Unirac Press Releases

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, October 18, 2011 — Unirac, Inc., North America’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, introduced a new PV racking system, SolarMount (E)volution, at the Solar Power International (SPI) trade show opening today in the Dallas Convention Center. SolarMount (E)volution has redefined what residential mounting systems can offer distributors and installers, with its installer-inspired design, more intuitive attachments, and a future-proof approach to engineering excellence that makes it easy to support future codes and standards.

“We are proud to add SolarMount (E)volution to our field-proven SolarMount product family,” said Juan Suarez, Unirac’s senior director of engineering and program management. “To guide the industry toward best practices, we make substantive investments in research and development, analysis, testing and simulation. This shows in the value offered by our best-in-class, performance-engineered products like SolarMount (E)volution, now available for order.”

Versatility is a key feature of SolarMount (E)volution. It offers I-beam construction and two rail span options —six feet and four feet— for module configurations. Universal module mounting hardware with integrated bonding can be inserted easily anywhere along a rail regardless of module thickness. These features result in fewer physical parts and fewer tools, reducing hassles and decreasing installation time. In addition, there is no anti-seize or module hardware twist. SolarMount (E)volution also includes a one-handed installation option, universal socket size and integrated bonding.

Tests conducted by third-party installers rank SolarMount (E)volution above competing solutions for installation speed, as highlighted in a video on the Unirac site at http://unirac.com/residential/residential-products/solarmountevolution-residential.

SolarMount (E)volution showcases Unirac’s dedication to safety and testing and has been designed with the highest standards in mind. SolarMount (E)volution is currently pending International Code Council ICC-ES approval. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports provide regulators and construction professionals with clear evidence that products comply with codes and standards. Unirac is the first company to apply for an ICC ESR under ICC-ES AC428.

Unirac’s full line of innovative PV mounting solutions, including SolarMount (E)volution, is on display in SPI booth 3037 through Thursday, October 20. (See today’s other press announcement, “Unirac Unveils New ISYS Single Access Tracker for Commercial and Utility Solar Arrays at SPI 2011.”)

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, September 22, 2011 — Unirac, Inc., North America’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, has teamed with partner KG Solar and Renewable Energy, a division of KG Companies, on a customized Unirac ISYS Ground Mount (IGM) solution for the First Hope Bank branch office in Blairstown, New Jersey. The 425kW solar installation is projected to offset nearly 100 percent of the bank’s energy consumption and reduce its carbon emissions by 8.6 million tons over the next 25 years.

Engineered to accommodate virtually every foundation option, the Unirac ISYS Ground Mount easily adapts to any project site by allowing customers to select the most cost-effective foundation system for their specific project. The Unirac IGM allows pre-assembly of module columns prior or in parallel to the installation of foundations and racking. Additionally, contractors can build the subassembly or grade land while assembling all modules to the Unirac rails in a controlled environment. Both options offer a shorter project turn-around time and reduce field-labor — and thereby cost.

Constructed on a two-acre site behind the First Hope Bank building, KG Solar’s 425kW project showcases the Unirac IGM’s versatility. IGM’s parallel assembly is a benefit for all installations, but was even more so for this particular site, with the construction process occurring during a harsh winter. A major criterion of the design specifications required a southwest orientation and therefore a lower slope (15 degrees) than is typical of most ground-mounted systems at this latitude. Further, there was the need for a single pole-mounting system.

Kurt Gewecke, managing member of KG Solar and Renewable Energy, expressed high satisfaction with IGM not only from a functional standpoint but also from an aesthetic perspective. “The pole-mounted system allowed us to set up a dual-slope matrix starting at the high side of the property and make the arrays follow a single slope in both the N-S and E-W direction to eliminate the ‘saw tooth”’ effect,” he explained. “As a result the project has a handsome, uniform look.”

Gewecke also praised the Unirac team’s superior efficiency, stating, “This was our first project with Unirac and we were very satisfied with the design and delivery process. The minor design and field changes were handled quickly and professionally. Moreover, in working with Unirac, the KG Solar crew developed a unique system of rigging for ease and speed of installation that could benefit future projects.”

“KG Solar’s experience proved Unirac’s outstanding ability to accommodate design specifications,” said Unirac president and CEO Doug May. “Not only is IGM designed to offer incredible value, but its versatility minimizes delays in the assembly process and mitigates the normal challenges of working in inclement weather. In addition, the Unirac team’s ‘can do’ attitude was clearly an asset for this first-time partner.”

Unirac’s full line of innovative PV mounting solutions, including the ISYS Ground Mount system used in this installation, will be on display in booth 3037 at the Solar Power International (SPI) trade show to be held October 18-20 in the Dallas (TX) Convention Center.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, May 2, 2011 — Unirac, Inc., North America’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, has expanded its “Digital Advantage” initiative with the launch of three mobility-related solutions: U-Clinometer, the only inclinometer application offering tilt and angle that is compatible with the Apple iPhone™ and iPod™ Touch , the Unirac QR-Code Reader; and Unirac Mobile 2.0, a new version of the Unirac website optimized for mobile devices. These complementary — and complimentary — offerings make it easier for solar installers, contractors and project engineers to do business with Unirac as they have the tools they need to access critical information anywhere, anytime.

As the first solar company to launch a mobile platform, in 2008, Unirac offers apps and websites specifically tailored to meet the needs of solar contractors and installers, regardless of location. In addition to the

U-Clinometer, Unirac QR-Code Reader and the mobile website, the Unirac Digital Advantage makes it easier for installation teams to get the job done via resources such as web portals, Microsoft Photosynth™ for 3D views, and online configurators for bills of materials and price and engineering — all without leaving their rooftop location.

“The maturation of the solar industry is leading to an increasing demand among our customers for new digital tools to support a faster and easier installation process of our solar racking systems,” said Doug May, president and CEO of Unirac. “We’re always on the lookout for ways to leverage new tech in our support tools. With a smartphone in the pocket of about 80 percent of the U.S. population, it’s good sense to offer a mobile website, QR codes and an inclinometer app. As evidence, we’ve seen an average of 100 downloads a day since our Digital Advantage apps went live last week.”

Unirac is the only solar infrastructure company to provide a mobile application for measuring slope angles, a necessary activity in the installation of solar roof mount systems such as Unirac’s SolarMount-I. The U-Clinometer, specifically developed for the PV racking industry, is the first to determine array angles and roof pitch in an easy-to-use and -read format designed for solar and roofing contractors. With two digital readouts, the user can easily determine the angle when placing the device on edge. When the device is laid flat, its display shows the pitch. The U-Clinometer is available now for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch on the App Store at no cost, with support for additional smartphones and mobile devices planned for later in 2011.

“The U-Clinometer and the mobile website are both great time-savers and as the saying goes, time is money,” said Bruce Bosworth, owner of San Diego Solar Install. “When the team is on a roof, it’s extremely convenient to be able to download installation information and check tilt and pitch without having to descend to take measurements. Mobility tools like these help us increase the installation rate and reduce project cycle times.”

Unirac is also the first solar infrastructure company to launch a free QR (Quick Response) Code Reader, also available now for multiple devices on the App Store. When the reader is open, a user need only point the camera at the QR barcode and click the scan option. Within a few seconds, the app delivers unique content directly to the device — for example, information on sales incentives, installation guidelines, blueprints, and other support documentation for Unirac products — with no clicking, typing or hard-to-remember website addresses.

As part of Unirac’s dedication to environmentally responsible business practices, the company will save waste at trade shows by offering product information via QR code. Customers will also be able to download information via the QR code that appears on company advertisements and collateral.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, April 4, 2011 — Unirac, Inc., North America’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, announced today that it has teamed with Wise Power Systems in a landmark 1.1MW solar installation featuring the Unirac ISYS Ground Mount (IGM) in a northern U.S. locale. In spite of the onslaught of five major snowstorms, Wise Power Systems was able to complete —in just 40 days— the cumulative 1.1MW ground solar installation for two adjacent sites in Vineland, New Jersey. The sites, featuring 4,080 modules, are co-owned by RFC Container Co. Inc. and Russo Farms

Unirac’s innovative PV mounting solutions, including the ISYS Ground Mount, will be on display in booth 851 at the PV America trade show, held April 3-5 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Preassembly is an outstanding benefit of IGM—especially in northern sites where on-site assembly is often thwarted by inclement weather. Module preassembly capability means that up to 30 percent of overall project labor can be performed indoors or on-site in a shelter—protected from the elements. This not only allows for increased installation speeds but also contributes to reduced labor rates.

“We were able to preassemble panels on North-South rails at a location 60 miles off site. Then we transported them to the site in a patent-pending racking vehicle with zero breakage, utilized a crane, and placed them on IGM with a clip to hold the modules in place while they were secured to the beam, significantly increasing our productivity,” explained William Rawheiser, the president and owner of Wise Power Systems. The company boasted an installation rate as high as 70 kW in one day, with a crew of eight. “This preassembly/prewired method enabled the installation to be ‘clamp and play’,” Rawheiser added.

“The brilliance of IGM is its ability to eliminate time delays in the assembly process, and ease the inherent challenges of working in inclement weather zones,” said Unirac CEO Doug May. “Reduced project cycle times and cost-savings are directly tied to IGM’s ability to allow for simultaneous operations: land preparation, foundation assembly, array sub assembly, and module assembly. No other PV ground mount solution on the market can offer this tremendous benefit to its customers,” he added.

Another IGM advantage is its ability to cut field labor due to its I-beam design, a benefit cited by Wise Power Systems. “With only 272 I-beams needed in the ground for the entire project and no cement —versus other products that would have required 1600 poles— we were able to reduce our labor and costs, and boost our install momentum,“ said Rawheiser. “Moreover, Unirac’s support service was exemplary. Any concerns were immediately addressed.”

Unirac’s dedication to being an industry leader is manifest in its products. IGM is designed to be an incredibly cost-effective system with the most scalable supply chain possible. Its groundbreaking installation rate of more than 10 modules per man-hour, components that require zero fabrication, and extreme strength-to-weight ratio make IGM the clear choice for large-scale PV project.

Photo courtesy of Wise Power Systems.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, February 22, 2011 — Unirac, Inc., North America’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, today announced that it was selected by Westwood Professional Services (Westwood) to supply an ISYS Roof Mount (IRM) custom racking solution for the recently completed 600kw solar array atop the Minneapolis Convention Center. The array consists of 2,613 PV modules that produce approximately 750 MWh of electricity per year. This system is one of the largest PV solar installations in the upper Midwest as well as one of the largest commercial rooftop systems to feature a 30-degree tilt.

During the selection process, Westwood sought out a mounting solution that not only met the parameters for the project but also had a superlative engineering support team behind it. “We selected Unirac for this project based upon their willingness to work within the design specifications of the project and their ability to deliver a first-class product,” says Nathan Franzen, Director of Solar Energy with Westwood.

The Minneapolis Convention Center site’s northern latitude required a mounting solution that could offer an acute angle tilt in order to best capture solar gain. An irregular rooftop design with slopes in multiple directions also required the utilization of adjustable feet to ensure an array in plane or level with the roof. Additionally, the location presented harsh climactic elements such as snow drifts up to eight feet high and loads of more than 100 pounds per square foot. These challenges were met by a customized IRM configured to a 30-degree tilt to optimize solar capture and output. IRM’s extreme flexibility — allowing for the adjustment of North South beams and the supports beneath those beams — was critical for load support and was able to respond to sub-arrays in one section that required a 45-degree rotation to the building in order to capture the most solar gain. IRM’s best-in-class functionality, specifically its superior strength-to-weight ratio, was leveraged to ensure project success.

The IRM system was able to support the project’s unique requirements by providing enhanced structural integrity without incurring unnecessary costs. In addition, IRM’s ability to satisfy 90-120 mph basic wind speeds offered extra reassurance on a site at 70 feet above ground.

“ISYS Roof Mount’s unparalleled flexibility proved to be ideal for this site and project, and Unirac’s deep expertise in resolving design complexities was also integral to this project’s success,” said Unirac’s president and CEO, Doug May. “In addition, our team provided a seamless installation that adhered to a strict timeline. We are confident that Westwood will continue to be a key partner for Unirac in the renewable energy sector, and we value working with a company equally dedicated to quality and service.”

All photos courtesy of Westwood Professional Services.

This new full-service operation tangibly underscores Unirac’s commitment to serving its rapidly growing base of Canadian customers and partners. Managed by Unirac Inc’s CEO, Doug May, the subsidiary will offer innovative Unirac solutions, including SolarMount, ISYS Ground Mount and ISYS Roof Mount. These complete best-in-class solutions enable customers to participate and meet requirements in Ontario’s groundbreaking Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) and microFIT programs.

“While we have been manufacturing in Ontario for almost a year now, establishing this full-service subsidiary ensures Unirac’s ability to support Ontario customers and partners locally,” said Doug May, president and CEO of Unirac. “Unirac Canada’s goal is to continually exceed our Canadian customers’ and partners’ expectations, helping them maximize the return on their investments while creating a cleaner environment.”

Unirac Canada Corporation’s headquarters are located at 2360 Meadowpine Blvd, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 6S2. For information about Unirac Canada’s products and services, please contact Gilles Blouin, director of business development, at 905-813-6754, gillesb@unirac.com.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – October 12, 2010 – Unirac (http://www.unirac.com), the industry’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, today announced that its recently introduced SolarMount-I PV solar mount system has gained exceptional market traction since its introduction in July 2010. Aggressively setting pace , Unirac has sold 6.5 MW of SolarMount-I year-to-date with more than half of the sales occurring in the last three months. SolarMount-I has an innovative click-system mounting design that greatly enhances ease of installation, thereby reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

According to Kyocera Solar’s product manager, Ryan Simpson , “Kyocera Solar selected the SolarMount-I racking system for MyGen™ residential and lite commercial solar kits because SolarMount-I’s innovative design is unmatched in the industry. We are delighted to offer the first kitted solar system to incorporate SolarMount-I in a convenient package positioned for new channel partners and designed for ease of installation. We think the potential to increase market share is enormous with this first-class design.”

Jared Haines, president, Mercury Solar Systems cites SolarMount-I’s “exceptional value proposition and ease of installation” as the key reasons the SolarMount system was selected for a 616kW commercial project in East Hanover, New Jersey. “Lowering TCO is critical for commercial projects, and we felt SolarMount-I would be a significant contributor to reducing our labor costs.”

SolarMount-I is an efficient, high-strength I-beam design with innovative system components that simplify the installation process and reduce installation time. Appropriate in most wind regions throughout North America, the SolarMount-I solution is available in two different beam strengths .

According to Unirac president and CEO Doug May, “We’re exceptionally pleased to be teaming up with both Mercury Solar on this commercial project and with Kyocera Solar for a kitted residential and lite commercial package. SolarMount-I’s breakthrough design makes it ideally suited for any solar installation where speed and flexibility are of paramount importance.”

Kyocera's MyGen Grid-Connected Systems are convenient photovoltaic (PV) power equipment kits designed specifically for residential and lite commercial applications. There are seven kits to choose from, ranging from 2.5kW to 15kW. They are pre-engineered with the highest expertise to optimize system performance, and come with permit-ready line drawings, user manual, easy grounding method, a monitoring option, consistent components and full customer, technical and training support. For more information about MyGen systems, visit http://www.kyocerasolar.com/products/mygen.html.

The SolarMount-I solution is now available in two beam strengths, making the innovative PV mounting system applicable in most wind zones across the United States. Building on the peace of mind you’ve come to expect from Unirac, the SolarMount I-Series features an optimized I-beam design, demonstrating excellent strength to weight ratio while providing features that speed the installation process.

“The best just got better,” said Douglas May, Unirac CEO. “While everyone else was busy trying to keep up with Unirac’s SolarMount technology, we were busy engineering amazing new features and support programs that make SolarMount-I faster to install, easier to use, and more available than ever. We’re confident the market will embrace the SolarMount-I solution for its versatility and performance as well as its ability to reduce labor and installation cost.”

Engineered for flush mounting applications, SolarMount-I offers the one of the lowest total installed cost and best value in the industry. With no drilling required and “click and secure” connections eliminating the need for nuts and bolts, SolarMount-I gets installers off the roof in nearly half the time when compared to competitive products.

Featuring an unprecedented number of attachments for tile and shingle roofs, SolarMount-I offers installation freedom and flexibility on a variety of roofing types and supports most PV modules.

“We compared many PV mounting systems before selecting Unirac’s SolarMount-I,” said Jeffrey Serylo, manager of Milholland Electric. “We chose SolarMount-I because it’s not just a product, but a complete solution. We’ve calculated significant labor savings because it is easier to install than competitive offerings.”

SolarMount-I also delivers unparalleled peace-of-mind with extensive documentation and easy to use engineering reports to make this mounting solution easier to design, quicker to install and more cost effective from purchase to installation. Go to www.unirac.com for instant access to all documentation and a wide variety of online tools including a specification tool, webinars and installation videos.

SolarMount-I is conveniently available nationwide now from Unirac's network of stocking distributors. Visit www.unirac.com to find the distributor nearest you.

ISYS Roof Mount, Unirac’s groundbreaking flat roof solution selected by Rosendin for the project, is the PV mounting solution of choice for mid- to large-size commercial and utility installations. “ISYS Roof Mount is the perfect solution for this project by providing versatility and performance, while simultaneously reducing labor and costs,” states Unirac CEO Douglas May. “Unirac’s Commercial and Utility Group worked closely with Rosendin to ensure a seamless installation that adheres to the project’s strict timeline and budgetary considerations.”

This project marks Unirac’s first working partnership with Rosendin, “Our innovative spirit and comprehensive customer support complement Rosendin’s well-earned reputation for quality and service. We look forward to fostering a synergistic relationship with Rosendin to provide dynamic products and services to the renewable energy market,” adds May.

“Unirac’s Commercial and Utility Group delivered a cost effective PV mounting system that was flexible and fast to install,” said Rosendin’s Project Manager, Don Dixon. “Our experience proved to us that Unirac has the resources and technical expertise to support commercial- and utility-scale projects.”

ISYS Roof Mount is a versatile PV structural solution that requires zero field fabrication. In terms of time and cost efficiency, ISYS Roof Mount offers outstanding value. The ISYS Roof Mount also has 30% fewer parts than competitive systems, ensuring quick set-up with consistent and repeatable installation steps.

The configurable design accommodates 0-30 degree module tilt and enables customers to maximize their project’s power production. ISYS Roof Mount utilizes Unirac’s patented I-beam components that demonstrate superior strength to weight ratio to withstand the demanding wind conditions that occur at San Jose’s airport parking facility (particularly at a height of seven stories).

ISYS Roof Mount is backed by Unirac’s new Commercial and Utility Group, a support team dedicated to supplying a complete suite of services that ensure every project installs flawlessly. Personalized for each customer, these services include engineering and structural design, on-site installer training, delivery logistics, and field support.

Unirac is a recognized leader in the PV mounting market with industry-leading technology and a breadth of product solutions and services designed to meet the needs of any type of solar installation.

The energy requirements of the seven story airport garage will allow on-site rental car companies to wash and fuel vehicles within the single structure. The solar array is estimated to provide up to 20 percent of the garage’s energy needs. The solar installation is part of the airport’s ongoing expansion project and is expected to be fully operational by early June. The garage will provide parking spaces for 3,500 vehicles.