[RE-wrenches] Fw: Evergreen

[Jeff Clearwater]

Hi All,

We've installed over 200 KW of Evergreens here in western MA.  I 
would not at all characterize the frames as "pretty flimsy" and a 
visit to the Evergreen factory - as well as the engineering data on 
the psf ratings for various mounting configurations show that they 
are a 65 psf module.   The frames might at first glance appear a 
little flimsier than others as they now use a stamped fit corner 
rather than screws like some other modules and like the original 
Evergreens - but in my mind that might well mean an improvement in 
strength like they claim it is.

There are many MWs of Evergreens all over New England and New York 
state holding up fine in 3-4' of snow.  A look at the installation 
manual shows the psf ratings under various install configurations 
(something few module manufacturers provide).

We did find early Evergreens to be out of square by an average of 
1/8"  but the latest series we have not seen that at all.

On a political and business level, Evergreen is well supported in the 
Northeast due to both the MA rebate program giving incentive to MA 
businesses - both in the rebate adders and in loan support.  Now that 
they are having some financial difficulties and grown a good bit, it 
makes sense they are looking to take advantage of non-U.S. 
manufacturing but they are still a U.S. employer with plants here in 
MA and OR.

We also like supporting them because they use 1/3 the silicon of 
other polycrystal modules for very nearly the same performance due 
the string ribbon manufacturing process.  They are on the lower to 
medium end of the large pack of modules we characterize as "low to 
medium efficiency" on an area basis.  But they are only a few 
percentage points below most on that front. (10.5-11 watts/ft2 
(PTC-DC))

The high voltage we find great in terms of flexibility of string 
size.  The long strings (14-22) do mean more susceptibility to 
shading effects so we tend to shy away from them on small systems 
(less than 3.6 KW) with shady sites but they are great for no shade 
sites or larger systems.

Don't judge a "native son" for going abroad.  Like others have 
pointed out - they are still largely a U.S. company and an 
independent - not owned by an oil company  - and Alan King and team 
at Evergreen have been strong allies in promoting the U.S. solar 
market and great to work with.

Hope that helps!

Best,

Jeff C.


>We have used the Evergreens in a couple of jobs.  Still, the frames 
>are pretty flimsy.  Might work for CA, but in the wind & snow zones 
>of Montana, methinks there are better options.
>
>Chris Daum
>Oasis Montana Inc.
>
>
>
>
>
>From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
>[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of 
>Bob-O Schultze
>Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 9:20 PM
>To: RE-wrenches
>Subject: SPAM-LOW: Re: [RE-wrenches] Fw: Evergreen
>
>William,
>Hadn't heard that, but yes-it is.
>Bob-O
>
>On Nov 4, 2009, at 6:08 PM, William Miller wrote:
>
>Bob-O:
>
>At the SEPA convention we learned that Evergreen is moving their 
>production to Mexico.  Is this better than being made in China?
>
>William
>
>
>
>
>At 12:10 AM 11/4/2009, you wrote:
>
>>Max,
>>
>>Been using them for several years now.
>>No failures, good output, AMERICAN made.
>>Minimal packaging and prepaid shipping of the recyclable corner 
>>protectors.
>>Because they are American made, they are a little higher per watt than 
>>nearly all of the Chinese stuff out there. You just can't get around 
>>that, but who do you want to support and where do you live?
>>
>>Bob-O
>>
>
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-- 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeff Clearwater
Senior Design Engineer
NABCEP (tm) Certified Solar PV Installer
http://www.nabcep.org/
Village Power Design/NorthEast Solar Design
Turnkey Solar Design & Installation for the Commercial Sector
http://www.villagepower.com
gosolar at villagepower.com

Voice: 413-259-3776
Fax: 413-825-0703
65 Schoolhouse Rd
Amherst, MA 01002
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