A letter to our solar partners: APS becomes APsystems

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It’s been just six years since APS was a Silicon Valley startup – and how far we’ve come in that short time. Founded with the goal of bringing the most advanced microinverter technology to the solar PV market, we’ve passed one milestone after another en route to ranking no. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (source: GTM Research). Last year was even stronger still.

And we’re not slowing down – demand for our microinverter line is growing month over month in all markets. As we look toward even greater achievements on the horizon, we’re pausing just long enough to reflect on who we are and what we’re about.

With that reflection comes a refinement of our brand: APS will become APsystems.

The new trade name highlights our commitment to powerful alternative energy solutions, and our evolution from a product-oriented portfolio to a whole-systems innovator. The phrase “Altenergy Power,” a nod to the company’s original legal name, will appear beneath APsystems in our new mark.

The new name will launch August 31st. With the brand refinement, we’re also launching a new website, apsystems.com, an online nexus for our worldwide operations with links to offices in each regional market. We hope you’ll visit the site and see the APsystems big picture.

What’s next? Big things. We’re making a strong push into new markets worldwide, and rolling out even more powerful solutions to accommodate new and emerging technologies. Expect more announcements throughout the coming year.

Our name has changed, but our values are the same. We remain passionate about solar power and advancing our clean, renewable energy future. We offer maximum value to customers through excellence of products, pricing and support. Honesty, professionalism and teamwork define our company. Add them up, and we believe an informed customer will always choose APsystems.

We’re excited about this moment, and we want to share the news with our valued solar partners like you. We look forward to a bright future together.

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Kindest regards,

Andrew Lonseth
President, U.S. Operations

Celebrate with our USA team at SPI North America, Sept. 14-17

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Innovation has a new name: APsystems.

Celebrate our new brand and see APsystems advanced microinverter technology at Solar Power International North America, Sept. 14-17 in Anaheim, Calif.

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APsystems will have a high profile at this year’s convention, a preeminent event for solar energy professionals and the global solar industry.

Ryan S. Simpson, APsystems senior director of business development, USA, will be featured speaker at “Value-adding Applications of Microinverter and DC/OC Optimizers,” 10:30 a.m. Sept. 16. The presentation is part of the System Integration & Technology track of SPI workshops – put it in your planner.

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We’re also prime sponsor of Solar Power World magazine’s exclusive Top Solar Contractors gala evening, Sept. 14.

See as at booth 4327 on the trade show floor, and find out why installers nation and worldwide are turning to APsystems advanced microinverter technology for their residential and commercial projects.

Set up a meeting by contacting sales@apsamerica.com, and watch for more announcements as Solar Power International 2015 approaches.

Meet the APS team at Intersolar North America

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Meet the APS team at Intersolar North America, July 14-16 in San Francisco.

Visit us at booth no. 8732, and enter to win a free iPad. The drawing will be held during the convention, so come by and sign up for your chance to win.

While you’re there, find out how APS leads the microinverter industry in quality, reliability and value, and why more installers are switching to APS Microinverters for their residential and commercial customers. To set up a meeting during the conference, email sales@apsamerica.com.

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APS has high profile at Intersolar Europe

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APS presented its advanced microinverter technology at Intersolar Europe this week.

As one of the most prestigious solar industry events worldwide, the conference and exposition attracts top manufacturers and vendors and leading technologies like APS Microinverters.

germany1The 2015 event, held this year in Munich, is one of Europe’s largest solar expositions and offers a good overview of the PV market throughout the region.

APS exhibited the flagship YC500 and YC1000 microinverters at the show, and conference attendees showed great interest in both products and APS solar technology.

The YC500 handles two PV modules (up to 310 watts each) per unit with dual-MPPT, simplifying installation, lowering balance of system costs and improving array output and efficiency.

The YC1000 is the world’s first true 3-phase microinverter, purpose designed and built for commercial applications. Each unit handles up to four modules, offering superior system cost-performance.

Founded in Silicon Valley, USA, APS has seen rapid adoption of its microinverter line across the United States, China, Australia and now Europe. APS Microinverters have been showcased at Solar Energy UK and the Mexico Green Expo, with upcoming events in France and Canada later this year.

APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipment in 2013 (source: GTM Research).

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APS YC1000 microinverter enters the Australia market

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Solar power is widely used in Australia and many families have installed PV system on their roofs. APS is proud to be first among microinverter suppliers in the Australian market, providing the best and most economical products available.

australia1Our best seller, the YC500 dual-module unit, is already popular here. Now, the new YC1000 microinverter is ready for Australia and certified for this market after successful rollout in China and the USA.

The YC1000 is the world’s first true 3-phase microinverter (balanced AC output) and offers a proven solution for commercial-scale PV systems. The 1:4 microinverter-to-module ratio significantly lowers balance of system costs.

Unlike other microinverter products entering the commercial segment, the YC1000 line requires no step-up or step-down transformer to operate. Add-on transformers reduce system efficiency and add thousands of dollars in balance-of-system costs – issues the YC1000 microinverter are specifically designed to avoid.

The YC1000 microinverter connects directly to low-voltage DC modules, eliminating the possibility of “arc” fires from high-voltage arrays typical of conventional string inverter systems. The unit also offers revolutionary trunk cabling, eliminating the need for branch cables and resolving “landscape vs. portrait” configuration issues.

Conventional “string” systems only operate as efficiently as the lowest-performing module, meaning reduced output from a shadow or leaf on one module cuts output across the whole array. The YC1000 offers module-level MPPT, increase the array performance.

Using the YC1000 simplifies system design, increases system flexibility, saves the cost of installation and maintenance, and also shortens setup time. It is the best solution for 3-phase residential and commercial systems for the Australian market.

Through the APS Energy Communication Unit and Energy Monitoring and Analysis software, the user can follow the performance of their array in real time and also see historical output data. Precise monitoring lets the user pinpoint the location and nature of any system issues and get precise guidance for necessary maintenance, all within our user-friendly graphic interface.

APS now offers the EMA 2.0 with even more detailed system tracking. Coming soon: the EMA APP for handheld devices, bringing even more convenient monitoring to APS Microinverter end users.

APS Microinverters good for the environment and the economy, China TV says

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When producers for the television show Travel Around China asked how Jiaxing residents could “get rich,” the answer was solar.

China energy policy encourages citizens to put PV systems on their homes, to earn government subsidies and sell the extra electricity back to the grid. That’s where the APS Microinverter comes in – as a key component of the residential PV systems that are turning up in great numbers in Chinese cities and across the countryside.

“APS’ goal is that every family can be able to install a solar system at their house,” APS co-founder, CEO and President Dr. Zhi-Min Ling told the Travel Around China program. “We provide the most efficient, convenient and smart solutions for the public to make our garden greener.”

During the interview, Dr. Ling explained how a home PV system works, and how the APS Energy Monitoring and Analysis software allows residents to track their system’s productivity in real time.

The Chinese government strongly supports development of distributed energy systems throughout the country, both to protect the environment and for citizens’ economic benefit. This includes subsidies for homeowners who install their own PV array, so residential systems are becoming more commonplace next to larger commercial installations.

Safer and more efficient than central “string” inverters, APS Microinverters are an ideal fit for these household PV systems.

APS U.S.A. VP Barlock featured panelist at GTM Solar Summit

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2015

Seattle: APS U.S.A. Senior Vice President Paul Barlock will be a featured panelist at the GTM Solar Summit, April 14-16 in Phoenix.

Barlock will appear in a panel discussion on “Dynamics in the Distributed PV Inverter Market,” beginning at 2:15 p.m. April 15.

The panel will be moderated by MJ Shiao, director of solar research for GTM Research.

“This is an exciting time to be in solar, especially the fast-growing microinverter segment,” Barlock said. “I look forward to sharing insights with the panel and audience, and discussing how microinverter technology has so dramatically changed the PV installation landscape.”

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APS is sponsoring the day’s second track of presentations under the broad theme of PV Inverter Advancement.

Barlock has been a senior sales and marketing executive in power electronics firms ranging from startups to large multinational corporations, including Alpha Technologies, TDI and Advance Power. His work experience has been in custom power supply design, UPS, telecom power, cable TV backup power, and most recently in renewable energy.

He holds an undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Boston College. He also holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the USMC (retired).

APS is a global leader providing advanced, powerful solar microinverter technology for residential and commercial systems. The APS solution combines highly efficient power inversion with a user-friendly monitoring interface for reliable, intelligent energy.

APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipment in 2013 (source: GTM Research).

Powered by the research and economic analysis of GTM Research’s team, the GTM Solar Summit brings together major players from throughout the solar sphere.

This year’s event at the Wigwam Resort in Phoenix includes panel discussions and debates among the industry’s top thought leaders, and an interactive polling session to let attendees see how their views measure up against the experts.

For information on the GTM Solar Summit, see www.greentechmedia.com.

APS Microinverter technology featured at Dargaville, NZ, solar show

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APS partner MPower exhibited the APS YC500 and YC1000 microinverters at the popular Dargaville, New Zealand, solar show in late February.

Designed for residential applications, the YC500 handles two PV modules independently, while the 3-phase, 4-module YC1000 is specially designed and built for commercial applications.

The Dargaville event showcased APS Microinverters as mature solar technology, with the line seeing widespread adoption and application in the global marketplace.

MPower is a valuable partner for APS, and a leading provider of innovative and dependable power solutions in Australia, New Zealand, and across the South Pacific. With a company history dating back 100 years, MPower offers a comprehensive range of power solutions and products.

APS Microinverter products are second to none in functionality, efficiency and durability. Through partnerships with leading solar providers like MPower, APS is simplifying and lowering the cost of PV system ownership for both residential and commercial customers worldwide.

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APS, Glenn International announce partnership in Caribbean, Central America markets

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APS Microinverters will be represented by Glenn International in the Caribbean and Central America regions, in a first-time partnership between the companies.

The agreement extends APS’s product reach in the fast-growing Latin America solar market.

Headquartered in Puerto Rico, Glenn International is a leading supplier of electrical, lighting and telecom equipment for the Caribbean and Central America. The company also maintains offices in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad.

Solar equipment is marketed and supported by the company’s EcoGlenn division.

“APS Microinverters are very high quality, the best the industry has to offer,” said Ignacio Diaz, Director of Sales and Marketing for Glenn International. “Oapsystems-glennur customers will benefit greatly as we add them to our product line.”

APS Microinverter technology is ideally suited for the Caribbean region, where grid standards can vary from one market to the next. APS’s proven chip-based architecture can be configured for any grid standard anywhere in the world.

“Glenn International has a long-established presence in the Caribbean and is very knowledgeable of solar,” said Thomas Nelson, APS Vice President of Sales in US. “We’re very pleased to partner with them to bring our advanced microinverter products to more customers in what has become a dynamic region for solar.”

The partnership is the latest between APS and a top-tier distributor to bring the company’s advanced microinverter products to new international markets.

APS recently introduced the YC1000, the world’s first true 3-phase, four-module microinverter, specially designed for large-scale commercial applications.

APS’ flagship product, the YC500 microinverter, handles two PV modules with independent monitoring and 500W maximum output.

ABOUT GLENN INTERNATIONAL: Glenn International was founded in Puerto Rico in 1967 by Raul Rodriguez, as an offshoot of longtime Atlanta, Ga., electrical systems contractor Glenn Associates. In 1970, electrical engineer Carlos Diaz joined the company, bringing several new equipment lines into the Glenn portfolio. New office and warehouse facilities soon set the company on a trajectory of growth to become a leading player in the electrical construction products industry. Carlos Diaz later acquired all shares from Raul Rodriguez, and now runs Glenn International with sons Ignacio and Ricardo, and a staff of dedicated employees.

For information on Glenn International, see www.glenninternational.com.

 

YC1000-3-208 microinverter earns CEC certification

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The new YC1000-3-208 microinverter from APS has earned CEC certification.

The California Energy Commission listing is a key benchmark of solar product efficiency and quality, and qualifies equipment for use and financial incentives under the California Solar Initiative. The CEC standard is also recognized throughout the western U.S. solar market.

The YC1000-3-208 microinverter earned a 94.5 percent efficiency rating from the CEC board.

“We’re very pleased to see the YC1000-3-208 earn the CEC listing,” said Paul Barlock, APS U.S.A. Senior Vice President. “APS really has broken new ground with this unit, the first microinverter purpose-designed and built for the commercial segment. This is the innovation the industry has been waiting for.”

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A sister unit that operates at 277/480 grid voltage, the APS YC1000-3-480, earned the CEC listing in November 2014.

The YC1000 microinverter line offers true 3-phase output and handles four PV modules per unit. The 1:4 microinverter-to-module ratio significantly lowers balance of system cost.

Unlike other microinverter products entering the commercial segment, the YC1000 line requires no step-up or step-down transformer to operate. Add-on transformers reduce system efficiency and add thousands of dollars in balance-of-system costs.

“Having to add a transformer is where other offerings in the market fail,” said Ryan Simpson, Senior Director of Sales and Program Management for APS America.. “With the YC1000 microinverter line, commercial system designers now have an advanced, all-in-one solution that wins on both efficiency and cost.”

The YC1000 microinverter connects directly to low-voltage DC modules, eliminating the possibility of “arc” fires from high-voltage arrays typical of conventional string inverter systems. The unit also offers revolutionary trunk cabling, eliminating the need for branch cables and resolving “landscape vs. portrait” configuration issues.

For YC1000-3 product information and data sheets, see www.apsamerica.com.

For information on the California Solar Initiative and CEC product certification, see www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov.

APS is a worldwide leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of microinverters based on our proprietary, leading-edge solar technology. Representing APS in the U.S. market, APS America. is based near Seattle.

APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (source: GTM Research).