Oser Communications Group

SPDN SPI Oct 24 2013

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S o l a r P o w e r D a i l y N e w s 2 1 T h u r s d a y, O c t o b e r 2 4 , 2 0 1 3 SPDN: What would you say makes Hisco unique? AB: Our continuing commitment to solar really makes Hisco unique. We are in this industry for the long-haul. We have invested in 40 certified solar specialists to provide local support to our customers. SPDN: Are you introducing any new products? AB: Always! Hisco continuously brings leading edge products to the marketplace. Examples include new generations of junction boxes, connectors and adhesives. SPDN: How does Hisco help PV cus- tomers reduce their manufacturing costs? AB: Reducing total costs for our cus- tomers is encoded in the Hisco DNA. We provide supply chain optimization, ven- dor consolidation opportunities, local stocking, managed inventory—the list goes on and on. However, it's all postur- ing unless we can quantify the value we deliver. The Hisco Documented Cost savings program provides customers with hard data regarding the amount working with Hisco has saved them. In the 12 years this program has been in place, we have realized savings in excess of $85 million dollars for our customers. Last year alone we documented $11,875,817.22 in savings for Hisco cus- tomers. We are very proud of the pro- gram and I believe it speaks to our com- Hisco Inc. (Cont'd. from p. 1) mitment to make our customers prof- itable. SPDN: Who are your customers? AB: Just about anyone manufacturing in North America. PV module assem- blers represent a portion of our cus- tomer base. Contract manufacturers, inverter companies and government labs all use our products and services. I guess that's the great thing about our business model—our value proposi- tion translates across the board. All types of companies in the PV ecosys- tem benefit from reducing the cost of their consumables. SPDN: What do you forecast for the North American PV manufac- turing industry? AB: I'm both pragmatic and optimistic. We have a run of tough sledding in still in front of us, but longer term I foresee recovery in the PV manufacturing sector. SPDN: To what do you attribute your company's success? AB: Our people, absolutely no question. Hisco is an employee-owned company. The level of accountability, teamwork and service from our employee-owners is unrivaled. For more information, visit Hisco at booth 856, go online to www.hisco.com, call 877-47-2650 or email info@ hiscoinc.com. perspective, approach and financial model applied to installations on existing buildings. Now is the time to take a fresh look. Engaging the end user and pro- fessional design team (architect and engineer) at the concept and schematic design phase can make the PV system a more viable option. Furthermore, this approach maximizes the ability to reduce cost and improve system per- formance, while speeding up installa- tion completion to better coincide with building completion. However, buyer beware. While there are MEP engineering firms that do building design well, they may not be solar savvy. Conversely, there are some engineering firms that are solar focused, but not well versed in building industry projects. The good news is that there are now a few select firms emerging in the engineering field that have advanced tremendously on proj- ects involving solar installations, and are more than capable of handling proj- ects in direct coordination with archi- tectural firms. For example, our firm routinely works with clients to perform all the PV design, engineering and associated tasks from the project concept phase. In fact, KMB has completed over 225 solar projects totaling more than 250MW nationwide, many of which are full service. The scope of our capabilities includes land surveys, rooftop surveys, shading analysis, PV design, energy production calculations, electrical engineering, structural engineering, civil and environmental engineering, board hearings, permitting, applica- tions and project management. By incorporating the PV system at the building design phase of new con- struction, additions or renovations, KMB has proven its ability to optimize PV panel location and minimize obstructions that cause discontinuity and shading. The result is enhanced system performance and significant The KMB Design Group (Cont'd. from p. 1) cost savings, including lower cost per watt ($/W) and greater efficiency (kWh produced per kW installed). There are also benefits to building owners and tenants alike. Studies by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) have documented business benefits for going green, including decreased operating costs, building value increases, return on investment improvements, and occupancy and rent ratio increases. Sadly, the process that would make a PV installation as attractive as possi- ble is rarely followed. However, I believe there will be an industry trend towards incorporating solar from the start of the building design phase because it ultimately minimizes cost, improves aesthetics, coordination, and speed to completion, all while enhanc- ing long term system performance. For more infomation, visit www.kmbdg.com, call 732-280-5623, email sschwerd@kmbdg.com, or stop by booth 4132 at Solar Power International. chemistries continue to evolve the coat- ing, and hot-dip galvanized steel is now specified for myriad reasons including cost effectiveness, versatility, durability and longevity. SPDN: How is hot-dip galvanized steel used in the solar industry? ML: Hot-dip galvanized steel has tradi- tionally been used throughout the elec- tricity grid in generation, transmission and distribution. Because of its proven durability and longevity, it was a natu- ral fit for renewable energy sources as well. In the solar market, hot-dip galva- nized steel is most commonly used in racking structures, mounting systems and fasteners. To generate solar energy, the panels and their infrastructure are subjected to unforgiving conditions such as UV rays, rain, wind and extreme temperatures. Hot-dip galva- nizing is able to withstand all of these conditions, and resist corrosion for decades. Furthermore, hot-dip galva- nized steel's sustainability enhances the renewable nature of solar energy. SPDN: How is hot-dip galvanized steel sustainable? ML: For starters, the main component of the coating, zinc, is a natural element, essential to life and readily available. In fact, zinc is the 27th most abundant ele- American Galvanizers (Cont'd. from p. 1) ment in the Earth's crust (iron ore is 4th), and both zinc and steel are 100 percent recyclable without the loss of any proper- ties. In addition to being natural and recyclable, hot-dip galvanized steel pro- vides more than 75 years of maintenance- free corrosion protection in most envi- ronments. Eliminating maintenance dur- ing use means no additional materials, energy, or waste are created throughout the project's life. Hot-dip galvanized steel is natural, renewable and reliable, providing great synergy with renewable solar energy. SPDN: How can specifiers learn more about hot-dip galvanizing? ML: The AGA is dedicated to educat- ing architects, engineers and other specifiers about hot-dip galvanized steel and its many benefits. Our web- site is a great resource. It includes more than 500 pages of technical informa- tion, free publications, Dr. Galv (tech- nical FAQs), and a listing of our mem- ber galvanizers throughout North America. Visit www.galvanizeit.org any time, follow us on social media (@AGAGalvanizeIt or www.face- book.com/galvanizeit), or stop by the AGA booth 2363. For more information, visit www.gal vanizeit.org, call 720-554-0900, email marketing@galvanizeit.org and be sure to stop by booth 2363 at the Solar Power International Show. 50 years of experience and more than 50,000 MW of power generation proj- ects to provide a wider range of EPC service to the industry. Quanta Services has been active for more than a decade in power generation and dis- tribution, as well as renewable energy projects including solar, wind and ethanol/alternative fuels. Quanta is a publicly-traded company with national coverage and annual revenues of $5.9 billion. With approximately $400 mil- lion of cash available, Quanta effec- tively delivers large scale power gen- eration projects. Under the terms of the contracts, QPG provided comprehensive design, engineering, procurement and installa- tion services for all equipment required for the two 20 MWAC proj- ects. Pre-construction activities began in October 2012 and the projects were completed in the late third quarter of 2013. Quanta Services (Cont'd. from p. 1) Combined, the facilities used approximately 176,000 polycrystalline PV solar modules mounted to a single- axis tracking system and span more than 350 acres. Both sites utilized a mixture of Yingli 295 and 300-watt and Canadian Solar 290-watt modules and Emerson inverters. QPG was responsible for the site preparation including management of all project grading, trenching and fencing, instal- lation of impact-driven steel piers, tracker system and modules, as well as design and installation of the two 34.5- 115kV substations. The Corcoran Facility utilized local union labor from IBEW Local 100. Other Quanta companies that assisted on these projects include Dashiell Corporation and Intermountain Electric, Inc. For more information, stop by booth 2022, visit www.quantapower.net or con- tact Adam Paschal at 303-459-8300 or sales@quantapower.net.

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