life of other battery chemistries, which would need protection and heating which reduces system efficiency to work where NiCads can do the job without such assistance. Eliminating the need to warm batteries also increases system efficiency and improves solar harvesting– another point in their favor. This presentation will provide real-world insights into: - How a company successfully designed and deployed a solar lighting system in a hazardous and volatile environment - How to design a safety-first lighting system in compliance with the international Hazardous Zone classifications and standards - How a (NiCd) battery system increases system efficiency and improves solar harvesting

Diligencing Community Solar 1322582 Danielle Burns Natural Power Consultants LLC Diligencing Community Solar Grid Integration & Generation SEIA estimates that 1.523 GW of community solar were installed in the U.S. through 2018 and that the U.S. community solar market will increase as much as 3.5 GW in the next 5 years. As the number of proposed and installed community solar projects continues to rise, there is a need for due diligence tailored to community solar to support these projects at various transactions points. Although the technical aspects of community solar projects are largely the same as similarly-sized non-community solar projects, the business elements of these projects can be unique. This poster will identify the unique diligence considerations for community solar projects (e.g., platform and subscriber management contracts) and also highlight best practices in community solar due diligence (e.g., subscription manager performance guarantees). The target audience for this poster is solar industry personnel involved in the transaction process, such as M&A staff, legal/financial advisors, and independent engineers. The audiences’ key takeaway will be an understanding of the unique—but very important—aspects of community that require careful consideration during the project due diligence process.

Electric Utility Infrastructure - RPS and DER Civil/Structural Engineering Challenges 1325537 Thomas Honles LADWP Electric Utility Infrastructure RPS and DER Challenges for Civil Structural Engineering Energy Storage Electric utilities in California and in various other States are facing infrastructure buildout and upgrade challenges as they seek to comply with and to advance Renewable Portfolios, legislative mandates, regulatory compliance, and to integrate potential Distributed Energy Resources into the managed electric utility grid network. The issues include a broad range of project and program management aspects land acquisition, property control, environmental compliance, and hydrologic and structural design for traditional and new technology infrastructure. Some of the engineering and project management concerns that civil and structural engineers typically encounter and develop solutions for in traditional electric utility infrastructure and for newer RPS and DER technologies are presented.

Experimental Comparison of Multi-day Cable Loading Considering Weekly Load Factor 1325551 Carson Bates NEI Electric Power Engineering Experimental Comparison of Multi-day Cable Loading Considering Weekly Load Factor Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Objective: Reduce balance of system cost by reducing medium voltage cable size Methods: Load factor has a significant impact on underground cable ampacity. The Neher-McGrath method includes adjustment for load factor that is inferred to be the daily load factor. This paper compares the calculated ampacity with measurements of a buried cable heated continuously for multiple days—a daily load factor of 100%. Results: Analysis reveals that a load factor of 66% reduces the error between the calculated cable temperature and the measured temperature. It illustrates that load factor should be considered beyond a 24-hour day. This can lead to a 50% reduction in cable size, which can reduce cost for the balance of system by hundreds of thousands of dollars for large (>10MW) solar projects and can reduce installation difficulties due to large cable diameters. Conclusion: Engineers should evaluate multi-day load factor when designing medium voltage cable. Project managers should confirm this analysis is being used to ensure costs are as low as possible.

FERC’s Integration of Electric Storage Resources Under Order 841 1331004 Daniel Craig Frost Brown Todd LLC Bryan DiLucente LitCon Group, LLC Sammy Germany MMR Group, Inc. Eric Kimbel Frost Brown Todd LLC FERC’s Integration of Electric Storage Resources Under Order 841 Regulatory Innovation and Policy Drivers The issuance of FERC Order 841 in February 2018 was the culmination of years of discussions, policy conferences, and stakeholder inputs relating to the integration of Electric Storage Resources (“ESR’s”) into the wholesale electricity markets. Often referenced and properly so, as a Landmark Order, the Order set forth the requirements for regional operators and independent system operators to adjust their tariffs and remove barriers to allow ESR’s to equally compete in the wholesale electricity market. The implementation of the Order and the challenges related thereto are currently ongoing with two regional transmission operators submitting their proposals under Order 841 in October 2019, both of which were accepted by FERC subject to further compliance filing. This panel discussion will briefly discuss the elements of Order 841 as issued and will focus primarily on the current status of implementation and the projected outlook for ESR’s integration into the regional and independent transmission systems. This poster will focus on the following topics: • Viability of the Compensation Models under the Operators’ Current Proposals • Minimum Run-time Requirements in the Proposals and their Impact on ESR’s • The Order’s Impact on Distributed Resources • ESR Integration’s Impact on Grid Reliability • Jurisdictional Concerns Relating to FERC’s Regulation of Regional Operators • Panel and Audience Projections as to ESR Integration during the Next Decade

Field Testing of Adaptive Power Control for Seamless Integration of Module-level Battery with Leading Inverters 1325542 Vikram Iyengar Yotta Solar, Inc (Yotta Energy) Field Testing of Adaptive Power Control for Seamless Integration of Module-level Battery with Leading Inverters Smart Energy Technologies Energy storage coupled behind solar modules on the rooftop can solve some major barriers faced by centralized energy storage architecture. These barriers include finding suitable real-estate, safety and regulatory considerations, long permitting process and inability to scale up easily. Yotta's SolarLEAF™ PV-coupled storage has a built-in three-port DC power control core that is designed to allow its use with leading inverter topologies that combines the advantages of DC-coupled storage with the scalability and simplicity of AC coupled storage. The intent of these tests were to evaluate the system level controls and performance in low voltage architectures such as micro-inverters with lab and field trials. The operating modes on the three-port power conversion within the module level energy storage was selected to optimize its working with the specific system. The performance metrics, design and integration process in each system will be discussed as this is central to unlocking the various advantages (technical and economic) of PV-coupled energy storage.

Floating Solar: A Blue Alternative to Green Energy 1325544 Elizabeth Helsel RETTEW Associates Floating Solar: A Blue Alternative to Green Energy Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) In 2015, the Borough of Sayreville, NJ and J&J Solar Power, LLC began the collaboration for the construction and operation of a Floating Solar Array at the Borough’s Water Treatment Plant (WTP). The team included RETTEW as the design engineer whose scope included full permitting and design. The purpose of the array was to reduce both the annual electricity costs at the Borough’s Bordentown Avenue WTP and increase sustainability by reducing carbon emissions. Benefits to a floating array also included a reduction in the amount of environmental disturbance on the site, a significant reduction in potential tree removal, and reserving the adjacent land for expansion or other future needs. In addition, a floating array stays cooler, increasing output efficiency, and reducing evaporation from the water surface. Floating solar is popular internationally but, it was, and is, a mostly new concept in North America. RETTEW worked closely with regulatory agencies to not only permit the array but to define the permitting process for future floating solar systems. The 4.4MW(DC) array is installed on a floating ballast system, manufactured by Ciel et Terre (CeT), specifically designed for waterborne solar installations. Each section is interlocked with the adjacent sections to create a single mat that can withstand wind and other environmental factors. The total array covers approximately 10.2 acres. Power is transferred from the array to the shoreline at a single location on the eastern side of the array to meet the centralized inverter/transformer pairs and combined to connect to the interconnection point. The floating array produces the annual electrical requirements of the WTP, qualifying for Net Metering under NJ regulations. Power produced by the floating array is fed directly into the WTP’s electrical systems, displacing grid-based energy resulting in an immediate reduction in the usage and load. However, during favorable periods, the array generates more power than the WTP’s needs. Through a bi-directional meter installed during the interconnection process, this excess power is credited against the Borough’s electric account charges up to the annual generation amount. In effect, the Electrical Generation Costs and Electrical Distribution Costs are displaced by the Power Purchase Price under the PPA. These projects have shown to be viable in NJ because of the health of the Solar Renewable Energy Credit Market in the State. These credits allow developers to finance the full design and installation of the project, provide reduced power costs to the client and still make a profit. This presentation aims to introduce the technology to conference goers, share the benefits of floating solar and walk through the challenges and ultimate solutions that arose during the design and construction of the nation’s current largest floating solar array.

Floating Solar and Hydroelectric Generation 1322584 Alex Stickler Hatch Ltd. Floating Solar and Hydroelectric Generation Grid Integration & Generation The implementation of floating solar farms is gaining popularity in many parts of the world including North America, Asia, and Europe. It is particularly well suited to be used as an energy supplement at existing hydro facilities that have a storage reservoir, as it not only makes use of the existing space but also allows for storage of excess hydro energy while the solar farm is producing at its peak power and generation when solar energy is not available. Other advantages that are commonly quoted include reducing the amount of evaporation and making better use of the existing electrical infrastructure. The construction of floating solar facilities has gained traction worldwide with more than 1.5GW already installed. The demand is particularly strong in South-East Asia with a minimum of 11,000 MW in planned installations and an energy potential of at least 120 GWh being projected over the next 10 years.  The type of hybrid operation that combines floating solar with hydro power offers a great amount of synergy, resulting in increased revenues and added flexibility in terms of water resource management. To best realize monitoring, control and optimization of such an operation, integrated software solutions can be used, including decision software systems, together with artificial intelligence infrastructure. This flexible architecture enables hybrid plant control that seamlessly integrate energy management services (such as weather forecast and electricity market information), local SCADA and control, optimization tools for dispatch and scheduling, as well as any other relevant elements. This poster will discuss the process of optimizing the design and joint operation of a floating solar-hydro plant from a merchant perspective, i.e., the energy from a hybrid hydro-solar facility is provided as a single entity, regardless of its source.  To further illustrate the benefits of a well-managed hybrid hydro-solar system, a detailed solar-hydro simulation model was developed based on an actual hydro system with solar time-series introduced for each reservoir and used as the basis for this presentation.

From Fires to Financing: Best Practices in Energy Storage Due Diligence 1322597 Shawn Shaw Natural Power Consultants From Fires to Financing: Best Practices in Energy Storage Due Diligence Grid Integration & Generation Investors across the world are actively seeking investment-worthy energy storage projects in a range of applications-from standalone grid support to hybrid projects combining solar, storage, wind, and other combinations. The technology and business case for many of these projects can be quite complex, leaving financiers struggling to quickly gain comfort with a project before it is snapped up by a competitor. This requires a rapid and targeted due diligence process focusing on key elements: Technology: Many are surprised to learn that lithium ion is not a single technology, but actually a broad mix of specific chemistries that all operate differently. Even once this is understood, it can be challenging to gauge the relative benefits of LFP, NMC, and other chemistries for a specific project and use case. The type of system selected must be carefully considered in the context of the proposed site, use case, and revenue streams. Projects with siting constraints may require a higher energy density to maximize space, while others may require a system with a higher resistance to thermal events to maximize safety. Financial Modeling: Most modern storage projects participate in multiple revenue streams, frequently with only a portion of lifetime revenue coming from contracted sources. This requires careful modeling of highly uncertain future values for capacity, ancillary services, and energy. Ensuring that O&M agreements properly stipulate acceptance and ongoing testing to maintain system capacity and efficiency will minimize the uncertainty of both future costs and revenues. Safety: Energy storage is a fast-developing technology and understanding the implications of codes and standards, such as NFPA 855 and UL 9540A are key to evaluating the potential design and installation of energy storage systems, as well as evaluating the vendors seeking to supply these technologies. Warranties and Long-Term Performance: Warranties at both the cell and system levels are becoming more complex, requiring a balance of charging, discharging, and rest behaviors against economic use cases. These tradeoffs can be complex and system degradation can put future revenue streams in jeopardy if the system is prevented from delivering its full capacity for the expected period of time. Understanding and managing risk to the various parties is critical to hitting financial model targets and ensuring the success of the project. This poster will help investors, analysts, engineers, and public officials evaluate new energy storage projects from a variety of perspectives and support development of safe, economical, and effective installations.

From Grid Following to Grid Forming - The Digital Transformation Evolution 1322679 Erik Felt Real-Time Innovations From Grid Following to Grid Forming - The Digital Transformation Evolution Grid Integration & Generation Grid Following technology has allowed for a rapid and successful deployment of multiple generation sources for years. Over time, Grid Following has allowed for resiliency (stand by generation), cost savings (roof top solar systems) and more. But the grid of the future - minus large centralized generation sources is going to rely on Grid Forming technologies. Grid Forming (that ability to create a grid/the grid from scratch) has as much dependency on the digital aspects as the physical wires and transformers. This new paradigm requires new methods, new security, and a brand new participant: the individual.

Geographic Decision Support Systems to Optimize the Placement of Distributed Energy Resources 1330957 Vivian Sultan California State University, Los Angeles Geographic Decision Support Systems to Optimize the Placement of Distributed Energy Resources Grid Integration & Generation The United States electric utility industry is moving toward a new power grid that will accommodate bi-directional energy flow and the incorporation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). Currently, utility companies lack tools to identify locations on the electric grid that can sustain DERs’ adoption. This research explores the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a class of tools for developing spatial models, with the aim of optimizing the placement of DERs. The intent of this research is to propose a Geographic Decision Support Systems (GDSS) model as a solution for the utility industry to assist in the DERs’ portfolio choices and provide actionable information for utilities, system operators, and power producers. A GDSS model has been developed to assist utility companies in prioritizing locations where DERs may provide net benefits.

Getting to 100% Equitable and Resilient Clean Energy Future: Lessons and Tactics From the Field 1322704 Pari Kasotia Vote Solar Getting to 100% Equitable and Resilient Clean Energy Future: Lessons and Tactics From the Field Managing Growth This presentation will provide real life example of New Jersey's Equitable and Resilient Solar + Storage policy campaign that Vote Solar. From forming coalitions to building momentum to getting the bill passed, the presentation will provide key insights on what is needed to ensure a 100% clean energy pathway. This presentation will touch on the research and fact finding mission that culminated into a New Jersey Equitable and Resilient Solar Policy Roadmap and how Vote Solar built the political and public leadership to get the momentous bill passed. The presentation will touch on clean energy deployment, education and outreach provisions, and workforce development. Lastly, the presentation will share tried and true tactics on how to build bridges with low-income and environmental justice communities so they are not only strong and reliable partners in the clean energy movement but also are a source of business growth and expansion the solar industry.

High Reliability Systems for In-field Solar Performance Measurement 1325533 Greg Linder IEEE High Reliability Systems for In-field Solar Performance Measurement Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) As PV installations go down in cost, the BOS (Balance of Systems Cost) become a proportionally larger percentage of overall system cost. Mr. Linder's presentation discusses multiple ways to reduce the BOS of solar systems, while additionally increasing data availability overall earlier in the project, all while maintaining IEC-61724 compliance for data.The methods presented involve using last mile COTS data systems, of the type used by rural ISPs for home wireless internet delivery, powered by fully standalone array-powered or individual stand-alone solar-powered systems mounted in fields for data aggregation. In addition, Mr. Linder presents methods for inventory management and installation control that simplifies and speeds up considerably the boots-on-the ground effort of pyranometer and temperature sensor installation, calibration, and reporting. The use of these modern technologies, including 1500V array powered equipment, and pre-kitted and pre-installed systems avoid "stick building" of instrumentation equipment in the field, resulting in substantial savings in costs for SCADA monitoring systems. The results of these innovations include having much of the performance data required for ASTM 2848 or 2939 available prior to a field's first energization, allowing adequate time to verify system performance as the rest of the field comes online. We conclude that making SCADA systems for solar easier and faster to install, and deploying technologies based on modern wireless and standalone power systems lowers installation costs and increases reliability throughout the systems' lifetime.The conclusion is that dramatic cost savings and performance gains be made by having the SCADA and commissioning data available prior to inverter energization, to allow time for performance models to be tested and ran based on actual in-field data.

How Meteorological Inputs Contribute to Energy Modeling Uncertainty 1338105 Simone Marletti Underwriters Laboratories How Meteorological Inputs Contribute to Energy Modeling Uncertainty Finance and Asset Management It is well known that irradiance is the key driver of solar energy production. For this reason, lenders, independent engineers, and developers have emphasized global horizontal irradiation for energy production estimates. However, multiple meteorological parameters have a meaningful impact on energy. Diffuse irradiation, albedo, temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and humidity all impact system performance. These parameters should be considered for high-quality solar energy estimates. This presentation evaluates how secondary meteorological parameters impact energy production estimates. The analysis quantifies how energy production is sensitive to these input assumptions. Finally, the presentation shows how energy uncertainty can be reduced by giving appropriate attention to the most meaningful meteorological contributors to energy production. To facilitate engagement, the presentation will begin by asking several audience poll questions to calibrate the discussion to those present. The presentation will conclude with a question and answer session.

How Off-Grid Solar Provides Safe Shelter for Homeless 1322568 Mark Cerasuolo Morningstar Corporation How Off-Grid Solar Provides Safe Shelter for Homeless Grid Integration & Generation Turning Point Foundation, located in Ventura County, California, provides support and rehabilitation to individuals affected by homelessness, mental illness, and drug-use. The community-based nonprofit has provided assistance to thousands of community members, and particularly veterans, in their 30 years of service. One such project provides temporary housing to transitional residents as they complete job training, addiction counseling or other services as part of their self-rehabilitation journey. These homes, just large enough to accommodate the life-changing essentials of a bed, a chair, and a few possessions, provide a safe haven from harsh elements and dangerous streets. After a fire resulted in the death of a resident, Turning Point realized the need to turn from potentially risky electrical wiring to a safer alternative: solar powered energy. Working with Solarflexion, Turning Point created a “microgrid” system for individual units, designed around a Morningstar SunSaver MPPT-15L solar controller. This system is able to provide each resident with enough electricity to power a fan, a lamp, and a mini-fridge, along with a sense of stability through independence from the electrical outages becoming more frequent in this part of California. This poster will provide real-world insights into: - How to successfully design a complete off-grid solar power system that is safe, cost-efficient, and portable - How off-grid solar systems, most common in rural areas, can have a real-world impact in dense, urban areas - How to design a solar power system for safety and ease-of-installation

How Smart EV Charging Resolves the Main Issues Linked to EV Charging Today 1322591 Sean Wilson Smappee Inc. How Smart EV Charging Resolves the Main Issues Linked to EV Charging Today Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure Even though the market for electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations is booming, EV owners often face problems linked to charging their car. Circuits blowing, a lack of insights in the charging process and being unable to maximize the use of solar energy are at the top of EV owners' frustrations. What is needed is a smart all-in-one energy management system that offers actionable energy insights, down to the appliance level, and the means to automatically control that energy in the most optimal way, enabling smart EV charging and self-sufficiency. Smart EV charging offers autonomous circuit breaker protection. Current infrastructure often cannot cope with the additional energy demand of electric vehicles. EVs charging during peak hours or multiple EVs charging simultaneously may result in blown fuses or damaged circuits. Smappee helps charge vehicle(s), whilst the building’s energy demands are met and the system is maintained well within maximum power limits e.g. the amount of energy towards the EV will automatically be reduced when people start cooking and use the oven (and fuses risk blowing) and will be re-instated when they are done cooking. In commercial situations this energy control will even allow optimization of the number of charging points without having to change the current electrical infrastructure. Smart EV charging will also offer optimal use of solar production. Smappee can maximize the use of renewable energy throughout the day for the charging sessions. That way, it optimizes self-sufficiency and saves costs. Finally, tailored Smart EV schedules will make sure that EV drivers always have as much charge as they want by the time they need it. Tailor the smart EV schedules to their lifestyle. These automations and energy control offer cost savings and resolve the top 3 issues linked to EV charging, so people can live, work, and relax without compromising on comfort.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell China Market Highlight 2020 1325503 Kevin Gao New Energy Industry Association for Asia and the Pacific Hydrogen Fuel Cell China Market Highlight 2020 Managing Growth China Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Market Update & Opportunities presentation will share the latest development about China's policies and demand for hydrogen and fuel cell solutions, and opportunities for international companies to participate the repid growing market in China.

Icarus Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal Energy Storage and Power Boosting System 1322574 Mark Anderson Icarus RT, Inc. Icarus Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal Energy Storage and Power Boosting System Grid Integration & Generation Solar deployment remains constrained by cost and other limitations in energy storage and photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Batteries are expensive, PV panels are inefficient and PV production is intermittent. Abundant daytime PV production does not offset peak demand nor peak charges. The long return on investment (ROI) does not encourage business to incorporate solar technology to their buildings. Over 70% of solar energy reaching a panel is not used or rejected as waste heat. Typical PV panels have an efficiency of 20% rated for ideal conditions (77oF). Unfortunately, during each day, panels heat up to temperatures often reaching 150–170oF. This rise in panel temperature decreases production ~0.20%/oF, reducing efficiency to just 16% by early afternoon. Another shortcoming of photovoltaics is the lack of safe, inexpensive energy storage solutions. State-of-the-art storage technology (e.g. lithium-ion batteries), is cost prohibitive to many users (installed costs are approximately $308/kWh). The high cost of lithium ion batteries limits integration with PV systems which without energy storage systems, are unreliable on cloudy days and at night. In addition, traditional batteries need energy to charge, consuming daytime PV output. Icarus collects and stores waste heat energy, effectively converting PV arrays into hybrid PV/thermal (PV/T) systems with clean thermal energy storage. Icarus improves real-time power output and generates additional power on-demand. In total, Icarus will produce 25% more power in a combination with real-time production and generating full array capacity on-demand (e.g. after sunset or on cloudy days) from storage for four hours. The installed $/kW cost of the Icarus system is projected to be 44% that of a traditional PV system with lithium ion battery storage. This highly innovative technology seeks to increase solar deployment in small to medium commercial projects. This will reduce carbon emissions and promote decentralized power by addressing critical storage and generation problems in the PV industry. Icarus captures and stores more than 30% of the solar energy that reaches PV panels that would otherwise be lost as heat. Icarus increases PV output while charging the thermal battery. Generating and storing power without consuming PV power to charge a lithium ion is a game changer for the industry. The low Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of Icarus systems ($0.034/kWh) vs. traditional equipment with Li-ion storage ($0.078/kWh) provides a 2.7-year ROI for Icarus.

Ideal Placement of Temperature Sensor on Bifacial PV Modules 1338096 Ajay Singh Campbell Sceintific Inc. Ideal Placement of Temperature Sensor on Bifacial PV Modules Finance and Asset Management Back of module temperature is an important parameter in PV performance studies. Several IEC standard [1-2] provide guidelines on measurement and application of this parameter. Typically, the sensors are glued on the back sheet. Shading of cells with the sensor wire and the sensor itself is a concern in bi-facial modules. There is also the question if Bi-facials modules run hotter or cooler due to high current generation and high light absorption. In this study we present a study on the effect of the cell temperature due to the placement of the BOM temperature sensors.

Improved Ground Coverage Ratio and Specific Production by Increased Tracker Length Range 1322651 Matt Kesler OMCO Solar Improved Ground Coverage Ratio and Specific Production by increased tracker length range. Grid Integration & Generation Ground Coverage Ratio has significant impact on total project cost, cost per watt, and Leveled Cost Of Energy. Many factors impact GCR including size and shape of the lot, row-to-row pitch, and the available range of tracker length. Trackers with limited range of length may not match well to a given site, resulting in lower GCR and/or the need to reduce pitch to achieve the design module count; reduced pitch means reduced Specific Production and lower LCOE. Tracker architecture which enables a wider range of tracker lengths can improve GCR despite disadvantageous lot shape, and can in some cases enable wider pitch and thus improved Specific Production, cost per watt, and LCOE. This tracker architecture can also give improved access for cleaning, reduced tracker cost, and reduced Operations and Maintenance cost. Achieving improved GCR has required new tracker technology which has been proved via testing and initial deployment and monitoring.

In-depth Discussion of Battery Management Systems for Lithium Ion Batteries 1325539 Jing Yu Fortress Power In-depth Discussion of Battery Management Systems for Lithium Ion Batteries Energy Storage Aim/Objective: Globally over 90% of newly installed energy storage systems are paired with Lithium Ion battery. Unlike the traditional lead acid batteries, Lithium batteries need Battery Management System (BMS) to operate safely and efficiently. If the system is not properly designed and programmed, it could cause the BMS to shut the system off, or even damage the battery cells. Thus, it’s important to understand how it works. Methods/Results: There are two main types of BMS that are used for energy storage applications; Mosfet-based and Relay-based. BMS act as the brain of the lithium battery, as it controls and monitors the voltage, amperage and temperature levels to protect the battery cells. It’s important to know the differences and how they operate. The Mosfet-based BMS is relative in-expensive and it’s more compact. The potential risk is the unexpected large charging and discharging current could hit-through the Mosfet and creates a short circuit between inverter and the battery cells, which could lead to thermal run-away or even firing. While Relay-based BMS can not only handle much larger charging and discharging power, it will disconnect the battery cells from the inverter, once the battery operates outside of its specifications. The communication link between Lithium battery and hybrid inverter can be either close-loop or open-loop. Under close-loop systems, the BMS will report voltage, state of charge, amperage and temperature to the inverter. In open-loop system, this communication protocol is not available therefore it’s crucial to program battery parameters properly in the hybrid inverter, to avoid any system failures. When sizing up the battery bank system, it’s important to understand the load and duration requirements, which will determine the size of the battery. Furthermore, making sure the BMS can handle the inverter’s full load capacity and surge capacity, for seamless operation is critical. It’s also important to note that there are different types of lithium ion batteries are available on the market. Each type has its own strengthens and weaknesses. Conclusion: As a result, a relay-based BMS with close-loop communication provides much higher safety reliability, and much better system performance. It’s critical for Solar + Storage developers and installers to obtain proper training to make sure the systems are well designed.

Integrating Flow Batteries Into Frequency Response Markets 1322648 Matt Harper Invinity Energy Systems Integrating Flow Batteries Into Frequency Response Markets Grid Integration & Generation With the ability to withstand large numbers of daily cycles without degradation, flow batteries are well suited to providing ancillary grid services. So far, however, this form of storage has yet to be heavily adopted for these use cases. In this presentation, we’ll share lessons learned from the first integration of a vanadium redox flow battery into National Grid’s dynamic firm frequency response (dFFR) market in the UK—a installation coupled with a 250kW peak generation capacity solar installation in Dorset and integrated with Open Energi’s Dynamic Demand platform. We’ll explore how flow batteries and lithium-ion compare in the provision of certain services, and also share a perspective on the outlook for further uptake of storage systems providing ancillary services in the US and UK markets.

Is Grid Scale DC-Coupled PV and Energy Storage Plant Really a Good Idea? 1330970 Mahesh Morjaria REPlantSolutions, LLC Is Grid Scale DC-Coupled PV and Energy Storage Plant Really a Good Idea? Grid Integration & Generation It is now widely accepted that a coupled PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) hybrid power plant behind a common point of interconnection provides many cost and performance benefits over two separate stand-alone plants. The “DC-coupled” design approach where the PV and BESS share a common DC bus and power electronics is widely considered as an optimal, more efficient solution. The alternate “AC-coupled” design, where both the resources share a common AC bus, require separate inverters and step-up transformers, thus adding costs and incurring additional transformation losses. However, in practice, the AC-coupled design is preferred for large grid scale plants for a variety of reasons including the undesirable distribution of storage on a vast PV field, grounding concerns, maturity of dual-port utility-scale inverters, and flexibility of grid operations. In this presentation a quantification of these tradeoffs based on our grid-scale hybrid plant development experience is provided.

Is Solar Power to Gas (P2G) Ready for Prime Time on the North American Grid? 1414754 Michael Stavy Advisor on Renewable Energy Finance Is Solar Power to Gas (P2G) Ready for Prime Time on the North American Grid? Finance and Asset Management The audience will learn if solar power to gas (SP2G) is ready for prime time on the North American (NA) electric/natural gas (NG) grids. Michael will discuss the two phases of a SP2 plant (SP2GP). First, solar power is converted into hydrogen (H2) gas using a H2 electrolyzer (HE). Second, a Sabatier reactor (SR) converts the H2 into synthetic NG> the synthetic NG is then injected into the grid. This posters discusses both the HE and SR technologies. Michael has developed a levelized cost of gas (LCOG) financial algorithm for model SP2GP. He will present his algorithm on an Excel SP2GP LCOG Financial Algorithm Workbook projected onto the screen. He will change the model P2G plant's specs to show the audience how these changes make a change on the computed LCOG and to determine if such a plant can produce synthetic NG on a commercial basis.

Low Voltage, Low Frequency, Distributed Multi Level Power Conversion for HV Battery and Hybrid Energy Storage 1325527 Salman Talebi Jabil Circuit, Inc. Low Voltage, Low Frequency, Distributed Multi Level Power Converter for Battery and Hybrid Energy Storage Energy Storage A low voltage, low frequency (50/60Hz) distributed multi level power converter (LV-LF-DMLPC) is introduced for battery and hybrid (battery plus PV) energy storage systems (ESS). The architecture has targeted replacement of ESS central power conversion system (PCS) by battery module power conversion for cost, performance, safety, and reliability improvements. In the proposed architecture, each battery module is integrated with a low voltage, low frequency magnetic less full bridge converter. In the LV-LF-DMLPC the power MOSFETs are turned On/Off at grid frequency to generate a 50/60Hz semi-sine wave equivalent to grid voltage. The modular power converter will be integrated with the battery module to form an AC battery module. Each AC battery module generates a 50 or 60Hz AC voltage (pulse voltage) with an amplitude equal to the battery voltage and along with a zero state current mode. The zero state current mode, puts the battery at rest (zero current) at a short peiod of of the 50 or 60Hz duty cycle (e.g. ~30%) which helps and improves the battery module thermal releaf and life. A number of AC battery modules will be connected in series and turned on and off in a phase shifted manner relative to each other to form a DMLPC and generate a 50 or 60Hz semi-sine voltage. The output voltage of the DMLPC is a semi-sine voltage with very low total harmonic distortion but before it is paralleled with grid, it will be connected in series with a series active power filter (SAPF). This SAPF offers the DMLPC with several features such as smoothing out voltage steps and removing output current harmonics, power flow direction control, power quality control, buffering and balancing active and reactive power during short transients, and communicating with battery modules. The SAPF will be a low voltage high frequency full bridge converter and does ESS current, voltage, and power regulation. Replacement of the ESS central high voltage power converter with modular low voltage, low frequency, high efficient and magnetic less power converters are the backbone of cost reduction. Additionally, no DC cabling, distributed thermal management, and feasibility of integration of the battery modules cells BMS board with the battery module power conversion are the next level of cost reduction. As an essential achievement, additionally, this solution offers highly efficient battery module active balancing along with power conversion with the same power converter, this feature alone is a remarkable improvement of the batteries life. Significant efficiency improvement is achieved because of low voltage MOSFETs with very low Rdson, no switching loss, and no magnetics loss. Additionally, battery module level monitoring, control, active balancing, fault protection and bypassing improves battery module safety, reliability and life. The proposed solution by connecting the phase shifted AC battery modules and the low voltage SAPF in series, form a LV-LF- DMLPC which can remove the central PCS and offers remarkable cost, performance, safety, reliability, scalability and maintainability improvement. This architecture can be utilized for residential, commercial, industrial and utility scale, off grid and on grid ESS. As a proof of concept a 3KW, 1-phase, 240V, 60Hz LV-LF-DMLPC is designed and developed in power laboratory at Jabil.

Low-cost Prototyping of the Fresnel Lens Solar Concentrator 1325502 Hassan Qandil University of North Texas Weihuan Zhao University of North Texas Low-cost Prototyping of the Fresnel Lens Solar Concentrator Finance and Asset Management Research involving optical elements in the solar industry have been growing intensely, which made rapid and cheap prototyping critical to the success of such optical devices and components. With new technologies being introduced at a breakneck pace, the faster and easier you can prototype, the sooner a research can be concluded and the product can get to market. Depending on the timeline and sourcing requirements, there are several constraining factors that affect optical prototyping, such as a limited budget, geometry constraints, strict deadlines, and material availability. In this work, linear and spot Fresnel-lens-based solar concentrators, designed by an earlier study of the authors, are prototyped in four methods; two mold-free prototypes made by 3D printing and acrylic CNC machining, and two mold-based prototypes made by acrylic casting and hot embossing. The purpose is to proof the design concept of the Fresnel concentrator and evaluate the best prototyping method for future work. All four lenses are checked for dimensional accuracy in comparison to the design, and then tested under direct sunlight, where each resulting focal irradiance was compared to that achieved by Monte-Carlo Ray Tracing MCRT simulations. A comparative analysis for the cost and fabrication time of each method was presented.

Macro-level Efforts for Microgrid Safety 1322627 Jason Hopkins UL LLC Macro-level Efforts for Microgrid Safety Grid Integration & Generation Microgrids continue to transform our energy infrastructure. From utility level installations, to campus settings, to communities, microgrids continue to drive empowerment of energy consumers and resilience and security of energy resources. However, proper integration, installation, commissioning and maintenance of microgrids requires that safety be planned and implemented. This session will review the development of American and Canadian National safety standards for microgrids and distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS), protocols to address interoperability of the energy assets, requirements for functional safety of software-based systems within the microgrid, compatibility with applicable codes, and requirements for safety related software updates over the life of the microgrid to support safe performance in all modes of operation. Understanding and addressing these requirements proactively is essential for safe deployment of microgrid technology.

Mapping the True Cost of O&M and Asset Management for Utility Scale Solar 1322601 Josh Corbitt Origis Services Mapping the True Cost of O&M and Asset Management for Utility Scale Solar Finance and Asset Management With record levels of utility-scale solar and energy storage on the grid, financiers, developers and owner/operators must understand costs and benefits of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Asset Management to implement best-in-class models optimizing asset life, production, and return on investment. Never has the role of O&M and Asset Management been more important. This poster will walk financiers, developers, owners and operators through a Total Cost of Ownership model to understand the following seven key elements of the cost-benefit equation covering every lifecycle stage from development, construction, and interconnection to long term operation. 1. Project Modeling & Development: Project Financial Analysis & Investment Modeling 2. Pre-Construction & Engineering: O&M / AM Manual & Materials including Site Training, Documentation and Procedure Development, Data: Monitoring and Cloud Based Reporting Design / Recommendations, O&M/ AM Cost Modeling and Budget Development 3. Construction: Owner's Rep/ Contract Management & Oversight, Independent Engineering Review (IER), Commissioning 4. Operations: Full Scope Operations and Maintenance, 24/7 Real-time Cloud-based Local & Remote Monitoring, Onsite Staff Plant Management, Grid Authorities Interface and Compliance, Curtailment and Response Management 5. Maintenance: Predictive Maintenance, Performance Engineering, Analytics and Continuous Improvement, Extreme Weather Response, Emergency and Incident Management, Parts, Tooling and Supplies, Equipment Service, Repair, Inventory and Warranty Enforcement, Vegetation Management, Predictive Module Cleaning, Aerial Testing and Inspection, Environmental Health and Safety Procedures 6. Asset Management: Commercial, Finance, Tax, Technical and Asset Performance and Holdco/SPV Management 7. Retrofit/Repower: Asset Status Analysis, Retrofit Budgeting and Performance Projections, Retrofit / Repowering Engineering and Service This information will help attendees understand how O&M Subject Matter Expertise can improve asset profitability from the start of asset development. The poster will outline, by phase, typical scope items and standard industry costs. It will also address O&M cost allocation and pricing models, a direct cost of ownership, lending transparency to what has been an area of widely varying costs and confusion. After analyzing the poster, attendees will have transparent information about the true costs of large-scale solar plant operations, maintenance and asset management to aid in the creation of long-term expected availability and profitability.

Methods of Utilizing Solar Production Locally to Minimize the Duck Curve 1322645 Gabe Abbott Sense Methods of Utilizing Solar Production Locally to Minimize the Duck Curve Grid Integration & Generation In the typical home, the highest energy usage does not coincide with peak solar production. Because of the mismatch between timing of energy usage and solar production, more than half of the electricity generated by solar panels goes back to the utility grid, on average, and less than half is used to directly power the home's day-to-day needs. This can put residential solar providers in a difficult position when it comes to defending the ROI of a new solar system and helping homeowners reduce their electrical bills. This session will examine actionable methods that can help leverage solar production as its generated, reducing what is fed back to the grid, to help minimize the ‘duck curve’ that challenges utilities, while helping homeowners make the most of their solar investments.

New England Solar Project Costs: Survey and Research on the Cost Differences between Project Types 1338109 Kate Daniel Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC New England Solar Project Costs: Survey and Research on the Cost Differences between Project Types Finance and Asset Management Aim/Objective: Vote Solar – a nation-wide solar advocacy group working to make solar affordable and accessible to all – engaged Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC – a consulting and advisory firm that helps private, public and non-profit organizations develop opportunities for clean, renewable sources of energy – to conduct research into the cost differences between different types of solar projects and the siting of those projects. As New England states have been grappling with solar siting and land conservation, there has been a lack of thorough cost data to help underpin those conversations. A more thorough understanding of the cost differences between solar project types will help the industry and policy makers drive towards reasonable, pragmatic solutions to accelerate solar growth and conserve important lands. Methods: In order to quantify the in-practice cost differences between different categories of solar projects, SEA conducted a survey to ask developers about typical project costs and the factors that influence costs. SEA first conducted desktop research to develop a benchmark typical cost figure to ask survey respondents to react to. SEA analyzed average and median costs of projects in the MA SREC SQA databases, along with confidential, public, and proprietary data of solar costs in the Northeast. The “leading” design was intentional because respondents are more likely to react to a benchmark than to volunteer one, and because the benchmark costs are derived from data of real projects and should therefore be reasonable starting points. The survey contained a total of 68 questions, including open comment questions to allow full explanations of answers, and was distributed to 254 individuals at over 100 companies. SEA targeted 20 companies as key market participants (given market share and level of activity) to specifically request responses and follow up phone interviews. Results: Fifteen companies completed the survey, including eight of the high priority targets. Survey responses were generally clear, logical, and complete enough to not warrant follow up calls. In most cases, the median response was equal to the benchmark typical cost, affirming that project costs fall under a range and that the benchmark cost was typically somewhere in the middle of that range. In most cases, the average of survey responses indicated a slightly higher project cost than the benchmark, indicating a higher upper bound of project cost ranges. Rooftop projects were shown to be 11-14% more expensive than greenfield projects, except for projects sized 250-500 kW, where greenfield projects were more expensive than rooftops. Solar canopies were shown to be significantly more expensive than greenfield projects – 16% higher for projects 250 – 500 kW, up to almost twice the cost for projects 2 MW – 5 MW.

New Voltage Backfeeding Protection System Can Eliminate Expensive DER Connection Requirement 1325521 Nachum Sadan GridEdge Networks New Voltage Backfeeding Protection System Can Eliminate Expensive DER Connection Requirement Smart Energy Technologies Aim/Objective: Inverter-based DER such as solar farms are frequently connected to utility distribution medium voltage (MV) lines. These lines can become disconnected from utility supplies, in which case the DER becomes the only source to the “islanded” MV circuits. When this happens, the connected DER can create sustained overvoltages on the associated transmission system. To prevent sustained overvoltages, protective relaying must be added to the utility system. These relay systems, known as 3V0 protection, are expensive and make the economics of DER connection less appealing. This paper will describe a low-cost alternative to 3V0 protection. Methods: A typical distribution station is fed by a high voltage transmission line and a transformer. DER may be connected on MV lines emanating from the station. When a permanent single phase to ground fault occurs on the transmission line, circuit breakers at the transmission station will lock out. But the line will remain energized by the distribution DER. The energization voltage will have a steady state value given by the following equation: V island= V eps x SQRT (P gen/P load). Where P gen and P load are the aggregate generation and load prior to formation of the island, V eps is the electric power system voltage prior to formation of the island, and V island is the resultant voltage to which the island stabilizes. Note that if P gen/P load is greater than 1.0, sustained transmission overvoltages will be impressed on the unfaulted transmission phases. However, if this ratio can be maintained at a safe value, such as 0.77, the voltage will be reduced to safe levels. And at a ratio of 0.77 or below, the resulting under-voltage will be such that IEEE standards require the DER to trip within 2 seconds. Assurance that this will always occur reduces or eliminates the need for expensive 3V0 relaying. This paper describes a system that monitors P gen/P load in real time and controls P gen by sending power curtailment signals to the DER so the subject ratio is never exceeded. This system is based on an existing islanding protection platform that uses dual communication methods of powerline and secured cellular connections. Results: The current islanding protection system has been employed for six years on over 60 circuits. Its performance has demonstrated an ability to support the required DER monitoring/control algorithm described above. In its current form, it can send control signals to DER using measurements obtained from utility SCADA. An enhanced version will provide direct monitoring eliminating dependency on utility SCADA. Conclusion: The resulting system, proven 100% reliable, provides both islanding and backfeed protection. The benefits are cost reduction and improved performance that will make DER connections increasingly viable and enable large scale deployments.

Operational Optimization of Distributed Solar PV Installations, Another Application in the Machine Learning World 1322603 Ignacio Smith SM Solar Operational Optimization of Distributed Solar PV Installations, Another Application in the Machine Learning World Finance and Asset Management With Solar PV systems becoming more accessible, and overtaking the Levelized Cost of Energy at the retail level. Distributed Energy Resources have gone from a dream to a reality in many sectors of society. As with every industry, the emergence of a disruptive technology. We observe, that there has been a continuous evolution of the industry, whereby researchers have gone all out to develop mechanisms to trade the energy in this space. Solar Electricity Generation is very dependent on weather patterns and this makes it very difficult to forecast, which adds a high degree of uncertainty to energy production, and translates to what it's known as noise. Having said this, there are many models currently being exploited for the forecasting of energy production from PV panels. There are also many techniques that can assist in the prediction and subsequently the decisions making process of dispatching the energy. One such technique is the Auto-regressive Integrated Moving Average Model (ARIMA), then you have, Fast Fourier Transforms, Kalman Filters and Dynamic Bayesian Models. However, and from our experience, the Sticky Dirichlet Process in combination with Hidden Markov Models is the option that best captures the data, generating very accurate results. One of the many advantages of Dynamic Bayesian Modeling is that it allows to associate the data in space and time. A critical element when you are evaluating and subsequently proposing a solution to optimize systems where the data is generated in the form of a time series. We achieved this, through a what it is known as Particle filtering, and the application of the Baum Welch algorithm. The conclusion drawn from our simulation provides additional insight in the development of products that will allow Mesh Networks and Distributed Energy Resources find avenues that will optimize the energy dispatching and reducing the disruptions caused by having high percentages of Distributed Energy Resources penetration.

Optimizing Solar Sites for LCOE through Terrain Analysis 1325554 John Williamson KiloNewton LLC Optimizing Solar Sites for LCOE through Terrain Analysis Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Our objective is to bring solar installation issues to the forefront of solar site selection, rather than wait until the sites are designed for construction. Using geospatial analysis, various terrain-based costs/benefits can be predicted before sites are created, such as terrain losses, grading, mechanical installation tolerances, and more. KiloNewton LLC, a solar and renewables services company, is developing an extremely efficient, unique solution using geographic information system (GIS) software to originate and build sites more accurately, predicting and optimizing site soft costs, output, profitability, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE). Our site optimization methods advance the prediction of solar LCOE, while lowering soft costs. The software operates through analyzing site variables, combined with technology constraints that interact with variables. It predicts production losses caused by self-shading due to terrain, an issue today, currently without solutions. This quickly identifies buildable areas and trade-offs between production variations, costs of components, and soft costs. This process uses physics and engineering to analyze geographic areas for their potential solar LCOE. Variables that affect initial costs include terrain, grading, foundation, power transmission, land costs, and others. Yield is influenced by weather, location, irradiance, temperature, terrain, and more. This can be further expanded to include financial/feasibility variables like line load costs, local RECs, tax benefits, proximity to substations/transmission, demand, zoning, floodplains, endangered species, and more. We improve site generation on complex sites by up to 5%, and tailor layouts to reduce costs by up to 5%. The software improves the cost of electricity by 10%+ enabling less-skilled originators and designers to use the processes. Solar costs vary from $0.60/W to $1.20/W installed. Our software enables developers to efficiently identify lowest cost sites, by searching within a large area, or selecting smaller parcels to compare, bringing average site costs down by up to 20%. Engineering, procurement and construction companies (EPC’s), operations and maintenance providers can use the tool to optimize sites during construction and after by up to 8%. Solar sites have late-term problems via geographic variables ignored in the development phase. Eliminating these problems at the start means costly redesigns are avoided. Developers choose many sites and down-select through a process of individual analysis. Enabling the site down-select process to happen simultaneously with speculation saves valuable time and hours of analysis. Planning to choose technology wisely and avoid costly areas will allow developers and EPC’s to assume the lowest range of these costs, and lower overall margins required to operate.

Overcoming PG&E’s Planned Safety Power Shutoffs with Solar+Storage 1330972 Aric Saunders Electriq Power Overcoming PG&E’s Planned Safety Power Shutoffs with Solar+Storage Grid Integration & Generation In the Fall of 2019, over 3 million people in Northern California faced a startling realization as PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) commenced, leaving homes completely powerless for days at a time. The PSPS program was designed to preemptively de-energize transmission lines considered “at risk for failure” by the heightened fire threat due to dry conditions and gusty winds. The October 2019 PSPS events were the worst suffered in California’s history, leaving over 940,000 PG&E customers without power on two separate occasions. Electriq Power customers who have home solar+storage systems, however, were able to overcome the PSPS events by generating and storing all the energy they needed for daily use – without any disruption of power – until the PSPS period came to a close. This presentation will provide testimonials of (up to 3) customers in CA’s fire zones who were able to overcome the PSPS events with solar+storage.

Power Control for Solar Plants 1322578 Yanni Frantzikinakis Inaccess Power Control for Solar Plants Grid Integration & Generation Power Plant Controller (PPC) is an intelligent vendor-independent system for dynamic PV power plant control and grid code compliance, customizable to satisfy any grid requirement while ensuring interoperability with plant SCADA systems. The PPC controls the output of the PV plant at the Point of Common Coupling, using the plant inverters, meters, statcom, capacitors, breakers and peripheral controllers - providing near real-time capabilities for plant disconnection or generation stop, active and reactive power control, as well as power ramp rate control. The PPC offers a variety of control and monitoring capabilities to the grid and plant operator, including intelligent closed-loop control of active and reactive power, circuit breaker control, as well as monitoring of electrical, meteorological quantities, breakers and power control modes and states. Interoperability is ensured for a wide variety of inverters and meters. Customization for new grid code requirements is implemented upon request. Communication with grid operator systems is performed using a number of standard IP or RS-485 protocols (IEC 60870-5-101/104, DNP3, Modbus) as well as digital or analogue interfaces. A PPC that is integrated with a networked PV monitoring system can cover multiple architectures: with fiber-optic networks for connection to the plant subsystems or standard Ethernet with IP or RS485-based inverter connectivity. By utilizing peripheral substation units (PSSU) acting as protocol gateways, the PPC is able to satisfy grid code requirements even with low bandwidth networks.

Prediction Differences with Sub-Hourly Weather in Cloudy Climates 1322641 Rounak Kharait DNV GL Kevin Hollon DNV GL Mark Mikofski DNV GL Prediction Differences with Sub-Hourly Weather in Cloudy Climates Grid Integration & Generation Bright sunny days are frequently broken up by intermittent clouds which move across a PV system at a sub-hourly timescale, causing intermittent clipping. Therefore, using hourly data to predict power on bright but cloudy days can lead to an over-prediction if the average irradiance during an hour results in generated power greater than the max output of the inverter. In order to more accurately quantify the difference in predictions with sub-hourly weather, we analyzed several PV systems using SAM, PVsyst, and SolarFarmer and compared the predictions with measured data. The mean bias error was correlated with the mean daily clearness index to derive a correction function for hourly measurements. A regional map of correction factors are provided for the United States, which can be used with hourly data to reduce over-prediction error. For the lowest uncertainty, the use of sub-hourly measurements are recommended when available.

Preparing Solar + Storage for EV Charging 1330980 Ram Ambatipudi EV Connect Preparing Solar + Storage for EV Charging Grid Integration & Generation The solar industry is good at serving commercial and industrial customers with solar, storage, energy management technologies, and financing options. EV charging, however, introduces a set of disruptive factors to an otherwise stable business. Panelists will discuss how to rise to the challenge when a C&I prospect asks for employee/visitor charging, charging for 30-vehicle EV fleet, and full integration with the solar+storage system they want. Once solar and/or storage installations receive their stamps and are switched on, they are basically on autopilot. EV charging stations start a life of full-time interaction with people, cars, power sources, business processes, and the environment when they are declared operational. Those that crack the code on EV charging first will be at the vanguard of the EV revolution, ahead of their competitors, and add tremendous value to their customers and the bottom line.

Progress on Water Free Cleaning of Solar Power Collectors using Electrodynamic Screens (EDS) 1325505 Ryan Eriksen Boston University Progress on Water Free Cleaning of Solar Power Collectors using Electrodynamic Screens (EDS) Finance and Asset Management Natural dust deposition, called soiling, and the loss of output power due to the decrease in collected irradiance, can be a significant challenge for solar power plant operators in arid climates. The current industry standard is deluge or brush washing, which can consume significant volumes of water, disrupts plant operation, and is labor intensive. The Electrodynamic Screen (EDS) film, under development at Boston University, is a device which consists of rows of interdigitated electrodes that is then installed on the surface of the solar collector. When the EDS is activated by an external power supply, an electric field charges and then sweeps dust particles from the surface. Cleaning with the EDS system has been shown to restore the output power of a photovoltaic panel to 95% of its original output, and to restore the specular reflectance of a solar mirror to 90% of its original output in laboratory tests. Furthermore, the EDS can clean more frequently than other soiling mitigation techniques, allowing or an improved performance ratio for the field. Work is now underway to test the EDS in solar fields in the southwestern United States and in international locations and we would like to present the updated progress of this work.

Protecting Your Pyranometer Investment: Isolation, Grounding, and Protection for Modern Pyranometers 1322580 Greg Linder IEEE Protecting Your Pyranometer Investment: Isolation, Grounding, and Protection for Modern Pyranometers Finance and Asset Management Pyranometers are an Integral Part of any modern, large scale solar system. Previously, pyranometers were generally straight-forward devices, which output a small value of mV in relation to the sun. These instruments, still the mainstay of solar resource measurement, have grown Modbus(R) RS-485 interfaces, as well as other types of outputs, including 0-5V, 4-20mA, and others, native on the instrument. The importance of this topic is based on the problems long-cable runs have on Digital communications signals now common in Pyranometers. Whereas the old mV output instruments were relatively immune to noise and surges common during lightning events, the new devices are now so robust. This paper looks at failure modes of various pyranometers in real-world applications, and discusses means to control and prevent these problems through the use of surge protection devices, voltage isolation, and proper cable and grounding routing. This topic is relevant to anyone who has ever been in a position of performing O&M work in the maintenance and swapping of pyranometers for calibration, or replacing damaged instruments after a lightning or electrical switching event. The immediate application is to suggest ways to prevent damage to your installed base of Pyranometers and related telemetry and monitoring equipment. The target audience is in new system designers, looking to implement RS-485 based systems for pyranometers, as well as people who have suffered other Serial communications related issues resulting from system damage from noise, lightning, or ground loops in system communications designs.

PV Design for Difficult Roofs: How to Maximize Production & Minimize Costly Rework 1322682 Ryan Mayfield Mayfield Renewables Jeanine Cotter Luminalt Kate Collardson BayWa r.e. Solar Systems Emily Hwang Yaskawa Solectria Solar PV Design for Difficult Roofs: How to Maximize Production & Minimize Costly Rework Grid Integration & Generation Solar PV soft costs, including design, engineering, and installation, continue to account for a significant portion of the overall installed cost of residential and commercial systems. In some circumstances, this can account for more than 50% of the project cost. As solar rooftop installations increase, the likelihood of finding an existing rooftop with minimal obstructions and challenges decreases. Most of those perfect scenarios have already been taken. But those less than perfect rooftops with lots of obstructions and other challenges shouldn't be overlooked. Learn best practices for designing and installing PV solar systems on less than ideal rooftops that will enable you to maximize production, reduce soft costs, and avoid costly rework for any solar rooftop project.

PV Module Reliability: Challenges and Opportunities as Technology Advances 1330938 Tristan Erion-Lorico PVEL LLC PV Module Reliability: Challenges and Opportunities as Technology Advances Managing Growth PV module product roadmaps are more dynamic now than at any time in the last decade. Manufacturers no longer compete on price per watt alone as they produce standardized crystalline silicon modules. From half-cut cells to heterojunction technology, the best suppliers have expanded their portfolios with robust, diverse product lines that reduce levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by maximizing performance over time. Simultaneously, recent events are driving reliability concerns for consumers. How do module purchasers ensure they procure high quality and reliable products that are rapidly evolving? PVEL’s poster explains three potential risks of new module technologies and shows how these risks can be identified and mitigated through lab testing.

Rapid Shutdown, NEC 2017 and PV Safety in 2020 1338103 Gary Hethcoat Tigo Energy Rapid Shutdown, NEC 2017 and PV Safety in 2020 Regulatory Innovation and Policy Drivers Adopted by 29 states and coming to California in 2020, the implementation of module-level rapid shutdown requirements for the safety of firefighters as a part of NEC 2017 impacts procurement, design, installation, O&M, and more across the rooftop PV industry. Outline: - What is module-level shutdown and why is it being implemented? - Examining more mature markets that have had the requirement in place for a few years, in particular, Massachusetts, taking key lessons learned from how it went there - How does this impact different industry roles (design, install, O&M, etc) - What are the solutions available and best practices

Readying a Solar Energy Project for Construction in 90 Days 1322576 Joaquin Altenberg Clean Energy Nexus, LLC Readying a Solar Energy Project for Construction in 90 Days Managing Growth The growth of the Commercial & Industrial Market, or behind the meter market, has lagged behind the growth rate of residential, and even utility-scale solar markets. The thesis is that, in order to grow the behind the meter market, we need a better process for rapidly developing them to a construction-ready state. This poster is targeted at solar developers and the relevant stakeholders involved in a process from inception to the start of construction. The methods presented in the poster have been field-tested on a number of projects and therefore we feel there is a clear and immediate application for this knowledge - getting more behind the meter projects into construction!

Redevelopment of a Waste Coal Facility 1322705 Peter Belmonte CAMS eSPARC Nick Kemper Redevelopment of a Waste Coal Facility Managing Growth CAMS is being tasked with assisting in the re-development of an existing waste coal facility in central PA. The facility will be decommissioned/demolished and graded for the installation of solar PV along with battery storage in order to utilize the existing transmission and substation infrastructure. This will be done with the assistance of the state and we will present the process, methods and lessons learned of this project as it will go commercial by the Fall of 2020. This project will springboard other waste coal facilities within the state to re-power with the help of the states brownfield re-development program.

Remote Community Electrification Project goes Green! 1338120 Nathan Justice Eaton Remote Community Electrification Project goes Green! Grid Integration & Generation In remote communities, initial electrification projects historically relied on diesel generators as the power source, and while that model has proven to be useful, there’s an opportunity today to include renewable energy sources that reduce emissions and yet provide reliable power – even when the closest electric grid is miles away. Installing microgrid or minigrid distributed generation systems allow remote communities in North America to incorporate more renewable power sources (and energy storage) to reduce dependence on diesel fuel and lower emissions. Microgrids provide a customized approach to support community needs for more resilient, sustainable and affordable power. The microgrid controls manage electricity with greater efficiency by providing the intelligence – the thinking that makes data actionable – to optimize which energy sources are applied, and when, while providing critical system protection. A recent project in Canada is demonstrating how to increase sustainable power usage even when there’s no utility grid nearby. The First Nations reserve introduced renewables in the form of solar (PV) and Lithium battery storage to the existing diesel-based community power system. By utilizing a microgrid control system to manage the three power sources, the community is able to dramatically reduce reliance on the diesel generators and fuel expenditure. Similar principles can be applied to isolated and “off grid” communities, institutions and businesses to improve sustainability and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

RE-Powering Critical Infrastructure: Can RE-Powering Sites Meet the Emergency Energy Needs of Wastewater Treatment Plants? 1322585 Ankita Mandelia U.S. Environmental Protection Agency RE-Powering Critical Infrastructure: Can RE-Powering Sites Meet the Emergency Energy Needs of Wastewater Treatment Plants? Grid Integration & Generation Over the last few years, extreme weather events, such as flooding and wildfires, have substantially increased in frequency and intensity. Due to recent increases in extreme weather events, climate adaptation and resiliency has become a major topic of concern. An important consideration in adapting to extreme weather events is how to keep affected communities electrified during these events. The mission of the RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative is to encourage the development of renewable energy on contaminated lands. Because contaminated lands tend to be located within or near population centers, RE-Powering sites are well-suited to meet specific energy demands of nearby consumers, including critical infrastructure such as wastewater treatment plants. Specifically, during an extreme weather events, RE-Powering sites can be used in conjunction with microgrids to keep critical infrastructure within affected communities electrified. The purpose of the RE-Powering Critical Infrastructure study is to develop and demonstrate a methodology that could be used to evaluate the potential for RE-Powering sites to support critical infrastructure assets, including in emergency situations, and to identify specific EPA-screened sites with the best potential for supporting wastewater treatment infrastructure. The results of this study are relevant to anyone involved in climate adaptation and resiliency planning, and the renewable energy and land developers who work with them.

Risk Management for Solar 1322617 Robert Benedict Unicorn Solar Development Risk Management for Solar Managing Growth Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling threats to an organization's capital and earnings. Within the solar industry, the areas of high risk are equipment purchases, construction processes and plans, project investing and developing. Risk management allows organizations to prepare for the unexpected by having an experienced employee, agent, or consultant go through the events that would upset a successful result. The objective is to minimize risks and extra costs before they happen. In the solar scenario, purchasing modules have also become a factor of risk, as the criteria to buy has also changed over the years. EPC’s and installers are still purchasing their modules often from distributors and PV manufacturers, particularly when buying for utility-scale projects. So, do you consider your buyer fully qualified to make the final decision without expert advice?

Roll-A-Rack: Roll Forming, A Faster, Lower Cost Solar Racking Solution 1344065 Don Scipione Roll-A-Rack Roll-A-Rack, a faster, lower cost solar racking solution Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Roll-A-Rack is a disruptive technology for installing ballasted solar-panel racking on flat roofs and niche ground applications. Roll-A-Rack uses portable roll-forming, a well-established method for in-situ production of gutters and metal roofing. The single component rack is significantly simpler than current ballasted racking systems. Its production is onsite and automated; it is fast and easy to install. The rack shields the entire underside of the solar module, providing maximum protection from wind uplift forces. The rack extends the entire length of the array row, providing a row-length tray in which ballast may be optimally distributed. The continuous row-length rack electrically grounds the entire array structure, eliminating single sources of failure for electrical grounding. Roll-a-rack was developed by a team of scientists, engineers, and solar installers with the help of a $1,200,000 Small Business Innovation Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.

Rollforming Solutions - Innovative Product Simplifies Supply Chain and BOS-costs 1325524 Bill Johnson Superior Roll Forming (subsidiary Welser Profile Group) Rollforming Solutions - Innovative Product Simplifies Supply Chain and BOS-costs Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Objective: Steel and stainless steels are widely used in PV applications, particularly in the base constructions of large-scale plants. The advantage of these materials is their worldwide availability, the possibilities of large-scale industrial production and their positive material properties. An example is replacing existing hot rolled profiles with special lightweight construction profiles to simplify the mounting of diverse components. Methods: The optimization of the strip thickness and width, integrated into the cold rollforming process, allows different design and a integration of functions . Innovative methods and also offline simulations were necessary to check the realization for this complex cold rolled profiles. Results: An cold rolled - beam can reduce expenses in logistics, in the timeline and reduce the burden in the handling on site. A faster, state of the art, manufacturing process eliminates waste and reduces construction lead times. High strength steel and better corrosion protection results in a stronger, longer-lasting, more cost-effective profile, allowing it to meet or exceed difficult site demands. Conclusion: The high level of quality required by the customer and long functional life required of photovoltaic systems should also be taken into consideration. It is also now possible to manufacture steel profiles with varying wall thickness using a newly developed production technique. The strip is optimised according to the required function of the profile, inline, in a single production process by thinning, thickening or grooving, in order to achieve the desired cross sectional shape. The process requires less material resulting in a weight saving and new or exisiting functions can be integrated.

Safety of Li-ion Battery Energy Storage System in the Electric Vehicle Charging Station 1325557 Yike Hu Exponent Safety of Li-ion Battery Energy Storage System in the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure DC fast charging station is considered a viable route to facilitate the long-distance travel of electric vehicle along the highway. Installing energy storage system in conjunction with the electric vehicle charging station helps reduce cost by balancing the demand to grid at peak time. With its high energy density and capacity, lithium ion battery has become the choice of many newly installed energy storage system. In this presentation we will discuss the potential hazards associated with the energy storage system and standards applicable to evaluate the safety of the energy storage used in the DC charging station.

Smart IoT Devices to Control & Balance Home Energy Ecosystem for Grid Backup 1325534 John Borland eStat Smart IoT Devices to Control & Balance Home Energy Ecosystem for Grid Backup Smart Energy Technologies Aim/Objective: Smart automated control and balance of home energy ecosystem to maximize renewable energy usage thereby reducing utility grid-buy for backup. Yearly grid-buy for 2018 & 2019 was reduced by 92.5% from 14.5MWh/year to 1.17MWh/year for a 3 year pay back and island nano-grid mode of operation. Resilient 100% electrification of the home saves lives during and after disasters from hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, tornedos and floods when lifesaving medical equipment requires power 24/7. Methods: 20+ smart IoT devices are used throughput the home providing smart home security, smart home environmental control and smart home appliance control. Other smart IoT devices are used to monitor and control home energy demand for HEMS (home energy management system) and for local weather forecasting. With the right data analytics we identified the top 6 household appliances with the highest energy demand spikes. We also developed a new smart control box for total home energy ecosystem control and balance to maximize multiple renewable energy sources used in off-grid or grid-tie modes of operation. Grid electricity is used only as backup on rainy/cloudy days. Results: Smart home with multiple smart IoT devices for home automation was made resilient to any power blackouts by using a smart controller to balance the total home energy ecosystem. Smart weather forecasting using sky-cam, local satellite and radar imagery for micro-climate and time of day, we prioritized which renewable energy source to use for lowest cost of electricity. Summertime air conditioner uses 60% of energy, hot water 21%, refrigerator/freezer 10%, pool pump 4% and others 5%. Wintertime hot water uses 50%, refrigerator/freezer 24%, pool pump 10%, clothes dryer 6% and others 10%. On sunny summer (s) and winter (w) days, 100% of daily home energy needs (s=70.6kWh, w=53.6kWh) was achieved with: 1) solar-PV s=41.7kWh (59.1%), w=22.1kWh (41.2%), 2) battery discharge s=12.9kWh (18.3%), w=14.6kWh (27.2%), 3) hot/cold thermal storage equivalent s=16kWh (22.6%), w=16kWh (29.8%) and 4) grid-buy s=0.0kWh (0%), w=0.9kWh (1.7%) for 92.5% off-grid mode of operation. On the 7.5% rainy summer and winter days, grid-tie mode of operation was used for backup. 100% of daily home energy needs (s=44.9kWh, w=57.9kWh) was achieved with: 1) solar-PV s=21.1kWh (46.9%), w=15.5kWh (26.7%), 2) battery discharge s=12.9kWh (28.7%), w=15.0kWh (25.9%), 3) hot/cold thermal storage equivalent s=0kWh (0%), w=0kWh (0%) and 4) grid-buy s=10.9kWh (24.3%), w=27.4kWh (47.3%) for 7.5% grid-tie mode of operation. Conclusion: Smart home control box for total home energy ecosystem control and balance allowed off-grid mode of operation 92.5% of the time in 2018 & 2019 using grid-tie for backup. Use of smart IoT devices is critical for data analytics and local weather micro-climate time of day forecasting for lowest cost of electricity, island nano-grid and 3.1 year pay back.

Snow, Ice, and Cold Weather Environments for Floating Solar 1322586 Chris Bartle Ciel & Terre USA Snow, Ice, and Cold Weather Environments for Floating Solar Grid Integration & Generation Much of the US experiences frozen ponds and reservoirs and snow cover in the winter. Floating solar projects are uniquely impacted by these conditions. Learn about new and innovative approaches for mitigating cold weather issues that can arise, and how you can optimize your floating solar system through the winters. System owners, installers and O&M providers can all benefit from this information.

Solar District Cup, Class of '20 Make the Impossible 1338124 Joe Simon National Renewable Energy Laboratory Solar District Cup, Class of '20 Make the Impossible Managing Growth

Solar Module Level Micro-storage for Next-gen Distributed Grid 1322661 Vikram Iyengar Yotta Solar, Inc (Yotta Energy) Solar Module Level Micro-storage for Next-gen Distributed Grid Grid Integration & Generation Buildings will soon be seen as an active component of the electric grid and not mere loads. Solar+storage forms a key part of this grid-infrastructure. Commercial sites such as shopping centers, schools, hospitals are typically at the center of large population centers. To achieve true penetration of solar+storage (BTM) behind the meter on commercial and residential sites, we need to overcome existing barriers such as space, complexity and safety while significantly reducing the soft costs. Solar module level micro-storage does not demand any real-estate and is inherently safe when built with the right battery chemistry. Built-in thermal regulation is essential to increase battery’s reliability, performance and life. Additionally, output that can adapt to most inverters with the ability to island, will lead to seamless integration. We hope to rally the industry and engage in development of standards around panel level micro-storage format, to make deploying storage as simple as solar.

Solar Power - A Sustainable Solution for Cold Chain Challenges 1338115 Chilukuri Maheshwar Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy Solar Power - A Sustainable Solution for Cold Chain Challenges Energy Storage About 30% of fruits and vegetables grown in South Asia (India - 38.77 million tonnes amounting to US$ 13 billion) get wasted annually due to gaps in cold Chain like poor infrastructure, insufficient cold storage capacity, unavailability of cold storages in close proximity to farms, poor transportation infrastructure, etc. This results in instability in prices, farmers not getting remunerative prices and rural impoverishment. There is more wastage than consumption. Enough attention has been paid at the Pre-Harvest stage for boosting up the levels of production by techniques like crop rotation, soil conservation, pest control, fertilizers, irrigation, etc. But, Post Harvest issues have been addressed inadequately. Despite having achieved regional food security, the well being of millions of farmworkers who have been the backbone of the agriculture of the region continues to be a matter of grave concern. For India, every 1% reduction in wastage of fruits and vegetables would translate into savings of US$ 0.13 billion. The savings for the entire region would indeed be substantial. Setting up of cold storages is difficult, unviable and uneconomical due to high operating costs for Cold Storage Units in the region - $2 plus per cubic foot per year compared to less than $1 in the West. Energy Expenses in the region make up about 28% of the total expenses for cold storages compared to 10% in the West. About 30-35% of these losses can be reduced by using solar photovoltaic power for cold storages and transporting the freshly harvested fruits and vegetables in refrigerated containers using solar PV panels to power the refrigeration machinery thus closing this gap in the cold chain. For India, we would need about 40,000 refrigerated containers of standard 20 feet size with about 20 million sq. ft. of solar PV panels fixed on their rooftops to be totally independent of the power grid or DG sets using fossil fuels, to transport this freshly harvested produce, placed strategically at various locations in the farms all across the country. Commercially, the payback period for this mammoth project is quite attractive. Refrigerated Containers score substantially over conventional refrigerated trucks in terms of suitability for this application in Indian terrain. The requirement for powering Cold Storages through Solar PV panels would be much greater. Here, solar energy availability (Insolation) averages 5.0 KWh/sq. m/day with about 3000 sunshine hours per year. The average power consumption per TEU reefer container is about 5KWh and solar panels would generate sufficient power to run the refrigeration unit. Flexible solar PV modules and concentrators of up to 1600 times of solar energy can reduce the cost to US$ 0.05 per kWh. The sunshine in the region needs to be harnessed for a social cause.

Solar Power - The Sustainable Solution for Marine Propulsion 1338116 Chilukuri Maheshwar Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy Solar Power - The Sustainable Solution for Marine Propulsion Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Today, the merchant marine industry is overburdened by the innumerable new regulations to control SOxes, NOxes, COxes, particulate matter emissions, etc. The ship staff is struggling to understand and to ensure compliance. The ship designers and naval architects are also trying to make the necessary design changes to accommodate the new machinery, new tanks, etc. Identical is the plight of the machinery manufacturers. It is time to think out of the box and look for a different solution. Growing environmental concerns and depleting fossil fuels are forcing us to look at the possibility of using non-conventional, renewable energy sources for power generation onboard ships with a certain degree of success. Not much thought has been given to the possibility of using these energy sources for main propulsion to replace fossil fuel usage. Is it really possible to generate sufficient power from the sun to propel ships and replace diesel engines? It is possible to replace diesel engines as prime movers for the main propulsion of the ship. We can have electric propulsion with power drawn from the sun’s energy through photovoltaic cells. The area available on the deck and the shipside above the waterline can be utilized to generate power from solar energy. With the presently available technology and conversion efficiency, with solar cells sprayed on the exposed areas of the ships, the power generated can be as high as 40% of MCR of the present-day Diesel Engines achieving 60-70% of the maximum speed. Fuel constitutes about 50% of the operational cost of a ship. Doing away with diesel engines and the associated fuel storage systems would result in much more economical running of ships than it is today with fossil fuels. We also save on the deadweight and volumetric cargo space giving us more cargo-carrying capacity. Also there is a substantial saving on manning costs. In December 2008, a new solar power system, capable of generating 40 kW, made its debut on an NYK car-carrier Auriga Leader. In 2010, Turanor PlanetSolar, a 30 m long and 15 m wide catamaran was equipped with 38,000 photovoltaic cells housed in 825 modules with four electric-motors and a wave-piercing design providing enough power to propel two drive shafts of the catamaran at about 7 knots. A 13-ton lithium battery stores enough electricity for up to 3 days without direct sunlight. Until now, solar power systems have been limited to usage for the crews’ onboard living areas, but very soon, we will witness solar power competing and eventually winning over traditional fossil fuel propulsion systems. Undoubtedly, Solar power is the marine fuel of the future giving a final answer to earth's limited fossil fuel supply, growing environmental concerns, and legislations.

Solar Power for Cold Chain - An Opportunity in South Asia 1338125 Chilukuri Maheshwar Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy Solar Power for Cold Chain - An Opportunity in South Asia Energy Storage About 30% of fruits and vegetables grown in South Asia (India - 38.77 million tonnes amounting to US$ 13 billion) get wasted annually due to gaps in the Cold Chain. About 30-35% of these losses can be reduced by making use of solar photovoltaic power for cold storages and transporting the freshly harvested fruits and vegetables in refrigerated containers using solar PV panels. For India, we would need about 40,000 refrigerated containers of standard 20 feet size with about 20 million sq. ft. of solar PV panels fixed on their rooftops to be totally independent of the power grid or DG sets using fossil fuels, to transport this freshly harvested produce, placed strategically at various locations in the farms all across the country. Here, solar energy availability (Insolation) averages 5.0 KWh/sq. m/day with about 3000 sunshine hours per year and can be harnessed for a social cause.

Solid-State: The "Future" of Battery Technology Today 1325523 Adrian Tylim Blue Solutions Solid-State: The Energy Storage The objective is to educate the audience about solid-state battery technology which is deemed as something achievable 'ten years in the future'. Industry has been struggling to develop solid-state batteries in spite of their important attributes to benefit the energy transition. They are difficult to manufacture especially in large quantities and at competitive prices for rapid deployment. Solid-state technology has many positive attributes for deployment in both grid-connected and off-grid microgrids including: Safety (will not catch fire given its solid-state) No cooling required, as they operate hot Full availability of charge which reduces the need for unnecessarily oversizing projects Longevity Sustainability. Details about the technology, benefits and applications will be discussed as well as a manufacturing example to highlight the difference with current Li-ion methods.

Spectral Solar Panel 1338117 Alexander Zhivich Framingham State University Spectral Solar Panel Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Spectral solar panel (Patent pending) Alexander Zhivich, Ph. D. Visiting professor Framingham State University, Framingham, MA USA Address for correspondence: A. Zhivich, 17 Haskell St. Westborough, MA 01581 e-mail: zhivich@gmail.com ; azhivich@framingham.edu phone: 1 508 847-7797 (cell) 1 508 836 3334 (home) We describe in this presentation a new design of solar panel – spectral solar panel - using any type of photovoltaic solar cells including semiconductor photovoltaic solar cells, perovskite solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells, quantum dots solar cells, and any other type of solar cells that could absorb in different areas of the solar spectrum – UV, visible and IR. The main concept of this new design lies in dispersion of solar light (e. g. by passing the solar light through the optical prism) first and then conversion of different spectral parts of the solar spectrum by several photovoltaic cells that are sensitized to (or absorb) that corresponding part of the solar spectrum. Since the losses of light energy in the course of light dispersion in prisms are negligible this new design of solar panels will significantly enhance the efficiency of light to electricity conversion. Technology for production of optical elements including all kinds of prisms from polymer materials is very well known and widely used. Thus, it is possible to produce the layer of solar cells sensitive to different parts of the solar spectrum on a suitable base material and then cover it by a polymer prism layer that will accomplish the solar light dispersion process correspondingly.Spectral solar panels produced according to this method could be successfully used for very efficient incident solar light to electricity conversion. Spectral solar panels should be installed using solar tracking system. Calculations showed that implementing the new spectral solar panels design with multiple solar cells as described above can reduce the losses of absorbed solar energy to heat from ~38% (silicon solar cell) to ~ 3.5 – 4%. That makes spectral solar panels ~1.5 times more effective than silicon solar cells in terms of incident solar light to electricity conversion. Advantages of using the spectral solar panels: 1. Simple design that enables easy and cheap production. 2. Possibility of combination of different types of photovoltaic cells including but not limited to semiconductor photovoltaic solar cells, perovskite solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells, quantum dots solar cells, and any other type of solar cells that could absorb irradiation from different parts of solar spectrum (UV, visible, and IR) in one final device. 3. Much higher efficiency (more than 1.5 times higher verses silicon solar cells) of solar energy to electricity conversion (by means of conversion of different parts of solar spectrum to electricity by different solar cells sensitized to these specific parts of solar spectrum). 4. Wide selection of materials and designs for individual solar cells that are used to build the final solar panel. 5. Lack of the following problems that exist in multi-junction photovoltaic cells:a) The upper semiconductor layers should be transparent for the light that should be absorbed by the next semiconductor layers. b) The selection of semiconductor band gap, absorption properties, and layer thickness of every semiconductor material used in multi-junction solar cell should allow for the current-matching in the stack design. Otherwise the transparent electrodes should be used for electricity harvesting from every p-n junction of the multilayer photovoltaic cell. c) Since the multi-junction solar cell has several semiconductor layers, intermediate layers, protective layers, and transparent electrodes, significant portion of light is reflected by the layer interfaces that eventually leads to significant losses in solar energy to electricity conversion efficiency especially in multi-junction photovoltaic cells with a large number of junctions.

Storage Plus Solar Design: Upfront Overbuild, or Augmentation? The Opportunities and Risks with Each Approach 1330984 Cory Arce Gessert DNV GL Reem Bashalty DNV GL Victoria Carey DNV GL Nupur Pande Recurrent Energy Storage Plus Solar Design: Upfront Overbuild, or Augmentation? The Opportunities and Risks with Each Approach Grid Integration & Generation Has the industry settled on a standard approach or are we still evolving such that each developer has their own strategy? In this panel, DNV GL’s solar and energy storage experts will join leading integrators to discuss a variety of build strategies, cost considerations, and the pros and cons with each approach. Topics covered will include detailed technical considerations including various charge/discharge strategies, ITC compliance, battery degradation, utilization of DC/DC converters to remove voltage mismatches, and plant production modeling. This poster will also address trends in the industry towards longer useful life expectations and stricter safety requirements of the batteries, both in standalone and paired with renewables. DNV GL and its industry partners will explore case studies, results from its NY BEST test lab, and its expectations for the future based on our experience over the last decade.

String Powered Tracker Control Technology 1325552 Kevin Phelan Suntrack by P4Q String Powered Tracker Control Technology Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) It has become widely accepted that single axis tracking increases the production on many utility scale installations. Due to the competitiveness of the market, prices are always trending downward. Improvements in panel and inverter technology and market pressure have reduced the selling price of trackers by 50% or more over the last 3 -4 years. This puts tremendous pressure on manufacturers to innovate new ways to reduce product costs and/or installation costs. One method that will help to reduce both costs is to develop technology to use the solar string to power the drive motor on single axis trackers. Installation costs are reduced because much less wiring and labor are required during construction. This will require technical innovation to work due to many challenges. Some of the challenges include the range of input operating voltages, sudden voltages spikes, certification, tight packaging constraints and, of course, cost. P4Q Electronics has developed the technology to make this possible. The first phase was to develop the DC-DC convertor that could handle the rapidly changing voltage inputs caused by clouds passing over the array. These can be 1500 volt spikes occurring in milliseconds. As part of the this the packaging to insulate that sort of spike was developed as well. This technology is being beta tested in large numbers now. The second phase of the development is develop the system to proved small battery backup to the string-powered controls. P4Q will use its extensive knowledge of battery chemistry and packaging in the this phase. Expect the see this technology available this year!

Sustaining Internal and External Resources for Your O&M 1322598 Eric Peterman GRNE Solar Sustaining Internal and External Resources for Your O&M Finance and Asset Management With the rapid growth of solar the need for resources to manage your O&M is more important than ever. Whether your solar site is owned by your company or maintained on behalf of a client, you need the processes in place to effectively maintain your developments. This poster will explain the resources to put into place and share the lessons we have learned as an O&M, EPC firm.

System-Friendly Agrophotovoltaic-Concept with Vertically Mounted Bifacial Modules 1353449 Christian Meyer Next2Sun Mounting Systems GmbH System-Friendly Agrophotovoltaic-Concept with Vertically Mounted Bifacial Modules Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) With the increasing expansion of renewable energies, the differences between times of high and low infeed from wind and sun are becoming more intense. This is particularly visible in the morning and evening hours, when the infeed from solar systems is very low. However this reflects the electricity price, which is low or even negative during the day and high in the morning and evening. Renewable energies are in a constant competition with agricultural land or nature and landscape conservation areas. That is why innovative solutions are much-needed. Next2Sun GmbH, founded in 2015, therefore wants to involve their agrophotovoltaic-concept into developing the energy change in order to add new methods for electricity production. For this new type of mounting, a special frame system was developed which enables the photovoltaic modules to be mounted almost without shadow. The module sides are facing East and West. Prior to the construction of the largest bifacial photovoltaic plant, data was collected over several years with the help of a pilot plant. Thus they were able to build the biggest bifacial photovoltaic system which was brought into service at the end of 2018 in Saarland. It was the first commercial-scale ground-mounted system in Europe. This construction has 5,700 modules on an area of 7 ha and runs with 2 MWp. In addition, Next2Sun has recently built Europe's largest agrivoltaic system with a capacity of 4.1 MWp in Southern Germany.

Taking a Digital Approach: How to Standardize Workflows and Design Systems with Unprecedented Accuracy 1325549 Peter Cleveland EagleView Taking a Digital Approach: How to Standardize Workflows and Design Systems with Unprecedented Accuracy Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Technological advancements in the solar industry, such as standardized, digital approaches to shade analysis, are making the installation of photovoltaic systems more efficient than ever. However, to incorporate digital approaches to shade analysis, installers need to be confident in their production estimates. Increased project timelines can create uncertainty around actual production, unsatisfied customers, and decreased profitability. The objective of this study was to shorten design/installation timelines by finding a solution that reduces time spent conducting site visits without compromising shade analysis accuracy. To accomplish this goal, solar access values (SAVs) derived from aerial imagery and computer vision were tested by a third-party quality assurance company against SAVs gathered by a handheld measurement tool on site. To derive values with aerial imagery and computer vision, multi-angle aerial imagery is taken to create a 3D model of the property along with thousands of consistent roof measurement points. The path of the sun is traced over the 3D model. For each 15-minute interval of the year, the solar access is recorded at each measurement point for unprecedented accuracy. The quality assurance company chose an industry standard hand-held device as a benchmark, which derives measurements of a property on-site. Four properties in the Bay Area were chosen as test sites based on diversity of shade. An independent technician collected measurements of the properties using the hand-held tool under instruction from the quality assurance company. SAVs were then derived from already collected aerial imagery to compare against the hand-held measurements. The study found that in a point-to-point comparison between the hand-held measurement tool and the measurements derived from aerial imagery, the average difference was between –1% and 0%. Approximately 70% of the individual locations studied resulted in an annual difference between the two measurements of <5%. Additionally, the study noted that the aerial imagery measurements “can provide modeled SAVs at more locations on a roof than could be practically measured and processed manually.” The quality assurance company named the aerial imagery measurements as “comparable” to the leading shade-estimating tools accepted by solar professionals. The objective data extraction process can also reduce the risk of on-site measurements varying amongst technicians. The study found that the SAVs derived from aerial imagery are “a viable tool for estimating shade impact on the roof of common residential/low-rise structures.” The study concluded that SAVs derived from aerial imagery are “a compelling alternative to on-site hand-held measurements” as they “can provide a more repeatable measure” without having an inspector climb on the roof, saving time and reducing site visits. The method derived from aerial imagery provided a more detailed data set, with over 1,000 times more data points than the traditional handheld sampling method, for more accurate designs and increased efficiency.

Technical Due Diligence Considerations for Bifacial PV Modules 1322599 Dan Chawla Natural Power Technical Due Diligence Considerations for Bifacial PV Modules Finance and Asset Management Bifacial PV modules are growing in popularity, with growth initially spurred by favorable tariff exemptions and subsequently driven by strong economics. Independent engineers are frequently called upon to evaluate bifacial modules for a wide range of projects, from large California solar farms to community solar projects in Massachusetts. While there is substantial literature on the energy modeling of bifacial PV modules, proper due diligence requires addressing a number of other considerations, including: Durability: Each manufacturer takes a unique approach to tradeoffs between cost, weight, and durability and investors must consider this when evaluating modules. For example, while glass may be more durable than most polycarbonate materials it can be prone to cracking when the glass is too thin or the module is not supported by a robust frame. On the other hand, the lighter polycarbonate materials may be too flexible or become cloudy under prolonged UV exposure. Sourcing: Many US projects are sourcing PV modules outside of China and it is important to ensure that these new factories have been properly reviewed, even if they are part of a larger, already reviewed, parent company. It is also critical to ensure modules have the proper market-level certifications and that claims for bifaciality, degradation, and other characteristics are within expected ranges. Productivity: While an extra 5%-10% generation may seem like a “no brainer”, bifacial modules are not the answer in every situation. High efficiency monofacial modules may compare favorably in some cases, so it is important to carefully evaluate energy models to ensure the best modules are selected for the specific project constraints. It is also important to evaluate the site and O&M procedures to ensure that albedo expectations (whether based on ground measurement or satellite data) are realistic for the whole project life. This poster will help investors, developers, and asset owners better understand the nuances of bifacial PV modules at the project level and provide tools and insights to help market actors make informed decisions through good due diligence.

Techno-Economic Solar Optimization 1325556 Steven Marsh Wood Techno-Economic Solar Optimization Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Aim/Objective: As a result of a maturing PV industry and increasing competition, from equipment suppliers to developers and EPCs, there is interest in optimizing a solar project’s financial return for all stakeholders. A typical design process for a solar PV project using a linear flow between the solar resource assessment, plant design using typical parameters, energy yield analysis, and financial model, may unintentionally miss higher value combinations by not performing an optimization. The goal is to iterate among these technical design and equipment choices but be driven by the financial metrics that ultimately determine project viability. Methods: By coupling multiple plant designs, energy yield models, and financial model analyses, techno-economic optimization can be leveraged to maximize financial benefit of the project. Fixing certain project parameters to reduce model complexity, such as the site area, grid capacity, and tender specifications, while design parameters, such as module types, installed DC capacity, orientations, etc., are varied, allows for optimization of the preferred financial metric. Results: The financial basis for techno-economic optimization involves minimizing levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) or maximizing cumulative cash flow metrics, such as internal rate of return (IRR) or net present value (NPV). Correctly selecting the financial metric to optimize is vital. LCOE is often simpler to model than cumulative cash flow metrics, but it falls short of capturing the value of subsidies in subsidy-driven markets. Conclusion: This case study reviews two projects where techno-economic optimization has been applied to maximize the financial benefit to the owner. The first project is an optimization based on LCOE in a subsidy-free market, varying module types, installed DC capacity, and ground coverage ratio for a single-axis tracking system, resulting in an LCOE reduction from the baseline design, which was based on “standard” design parameters. The second project optimizes for IRR in a subsidy-driven market by varying fixed-tilt orientation, module types, and installed DC capacity. East-West facing structures at 10° tilt angles, rather than the industry standard South-facing fixed-tilt installations, paired with high-efficiency modules, produced the highest NPV in spite of having higher capex. Techno-economic optimization benefits the developer at all stages, but especially early in development - including designing more appropriately to local conditions and constraints, easing the permitting process through reduced design changes, more accurate energy yield analysis for PPA negotiations, and maximizing project value throughout development.

The Cleaning of Solar Modules as Part of the Energy Production: Justifications and Techniques 1325515 Stefan Throm SolarCleano The Cleaning of Solar Modules as Part of the Energy Production: Justifications and Techniques Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) For many years, the common believe was that the natural inclination of solar panels with the help of some precipitations would result in an automatic cleaning. Measurements however show that the energy output of solar modules reduce drastically when they are dirty. On an 800kW plant, the accumulated dirt on the panel within a year led to a decrease of 30% of the productivity. To prevent this, several techniques are being used, each having pros and cons. Among them, hand washing was the most common technique for cleaning panels. However, with the multiplication of large-scale installations, this business model is being questioned. Lack of efficiency, rising cost of labor, risky working conditions, panels even getting dirty again before the work is completed… Hand washing the panels can no longer be considered to be the only answer to persistent soiling. A second type of cleaning solution is the use of large scale brushes mounted on vehicles. These brushes allow cleaning of panels set up in lines with enough distance between them to let the vehicle pass through. Also, it can only clean panels up to a certain height, limited by the length of the articulated arm manipulating the brush. Despite this, it remains one of the quickest ways to clean large scale utilities. A third type of cleaning solution uses on-panel gliding machines that pass from one side to the next of the line. These machines can be automatized to run at specific times of the day or night. However, they cover only one line, which induces a large investment or the use of man power to transfer the tool from one line to the next. Also, this is only applicable to specific installation mounting types. Lastly, cleaning can also be performed with robotic solutions. These can be fully automatized or semi-automized and controlled by a user. In any case, they allow for faster cleaning with less physical strain. Also, it is the most versatile solution, as robots can be set up on all installations (ground-mount, roof-top, carport, floating panels, etc.) without set up restrictions. It is also an evolving solution that can be adapted and customized for each type solar module configuration.

The True Cost of Delivering a Resilient Future when Keeping Critical Facilities Online 1322643 Jeremy Del Real TRC The True Cost of Delivering a Resilient Future when Keeping Critical Facilities Online Grid Integration & Generation A looming Cascadia earthquake, growing occurrence of wildfires, and increased dry hot summer days have led Pacific Northwest utilities to take action against natural disasters and prepare vulnerable communities for resiliency. Through an innovative technical assistance program, we uncover the true costs of ensuring community resiliency during times of disaster, reveal the truths about resiliency behind the meter and what it takes to move towards implementation as critical facilities work to adopt resilient energy systems. We explore an energy storage pilot program that recruits communities and their critical facilities to undergo deep analysis into their site to ensure power backup during disaster events as well as evaluate the potential for grid services beyond islanding. We share how to move participants towards action cost-effectively and quickly.

The World Needs a New Engine – Thermal Hydraulics 101 1344194 Brian Hageman The Net's Edge Limited Company, LLC The World Needs a New Engine – Thermal Hydraulics 101 Grid Integration & Generation Brian Hageman’s Thermal Hydraulic Engine is a powerful new prime mover that can replace gas engines, steam turbines and electric motors in any application. The new engine operates at temperatures lower than any other engine in the world based on new analysis from a university master’s thesis. Grid connected electric generators are designed from 250 kW to 1 MW of electric power and also 1 million gallon per day of brackish or ocean water reverse osmosis desalination have been designed that use 90% less electricity than typical reverse osmosis systems. The systems can be fueled by solar thermal or geothermal hot water.

Thermal Resistivity Probe Comparison: Does Size Matter? 1325553 Carson Bates NEI Electric Power Engineering Thermal Resistivity Probe Comparison: Does Size Matter? Solar Energy (Photovoltaics) Objective: Properly size underground cables, DC and medium voltage AC Methods: Sizing cables requires accurate soil thermal resistivity values, but these can vary depending on the measurement method even while complying with the ASTM D5334 standard. The in-situ soil thermal resistivity was measured using 4 thermal resistivity measurement probes at various times during the year of the same soil. Analysis was performed for both the heating and cooling curves. Two probes measured similar resistivities while the other two probes measured higher resistivities. Lab soil thermal resistivity measurements were also performed. Results: The consequences of using a particular measurement in underground cable ampacity calculations are illustrated with an example ampacity calculation. Conclusion: It is proposed that cable ampacity calculations should use the upper limit of the 95th confidence interval from the resistivity measurements.

Towards Using PV Reference Cells for Solar Resource ‒ “PV-Resource” 1322581 Peter Gotseff National Renewable Energy Laboratory Towards Using PV Reference Cells for Solar Resource ‒ “PV-Resource” Grid Integration & Generation Historically, the true broadband solar resource represented as either field deployed radiometric measurements or satellite-based estimates is used as the input to PV plant models to estimate energy production. However, PV modules respond differently to the solar resource in that they have: 1) limited spectral range 2) spectral response dependent on silicon-based cell construction 3) angle of incidence effects and 4) temperature dependence. Thus, the actual solar energy available to a module, the “PV-resource” has become of interest to the PV community to lower uncertainty in plant production. Following its framework for reference cell standards for PV resource applications [1] NREL is expanding its effort to calibrate, deploy and evaluate various PV reference cells along with co-located pyranometers and spectroradiometers in typical outdoor PV plant fixed and tracking orientations. In the first phase of this work multiple calibration methods were evaluated: factory calibration, NREL pulsed simulated sunlight Cell Lab calibration and natural sunlight Broadband Outdoor Radiometer Calibration (BORCAL) - originally designed for pyranometers. The assumption and benefit of using BORCAL to calibrate PV reference cells is that they become traceable to the world radiometric reference (WRR) under outdoor irradiance conditions where they are deployed instead of corrected indoor standard test conditions. The preliminary results for 39 tested reference cells representing six different manufacturers and 10 different models show that between factory and NREL Cell Lab there is a general positive bias of 0.8% in the reported responsivity for Cell Lab calibrations over factory calibrations which does fall within the stated uncertainty of about 1%. Inter-comparing NREL Cell Lab and outdoor BORCAL calibrations, responsivities are consistently about 2% below NREL Cell Lab. Also, repeatability of calibration is an important requirement for any calibration procedure. Here, BORCAL has found to return repeatable responsivities within 0.5% for any given instrument. Based on the results presented here, the WRR traceable, BORCAL method has been shown to be capable of repeatable and similar responsivities as other methods. With additional analysis we hope to show that reference cells have the potential to be both characterized and calibrated with this method while also reducing the total expanded uncertainty in the reported responsivity. [1] A. Habte, A. Driesse, C. Gueymard, S. Wilbert, and F. Vignola. 2018. Developing a Framework for Reference Cell Standards for PV Resource Applications. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-5D00

Understanding Limitations Towards the Levelized Costs of Trackers 1322587 Linda Chitayapuntagul Standard Solar Inc. Ian Kash Standard Solar, Inc. Understanding Limitations Towards the Levelized Costs of Trackers Finance and Asset Management The adoption of Single-Axis Trackers over traditional Fixed Tilt systems has increased as trackers become more reliable and cost effective to implement, but the overarching question still remains: are there times when trackers do not make long-term financial sense? Well known tracker limitations include topography, unusual site boundaries, and manufacturer specified tracker limits. Are there overlooked costs and impediments? There may be several additional factors that impact costs but this research will try to identify factors with the most significant impact. Obstacles to be examined for overarching trends and patterns include on-site shading, GHI, and impact of tariffs or TOU rates. Although trackers generate more kWh over time than fixed tilt systems, the tariff or TOU rates at which we receive compensation throughout the day may have a significant influence. As a financer and long-term owner of PV systems, Standard Solar delves into examining the levelized costs of owning a Single Axis Tracker system, in areas across the United States. Also evaluating situations and trends that can significantly increase cost and render the increased production gain from trackers as negligible. This research hopes to inform SPI attendees of the holistic, long-term viability of trackers across the United States. And, by comparing levelized costs, to provide a general baseline of conditions for when the sensibility of implementing a tracker needs to be looked at more closely. The outcome of this research is beneficial to all fields related to solar. This information can help salespersons, system designers, and even customers interested in owning a system, by drawing a clearer baseline for financially positive tracker implementation, saving time, money and effort.

Uniting a Solar System with Electric Vehicles 1325550 Eric Peterman GRNE Solar Uniting a Solar System with Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure When customers decide to take the plunge and convert to solar, the natural next step for most is to consider a hybrid or electric vehicle. As developers, we have adapted our practices to ensure the customer's energy needs are being met, and they have the roof space available to ensure they are getting the most out of their solar system for their EV needs as well. Before helping a customer, there are many considerations that need to be made, which include: a strategy of solar equipment, managing customer expectations, basing decisions on forecasting, and sizing a proper solar system. The entire path of the conversation and system design will depend on if the customer has a hybrid or EV or if the customer is planning to get one in the future. Additionally for commercial customers, installing solar + EV charging stations for employees or public. During this presentation, attendees will walk away with principles and strategies to host a conversation and design a system that can meet the needs of their clientele. Let's plan for the future of sustainability with our energy consumption and our vehicles on the road!

Using Market Research Data to Promote Residential Solar Programs to Women 1322677 Jessica Bailis E Source Using Market Research Data to Promote Residential Solar Programs to Women Grid Integration & Generation “Women are the driving force behind the solar decision,” according to Identity’s (now TerraCurrent) 2013 survey “Shining a Solar Marketing Light on Women” via Energy Central. But the solar industry “is not speaking their language or reaching them with techniques they will respond to.” By using data from the 2019 Claritas Energy Behavior Track—conducted in partnership with E Source—and the 2019 E Source Residential DER Customer Market Research, we’re able to dive into the interests, opinions, behaviors, and preferences of this demographic on a variety of solar-related questions. Though solar marketing tends to be gender-neutral, there may be opportunities to increase your on-site solar sales or solar program participation by marketing to women. In this poster presentation, we include 12 valuable data points to help you build a customer persona of a female solar advocate and an ideal prospect for residential solar products and programs.

Wire Management on Unique Module Frame Geometries 1322589 Kurt Naugler Burndy Wire Management on Unique Module Frame Geometries Managing Growth As the solar industry continues to innovate at a rapid pace, products and solutions seem to change on a daily basis. From this continuous improvement of available products and ever-increasing pressure to make solutions more economical, module manufacturers have altered the geometry of components that mate with racking systems and support wire management products. Two trends that have been identified in the market include reducing the material used in module frames and adjusting the geometry of frames to increase strength to weight ratios. From these changes in mating geometry, what were once considered standard wire management solutions no longer work with the new module frames. Installers are challenged to find solutions for new applications and manufacturers are racing to keep up with products that work in these new applications. This poster is intended to summarize trends observed in the redesign of module frame geometry in addition to providing case studies on how installers are dealing with these challenges seen in the field. By examining the current trends as well as providing potential solutions, the poster is intended to educate and assist designers and installers in completing cost effective and code compliant installations.

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© Copyright 2020 CadmiumCD. All Rights Reserved.

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