Meet Our Newest Partner in Elevating the Future of Solar

Fueled by a talent for matching clients needs with customized solutions, Nicole Van Every brings a tireless work ethic and detail-driven approach to the DCE Solar Business Development team. In this role, Nicole will serve as the key point of contact for EPC’s, installers, property owners, and other end users eager to optimize performance and cost-efficiencies in their pursuit of solar.

As a previous real-estate appraiser, Nicole not only understands the inherent value that solar brings to a property, but also the need for PV systems to be rooftop friendly, and/or capable of handling topography and soil issues – all without any decline in performance or increase in maintenance costs. Her ability to conduct that level of analysis for each and every candidate property makes her a superior asset for DCE Solar as the company looks to become the flagship brand in the industry for both rooftop and ground-mounted racking systems.

Additionally, Nicole’s ability to thrive in a team-centric environment fits seamlessly with DCE Solar’s commitment to work side by side with its clients to create and implement unique solutions that truly answer the overall objective of an installation. In this capacity, Nicole’s trustworthy, approachable nature and engaging, flexible business style is ideally suited for the long-term relationships DCE Solar typically pursues with its clientele.

Nicole’s energy and enthusiasm can also be seen in her personal life. She loves health and nutrition, and as a former athlete (collegiate soccer), she and her family spend a lot of time being active and enjoying outdoor activities such as running, hiking, biking, snowboarding, and skiing. Soccer continues to be prominent in her life as well – with many of Nicole’s most treasured moments being kicking the ball around with her 5-year-old son. The family also shares their love of the outdoors, the ocean, and the mountains with their 2-year-old Weimaraner, who loves to run and play outside as well.

Join Us in Elevating the Future for the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation

Elevating the Future of Volunteering with a Fun-Filled Family Event

One of the things we enjoy most at DCE Solar is making a difference for the future whether that’s through clean energy, or in our most important future resource – our children. 

That’s why we’re pleased to have teamed up with the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation for researching and finding a cure for children’s cancers. And you can join us.

100% of the money raised will go towards adopting hours of research. We’re also inviting you to join us through donations of prizes, gift baskets, gift cards, or volunteer time. Simply contact DeAnna Taylor or Katie Hoffner at (704) 659-7474 to get involved!

North American Clean Energy Article

To Attach or Ballast?

The pros and cons of roof-mounted PV installation options

Factor in tax breaks, energy savings, and other local or state-sponsored incentives, and it’s no surprise that companies and buildings with 5,000 square feet or more of low-slope roof space are eager to incorporate solar arrays.

However, there is still some debate as to whether or not a ballasted system or attached system is the best choice. The short answer is that the best choice depends on the specific roof being used. If the roof’s fundamental construction can accommodate easy-to-install attachments, there can be noticeable cost savings for an attached system as opposed to a fully ballasted system. It is important to realize price should never be the only determining factor in an industrial-size solar installation. There are quite a few other factors that should play a role in the decision-making process as well.

CONSIDERATION #1: The gap between roof function and roof construction
For decades, the primary purpose of a roof has been to protect interior structures from exterior elements such as water, weather, and more. Construction methodology has followed this idea and sought to make commercial roofs more reliable and affordable through the use of lightweight materials and minimal structures supporting large spans. The decision to change the main purpose of a roof to also become a support platform for solar equipment means that some new technical aspects must be considered in order to ensure long-term performance of the roof and any existing warranties.

In many cases, only large lightweight roofs are well suited for, or can successfully accept, a fully penetrated (attached) or hybrid (ballasted and attached) system. Depending upon the characteristics of the racking system being used, these options are typically faster to install, and with a lower risk of damage to existing roof structures or membranes. In some states, building regulations require these more robust, traditional roof designs to cope with weather conditions such as hurricanes, seismic activity, or safety concerns – such as for schools or civic buildings.

The National Roofing Contractor Association (NRCA) has been supporting attached mounting systems because it requires a roof and a PV system be designed to work with one another rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. The organization has been offering various solar technical programs, certifications (such as RISE), and various installation recommendations to assist in wise decision making, which is the single-most important factor for successful installations.

CONSIDERATION #2: The age of roofs vs. the age of solar systems
Unless the commercial property is a new build or has completely redone its roof within the past 2-5 years, it is likely the roof will need service or replacement well in advance of any solar array. Most solar systems today have life expectancies between 25-30 years, while roof systems are typically built to satisfy 20-year warranties. The additional cost of 25- to 30-year roof warranties are often unattractive to property owners who first installed roofs for “standard” purposes only. If a roof system cannot be expected to last the life of a solar array, it will require disassembly and re-installation of solar equipment in order to service or replace the roof – thus doubling the expense of the solar installation.

Those companies and property owners wishing to experience an immediate short-term benefit from solar may be better suited for an attached system over a ballasted system for 4 to 5 years, or until their current roof needs replacing. This is due to the expense of removing or uninstalling the roof attachment connections compared to moving thousands of pounds of ballast block only to replace them afterwards. When installed correctly, the attached mount can be re-installed on a new, more appropriate roof base, and should require less maintenance over time as there is no concern about shifting, inadequate ballast, or heavy weather conditions.

CONSIDERATION #3: Optimized total system weight
Because of accepted building codes and commercial clients’ desire for cost efficiencies, the vast majority of commercial roofing systems are built to accept maximum weight loads, creating a structural loading design problem, and requiring total PV system loads to come in less than 4 psf. This fact often designates a fully attached  system is more appropriate for a particular commercial property. However, since roof warranties are often voided when surface membranes are deliberately penetrated, attached systems are only applied when approved attachments are applied. At the same time, higher-level wind zones require additional ballast requirements in order to properly anchor the system, and those requirements will eliminate ballasted systems because they will exceed the roof’s total weight threshold. Therefore, attached systems are more effective at lowering the overall structural building load.

Generally speaking, if the roof membrane can accommodate easy-to-install attachments then it truly is the preferred method because it is a secured system, an overall lighter structure, easier to install, and requires less maintenance. Otherwise, a ballasted system is the ideal second choice.

From CEO, Bill Taylor.

North America Clean Energy Magazine: View Article

Successful Installation of Contour Leads to Repeat Business

With unparalleled adaptability and adjustability to seamlessly follow terrain, Contour is an innovative solution to an old industry problem. DCE Solar created Contour with ease – and cost – of installation at the forefront of design.

It’s no surprise that DCE Solar continues to have repeat clients interested in utilizing Contour on their challenging installs.

One of those clients is Dynamic Solar. With only four weeks to install over 8,500 modules on a project in Easton, New York, Dynamic Solar needed a solution that could install quickly and with ease.

WATCH A VIDEO OF THE INSTALLATION.

“DCE Solar’s Contour was used on this project, making the installation extremely smooth and seamless,” said Greg Boyer, director of operations for Dynamic Energy. “From the rack’s adjustability with the grade to the customer service from DCE Solar’s team, they continue to be a great partner. The ease of installation allowed this project to break ground in October 2015 and we energized in December of 2015, allowing us to meet our 2015 deadline.”

The Easton project has over 8,500 solar modules producing 2.6MW.

Explore our website for more information on DCE Solar’s innovative line of ground mount and rooftop mount PV racking systems.

Another Victory Over Challenging Topography

After exceeding expectations on their first solar installation, a recent client selected DCE Solar’s highly-adaptable Contour DB (Driven Beam) racking system for their second installation. The original project over-delivered in terms of ease of installation despite very uneven terrain, which normally would have had to be significantly graded to accommodate traditional racking systems. However, since Contour can be adjusted to follow topography up to a 20-percent grade, the client was able to forego a majority of the cost and time associated with grading the site, saving enough money to completely offset the costs of the racks themselves.

“Sites like this are exactly why we developed Contour,” said Bill Taylor, CEO of DCE Solar. “Being able to utilize sites with minimal site grading presents far more opportunities to expand solar. We’ve routinely found that Contour has been the turnaround factor for projects that would otherwise have not been built due to additional construction costs.”

Contour’s high level of adaptability and ease of installation are attributed to a few key elements:

• Single point purlin connection – Allows the rack to pivot and seamlessly follow the topography up to a 20 percent grade
• Ease of alignment – A top beam adapter gives unmatched adaptability and simplifies the alignment process
• Nesting of zees & cees – Increased structural stiffness provides a compact design
• Jig assembly – Allows for greater module installation efficiency, significantly reducing labor costs and ensuring perfect panel alignment
• Integrated grounding – No additional module grounding accessories and only minimal grounding wire required
• Built-in wire support – No further wire trays needed

Considering the size and scope of this project, which totaled 4,256 modules capable of producing over 1.38 MW of power, the ability to work with, instead of against, site topography was a huge advantage. The project was led by EnterSolar, who has used DCE Solar products in other installations as well. On-site installation was completed by Next Era Integrated.

“Over the years we’ve installed many of top-tier racking products and found DCE Solar’s Contour product to be unmatched,” said John Penton, President and Owner of Next Era Integrated. “Contour not only allows for reduced labor time but easily follows significant changes in elevation. In addition, the design accommodates heavy snow loads and challenging, rocky soils using screw foundations.”

“We’re proud to be the company behind the industry’s most topographically adaptable racking system,” said Taylor. “DCE Solar’s mission has always been to elevate the future of solar. Expanding its use and implementation is essential to achieving that goal.”