WHAT IS SPI?
SPI is a Conference drawing together an international community of Contractors, Solar Cell, Transformer, Inverter, and External Solar Storage (ESS) manufactures, as well as Legal, Finance, Insurance and Regulatory experts. Education sessions, technical symposiums, and demonstrations to inform the attendee of innovations and new developments.
IS THERE A SOLAR “PLAYERS” RULE BOOK?
Efforts to standardize the industry may come from a combination of regulatory bodies and certification agencies, International Electrical Contractors (IEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the world’s largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology (ILEEE). But right now UL and ILEEE have standards, so if you want to attach your system to the grid, they will inform you as to what you may and may not do in North America. The utility companies are also forcing standardization in terms of grid interactive features. What the inverter must do in any kind of grid anomaly – at what particular time and at what interval? Most of those standards are being imposed from outside of the industry. It’s up to the companies in the solar industry to meet and exceed those standards, doing it in a way that is beneficial and cost effective to the customers. NAPSA,(?) provides membership and training for electrical and solar professionals. They’re working towards codifying a training curriculum for a standard of education that strengthens the industry overall. As to manufacturers, it behooves them to come to agreement, but there are outliers.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
“Plug and Play” units combining the transformer, inversion, and battery functions for a direct connection to the photo -voltaic (PV) system is possible. Limiting professional technician scheduling, many have Wi-Fi control systems, which the residential owner can adjust with a smart phone or computer. Companies ABB, LG and Niece are some of the businesses which sell these units.
Lithium battery manufactures who are getting away from using cobalt and substituting it with Iron and Phosphate. The LiFePO4 batteries by SimpliPhi , Ideal Power and others eliminate cobalt and it’s instability, providing a more stable safe storage system.
WOMEN IN SOLAR 
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) is an educational organization working to increase the number of women in the solar industry. Chapters are in all States in the Nation as well as most major cities. Our local Portland, Oregon chapter puts on informational lectures and offers networking with other women in the business. NAPSA, provides membership and training for electrical and solar professionals. They’re working towards codifying a training curriculum for a standard of education that strengthens the industry overall.
