KACO's blueplanet Lounge

KACO new energy continues to expand its US operations and UL product portfolio across all market segments. Its new commercial and utility scale products have increased efficiency and controllability while continuing successful cost out programs.

Join KACO new energy and Schletter on April 9th in Grass Valley, California –    Sign up for the FREE event here: REGISTER!

This event includes hands-on product demonstrations, NABCEP CE credit opportunities, and complementary gifts and hospitality for attendees. The Solar Roadshow focuses on commercial and utility-scale product applications. It will be a day packed with information and education. KACO new energy is currently introducing a new product line, the blueplanet 50.0, 40.0, and 32.0 TL3 inverters, which are specifically tailored for the three phase commercial and utility scale market. Bill Reaugh, Senior Director of Product Management says: “We have designed these products after careful study of market trends in North America to meet the needs of solar designers, installers, and maintenance teams to ensure maximum flexibility, reliability, and energy harvest. With multiple sizes and configurations it provides great flexibility in project design for systems from 30 kW up to multi-megawatt PV systems. It’s what we call the “KACO Threevolution”.”

KACO new energy, a global leader in solar inverter manufacturing with nearly six gigawatts of PV inverters in the field to date, is expanding its Product Management team in North America.

The newest addition is Bill Reaugh who brings a wealth of knowledge and key competencies to the KACO new energy team. He has joined KACO new energy as Senior Director Product Management. Bill Reaugh will provide leadership and focus in several areas that will enhance the company’s product offerings. He brings market expertise to the group and takes on a large role in ushering new, innovative products through UL certification. Almost 12 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, with particular emphasis on solar electricity for commercial and utility scale projects make him the ideal leader of KACO new energy’s growing product development department. Historically Bill Reaugh has been involved with codes, standards, regulation, financing, among many other technical areas.

Bill Reaugh, Senior Director of Product Management, KACO new energy North America

“I am excited to bring my unique combination of industry experience, business leadership, and product knowledge to the team in order to ensure that all parts of product specification, implementation, and introduction are up to the high standards that my colleagues and customers expect.  I believe that we can increase KACO new energy’s share of the North American market in the coming months and years through a steady application of market driven design and a broad portfolio of high quality inverters.” says Bill Reaugh Senior Director Product Management, KACO new energy North America.

In early March, KACO new energy and its consortium partners celebrated the start of construction on the first part of the San Antonio project, which will deliver a total of 400 MW of solar power once completed. By the end of the year, the 41 MW tranche will provide electricity for 7,000 households to CPS Energy, the city of San Antonio’s utility company.

Alamo I, as the initial 41 MW solar park is known, represents the first phase of major solar power plants that will develop around San Antonio by 2016. On Blue Wing Road, south of the city of San Antonio, KACO new energy, OCI Solar Power, and the other consortium partners broke ground for the 400 MW project in a truly stormy ceremony: buffeted by hefty winds, high-ranking officials from the companies took their turns with the shovel.

This was followed by a toast to the largest photovoltaic project in Texas by more than 100 participants. This first section covers an area measuring 2.4 km x 1 km. “This is very impressive when one considers that this area only represents the first 10 percent of the entire project scope. We are extremely pleased and proud to work on this unique PV project,” says Dorko Eliaszewskyj, CEO of KACO new energy USA. KACO new energy will provide the solar park with integrated power stations (IPS), which are ready-assembled units that feature two Powador XP550-HV TL outdoor inverters, a medium voltage transformer, and all the requisite circuit breakers.

Tony Dorazio, CEO of OCI Solar Power, is also delighted by the start of this joint venture: “The beginning was a success and OCI Solar Power will do everything it can to ensure that we can say the same when the project is completed. With Alamo I we are sowing the seeds that we hope will grow into an age of solar power throughout the US. We consider the San Antonio project a blueprint for successful public-private partnerships in the field of renewable energy.” This mainly refers to the 25-year power procurement contract with CPS Energy, which will provide 70,000 households with clean energy once the entire project is finished.

San Antonio’s mayor, Julian Castro, is also pleased by the positive outlook for his city: “San Antonio is fast becoming a leader in the New Energy Economy. This phase of the project is only the first of many milestones to come bringing good-paying jobs and fostering economic development and sustainable energy for our community and state.”

The KACO new energy representatives during the ground-breaking ceremony of Alamo I on March 5th (f.l.t.r.):  Dorko Eliaszewskyj (CEO, KACO new energy USA), Vince Lucia (Vice President Sales, KACO new energy USA),  Randy Jamieson (Plant Manager San Antonio, KACO new energy USA). Photo: © KACO new energy

KACO new energy, a global leader in solar inverter manufacturing with nearly six gigawatts of PV inverters in the field to date, launches integrated inverter solution optimized for use with smart modules for the North American market.

Available today, blueplanet 6400M and 7600M inverters are equipped with internal Tigo Energy Management Units (MMUs) and the PV Safe™ button. This integrated solution simplifies system design, increases safety, and reduces the amount of DC BOS equipment.  The MMU and the PV Safe™ button provide unparalleled design flexibility and safety. These smart module optimized inverters are the perfect backbone when paired with Tigo Energy’s smart module alliance partners for kitted or package solution offerings. The integrated Smart Curve technology allows for strings to be 30% longer, reducing installation time and cost.

“KACO new energy’s M series transformerless inverter provides the best value for energy yield, safety, and ease of design.  The Tigo integration with the PV Safe™ button  reduces the risk of arc and fire hazards, as well as comprehensive monitoring of each module on the array.” says Sam Arditi, CEO of Tigo Energy, Inc.

By integrating Tigo Energy’s MMU directly into inverters, KACO new energy is offering a streamlined solution to pair perfectly with smart modules. Incorporated MMUs increase intelligence within the inverter by allowing MPPT and impedance matching at the inverter and module level, providing the highest possible level of functionality and energy harvest. This technology also enables control of the input voltage range controlled directly at the inverter and provides cost optimized electronics within the inverter, removing the cost of boost-stage electronics and other control devices.

“Integrating smart module technology to work seamlessly with our products is the next step for inverters,” says Dorko Eliaszewskyj, CEO at KACO new energy North America. “As the industry matures we believe integration with optimization technologies are imperative to moving the industry forward. In addition, the implemented PV-Safe Button™, which disconnects each single PV module, will be a great new feature for the North American PV industry.”

2012 comes to an end and KACO new energy is looking back at a great year in North America. One of the biggest successes clearly is the 400 MW PV project in San Antonio, TX. But KACO had a fantastic year in Canada as well. A lot of good things happened there and we’d like to dedicate this feature to our wonderful team at our London, Ontario manufacturing plant.

There’s no doubt – KACO new energy inverters are very popular in Ontario.

In fact the demand was so high that the company opened another production line in the London, ON manufacturing plant. The opening of the new line was celebrated in style this November. KACO new energy hosted a grand ceremony for the new XP10U-H6 production line and invited Canadian customers to celebrate the good news. After speeches given by our guests of honor, Minister Peter Friedrich from Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany) and Joe Fontana, Mayor of London, Ontario as well as Dorko Eliaszewskyj, General Manager KACO new energy North America, the ribbon for the new production line was cut.

The event was a huge success thanks to all of KACO new energy’s customers who attended. They made the day very special.

Minister Peter Friedrich (Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany) speaking at the opening ceremony of the new XP10U-H6 production line in Ontario

KACO new energy’s Director of Business Development and Sales in Canada, Randy Fascinato, gave us his take on 2012 and an idea what 2013 will look like.

Randy, now that 2012 is coming to an end, can you give us a brief recap of what has happened at KACO new energy Canada?

RF: “KACO new energy Canada has seen a huge growth in commercial sales supporting FIT projects in 2012. We have increased our market share by 200% with our XP83/90/100KW AC central inverters and a demand of approximately 6.6MW of the XP10KW AC H6 three phase 600V inverter. We have recently added Kirk Hansen to our sales team. He will be managing the distribution channel for KACO new energy Canada. We are set to introduce new residential line inverters that will be leading edge. It is an exciting time for us and our Canadian customers”!

Ribbon cutting ceremony of the new XP10U-H6 production line

Tell us a bit more about the new production line and all the new products, please.

RF : “In November of this year we cut the ribbon on the new XP10U-H6 production line. We celebrated the event with a party and also announced our 400MW project in Texas, USA. The night featured honored guests from around the world and most importantly, our loyal Canadian customers. At current production capacity the XP10 H6 line can produce 30MW annually, running a single shift. If the market calls for a greater demand we simply add another shift”.

How does the political landscape look these days and how does it affect the future of the Ontario solar industry?

RF: “In 2012 we all witnessed the decline of MICRO FIT and increase in project execution of FIT1.0 contracts. We had a finger on the pulse, prepared for the shift and enjoyed a very strong year with continued revenue growth. To be successful in this ever changing landscape you must be dynamic and confident in your ability to plan. Strong relationships with our customers allowed for us to forecast with accuracy and build to meet lead times of forty eight hours to one week for commercial projects”.

With all the new products and the greater production capacity, what’s your take on 2013? What can Ontario expect from KACO new energy?

RF:  “We look forward to an amazing year ahead, 2013 will see the introduction of our new pricing, the TL series single phase dual MPPT inverters, the availability of building the XP30/40/50 and KACO will be a proud supplier into the large solar farm market with our XP550 and 1.1MW stations.”

In 2013 we will continue turning passion into power!

The team of KACO new energy wishes you Happy Holidays and a wonderful and prosperous 2013!