Pacific Islands Construction

Pacific Islands Construction believes there are many issues regarding the solar industry that the consumer should understand before and after they make an investment in a photovoltaic system. The following information is provided to help educate the consumer.

The PV manufacturing sector is in the midst of a protracted downturn because of aggressive capacity build-up in the last few years, as well as severely curtailed subsidies in major feed-in tariff markets, which result in massive supply-demand imbalances. As a result, GTM Research reported last week that it expects up to 180 PV manufacturers will either be bankrupt, consolidated or just exit the market over the next two years. It also has been concluded that even larger diversified firms — such as LG, Samsung, Sharp, Panasonic and Bosch — will exit the market to cut their losses after concluding that they have no competitive edge.

What does this mean for module warranties and defective equipment servicing?

Defective modules have turned up in greater numbers over the last few years with power losses that have exceeded 30 percent. One defect is called Potential Induced Degradation, which is a leakage of current flows between cells and module frames. The resulting power loss and cell degradation is just the beginning of what many fear is a common problem rather than an exception. Photon magazine recently wrote about “snail trails,” which have been found in more than 25 manufacturer’s modules. The discolored appearance in the module signifies hot spots, which result in less energy produced. For the most part, the industry has kept these problems out of public view, especially in light of the industry’s economic conditions. It might be argued that these problems are the economic result of poor profitability within the industry.

Poor installation practices within the local industry are also a concern when considering temperature response and wind uplift. PV modules should be elevated about 10 inches off the roof to help ventilate and cool the modules. PV modules operating at higher temperatures have significantly reduced voltage. Long-term, higher operating temperatures in the modules lead to premature degradation of the module encapsulation. For the above reasons, it is desirable to install modules to allow them to remain as cool as possible. Most systems in Hawaii are installed too close to roof surfaces, resulting in less power and shorter life spans.

There is a lot to consider when purchasing a PV system. Price is often a reflection of poor installation practices and using lower-quality manufacturers that will not be in business in the future. Pacific Islands Construction feels that it is its responsibility to provide what is right for its customers, not what is the cheapest option. Pacific Islands Construction can be reached by calling 841-7756 if you are interested in discussing your PV needs. Or visit www.pacificislandsconstruction.net.

There are many aspects about photovoltaic (PV) systems that you need to know prior to purchasing. Basic knowledge will help in assuring that your purchase is an informed decision. Pacific Islands Construction believes that with information, consumers will make the right decision for themselves.

Almost all manufacturers of solar modules are losing money and going bankrupt, or just leaving the industry. It was reported by local media that Sharp, the latest manufacturer to close its solar operation, would be selling its business in order to help satisfy its $16 billion debt. Weekly earning reports reveal that losses are mounting with almost every manufacturer. Choose a module produced by a manufacturer that is financially solid like Kyocera, which is financially strong and has been in the industry for a long time.

Solar equipment needs to be maintained and this includes cleaning the modules and getting the racking system inspected. Also, inspecting/repairing the roof penetrations, all electrical components and cleaning the inverters is recommended. Pacific Islands Construction has a five year maintenance program with every system installed to ensure that it will not develop problems. If you would like to have your system inspected, even if the company did not install it, Pacific Islands Construction maintains systems installed by others on a yearly contract.

Not all PV modules are the same, and quality does make a difference. In the last few years, power losses of installed solar modules have been observed when the modules are exposed to high negative-voltage bias. The industry has found this leakage of current flow between cells and is calling it Potential Induced Degradation, or PID. In another recent report, a phenomena called “snail trails” has been found in more than 25 manufacturers’ modules. Discoloration of the contact grids has been observed in these modules and owners claim that they are under-performing. Speculation for reasons why these problems are occurring center around the thickness of the cells, thickness of glass, cell fractures and frame construction.

PV systems are installed on your roof, so it is important that they are installed with racking systems and flashings that meet the IBC (International Building Code). The modules must be installed so that they do not fly off the roof during high winds, and to ensure they do not, many roof penetrations are made to secure the racking system that holds the modules. Also, each attachment needs to be flashed properly so that the roof does not leak. Unfortunately, consumers are assured that their systems have been installed properly when, in many cases, this is not true. To know what you’re getting, ask for documentation on the flashings and racking system.

Finally, be wary of any sales talk that promotes trying to manipulate the state tax code by giving you credits you do not deserve.

Pacific Islands Construction has many options available regarding financing. It has consumer loans with no interest for 12 months and no money down. The company can also provide leasing. Call 841-7756, email pic05@hawaii.rr.com or visit www.pacificislandsconstruction.net.

The photovoltaic (PV) system that you have or are considering purchasing should have an inspection every year as well as maintenance performed on the system. Consumers are led to believe that their PV systems are maintenance-free and that if there is ever a problem, the warranty will cover it. Unfortunately, not all of these costs are covered and the costs can be quite expensive. Pacific Islands Construction has found that when older systems are inspected, deficiencies found in the PV system could have been prevented if there had been an annual maintenance program. After adding up the repair costs and the loss of energy production that is not covered by the manufacturer’s system warranty, consumers promised savings are eliminated.

The following information will help consumers understand why Pacific Islands Construction provides five years of free maintenance with every system purchased:

Cleaning the surface

Solar modules need to be cleaned of surface dirt or debris that will lower their energy production and could cause their structural elements to deteriorate. Dust, salt, bird droppings, chemicals, etc. that find their way onto your modules’ surface will block the amount of sunlight reaching the modules’ cells, thus reducing your energy production. A loss of energy production means less savings. Airborne chemicals that sit on the modules can deteriorate metal components as well, especially where the anodized metal has been cut to fabricate the module.

Checking roof penetrations

Roof penetrations securing the PV system need to be inspected and maintained so that water does not enter the home through the roof and cause damage to the ceiling and contents underneath. Many systems are installed with poor flashing details around the roof penetration that secures a PV system to the roof. As a result, the materials used to waterproof these penetrations weaken over time and openings in the waterproofing develop, causing leakage. The resulting damage in your home was preventable and other issues like mold could have been avoided as well. Unfortunately, many PV installers have not used roofing industry-approved flashings, which could have prevented these leaks, and they also have voided the warranty from the roofing manufacturer.

Inspect the racking system

Racking system components need to be inspected to ensure that everything is secure, so that the system will hold the modules in place during high winds. During the inspection, any defects in the components holding the modules in place that have become loose or are missing can be rectified. The PV system and structure of the building are constantly moving because the heat of the day causes expansion. Metal expands at a greater rate than other building components and the stress that occurs between the various components can loosen or cause changes to the construction.

Securing cabling

The cabling that resides on the underside of the modules and connects to the micro-inverters, or runs from the roof to the string-inverters, needs to be secured so that it is not on the roof or prone to brushing against the roof with the wind. Damage to these cables can be prevented during the inspection by re-securing them. Any arcing in the connectors or electrical problems may be detected during that time as well, before they become a major problem.

Cleaning inverters

Inverters work better when they are clear of dirt and dust that tend to make them operate at higher temperatures. Once cleaned, inverters will be more efficient and they will last longer because they are operating at a cooler temperature.

Peace of mind

Knowing that your system is being maintained and that potential problems are being avoided will give you peace of mind. A PV system that gets a healthy checkup and is performing optimally will provide greater savings and last longer.

For more information, call Pacific Islands Construction at 841-7756.

Solar electric systems provide power during daylight hours or when the sun is shining, but what about providing energy when there is no sunlight? At Pacific Islands Construction, we work tirelessly to bring you products and services at the cutting edge of energy efficiency and sustainability. In that pursuit, we are proud to present the Zefr, a small wind turbine that operates as part of the modular and scalable Wind Array Turbine System (WATS) developed by JLM Energy Inc. of Rocklin, California. Zefr turbines make up WATS to collectively harness the power of the wind, routing the power of 20 turbines into a single smart inverter to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy costs.

Small wind turbine array challenges

Because of the variability in wind gusts, it has been very difficult to harness energy from multiple interconnected wind turbines. Turbines that would be spinning faster than others would send power down the line of their adjacent counterparts and further slow, or completely disrupt, those generators. This posed a challenge in the scalability and distribution of small wind turbine systems — until now.

Don’t let its small size fool you

Coming in with a 36-inch rotor diameter, the Zefr packs an arsenal of cutting-edge technology. JLM Energy’s Zefr turbine overcame the technological obstacles by developing a new wind turbine that houses revolutionary power electronics. The power created from every Zefr turbine in the Wind Array Turbine System flows through the same tethered cable harness without disrupting the power generation of neighboring turbines. A 3.6kW smart inverter, which seamlessly and optimally generates the maximum amount of power, converts the power from 20 Zefr turbines into common AC electricity. Additionally, JLM engineers keep a close eye on the quality of their products by keeping manufacturing in the U.S.

Bringing you efficiency and flexibility

Traditionally, a single turbine was a big investment with no opportunity for scalability. The inherent small size of the Zefr and easy-mounting features make it flexible to put multiple units on a roof line, parapet or other structural surfaces that enable a seamless blend into the architectural landscape of your building. It also is easy to scale up your energy production at any point down the road simply by adding more turbines.

Whether you’re a small or large business, owner of a residential complex or simply a homeowner interested in lowering your carbon footprint and monthly utility bill, the Wind Array Turbine System offers the modularity to easily customize the installation.

The Wind Array Turbine System also comes with JLM’s energy monitoring software so that you can track each Zefr’s energy production in real time. That way, you can see your investment saving you money and also determine whether your system is running optimally or not.

Finding out more

Visit booths 234 and 235 at the Summer New Product Show today, June 10 at the Blaisdell, or call us at 841-7756. You also can visit us online at www.pacificislandconstruction.com to learn more about Zefr and what it can offer you. We install solar electric, solar thermal and now wind power systems. Our goal is to provide complete satisfaction now and into the future by providing our customers with the best-constructed solar and wind energy systems. Find out more about what we feel are the finest-made systems that will last and produce for a lifetime.

contact // 841-7756
web // Pacificislandsconstruction.net

Pacific Islands Construction (PIC) provides energy solutions with product installation for solar energy (PV), solar thermal (hot water) and wind energy. As a solutions-based contractor, installing high-quality equipment that will provide long-term service is the company’s goal. Its product line includes Kyocera solar modules, one of the oldest solar module manufacturers in the industry, known for making very high-quality and robust PV modules. It also installs hot water modules from Apricus, which need less area to make hot water than traditional flat panels because of evacuated tubes. PIC also has recently introduced micro wind turbines from JLM Energy for making electricity 24/7.

What makes PIC stand above the competition is its experience as a general contractor, roofing contractor and solar contractor. All of these disciplines are needed for energy system installations because they require knowledge in carpentry to attach the solar modules, waterproofing for the roof penetrations and electrical knowledge for the correct system configuration. Pacific Islands Construction has it all covered whereas others may have strength in only one area.

Another area that sets the company apart is its knowledge of the industry and desire to share that expertise. As many manufacturers are exiting the industry because of financial loss or low-volume sales, PIC has carefully selected its business partners to insure its clients with the best products from companies that will be in business in the future and honor warranties. The solutions need to be with companies that have strong financials and are committed to providing high-quality services, not just a low price. PIC also has educated its staff to provide the customer with valuable information to help educate themselves.

Here are a few points that PIC believes every person should follow prior to selecting a system and contractor:

• Does the installation include roofing industry details for roof penetrations?

• Has the racking system that holds the modules on the roof been tested by an independent third party to verify the system will stay in place when there are high winds?

• Does the system installation come with a maintenance program that protects your investment by maintaining equipment, as opposed to providing a warranty that is not proactive in protecting your equipment?

• Have you been provided with copies of the warranties to see what is really provided?

• Have you inspected the contractor installations to see what details they use in their construction and what the quality of the workmanship is?

• Do the manufacturers of the equipment have a good track record in the industry, and are they financially strong?

Pacific Islands Construction will be at the Summer New Product Show at Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall June 8-10, when you can view the Zefr micro wind turbines, the Kyocera PV modules and the Apricus solar hot water system. Contact the company by calling 841-7756 for an appointment or visiting its website at pacificislandsconstruction.net.

PIC believes that an informed consumer will make a better decision when purchasing a solar energy system. It makes the effort to provide customers with the peace of mind that they have selected a contractor that is providing both outstanding value and the best-quality equipment. Trust in the company because there really is a difference in its quality of installation and equipment selected.

CONTACT: 841-7756
WEBSITE: pacificislandsconstruction.net

Pacific Islands Construction has found that there are many things one should know prior to choosing a photovoltaic system. Knowledge about the products and the company that will be installing the system are just part of the story.

The following is information you should request from venders:

• Know the financial strength of the product manufacturer. Solar module manufacturers are losing millions of dollars because of Chinese manufacturers flooding the market with low-cost products. These companies’ stock prices have lost most of their value. One U.S. company lost more than $750 million last year and started closing manufacturing plants this year. Know the company you are buying from and do your homework. Only about 10 companies worldwide will survive in this market over the next five years, with more than half of them being Chinese.

• Warranties are sales tools used by companies to convey the false idea that something is guaranteed when it is not. Ask for a copy of the warranty prior to purchasing, so you can read the limitations. If the company goes out of business, you’ll have no protection for product failure.

• Does the installation include roofing industry details for roof penetrations? Many installers are voiding roof warranties by using substandard roof penetration detailing that will eventually cause the roof to leak.

• Has the racking system that holds the modules on the roof been tested by an independent third party to verify the system will stay in place when there are high winds? Systems relying on a single bolt every so many feet are attached to a “unistrut channel.” These have not been tested as complete systems and should not be considered safe, in-place solar systems. Make sure you are provided with third-party testing that confirms the system is 120-mph tested, not 120-mph rated, otherwise your system may not handle high-wind conditions.

• Does the system installation come with a maintenance program? Your investment needs to be maintained and your PV system needs attention to prevent module failures. Pay close attention to the wiring, inverters and roof penetrations.

• Know the financials of your investment. Tax credits are just a small part of the picture you will be looking at. For example, high-quality modules will outperform low-quality equipment over a lifetime, making the investment return on them better. Module energy production degrades over time, so by spending a few more dollars, you will save more on equipment with a proven track record.

Pacific Islands Construction believes that the consumer needs to be better informed so that your purchase of a photovoltaic system is an informed one. Ask the right questions, research the product manufacturers, ask for documentation and seek out quality solutions for your energy needs. The solar industry has been rapidly changing, and you can find out more about companies like Kyocera, who make industry-leading, high-quality solar products, by calling 841-7756 or visitingpacificislandsconstruction.net.

CONTACT: 841-7756
WEBSITE: pacificislandsconstruction.net

Groundbreaking wind technology enables flexible building integration

At Pacific Islands Construction, we work tirelessly to bring you products and services at the cutting edge of energy-efficiency and sustainability. In that pursuit, we are proud to present the Zefr, a small wind turbine that operates as part of the modular and scalable Wind Array Turbine System (WATS) developed by JLM Energy, Inc. of Rocklin, California. Zefr turbines make up WATS to collectively harness the power of the wind, routing the power of 20 turbines into a single smart inverter, to reduce your carbon footprint and lower you energy costs.

Small Wind turbine array challenges
Due to the variability in wind gusts, it has been very difficult to harness energy from multiple interconnected wind turbines. Turbines that would be spinning faster than others would send power down the line of their adjacent counter parts and further slow or completely disrupt those generators. This posed a challenge in the scalability and distribution of small wind turbine systems, until now.

Don’t let its small size fool you (Technology)
Coming in at a 36” rotor diameter, the Zefr packs an arsenal of cutting-edge technology. JLM Energy’s Zefr turbine overcomes the technological obstacles by developing a new wind turbine that houses revolutionary power electronics. The power created from every Zefr turbine in the Wind Array Turbine System flows through the same tethered cable harness without disrupting the power generation of neighboring turbines. The power of 20 Zefr turbines is then converted into common AC electricity by the 3.6kW smart inverter that seamlessly and optimally generates the maximum amount of power.

Designed with savings and scalability in mind (Development Process)
During the development process, the engineers at JLM Energy worked tirelessly to find the most effective and intuitive solution to bring you affordability, modularity, and efficiency. The engineers executed dozens of computer models, prototyped countless rotor blade designs, built various turbine configurations, and performed many professional-grade field tests to ensure that the Zefr would offer flexibility and efficiency with no compromise. In addition, JLM engineers keep a close eye on the quality of their products by keeping manufacturing in the USA.

Bringing you efficiency and flexibility (Benefits)
Traditionally, a single turbine was a big investment with no opportunity for scalability. These small turbines were also commonly mounted on tall poles or structures which would require guy-wires and therefore a large areal footprint.

The inherent small size of the Zefr and easy mounting features make it flexible to put multiple units on a roof-line, parapet, or other structural surfaces that enable a seamless blend into the architectural landscape of your building. In addition, it is easy to scale up your energy production at any point later down the life of the array system simply by adding more turbines.

Whether you’re a small or large business, owner of a residential complex, or simply a homeowner interested in lowering your carbon footprint and your monthly utility bill, the Wind Array Turbine System offers the modularity to easily customize the installation.

The Wind Array Turbine System also comes with JLMs energy monitoring software so that you can track each Zefrs energy production in real-time. That way, you can see your investment saving you money and also determine that your system is running optimally.

Making Zefr your newest addition (Installation)
When you order Zefr turbines, we’ll perform the quick and simple installation necessary to help you start saving. The small size of the Zefr enables it to be easily installed and tethered to more units in order to quickly deploy your energy saving solution.

Order Zefr today (How to Order)
Call us today at (808) 841-7756 or visit us at www.pacificislandsconstruction.net to learn more about Zefr and what it can offer you. With Zefr, it’s easy to multiply your energy!