Contractors Corner by Solar Power World

Solar Spotlight: Safe, smooth and secure energy storage

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. solar industry is constantly remaking itself to adapt to market demands, and so too are the manufacturers producing these renewable technolog...

Solar Spotlight: Building a domestic content strategy

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump Administration has reversed Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives that have bolstered solar’s domestic manufacturing and installation foo...

Solar Spotlight: Covering PV electronics from substation to accessories

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Dorfman, president of American Wire Group, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss the ins and outs of operating a national supplier of ...

Solar Spotlight: Navigating supply chain bottlenecks in the commercial PV market

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James Mason, VP of renewable energy for ABC Supply, a national roofing and solar product supplier, talks global and domestic factors impacting solar i...

Solar Spotlight: An introduction to string sizing optimization with Sungrow

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Benjamin Heitmann, marketing manager, and Madeline Acri, applications engineer with Sungrow North America discuss ...

Solar Spotlight: Why solar carports make sense for schools

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While there is greater oversight for installing solar projects on school grounds, M Bar C Construction has found success in this segment of the market...

Solar Spotlight: Enough backup energy to power any load in the home

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The value of energy resiliency is increasing in the face of stronger weather events and natural disasters, and the electrical grid isn’t always prep...

Solar Spotlight: Using energy load management to avoid service upgrades

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The American power grid is electrifying through renewable energy proliferation, and homeowners are following suit by replacing gas powered vehicles an...

Solar Spotlight: Playing the long game in domestic solar panel manufacturing

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trina Solar US, the domestic arm of the global PV module manufacturer, is ramping up production in the United States. On this episode of Solar Spotlig...

Solar Spotlight: Supplying everything above the roof line — including PV

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

ABC Supply is a prolific distributor in the North American roofing market and has expanded into solar component distribution as well. James Mason, VP ...

Contractor's Corner: Announcing the 2024 Top Solar Contractors List

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our last episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, we're announcing this year's Top Solar Contractors List. Thank you to Scanifly for sponsoring ...

Solar Spotlight: Simplifying and automating large-scale solar design

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Utility-scale solar projects are consistently breaking capacity records annually, both in individual project size and overall countrywide output. The ...

Contractor's Corner: Burns & McDonnell

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the utility-scale EPC talks about the importance of relationships with manufacturers and hands-on training time for install crews. Sp...

Solar Spotlight: Solar mounting hits the deck

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last several years, the shape and size of mounts used in residential solar projects have changed to a lower profile attachment that can be in...

Solar Spotlight: Scaling energy storage while facing a climate crisis

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the effects of a changing climate increase in both frequency and severity, the need for technologies that can decarbonize and support electrical in...

Contractor’s Corner: Alternative Energy Southeast (AES)

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Alternative Energy Southeast talks about securing R&D credits for trying new solar tech and the keys to regional solar success. Spons...

Solar Spotlight: Integrating the benefits of rail into a rail-less solar mount

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Solar racking manufacturer SunModo will soon debut its latest pitched rooftop mount, NanoRack, to the residential market. On this episode of Solar Spo...

Solar Spotlight: Butyl mounts rooftop solar projects in a flash

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The shape of solar mounts is changing, and so too are how they’re attached to rooftops. K2 Systems, a solar racking manufacturer, has integrated a b...

Solar Spotlight: Meeting the growing demand for solar racking

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Domestic solar is consistently breaking installation records year over year and is slated to keep that pace. Yet, manufacturers and suppliers are stil...

Contractor's Corner: Vibe Solar

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Vibe Solar talks about pivoting the residential business to adapt to California's new NEM 3.0 rate structure. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Renewable IPP

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Renewable IPP talks about the workforce challenges as the first utility-scale EPC in Alaska and O&M considerations for these far nort...

Solar Spotlight: Choosing the right battery storage for homeowners going solar

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Energy storage is becoming a more common feature on residential solar installations so homeowners can tap into the power they’ve generated when they...

Solar Spotlight: Solar canopy project collaboration with a focus on value engineering

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act and its new offerings in tax incentives for solar projects, contractor collaboration and value engin...

Solar Spotlight: Anatomy of a high-profile solar project

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The administration at Emory University, a private school of higher education from Georgia, set sustainability goals for the university, with plans to ...

Solar Spotlight: Sungrow increases the power of possibilities for string inverters

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The inverter is a crucial component on a solar project because it converts the power generated by PV modules into usable electricity. Daniel Friberg, ...

Contractor's Corner: Solar Power of Oklahoma

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Solar Power of Oklahoma talks about the hurdles of selling solar in an oil & gas state, and the progress the company has made in the ...

Solar Spotlight: Keeping wattage high and footprint low on PV modules

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Photovoltaic solar modules continue to grow in wattage, and that often means increasing their size, too, but that doesn’t always have to be the case...

Solar Spotlight: Designing a new solar mounting system from the ground up

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

SnapNrack, a solar mounting and racking manufacturer, is reconsidering the steps to securing solar modules to residential rooftops. Earlier this year,...

Contractor's Corner: BQ Energy

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, BQ Energy talks about how brownfield solar installations have changed over the past decade. Sponsored by Scanifly, Aurora Solar and R...

Solar Spotlight: Unirac empowers contractors with Master Installer Program

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Solar racking manufacturer Unirac launched its Master Installer Program in 2020 to offer its customers hands-on training with solar racking installati...

Contractor's Corner: Sundance Power Systems

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sundance Power Systems talks about getting started in 1995 and how the company has forged an unlikely collaboration with North Caroli...

Contractor's Corner: Summit Ridge Energy

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Summit Ridge Energy talks about its partnerships to accelerate solar manufacturing and job growth. Sponsored by Scanifly.

K2 invests in software solutions to simplify solar design and sales

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

K2 Systems is a racking company that manufactures installation-friendly solar mounting systems tailored to the needs of customers. Andy Neshat, CEO of...

Solar Spotlight: It's no myth — microinverters work on commercial solar projects

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Microinverters are a common component in residential solar projects that are built to handle the wattage of smaller-scale PV arrays. But like solar mo...

Contractor's Corner: Black & Veatch

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, large-scale solar EPC Black & Veatch talks about its long history in construction and embracing technologies of the future. Sponsored...

Contractor's Corner: Arizona Energy Pros

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, we learn about a small Arizona installer that invests time and money into global volunteer efforts. Spons...

Solar Spotlight: Supporting the structural side of commercial solar

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A few years on, there is still uncertainty surrounding the solar supply chain. There are likely still modules tied up at shipping ports, and despite I...

Contractor's Corner: Solar One

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, we learn about the mission of nonprofit Solar One to bring resilient energy backup to at-risk communities...

Contractor's Corner: Perch Energy

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Contractor’s Corner podcast, community solar customer manager Perch Energy talks about the role software plays in making this...

Contractor's Corner: Sumpter Solar Services

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, Michigan residential installer Sumpter Solar Services talks about how the long-term ITC will tempe...

Solar Spotlight: Curbing central inverter downtime with modular design

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the past, a fault in a central inverter could mean significant power loss on a solar array. These inverters used in large-scale solar projects conv...

Solar Spotlight: Understanding the carport market

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The solar carport market is expanding, meaning this high-profile racking is entering new territories. Canopies are viable structures for energy resili...

Contractor's Corner: Lightsource bp

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Lightsource bp's VP of environmental affairs and government relations talks about the company's deep partnerships with local communit...

Solar Spotlight: Managing whole home energy with SolarEdge

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the residential market shifts from reliance on the greater electrical grid to self-generating energy sources like solar and storage, additional con...

Contractor's Corner: SunCommon

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Solar Power World talks with B Corp residential and commercial installer SunCommon, "a solar company with a purpose beyond profit." S...

Contractor's Corner: New Energy Equity

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, New Energy Equity talks about the new opportunities the Inflation Reduction Act brings for community sola...

Solar Spotlight: Racking that makes modules MLPE free

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Solar Spotlight, we’re joined by Elie Rothschild, sales manager of Sollega, a racking manufacturer producing polymer-based suppor...

Solar Spotlight: The history and modern advantages of rail-less roof mounts

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner podcast, rooftop solar racking and attachment manufacturer Roof Tech shares product insights as a com...

Solar Spotlight: Adding solar installation to your construction repertoire

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner, we speak to commercial and residential solar contractor Motive Energy about the process of integrati...

Contractor's Corner: Carolina Solar Energy

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, Carolina Solar Energy talks about the importance of connecting with local communities to advance utility-...

Contractor's Corner: Built Well Solar

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, Built Well Solar explains how a small solar business has cultivated long-term staying power in Long Islan...

Solar Spotlight: Mitigating supply chain delays in the solar tracker market

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner¸ solar tracker supplier Soltec has found success in cutting supply chain delays by having a global m...

Contractor's Corner: Got Electric

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, C&I EPC Got Electric tells SPW how the company has managed to grow in times of economic downturn. Sponsor...

Solar Spotlight: A panel manufacturer enters the storage market

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner, longtime photovoltaic panel manufacturer Jinko Solar discusses why the company has entered the stora...

Contractor’s Corner: Solar apprenticeships are key to meeting renewable energy goals

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) talks about the work it’s doing to build solar apprenticeships in the U.S. Sponsored...

Solar Spotlight: Waterproofing solar projects on tile rooftops

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner, mounting manufacturer K2 Systems dispels the myth of “flashing-free” solar rooftop mounts and co...

Solar Spotlight: Picking the right PPE for PV

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner, Scott Francis, technical sales manager for Westex: A Milliken Brand, talks through the latest in ind...

Solar Spotlight: The growing needs of landscaping on utility-scale solar

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor's Corner, Tim Matus, founder and CEO of autonomous vegetation maintenance provider Renu Robotics, discusses the ...

Contractor's Corner: Knobelsdorff Enterprises

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, utility-scale EPC Knobelsdorff Enterprises (KE) tells SPW about the challenges of installing solar in Min...

Contractor's Corner: Green Lantern Solar

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Contractor’s Corner podcast, we talk to Green Lantern Solar about the Vermont developer's dual-use and brownfield projects, i...

The Case for Solar: An old barn powers the family farm

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Magill Farms in Illinois is home to a barn that was manufactured in 1878. The building is still mostly original, with some updates to roofing and sidi...

Contractor's Corner: SunLight Solar

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

SunLight Solar started in 2003 as a residential installer, but has now expanded to also serve commercial clients from its headquarters in Orlando, Flo...

Solar Spotlight: Demystifying the solar sales process

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar sales and design software provider Aurora Solar talks about the rights, the wrongs and the needed...

The Case for Solar: Long Island's largest community solar rooftop

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Long Island, New York is a peninsula stretching for many miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The narrow landmass doesn't have much space for solar on the g...

Contractor's Corner: New Era Electric

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year! We're starting 2022 with a new Contractor's Corner host — editor Kelsey Misbrener is in the interview seat in this new chapter. In ...

Contractor's Corner: Best of 2015-2021

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the end of an era. After more than 75 interviews over six years, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel is passing the Contractor’s...

Solar Spotlight: Gibraltar Renewable Energy Group talks customer support across solar lifecycle

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar mounting and balance of system products manufacturer, Gibraltar, talks about the benefits of work...

The Case for Solar: Covering rust with solar

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you've driven through the American Rust Belt, you've likely seen abandoned steel mills. They're a common sight — some might say a sore one — an...

Contractor's Corner: SOLV Energy

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Heyo! We have our first repeat interview within KP's Contractor's Corner run. We hope you enjoy today's interview with George Hershman, president of S...

Contractor's Corner: Aurora Energy

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Aurora Energy has established a name for itself in the Washington, D.C., area as a risk-taking, ahead-of-the-curve solar installer. The company has ev...

The Case for Solar: Developing a multi-project solar portfolio

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fulfilling development tasks, arranging an interconnection agreement and designing and then building a solar array is no simple task. But Oakland, Cal...

Solar Spotlight: Backless solar trackers maximize yield for bifacial projects

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar tracker and racking manufacturer OMCO Solar discusses the company’s latest innovations in bifac...

Solar Spotlight: How fintech can boost solar company margins and ROI

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner, solar installation business management platform BluBanyan and bank-to-bank payment software firm Pay...

Contractor's Corner: SolareAmerica

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Big-name, multi-site contracts can increase a solar installer's standing in the industry, but for SolareAmerica, a partnership with the Wawa convenien...

Solar Spotlight: How one solar carport design can fit all projects

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar mounting manufacturer Preformed Line Products (PLP) talks about the advantages of using uniform, ...

Contractor's Corner: Veregy

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Veregy is a newish energy services company (ESCO) with a much longer history. The company started in 2019 after six regional ESCOs merged to offer ene...

Top Solar Contractors Roundtable: Designing for Next-Generation Technologies - Utility-Scale Trends

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Top Solar Contractors list this year, Solar Power World was joined by representatives at McCarthy Buildi...

Solar Spotlight: M Bar C on construction evolution over 45 years in business

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner, solar structure manufacturer and installer M Bar C talks about how the company has adapted to new co...

Solar Spotlight: New techniques for solar mounting and flashing can save time on rooftops

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractor’s Corner, solar mounting and racking manufacturer SnapNrack talks about its new, Miami-Dade-approved mounting ...

Top Solar Contractors Roundtable: Community Solar Design & Installation

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Top Solar Contractors list this year, Solar Power World was joined by representatives at Standard Solar,...

Contractor's Corner: Cosmic Solar

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret that utilities are having a difficult time in California right now. With wildfires increasing in intensity each year, more utilities ar...

The Case for Solar: Building an off-grid home

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The term "off-grid" is often associated with small energy projects located off the beaten path, and while Derrick Zearley's home is remote, it's no sm...

Contractor's Corner: Silicon Ranch

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What started as being a nice neighbor to a regenerative farm has turned into a whole new way of building and maintaining solar projects for Silicon Ra...

Top Solar Contractors Roundtable - Must-Have Power: Solar + Storage in the Age of Emergencies

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Top Solar Contractors list this year, Solar Power World was joined by representatives at Mortenson, GenP...

Solar Spotlight: K2 Systems on the evolution of solar roof flashings

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar mounting product manufacturer K2 Systems talks about the evolution of solar roof flashings from “...

Top Solar Contractors Roundtable - Residential Solar Sales and the Desire for Mini Microgrids

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Top Solar Contractors list this year, Solar Power World was joined by representatives at LightWave Solar...

The Case for Solar: A CEO demonstrates solar + storage at his home

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Solar + storage technologies are a growing option for homeowners seeking additional energy security, especially in areas where grid outages are common...

Contractor's Corner: Sunrise Power Solutions

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Generation180 report released in 2020 found that 7,332 public and private K-12 schools in the United States had solar power. Seems like a lot, but t...

Solar Spotlight: Quest Renewables on carport design innovations

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar carport manufacturer Quest Renewables talks about emerging trends in the market, including accomm...

Solar Spotlight: Baja talks carport design from coast to coast

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, Baja Carports talks about design considerations for solar carports from coast to coast. Sponsored by Ba...

Top Solar Contractors Roundtable - Survival Stories: Best Business Practices One Year After COVID

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Top Solar Contractors list this year, Solar Power World was joined by representatives at CS Energy, Borr...

Solar Spotlight: Fortress Power on sizing solar batteries for system longevity

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, Fortress Power explains the importance of correctly sizing lithium batteries for residential and commer...

Contractor's Corner: Shine Solar

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Arkansas is an expanding solar market. Ranked 36th in the nation for installed solar in 2019, the state climbed to 25th in 2020. Some of that growth c...

Contractor's Corner: Creative Solar USA

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Georgia solar market is fairly dependable. Consistently in the Top 10 states by installed solar capacity, Georgia has a strong utility-scale pipel...

Contractor's Corner: Primoris Renewable Energy

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Working on utility-scale solar projects requires a lot of hands, and, depending on the region, it may be difficult to find enough help. Construction f...

Contractor's Corner: Sunshine Solar

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

More women are entering the solar workforce every day, but some areas of the industry are still underrepresented. According to The Solar Foundation, w...

Contractor's Corner: Simple Solar

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With a name like Simple Solar, the going-solar process has to be as easy as possible for new customers. And that's what the Missouri installer has don...

Contractor's Corner: Ameresco

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions company, Ameresco is dedicated to meeting its clients' energy needs. From school d...

Contractor's Corner: SUNation

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Barely whisper the name "Sandy" on Long Island and PTSD sets in for many residents. The 2012 hurricane cost New York $41.9 billion in recovery and mit...

Solar Spotlight: FIMER finds a way through the pandemic

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition of Contractors Corner, solar inverter manufacturer FIMER talks about the status of the solar market in the face of the COVID-1...