100kW of Kyocera photovoltaic (PV) modules are now powering the Moorebank location of ABB Australia, a power and automation technologies provider that enables utility and industry companies to improve performance while lowering their environmental impact.

The custom rooftop PV system installation of 400 high-efficiency, high-reliability Kyocera solar modules was completed in November 2013. The solar array is now fully operational and will offset 6% of the daily energy needs at the Moorebank facility.

Kyocera and Autonomous Energy, the system installer, met all of ABB’s requirements for high-quality components and on-site health and safety during the installation period. The 100kW nominal flush-mounted system will yield an estimated 121,800 kWh of clean energy per year.Over 20 years, this PV system will produce enough renewable power from the energy of the sun to offset the equivalent of 2417 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

To maximize the amount of usable solar energy the solar installation produces, ABB installed its high-performance PVS800 100kW Central ABB Inverter to maximize conversion of the solar installation’s direct current (DC) output into alternating current (AC) for use by the electrical grid. ABB central inverters, based on ABB’s market-leading technology platform, are available from 100kW up to 1,000kW and are optimized for cost-efficient multi-megawatt power plants. ABB central inverters are equipped with extensive electrical and mechanical protection, and engineered to provide a long and reliable service life of at least 20 years.

To read the entire article go HERE.

Installation at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg, Germany is still highly efficient with output degradation of just 5 percent

Kyocera solar modules installed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) have been independently tested and their performance levels verified, showing an exceptional output even after 10 years of operation. Europe’s largest solar research institute in Germany, ISE installed a test system with the Kyocera modules equipped with high-precision measuring equipment that confirms an output degradation of just five percent after a full decade of maximum use. Researchers regularly analyze operating data and check the output of random modules annually in Fraunhofer ISE’s test lab, which have determined the Kyocera KC 125G modules* still deliver excellent results.

“The low output degradation of five percent over the past 10 years is evidence of the excellent quality of Kyocera solar modules. We are already eager to see the measurements following the next period. In the past five years, we have measured stable efficiency in the lab as well as the field, so we expect the result to be just as good in terms of quality,” said Anselm Kröger-Vodde, Project Manager for Photovoltaic Modules, Systems and Reliability at Fraunhofer ISE. Kyocera is one of the few companies on the market to maintain a vertically integrated production system. This system allows full monitoring of product quality at each step which helps ensure the performance of every cell and solar module over an extended period of time.

Kyocera is also one of the few makers of solar modules on the market to possess such long-term studies of its products under real-life conditions. A similar test system is located just outside of Tokyo, Japan and has been in operation for almost 30 years. The most recent measurements, taken five years ago, revealed a degradation of just 9.6 percent. With such real-world data to stand on, Kyocera is confident in offering its customers a 25-year guarantee of 80 percent of nominal output.

To read the entire article, go HERE.

* The 2.25-kWp PV system consists of 18 Kyocera KC125G modules and an SMA SunnyBoy 2100TL inverter. The modules are installed at an alignment of 0° and a tilt of 29°.

The Big Island of Hawaii Volcano’s Lava Rock Café, Kilauea Kreations and Kilauea General Store, owned by Kathy and Ola Tripp, are now getting the large majority of their electricity from the sun. The idea to plug into the sun came together through a partnership between the Tripp family, the Hilo office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, veteran solar and prime contractor ProVision Solar, LightWorkers Electric, First Hawaiian Bank and HEDCO LDC. Challenges included consolidating multiple electric meters, upgrading the existing service and site grading. “We made this ambitious decision to go solar electric for the future of our family, our businesses and our local community,” noted Kathy Tripp. “As times are rapidly changing, we understand that Hawaii's sustainability lies within our natural God-given resources. We see this to be an essential step in maintaining our legacy which is over 27 years in the making.”

The grid-tie photovoltaic system will be Net Energy Metered, which allows surplus power to feed back into the HELCO network during the day and banked for later use. The 115.5kW ground-mounted solar plant is comprised of 462 Kyocera 250-watt solar panels and a 100kW Solectria™ inverter. The plant is estimated to generate 150,000 clean, green kWhs annually.

The Tripps were able to financially justify the solar investment by taking advantage of a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 30 percent Federal Investment tax credit, a 35 percent Hawaii tax credit and accelerated depreciation.

The solar electric system allows the Tripp ohana to save on energy costs—an estimated $1.6 million over the next 20 years—while supporting their commitment to being good stewards of the aina. This solar project will have environmental savings similar to planting 1,700 acres of trees in Hawaii’s parks or not using 5,000 barrels of oil over the next two decades.

Founded in the 1930s, the Kilauea General Store was formally known as the Old Hongo Store which was the first store in Volcano. Owned and operated by the Tripp family since 1987, the Kilauea General Store and its associated businesses are committed to continuing a legacy for our children and grandchildren of supporting the community and exemplifying the aloha spirit to visitors from all corners of the globe.

Volcano’s Lava Rock Café has been the heart of Volcano Village since November of 1997. Opened by the Tripps, who are committed to offering an affordable family-friendly dining option to both locals and visitors alike, the Café is a hub for the Village.

A blessing and press event will be take place on March 12, 2014, 9:30AM at the Lava Rock Cafe, 19-3972 Volcano Rd, Volcano. Beverages and pupus will be served.