Bland Solar & Air to install APS Microinverters in California’s Central Valley region
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2014
SEATTLE — Leading California solar distributor Bland Solar & Air will carry APS Microinverters, under a new strategic partnership between the two companies.
The agreement introduces APS Microinverter products to customers in California’s Central Valley, a dynamic market where solar adoption far outpaces other metropolitan areas nationwide.
In adding the APS Microinverter line to their array of solar products, Bland Solar will now be primarily selling the APS Microinverter and adopting the APS product as their “go to” microinverter.
“We are choosing APS as our microinverter because they are second to none in their functionality, efficiency and durability,” said Ty Simpson, Director of Sales for Bland Solar & Air. “Their production specifications are becoming the benchmark of what a microinverter should be able to do and produce.”
Higher power handling and output allows APSÂ Microinverters to be paired with PV modules up to 310 watts, with a single unit handling two modules — another bonus for system designers and end customers, he said.
Simpson also praised the APS technical support team for its “uncanny” response time, and cited the company’s ability to fulfill product orders faster than other manufacturers.
Michael Ludgate, vice president for APS America, hailed the agreement and praised Bland’s leadership among California solar distributors and installers.
“For the past seven years, Bland Solar had been exclusively using the industry leading microinverter brand, and their switch to APS is a strong endorsement,” Ludgate said. “Bland Solar has a proven reputation for excellent customer service and providing significant value to their customers. We’re pleased to partner with Bland in a community where solar power has been so widely and enthusiastically embraced by consumers.”
Fresno ranks No. 1 among US metropolitan areas in solar capacity installed per capita, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratories’ Open PV Project.
Bland Solar & Air has served California’s Central Valley area, including Fresno and Bakersfield, with HVAC and solar electric services since 1985. Sister company CalCom Solar serves agricultural and commercial clients throughout Central California.
Bland Solar services include system design, installation and maintenance, zero-down financing, and PV system training for aspiring solar industry professionals.
APSÂ was founded in the Silicon Valley in 2009, and is now a global leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of microinverters based on their own proprietary, leading-edge solar technology. APS America, representing APSÂ in the US market, is based near Seattle, Washington.
APSÂ ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013 (source: GTM Research).
Information on Bland Solar & Air can be found at www.blandsolar.com
Information on APSÂ Microinverter products can be found at www.apsamerica.com.
Utilities Supply Corp. executives praised the unique, chip-based architecture of APSÂ Microinverters that allows each unit to be easily programmed to suit any power grid profile. The Caribbean island grid includes a number of different technical standards, including British, Dutch, German, French and American, making inverter compatibility a key challenge for solar installers. Because they meet these varied technical demands, Utilities Supply will use and distribute APSÂ Microinverters exclusively.
“APS is the only microinverter on the market for 300-watt panels with a 25-year warranty,” said Frank Rieger, CEO of Sol-Up USA. “Being twin inverters, APS Microinverters are less costly because only one inverter is needed for every two panels. APS is the world’s leading brand for microinverters, and we’re very happy with the product.”
“We are pleased to form this partnership with Fortune Energy,” said Paul Barlock, Senior VP of APS America. “APS is pushing the microinverter market in new and innovative directions, as our products offer more power-handling capability at a lower price point.”
Before joining the solar market, he held senior management positions in the high technology sector (20+ years) including Intel Corporation (Managing Director for Storage and Industrial Automation); Hewlett-Packard (head of marketing for two startup initiatives); and Iomega Corporation (General Manager for the $1B Zip storage division).