Solar FlexRack Completes Independent Technical Assessment of TDP Turnkey Tracker to Underpin Its Bankability

Youngstown OH, Nov. 15^th, 2016 – Solar FlexRack™, a division of Northern States Metals and an innovative leader in photovoltaic mounting and tracking solutions, announced today that Black & Veatch has performed a bankability study of its TDP^TM Turnkey Tracker. The technical report covers the tracker’s design, reliability, durability, installation, operations and maintenance.

According to GTM Research, over 70% of the US ground-mount systems are now being installed with solar trackers. Tracker installation growth in 2017 is expected to be 19%. *

Jeff Gwinnell, President and C.E.O. of Solar FlexRack said, “We’re pleased to complete this bankability report and to further customers’ confidence in the powerful TDP Turnkey Tracker solution that reduces project installation risks and costs.”

Solar FlexRack’s TDP Tracker design leaves rows easily accessible for operation and maintenance. Its smart backtracking maximizes energy production. Bundling the high-tech tracker with best-in-class project services provides next-level services and support to commercial and utility-scale solar project developers, EPCs and installers. From preliminary layout and design, through geotechnical engineering, construction and commissioning, Solar FlexRack’s turnkey tracker solution delivers an optimized, robust tracker, along with a team of experts with decades of solar experience to ensure your project’s success. To learn more about the TDP Tracker Solution, please visit http://solarflexrack.com/products/tracker/.

*https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/global-pv-tracker-market-to-grow-254-year-over-year-in-2016

About Solar FlexRack

Solar FlexRack, a division of Northern States Metals, is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed, fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis tracking systems in the commercial and utility scale, solar mounting industry. Solar FlexRack also offers full turnkey packages, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field, layout, and installation services to address the actual site conditions of an installation, providing a full scope of services from design to delivery and installation. Solar FlexRack has completed almost 1.5 GW of solar racking installations in 32 states across America and five countries globally. For more information, visit www.solarflexrack.com.

Solar FlexRack’s Director is Presenting at the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) Midwest Gateway to Solar Conference

Youngstown OH, Nov. 10^th, 2016 - Solar FlexRack™, a division of Northern States Metals and an innovative leader in photovoltaic mounting and tracking solutions, announced today that Sasha Honsl, Solar FlexRack’s Director of Business Development, will present Tuesday, November 15^th on the racking panel session at MnSEIA Midwest Gateway to Solar Conference.

Solar FlexRack is a Sponsor of the third annual Conference to be held in Minneapolis on November 15th & 16th, 2016. Key topics for sessions highlight Minnesota’s solar growth and will include Distributed Solar, Finance & Tax and State Solar Policy. Sessions will also address the industry’s future challenges and discussions on how to make solar more successful in the years to come. This two-day working conference will bring together solar industry practitioners from all over the country.

“We appreciate the work that MnSEIA has done in bringing together industry leaders to further the efforts of clean renewable solar energy in the Midwest. Solar FlexRack is a company dedicated to their customers and delivering quality solar trackers, racking and expert project services for the installation of commercial, community, and utility-scale solar projects,” said Honsl.

Other solar racking panel guests include: Milton Nogueria of Roof-tech, Julianne Bernstein of Brilliant Rack, Amanda Bostelman of AP Alternatives, Dylan Pugh of Patriot Solar, and Kristi Thiry of Preformed Lined Products.

To schedule a meeting with Sasha Honsl during MnSEIA, visit Solar FlexRack’s Events page and fill out the “Schedule a Meeting” form or contact him direct at 613-227-2673.

About Solar FlexRack

Solar FlexRack, a division of Northern States Metals, is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed, fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis tracking systems in the commercial and utility scale, solar mounting industry. Solar FlexRack also offers full turnkey packages, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field, layout, and installation services to address the actual site conditions of an installation, providing a full scope of services from design to delivery and installation. Solar FlexRack has completed almost 1.5 GW of solar racking installations in 32 states across America and five countries globally. For more information, visit www.solarflexrack.com.

Solar FlexRack Racking Solution is Installed in Iowa’s Largest Utility-Scale Solar Electric Project

Youngstown OH, Oct. 11^th, 2016 - Solar FlexRack™, a division of Northern States Metals and an innovative leader in photovoltaic mounting and tracking solutions, announced today the largest utility-scale solar power generation project in Iowa, a 2.3MW plant (the largest of the series which will include 5 systems and total 5.5MW) is installed with the smartest solar racking solution available, the best-in-class G3 Fixed Tilt system. One of the most cost-effective racking solutions, Solar FlexRack’s G3 Series was independently verified for its ease and speed of installation. Developed and installed by Azimuth Energy, the installations under construction are primarily located in the central and eastern regions of the Hawkeye State. Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), Iowa’s largest cooperative energy provider, will commission the carbon-free, solar plants and the clean energy will be delivered to their membership. CIPCO is part of a powerful movement among electric cooperatives to procure sustainable solar power as a part of their energy offering. (Cooperativesacross the US have over 500 MW of solar power installed or in the works.*)

Steve Daniel, EVP of Solar FlexRack said, “We are pleased to have been selected for these projects by an engineering, construction and development support services company as dedicated to quality work and customer service as Azimuth Energy. The rigors of their quality assurance program distinguishes their work and helps to ensure long-term project reliability.”

"We work closely with our clients and want to ensure we find the best solutions for their needs. Solar FlexRack met our demanding requirements, providing the most versatile solution with the ability to accommodate varying terrains and duplicate design configurations - reducing engineering time and installation cost,” said Marc Lopata, President, Azimuth Energy.

When completed, the 5 solar electric plants will reduce over 5 million tons of carbon emissions annually.

 *According to National Rural Electric Cooperative

  

About Solar FlexRack

Solar FlexRack, a division of Northern States Metals, is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed, fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis tracking systems in the commercial and utility scale, solar mounting industry. Solar FlexRack also offers full turnkey packages, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field, layout, and installation services to address the actual site conditions of an installation, providing a full scope of services from design to delivery and installation. Solar FlexRack has completed more than 1 GW of solar racking installations in 32 states across America and five countries globally. For more information, visit www.solarflexrack.com.

Azimuth Energy

Azimuth Energy is an engineering, construction, and development (EPC) support services company focused on the implementation of renewable energy and associated energy efficiency strategies. They are experts at innovative and creative solutions for solar energy, advanced technology microgrids, and energy efficiency integration. Building    clean energy strategies into business models is what they do. To find out more, visit http://azimuth.energy/.

Valuable Lessons in Co-existence Between Nature and Solar

The solar project that almost didn’t happen is now powering approximately 3,500 homes. AltEnergyMag.com has featured Solar FlexRack and the Pahrump, Nevada 17.5MW solar electric power plant on their website detailing how this 80-acre site is living in harmony with nature. 

In the article, Protecting an Endangered Species and a Solar Energy Project, details the challenges the team faced to protect an endangered species, Gopherus agassizii, or the Desert Tortoise on the site. Some valuable lessons in co-existence can be gained.

A number of unique adaptations were incorporated into the solar project plan. For example, it was important to keep the ground surface intact and not destroy the indigenous vegetation due to the presence of the Desert Tortoise. Typically, the ground surface of a solar site would be graded and leveled. In this case, the project plan called for an adjustable solar racking solution that could be installed on uneven, sloped terrain. Solar FlexRack’s G3-X fixed tilt racking system is an intelligent design which allowed horizontal rails to be set in place with no hardware during initial placement. The rack can easily be adjusted in the field to accommodate increased ground clearance and slope, a smart and cost-effective solution backed by one oft he best services and support teams in the industry. 

Download the pdf here, or read the entire article here.

Two Solar FlexRack Projects Receive Project of the Year Nominations in Solar Builder Magazine

Youngstown OH, September 27th, 2016– Solar FlexRack™, a division of Northern States Metals and an innovative leader in photovoltaic mounting solutions, is pleased to announce that two solar power generation projects installed with Solar FlexRack’s industry-leading mounting solutions, the Pahrump Solar Project and the North Putnam High School and Middle School, have been nominated by Solar Builder magazine for their 2016 Projects of the Year Award.

The Pahrump Solar Project

Ground-Mount (utility and municipalities)

The Pahrump Solar Project demonstrates how an electric cooperative can take a progressive step toward providing sustainable energy. It’s also a lesson in how a solar installation company can work together with local authorities to solve challenging issues and find balance in the quest to both generate sustainable energy and protect an endangered species.

North Putnam High School & Middle School

C&I

This six-acre solar panel farm  (including an energy storage system) gave North Putnam control of their electricity cost for the next 25 years. It also utilized a capital lease agreement through a non-debt service finance program with a community bank that required no upfront capital. The project did not raise any local tax levy and had a positive cash flow in Year 1 after the annual lease payment. School students have a hands-on lesson in energy efficiency with real-time monitoring kiosks located throughout the school.

“It’s an honor to have not one, but two projects on the Solar Builder 2016 Projects of the Year list of nominees,” said Steve Daniel, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Solar FlexRack.  “I encourage everyone to vote before the September 30th deadline.”

In the fourth annual Solar Builder Project of the Year Awards, the voting has been divided up into three categories: roof-mounted, C&I ground-mounted and utility-scale ground-mounted. One of the winners will be featured on the cover of the Nov/Dec issue of Solar Builder magazine.

To vote:
1) Click the links below for the nominees;
2) Read about each nominee; and
3) Cast your deciding votes on this page in the form directly below:

Rooftop Project nominations

Ground-Mount nominations (C&I)

Ground-Mount (utility and municipalities)

The polls close on Friday, September 30^th, 2016.

About Solar FlexRack

Solar FlexRack, a division of Northern States Metals, is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed, fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis tracking systems in the commercial and utility scale, solar mounting industry. Solar FlexRack also offers full turnkey packages, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field, layout, and installation services to address the actual site conditions of an installation, providing a full scope of services from design to delivery and installation. Solar FlexRack has completed more than 1 GW of solar racking installations in 32 states across America and five countries globally. For more information, visit www.solarflexrack.com

Solar FlexRack TDP Turnkey Trackers Solution is Installed in Nebraska’s Largest Solar Plant, Owned and Operated by Enerparc Inc.

Youngstown OH, Sept. 6^th, 2016 - Solar FlexRack™, a division of Northern States Metals and an innovative leader in photovoltaic mounting and tracking solutions, announced today the largest solar power generation plant in Nebraska is installed with its TDP Turnkey Trackers Solution. The tracking solution is an optimized technology bundled with a full suite of solar project services and support for commercial and utility-scale solar installations. The milestone 5 MW project, located just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska, was built and financed by Enerparc Inc., and installed by NESCO.

Delivering the industry’s lowest total cost solar project solution, the TDP Turnkey Trackers put a world-class team of experts at the service of project developers, EPCs and installers. Enerparc, a growing project development company in the US with more than 1.6 GW of solar installed worldwide, selected the TDP Trackers (single-axis) for the Holdrege Solar Center based on Solar FlexRack’s track record of success.

Florent Abadie, CEO of Enerparc Inc. said, “We selected Solar FlexRack TDP Trackers based on our previous successful experience with Solar FlexRack, and especially because of the great turnkey services packaged with the product ensuring a smooth installation. Once again, we were not disappointed.”

“Enerparc is conscious of the important balance between costs and quality. They pay meticulous attention to the work they do and build quality solar projects that investors can bank on,” said Steve Daniel, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Solar FlexRack.

During construction, Enerparc reported that almost 40% of the construction crew was hired locally. The project was commissioned on schedule and is operational. It is offsetting 5,300 tons of CO2 annually and is generating enough solar electricity to power 900 homes.

 More about Solar FlexRack Solar Trackers

About Solar FlexRack

Solar FlexRack, a division of Northern States Metals, is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed, fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis tracking systems in the commercial and utility scale, solar mounting industry. Solar FlexRack also offers full turnkey packages, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field, layout, and installation services to address the actual site conditions of an installation, providing a full scope of services from design to delivery and installation. Solar FlexRack has completed more than 1 GW of solar racking installations in 32 states across America and five countries globally. For more information, visit www.solarflexrack.com

About Enerparc Inc.

Enerparc Inc. is a privately-held corporation specializing in the development, financing, construction and operation of solar photovoltaic power plants. Enerparc has built over 1.6 GW of capacity, owns over 950 MW and operates about 1.2 GW of operating assets. These unique achievements position Enerparc as the second largest solar investor in Europe. With its in-house specialists, Enerparc is capable of meeting all needs – development, legal/financial structuring, engineering, construction and operation – for distributed generation projects in the 1 to 20 MW range.