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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 8053 PHOTO VOLTAIC SOLAR AT NIX FARM

The City of Fort Collins is requesting proposals from qualified firms to provide materials and install a PV (photo voltaic) solar collector system on the 3 remaining southern exposed roof sections of the Nix Farm maintenance shop. The successful service provider will design and install a system in the range of 10 to 20 kW based on design and installation costs. Project must be completed by April 30th, 2015.

As part of the City’s commitment to Sustainable Purchasing, proposal submission via email is preferred. Proposals shall be submitted in a single Microsoft Word or PDF file under 20MB and e-mailed to: [email protected]. If electing to submit hard copy proposals instead, Four (4) copies, will be received at the City of Fort Collins' Purchasing Division, 215 North Mason St., 2nd floor, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Proposals must be received before 3:00 p.m. (our clock), February 4, 2015 and referenced as Proposal No. 8053. If delivered, they are to be sent to 215 North Mason Street, 2nd Floor, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. If mailed, the address is P.O. Box 580, Fort Collins, 80522-0580. Please note, additional time is required for bids mailed to the PO Box to be received at the Purchasing Office.

The City encourages all Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) to submit proposals in response to all requests for proposals. No individual or business will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin. It is the City’s policy to create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly and to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of all contracts.

A pre-proposal meeting will be held January 22. 2015 at 10:00 AM at the job site, 1745 Hoffman Road, Fort Collins.

Questions concerning the scope of work should be directed to Ethan Cozzens at (970) 221-6273 or [email protected].

Questions regarding RFP submittal or process should be directed to John Stephen, CPPO, LEED AP, Senior Buyer at (970) 221-6777 or [email protected].

All questions must be submitted in writing via email to Ethan Cozzens , with a copy to John Stephen, no later than 5:00 PM our clock on January 27, 2015. Questions received after this deadline will not be answered.

A copy of the RFP may be obtained at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com.

The City of Fort Collins is subject to public information laws, which permit access to most records and documents. Proprietary information in your response must be clearly identified and will be protected to the extent legally permissible. Proposals may not be marked ‘Proprietary’ in

Financial Services Purchasing Division 215 N. Mason St. 2

nd Floor

PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522

970.221.6775 970.221.6707 fcgov.com/purchasing

RFP 8053 Photo Voltaic Solar at Nix Farm Page 1 of 44

mailto:[email protected]://www.rockymountainbidsystem.com/

their entirety. All provisions of any contract resulting from this request for proposal will be public information. New Vendors: The City requires new vendors receiving awards from the City to fill out and submit an IRS form W-9 and to register for Direct Deposit (Electronic) payment. If needed, the W-9 form and the Vendor Direct Deposit Authorization Form can be found on the City’s Purchasing website at www.fcgov.com/purchasing under Vendor Reference Documents. Sales Prohibited/Conflict of Interest: No officer, employee, or member of City Council, shall have a financial interest in the sale to the City of any real or personal property, equipment, material, supplies or services where such officer or employee exercises directly or indirectly any decision-making authority concerning such sale or any supervisory authority over the services to be rendered. This rule also applies to subcontracts with the City. Soliciting or accepting any gift, gratuity favor, entertainment, kickback or any items of monetary value from any person who has or is seeking to do business with the City of Fort Collins is prohibited. Collusive or sham proposals: Any proposal deemed to be collusive or a sham proposal will be rejected and reported to authorities as such. Your authorized signature of this proposal assures that such proposal is genuine and is not a collusive or sham proposal. The City of Fort Collins reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive any irregularities or informalities. Utilization of Award by Other Agencies: The City of Fort Collins reserves the right to allow other state and local governmental agencies, political subdivisions, and/or school districts to utilize the resulting award under all terms and conditions specified and upon agreement by all parties. Usage by any other entity shall not have a negative impact on the City of Fort Collins in the current term or in any future terms. Sustainability: Consulting firms/teams participating in the proposal are to provide an overview of the organization’s philosophy and approach to Sustainability. In no more than two (2) pages please describe how your organization strives to be sustainable in the use of materials, equipment, vehicles, fuel, recycling, office practices, etc. The City of Fort Collins incorporates the Triple Bottom Line into our decision process by including economic (or financial), environmental, and social factors in our evaluation. The selected Service Provider shall be expected to sign the City’s standard Agreement without revision prior to commencing Services (see sample attached to this Proposal). Sincerely, Gerry S. Paul Director of Purchasing & Risk Management


http://www.fcgov.com/purchasing

8053 PHOTO VOLTAIC SOLAR AT NIX FARM

SCOPE OF WORK

BACKGROUND

Nix Farm maintenance shop is a 6000 sq. ft. building located at 1745 Hoffman Road in Fort Collins, Co. The facility was constructed in 2002 and is adjacent to the Nix Farm house. These properties are operations and support facilities for the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas work group. The maintenance shop has four roof sections that are four-twelve pitch but at different elevations along its southern exposure. The finished roof is metal with standing seams. Currently there is an 11 kW system installed on one of the roof sections. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The City of Fort Collins, Operation Services Department, is seeking proposals from qualified firms to install a PV (photo voltaic) solar collector system on the 3 remaining southern exposed roof sections of the Nix Farm maintenance shop. The service provider will design and install a system in the range of 10 to 20 kW based on design and installation costs. The City has a budgeted amount for this project and would like to leverage as much energy production as possible from the project dollars.

Architectural drawings of the facility and a pre-design layout (which can be modified by bidders as needed) are provided with this RFP to aid proposers in evaluating what PV equipment can be successfully installed or what modification must be made to insure successful installation. These drawings can be viewed at the end of this RFP document.

SCOPE OF PROJECT

Service Provider to complete & pull all Utilities/Building Department permits.

The system must be installed on the open south facing roof sections as shown on the drawing layout showing the existing conditions on-site.

The system shall include all necessary materials and equipment to make it fully functional. This includes but not limited to panels, mounting hardware, wiring, conduit and mounting hardware, inverters, disconnects at panel and main building power disconnect on the outside of the building.

The system shall incorporate Micro-inverters for maintenance/safety reasons.

Structural analysis completed by a professional engineer of the Nix Farm maintenance shop roof and any wind or snow load considerations shall be provided by the service provider.

Service provider must provide complete installation services for a functional operating system.


PV monitoring and status via remote access must be provided by the service provider and is included in this project. Service Provider will submit specifications of monitoring equipment, infrastructure required to attain monitoring (network drop, phone line, etc.) and all associated ongoing fees for monitoring to be addressed.

Service provider to ensure that all Fort Collins Utilities interconnection contracts and requirements are met. The PV systems must comply with all applicable codes and all Fort Collins Utilities requirements.

Any roof modifications must be completed so roof material warranties will not be voided. Any modifications done shall be reviewed by roof manufacturer and approved by the manufacturer/installer representative. Any costs associated with this manufacturer review shall be paid for by the service provider.

The service provider shall pay close attention to fit and finish and paint/hide/minimize conduit runs exposed on the interior and exterior of the facility. Inverter location shall be convenient, but not obtrusive. The inverter location shall be a collaborative decision between owner and the service provider as design review evolves.

Project must be completed by April 30th, 2015.

The City of Fort Collins will coordinate the Solar Rebate application process with Fort Collins Utilities.

Please reference the attached drawing showing the existing PV Panel system along with existing Solatubes for as-built reference.

Proposal Submittal Requirements

Provide 3 previous installations of similarly sized photovoltaic systems. Include the size of the system, number of panels, kW DC of electricity and contact information.

Describe any reorganization/restructuring, including purchases, sales, mergers and name changes within your company within the past three years.

Provide an estimate of the total available installed capacity of the proposed equipment at Nix Farm maintenance shop. Provide an annual (by month) PV Watts estimate of the PV systems kWh production.

Service Provider must be a member of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association and equipment provided shall meet the Fort Collins Utilities Eligible Equipment List.

Service provider must provide stamped structural drawings to the City upon completion.

Provide turnkey cost including all design, materials, and installation per the scope of work. Service provider must specify American or non-American materials.


The City desires to have American made materials but will review cost using non-American materials. Service provider must provide costs for either American made or non-American made or costs for both.

Provide a separate cost to install owner provided Abound AB1 Series PV modules. Please reference the attached cut sheets for reference. Contractor to provide all brackets & fasteners necessary. The owner will only provide the panels so the service provider is responsible for a complete working system.


REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT Professional firms will be evaluated on the following criteria. These criteria will be the basis for review and assessment of the written proposals and optional interview session. At the discretion of the City, interviews of the top rated firms may be conducted.

The rating scale shall be from 1 to 5, with 1 being a poor rating, 3 being an average rating, and 5 being an outstanding rating.

WEIGHTING FACTOR

QUALIFICATION STANDARD

2.0 Scope of Proposal

Does the proposal address all elements of the RFP? Does the proposal show an understanding of the project objectives, methodology to be used and results/outcomes required by the project? Are there any exceptions to the specifications, Scope of Work, or agreement?

2.0 Assigned Personnel

Do the persons who will be working on the project have the necessary skills and qualifications? Are sufficient people of the requisite skills and qualifications assigned to the project?

1.0 Availability

Can the work be completed in the necessary time? Can the target start and completion dates be met? Are other qualified personnel available to assist in meeting the project schedule if required? Is the project team available to attend meetings as required by the Scope of Work?

1.0 Sustainability/TBL

Methodology

Does the firm demonstrate a commitment to Sustainability and incorporate Triple Bottom Line methodology in both their Scope of Work for the project, and their day-to-day business operating processes and procedures?

2.0 Cost and

Work Hours

Does the proposal included detailed cost break-down for each cost element as applicable and are the line-item costs competitive? Do the proposed cost and work hours compare favorably with the Project Manager's estimate? Are the work hours presented reasonable for the effort required by each project task or phase?

2.0 Firm Capability

Does the firm have the resources, financial strength, capacity and support capabilities required to successfully complete the project on-time and in-budget? Has the firm successfully completed previous projects of this type and scope?


Definitions Sustainable Purchasing is a process for selecting products or services that have a lesser or reduced negative effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. This process is also known as “Environmentally Preferable Purchasing” (EPP), or “Green Purchasing”.

The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) is an accounting framework that incorporates three dimensions of performance: economic, or financial; environmental, and social. The generally accepted definition of Andrew Savitz for TBL is that it “captures the essence of sustainability by measuring the impact of an organization’s activities on the world…including both its profitability and shareholders values and its social, human, and environmental capital.”


REFERENCE EVALUATION (TOP RATED FIRM)

The project Manager will check references using the following criteria. The evaluation rankings will be labeled Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

QUALIFICATION STANDARD

Overall Performance Would you hire this Professional again? Did they show the skills required by this project?

Timetable

Was the original Scope of Work completed within the specified time? Were interim deadlines met in a timely manner?

Completeness Was the Professional responsive to client needs; did the Professional anticipate problems? Were problems solved quickly and effectively?

Budget Was the original Scope of Work completed within the project budget?

Job Knowledge

a) If a study, did it meet the Scope of Work?

b) If Professional administered a construction contract, was the project functional upon completion and did it operate properly? Were problems corrected quickly and effectively?


SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into the day and year set forth below by and

between THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, a Municipal Corporation, hereinafter

referred to as the "City" and , hereinafter referred to as "Service Provider".

WITNESSETH:

In consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations herein expressed, it is agreed

by and between the parties hereto as follows:

1. Scope of Services. The Service Provider agrees to provide services in accordance with

the scope of services attached hereto as Exhibit "A", consisting of ( )

page and incorporated herein by this reference. Irrespective of references in Exhibit

A to certain named third parties, Service Provider shall be solely responsible for

performance of all duties hereunder.

2. The Work Schedule. [Optional] The services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement

shall be performed in accordance with the Work Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit "B",

consisting of ( ) page , and incorporated herein by this reference.

3. Time of Commencement and Completion of Services. The services to be performed

pursuant to this Agreement shall be initiated within ( ) days following

execution of this Agreement. Services shall be completed no later than . Time is of

the essence. Any extensions of the time limit set forth above must be agreed upon in a

writing signed by the parties.

4. Contract Period. [Option 1] This Agreement shall commence upon the date of execution

shown on the signature page of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect

for one (1) year, unless sooner terminated as herein provided. In addition, at the option of

the City, the Agreement may be extended for an additional period of one (1) year at the

rates provided with written notice to the Service Provider mailed no later than ninety (90)

days prior to contract end.

5. Contract Period. [Option 2] This Agreement shall commence , 200 , and shall

continue in full force and effect until , 200 , unless sooner terminated as herein

provided. In addition, at the option of the City, the Agreement may be extended for

additional one year periods not to exceed ( ) additional one year periods.

Renewals and pricing changes shall be negotiated by and agreed to by both parties.

Written notice of renewal shall be provided to the Service Provider and mailed no later

than thirty (30) days prior to contract end.

6. Delay. If either party is prevented in whole or in part from performing its obligations by

unforeseeable causes beyond its reasonable control and without its fault or negligence,

then the party so prevented shall be excused from whatever performance is prevented by

such cause. To the extent that the performance is actually prevented, the Service


Provider must provide written notice to the City of such condition within fifteen (15) days

from the onset of such condition.

7. Early Termination by City/Notice. Notwithstanding the time periods contained herein, the

City may terminate this Agreement at any time without cause by providing written notice of

termination to the Service Provider. Such notice shall be delivered at least fifteen (15)

days prior to the termination date contained in said notice unless otherwise agreed in

writing by the parties. All notices provided under this Agreement shall be effective when

mailed, postage prepaid and sent to the following addresses:

Service Provider: City: Copy to:

Attn:

City of Fort Collins

Attn:

PO Box 580

Fort Collins, CO 80522

City of Fort Collins

Attn: Purchasing Dept.

PO Box 580

Fort Collins, CO 80522

In the event of early termination by the City, the Service Provider shall be paid for services

rendered to the date of termination, subject only to the satisfactory performance of the

Service Provider's obligations under this Agreement. Such payment shall be the Service

Provider's sole right and remedy for such termination.

8. Contract Sum. The City shall pay the Service Provider for the performance of this

Contract, subject to additions and deletions provided herein, ($ ) as per the

attached Exhibit " ", consisting of page , and incorporated herein by this

reference.

9. City Representative. The City will designate, prior to commencement of the work, its

representative who shall make, within the scope of his or her authority, all necessary and

proper decisions with reference to the services provided under this agreement. All

requests concerning this agreement shall be directed to the City Representative.

10. Independent Service provider. The services to be performed by Service Provider are

those of an independent service provider and not of an employee of the City of Fort

Collins. The City shall not be responsible for withholding any portion of Service Provider's

compensation hereunder for the payment of FICA, Workmen's Compensation or other

taxes or benefits or for any other purpose.

11. Subcontractors. Service Provider may not subcontract any of the Work set forth in the

Exhibit A, Statement of Work without the prior written consent of the city, which shall not

be unreasonably withheld. If any of the Work is subcontracted hereunder (with the

consent of the City), then the following provisions shall apply: (a) the subcontractor must

be a reputable, qualified firm with an established record of successful performance in its

respective trade performing identical or substantially similar work, (b) the subcontractor will

be required to comply with all applicable terms of this Agreement, (c) the subcontract will

not create any contractual relationship between any such subcontractor and the City, nor

will it obligate the City to pay or see to the payment of any subcontractor, and (d) the work


of the subcontractor will be subject to inspection by the City to the same extent as the

work of the Service Provider.

12. Personal Services. It is understood that the City enters into the Agreement based on the

special abilities of the Service Provider and that this Agreement shall be considered as an

agreement for personal services. Accordingly, the Service Provider shall neither assign

any responsibilities nor delegate any duties arising under the Agreement without the prior

written consent of the City.

13. Acceptance Not Waiver. The City's approval or acceptance of, or payment for any of the

services shall not be construed to operate as a waiver of any rights or benefits provided to

the City under this Agreement or cause of action arising out of performance of this

Agreement.

14. Warranty.

a. Service Provider warrants that all work performed hereunder shall be performed with the highest degree

of competence and care in accordance with accepted standards for work of a similar nature.

b. Unless otherwise provided in the Agreement, all materials and equipment incorporated into any work

shall be new and, where not specified, of the most suitable grade of their respective kinds for their

intended use, and all workmanship shall be acceptable to City.

c. Service Provider warrants all equipment, materials, labor and other work, provided under this

Agreement, except City-furnished materials, equipment and labor, against defects and nonconformances

in design, materials and workmanship/workwomanship for a period beginning with the start of the work

and ending twelve (12) months from and after final acceptance under the Agreement, regardless whether

the same were furnished or performed by Service Provider or by any of its subcontractors of any tier.

Upon receipt of written notice from City of any such defect or nonconformances, the affected item or

part thereof shall be redesigned, repaired or replaced by Service Provider in a manner and at a time

acceptable to City.

15. Default. Each and every term and condition hereof shall be deemed to be a material

element of this Agreement. In the event either party should fail or refuse to perform

according to the terms of this agreement, such party may be declared in default thereof.

16. Remedies. In the event a party has been declared in default, such defaulting party shall

be allowed a period of ten (10) days within which to cure said default. In the event the

default remains uncorrected, the party declaring default may elect to (a) terminate the

Agreement and seek damages; (b) treat the Agreement as continuing and require specific

performance; or (c) avail himself of any other remedy at law or equity. If the non-defaulting

party commences legal or equitable actions against the defaulting party, the defaulting

party shall be liable to the non-defaulting party for the non-defaulting party's reasonable

attorney fees and costs incurred because of the default.

17. Binding Effect. This writing, together with the exhibits hereto, constitutes the entire

agreement between the parties and shall be binding upon said parties, their officers,

employees, agents and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the respective survivors,


heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of said parties.

18. Indemnity/Insurance.

a. The Service Provider agrees to indemnify and save harmless the City, its officers, agents and employees

against and from any and all actions, suits, claims, demands or liability of any character whatsoever

brought or asserted for injuries to or death of any person or persons, or damages to property arising out

of, result from or occurring in connection with the performance of any service hereunder.

b. The Service Provider shall take all necessary precautions in performing the work hereunder to prevent

injury to persons and property.

c. Without limiting any of the Service Provider's obligations hereunder, the Service Provider shall provide

and maintain insurance coverage naming the City as an additional insured under this Agreement of the

type and with the limits specified within Exhibit , consisting of one (1) page, attached hereto and

incorporated herein by this reference. The Service Provider before commencing services hereunder, shall

deliver to the City's Director of Purchasing and Risk Management, P. O. Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado

80522 one copy of a certificate evidencing the insurance coverage required from an insurance company

acceptable to the City.

19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, along with all Exhibits and other documents

incorporated herein, shall constitute the entire Agreement of the parties. Covenants or

representations not contained in this Agreement shall not be binding on the parties.

20. Law/Severability. The laws of the State of Colorado shall govern the construction

interpretation, execution and enforcement of this Agreement. In the event any provision of

this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent

jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision

of this Agreement.

21. Prohibition Against Employing Illegal Aliens. Pursuant to Section 8-17.5-101, C.R.S., et.

seq., Service Provider represents and agrees that:

a. As of the date of this Agreement:

1. Service Provider does not knowingly employ or contract with an illegal alien who

will perform work under this Agreement; and

2. Service Provider will participate in either the e-Verify program created in Public

Law 208, 104th Congress, as amended, and expanded in Public Law 156, 108th

Congress, as amended, administered by the United States Department of

Homeland Security (the “e-Verify Program”) or the Department Program (the

“Department Program”), an employment verification program established pursuant

to Section 8-17.5-102(5)(c) C.R.S. in order to confirm the employment eligibility of

all newly hired employees to perform work under this Agreement.

b. Service Provider shall not knowingly employ or contract with an illegal alien to perform work under this

Agreement or knowingly enter into a contract with a subcontractor that knowingly employs or contracts

with an illegal alien to perform work under this Agreement.


c. Service Provider is prohibited from using the e-Verify Program or Department Program procedures to

undertake pre-employment screening of job applicants while this Agreement is being performed.

d. If Service Provider obtains actual knowledge that a subcontractor performing work under this Agreement

knowingly employs or contracts with an illegal alien, Service Provider shall:

1. Notify such subcontractor and the City within three days that Service Provider has

actual knowledge that the subcontractor is employing or contracting with an illegal

alien; and

2. Terminate the subcontract with the subcontractor if within three days of receiving

the notice required pursuant to this section the subcontractor does not cease

employing or contracting with the illegal alien; except that Service Provider shall

not terminate the contract with the subcontractor if during such three days the

subcontractor provides information to establish that the subcontractor has not

knowingly employed or contracted with an illegal alien.

e. Service Provider shall comply with any reasonable request by the Colorado Department of Labor and

Employment (the “Department”) made in the course of an investigation that the Department undertakes

or is undertaking pursuant to the authority established in Subsection 8-17.5-102 (5), C.R.S.

f. If Service Provider violates any provision of this Agreement pertaining to the duties imposed by

Subsection 8-17.5-102, C.R.S. the City may terminate this Agreement. If this Agreement is so

terminated, Service Provider shall be liable for actual and consequential damages to the City arising out

of Service Provider’s violation of Subsection 8-17.5-102, C.R.S.

g. The City will notify the Office of the Secretary of State if Service Provider violates this provision of this

Agreement and the City terminates the Agreement for such breach.

22. Special Provisions. Special provisions or conditions relating to the services to be

performed pursuant to this Agreement are set forth in Exhibit " " - Confidentiality,

consisting of ( ) pages, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this

reference.


CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO a municipal corporation

By:_______________________________ Gerry Paul Director of Purchasing and Risk Management Date:_____________________________

ATTEST: _________________________________ City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________________ Assistant City Attorney

By:_______________________________ __________________________________ PRINT NAME __________________________________ CORPORATE PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT

Date:_____________________________


EXHIBIT INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

1. The Service Provider will provide, from insurance companies acceptable to the City, the

insurance coverage designated hereinafter and pay all costs. Before commencing work under this bid, the Service Provider shall furnish the City with certificates of insurance showing the type, amount, class of operations covered, effective dates and date of expiration of policies, and containing substantially the following statement:

“The insurance evidenced by this Certificate will not reduce coverage or limits and will not be cancelled, except after thirty (30) days written notice has been received by the City of Fort Collins.”

In case of the breach of any provision of the Insurance Requirements, the City, at its option, may take out and maintain, at the expense of the Service Provider, such insurance as the City may deem proper and may deduct the cost of such insurance from any monies which may be due or become due the Service Provider under this Agreement. The City, its officers, agents and employees shall be named as additional insureds on the Service Provider 's general liability and automobile liability insurance policies for any claims arising out of work performed under this Agreement.

2. Insurance coverages shall be as follows:

A. Workers' Compensation & Employer's Liability. The Service Provider shall maintain during the life of this Agreement for all of the Service Provider's employees engaged in work performed under this agreement:

1. Workers' Compensation insurance with statutory limits as required by

Colorado law. 2. Employer's Liability insurance with limits of $100,000 per accident,

$500,000 disease aggregate, and $100,000 disease each employee.

B. Commercial General & Vehicle Liability. The Service Provider shall maintain during the life of this Agreement such commercial general liability and automobile liability insurance as will provide coverage for damage claims of personal injury, including accidental death, as well as for claims for property damage, which may arise directly or indirectly from the performance of work under this Agreement. Coverage for property damage shall be on a "broad form" basis. The amount of insurance for each coverage, Commercial General and Vehicle, shall not be less than $1,000,000 combined single limits for bodily injury and property damage.

In the event any work is performed by a subcontractor, the Service Provider shall be responsible for any liability directly or indirectly arising out of the work performed under this Agreement by a subcontractor, which liability is not covered by the subcontractor's insurance.


EXHIBIT CONFIDENTIALITY

IN CONNECTION WITH SERVICES provided to the City of Fort Collins (the “City”) pursuant to this Agreement (the “Agreement”), the Service Provider hereby acknowledges that it has been informed that the City has established policies and procedures with regard to the handling of confidential information and other sensitive materials. In consideration of access to certain information, data and material (hereinafter individually and collectively, regardless of nature, referred to as “information”) that are the property of and/or relate to the City or its employees, customers or suppliers, which access is related to the performance of services that the Service Provider has agreed to perform, the Service Provider hereby acknowledges and agrees as follows: That information that has or will come into its possession or knowledge in connection with the performance of services for the City may be confidential and/or proprietary. The Service Provider agrees to treat as confidential (a) all information that is owned by the City, or that relates to the business of the City, or that is used by the City in carrying on business, and (b) all information that is proprietary to a third party (including but not limited to customers and suppliers of the City). The Service Provider shall not disclose any such information to any person not having a legitimate need-to-know for purposes authorized by the City. Further, the Service Provider shall not use such information to obtain any economic or other benefit for itself, or any third party, except as specifically authorized by the City. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Service Provider understands that it shall have no obligation under this Agreement with respect to information and material that (a) becomes generally known to the public by publication or some means other than a breach of duty of this Agreement, or (b) is required by law, regulation or court order to be disclosed, provided that the request for such disclosure is proper and the disclosure does not exceed that which is required. In the event of any disclosure under (b) above, the Service Provider shall furnish a copy of this Agreement to anyone to whom it is required to make such disclosure and shall promptly advise the City in writing of each such disclosure. In the event that the Service Provider ceases to perform services for the City, or the City so requests for any reason, the Service Provider shall promptly return to the City any and all information described hereinabove, including all copies, notes and/or summaries (handwritten or mechanically produced) thereof, in its possession or control or as to which it otherwise has access. The Service Provider understands and agrees that the City’s remedies at law for a breach of the Service Provider’s obligations under this Confidentiality Agreement may be inadequate and that the City shall, in the event of any such breach, be entitled to seek equitable relief (including without limitation preliminary and permanent injunctive relief and specific performance) in addition to all other remedies provided hereunder or available at law.


EXISTING PV SYSTEM AT NIX FARM SHOP BUILDING


Abound Doc. 3111704 Rev C Page 1

Important Notes on Project Design, Installation and Registration

This document highlights some considerations that must not be overlooked in order to maintain warranty coverage. This document is not a replacement for the Safety and Installation Manual (Doc # 3105410) and the Mounting Guidelines (Doc # 3106761) or other documents referenced below. Please be sure to read all applicable documents thoroughly and do not solely rely on the supplemental notes below.

Safety • Danger: Risk of electrical shock exists in the event of physical contact with a cracked or damaged

module. Contact with the damaged area may result in a lethal shock and/or an arc flash event. If a module isfound to be cracked, electrically isolate it immediately and do not contact the module before doing so.

Performance modeling • Use the latest versions of Abound’s PVSYST / PVSOL files in accordance with the Abound System Modeling

Application Note (Doc #3111714). These files are available from Abound through the customer portal at abound.com. Old versions of parameter files or those obtained from third parties might not be accurate.

Warranty activation • Each project must be registered through Abound’s customer portal for Abound’s warranty to apply.

Electrical design • Maximum allowable system voltage is 1000V, although local authorities might have lower limits.• At project sites where 600V is the maximum allowable voltage, the usual string length is 10, 11, or 12.• At project sites where 1000V is the maximum allowable voltage, the usual string length is 18.• Maximum reverse current rating and maximum short circuit fuse rating are both 4A. Please reference the

Series/Parallel Configuration Guide (Doc # 3111670) for guidance on stringing, fusing and use of diodes.• Only use inverters with transformers or galvanically isolated transformerless inverters. Strings must have a

negative ground for warranty to apply.

Mechanical design • Portrait mounting orientation is required to prevent systematic and complete shading of individual cells, which

can cause module damage. For installations with tilt angles 5°. Customers should

determine with their racking provider whether anti-slip mechanisms are required for a given configuration.• Mounting clips must be tested by Abound. Please reference Abound’s Mounting Guidelines (Doc # 3106761).

Operating temperatures • Module temperature should not exceed 85°C (185°F). In most standard PV configurations ambient

temperatures of 48°C (118°F) or below will result in module temperatures below 85°C.

Installation suggestions • For systems where access to the back of the modules for cable connection will be limited, it is more efficient

to work from right-to-left than from left-to-right due to the location of the junction box and the cable lengths. • If the geometry of the clips is such that it is difficult to slide the modules into the clips prior to tightening,

application of liquid hand soap to the rubber can reduce friction and make insertion easier.

lAbound Solar 0

Module label

Bar Code Std EAN 128

of the serial number

Module serial number. Same as etched

on the glass. 14 digits.

01: Site 1

1: Cell1

B: Scribe B

10: year

06: month

03: day

0405: sequential 4 digits of build for that

day

Module type. As defined by

part nomenclature. Depending

on JV test reading

Power Bin. A function of test

results. Product table defines

relationship between Bin and

actually JV test reading

Nominal specification values.

Related to power BIN

Static values

Standard

warnings

Recycling marks

and Certification

marks if any

available

Standard

recycling

instructions

Country of

manufacturing

Abound Logo and location

lAbound Solar 1

Box Label

Place and country of

manufacturing

Bar code of BOX serial number.

Std EAN 128

9 digits. 3 site-line/6 sequential

Box serial number. Created by

Assembly line

Module type. Module type. As

defined by part nomenclature.

Depending on test reading.

Same value as printed on

module label

Pack number: combination of BOM

revision + Qty of modules in the box +

Cell code + date code “YYWW”

2D Bar code.

Details defined later

in this document

lAbound Solar 2

BOX label bar-codes

Box number bar code

Ean 128

No parsing, just the

box number as defined

by ATS

Pack number number

bar code

Datamatrix 2D

DPI - 96

Combination of

Item#,Box#,Pack# with

a parsing scheme to

be read by RFS SW

Document # 3105410 Rev B Effective December 7, 2010

AB1-Series Photovoltaic Modules

Safety and Installation Manual

Please read this manual carefully before installing Abound Solar modules.

Abound Solar, Inc.

www.abound.com

Abound Solar Safety and Installation Instructions

AB1-Series

Page 1

Introduction

Thank you for selecting Abound Solar

photovoltaic modules. Abound Solar products

provide high efficiency with long-term stability.

This instruction manual provides safety and

installation instructions for Abound Solar’s AB1-

Series of products.

About this Manual

“Bold Italicized” (and quoted) items have a

document reference number which appears in

Section 9.0, References.

Figures are referenced by section number; prior

to section 4.0, there are no figures in this

document.

Table of Contents 1.0 Compliance Information ................... 1

2.0 Module Overview ............................. 1

3.0 Safety .............................................. 2

4.0 Installation ....................................... 3

4.1 Mechanical installation ................. 3

4.2 Electrical installation .................... 5

5.0 Operation and Maintenance ............ 7

6.0 Disposal and Recycling ................... 7

7.0 Warranty Terms and Conditions ...... 8

8.0 Disclaimer of liability ........................ 8

9.0 References ...................................... 8

10.0 Product Label .................................. 9

1.0 Compliance Information TÜV ID#: 0000018894

UL File #: E320912

Report #: US-UL-10-0009-PV

2.0 Module Overview Abound Solar modules are comprised of two

sheets of glass that are bonded together. The

interior of this assembly contains a

semiconductor film, which will produce electricity

when exposed to sunlight. Wires with industry

standard MC4 style connectors provide for the

electrical connections. The junction box is on

the rear of this module assembly and provides

strain relief to the wires. These are frameless

modules. Each module weighs about 12 kg,

which is about 25 pounds.

Ratings

These modules have been evaluated by

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., to meet or

exceed a positive or negative loading of 2,400

N/m2 (50 lbs/ft

2).


AB1-Series

Page 2

3.0 Safety All instructions should be read and understood

before attempting to install, wire, operate, and/or

maintain the photovoltaic module.

Caution: Risk of Electrical Shock

PV modules generate DC electrical energy when

exposed to sunlight or other light sources.

Contact with electrically active parts of the

module such as terminals can result in

burns, sparks, and lethal shock whether the

module is connected or disconnected. The

shock hazard increases as modules are

connected in parallel, producing higher current,

and as modules are connected in series,

producing higher voltage.

Caution: Risk of Broken Glass. Since

the module consists primarily of

glass, the possibility of broken glass

exists. Broken glass can be sharp and cause

injury if not handled with protective equipment

such as gloves and eyewear.

Carefully plan for installation:

Prior to design of the system and

installation of the product, please make

sure that you have the latest versions of

all applicable product documentation.

Check that all other system components

(inverters, wires, racks, balance of

system materials, etc.) are mechanically

and electrically compatible.

Do not artificially concentrate sunlight on

a module.

Pay attention to the design of the PV

system and electrical capacity of system

components (especially the inverter),

because under certain conditions this

module may generate more than its

STC rated power (PMPP).

Do not remove modules from packaging

until ready to install. If it is necessary to

store modules prior to installation, keep

them indoors in original shipping

containers.

It is required that the installation meet all

requirements of local and applicable

codes – such as the latest National

Electrical Code (USA) or Canadian

Electrical Code (Canada) or other

national or international electrical

standards..

Safety Application: Class A: General

access, hazardous voltage, hazardous

power applications.

Module Meets Safety Class II

Handling precautions

Protective gloves should be worn when

handling solar modules to protect

against sharp objects or electric shock.

Proper Personal Protective Equipment

should be worn at all times.

Do not stand or step on a module.

Do not drop a module.

Do not break the glass surfaces of a

module.

To avoid the hazard of electric shock

and injury, covering the front surface of

the modules with a dense, opaque

material such as a cardboard box,

during installation and handling of the

modules is recommended.

All Abound Solar modules are shipped

with an intact junction box and edge

seal. If either of these features is

missing or appears damaged at time of

delivery, please contact your module

supplier.


AB1-Series

Page 3

Do not carry a module by its wires or

junction box.

Do not drop or place heavy items or

tools on the surface of the module.

Never leave a module unsupported or

unsecured.

Do not use or install broken modules.

Do not allow any foreign objects such as

clips or tools to damage, intrude or

penetrate into the edge seal.

Do not disassemble the module, or

remove any part installed by the

manufacturer.

Do not treat any portion of the module

with paint or adhesives to avoid damage

to the module, inoperable conditions, or

reducing the module's functionality.

Do not penetrate any portion of the

module with screws, drills, or any other

foreign object.

Do not set or strike modules on their

edges or corners.

Do not disconnect plugs while under

load.

Make sure you comply with all local and

national codes and permit requirements.

4.0 Installation To ensure safe and proper application, prior to

installation and activation of warranty, all

applications must be submitted and

acknowledged through Abound Solar’s “Project

Architecture Report (PAR)” process.

Installations in Canada must be in accordance

with CSA C22.1, Safety Standard Electrical

installations, Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1.

4.1 Mechanical installation

Mounting safety

Caution: Modules should be handled

with care during installation, as heavy

impact on the front, back or edges

could result in damage to the module. Do not

attempt to install the modules in high wind or wet

conditions.

All installations must comply with safety laws.

Check applicable building codes to ensure that

the construction or structure (roof, façade,

support, etc.) where the modules are being

installed has enough strength.

For modules mounted on roofs, special

construction or structures may be required to

help provide proper installation support.

Both roof construction and module installation

design have an effect on the fire resistance of a

building. Improper installation may contribute to

fire hazards. Additional devices such as ground

faults, fuses, and disconnects may be required.

Check and follow all safety precautions of other

system components used.

Site selection

For stationary mounting, orient modules to face

the average position of the sun. A fixed-tilt

mounting is recommended, with a tilt range from

0 degrees to 50 degrees.

Avoid installing modules where they may be

shaded. Pay special attention to partially

shading modules by objects such as buildings,

trees, windmill blades, and poles during the

daytime or due to seasonal sunlight variation.


AB1-Series

Page 4

Modules should be firmly fixed in place in a

manner suitable to withstand all expected loads,

including wind and snow loads.

Operating conditions

The ambient operating temperature must be

between -20°C (-4°F) and 45°C (113°F). The

temperature limits are defined as the monthly

average low and high of the installation site.

The pressure load of the installation site should

not exceed 2,400 N/m2 (50PSF); testing has

been performed to this rating per UL

procedures.

For optimal performance, avoid operating

modules where:

Modules could experience shading from

seasonal sunlight variation, structures,

or passing objects.

Exposure to salt water may occur.

Frequent or large hail, ice, and/or heavy

snow occur.

Air pollution, chemically active vapors,

acid rain, soot, etc. are excessive.

Racking

Appropriate material should be used for

mounting hardware to prevent the module,

mounting structure, or hardware itself from

experiencing decay or corrosion.

For roof-mounted systems, clearance between

the roof surface and module frame is required to

allow cooling air to circulate around the back of

the module. This also allows any condensation

or moisture to dissipate. Install modules so that

air can circulate between the roof and the

module. Leave a minimum of 100 mm of

clearance between the roof and the module

surface.

The mounting structure must not cause any twist

or stress to be placed on the modules.

Mounting Orientation

Abound Solar AB1-Series solar modules should

typically only be installed in a portrait orientation

where the long dimension is perpendicular to the

ground. Be especially careful to avoid conditions

that may shade one entire cell of the module;

shading of an entire cell over prolonged periods

may cause permanent damage to the module.

The module should be mounted so the junction

box is towards the upper half of the module.

This will minimize the possibility of water ingress

into the junction box.

Frame

Abound Solar AB1-Series solar modules are

intended to be installed without a frame.

Rails

The mounting rails must provide support for the

modules. To allow the modules to comply with

the safety testing that has been done, the clips,

which mount to the rails, must be placed in

specific locations on the modules. These

locations are shown in the illustration below, and

discussed in the ‘Clips’ section below as well.

For systems which have more than one row of

modules, it is suggested that the rails be

mounted 610 mm apart. This will allow for a

symmetric approach to mounting on the

horizontal rails, as well as enough clearance

between modules for a reasonable safety clip.

Clips

Modules are to be mounted with a minimum of 4

rubberized clips (with EPDM rubber – or similar

material - contacting the module) installed on the

long (1200mm) module edges, with the clips

placed 295 mm +5/-45 mm from the module

ends as shown in the Figure 4.0. Be sure to

follow the clip manufacturer’s recommendations;

typically a minimum gap of 1 mm is required


AB1-Series

Page 5

between the edge of the rubberized clip and the

edge of the module to allow for thermal

expansion.

The mounting contact area that each clip should

have on the module is a minimum width of10

mm, by a minimum length of 70 mm. The clip

should not extend over 12 mm on the topside of

the module to avoid intrusion over active cells.

The mounting clips which have been

successfully tested through the UL process are

made from aluminum with a material thickness

of 4 mm. It is acceptable to have additional

overlap on the bottom-side of the modules as

this will not interfere with the sunlight gathering

capability of the active cells. The clips should be

engineered so they do not provide excessive

compression of the module.

Please refer to the “AB1-Series PV Module

Mounting Application Note” for further

information.

Figure 4.0

Panel Mechanical Reference

Safety Clip

The module must be supported in such a way as

to avoid slippage due to gravity, wind, and

seasonal expansion and contraction issues.

With some racking configurations, this consists

of a safety clip which is placed along the bottom

edge of the module.

Additional information on the design of

mounting equipment for the Abound Solar

AB1-Photovoltaic module may be found in

the “AB1 Mounting Application Note”.

4.2 Electrical installation

Guidelines

Before installing modules, contact the

appropriate authorities to determine

permissions, installation and inspection

requirements to follow that apply to your site and

installation.

Follow all installation and inspection

requirements, complying with local law. If not

otherwise specified, it is recommended that

requirements of the latest National Electrical

Code (USA) or other similar international

electrical standard be followed.

Rated electrical characteristics are within ±10%

of measured values at Standard Test Conditions

(STC) of: Irradiance of 1000 W/m2, 25°C cell

temperature, and solar spectral irradiance per

ASTM E 892.

Inverter Selection

The Abound AB-1 modules should be utilized

only in a negatively grounded system utilizing a

transformer based or otherwise galvanically

isolated inverter.

Abound is working to rigorously test and verify

operation with a variety of inverters and inverter

topologies. Please refer to the “AB1 Inverter

Compatibility Guide” for more information.

Wiring specifications


AB1-Series

Page 6

Use only PV rated stranded or solid copper

single-conductor cable which is UV/sunlight

resistant and rated 600V for the US and 1000V

Europe with temperature rating of -40°C to

+90°C with a minimum gauge of 14AWG and

6mm minimum cable diameter for modules and

interconnect wiring that is exposed to weather.

There are no wire clips supplied with the

module. If wire clips are used, ensure that they

are of sufficient specification to hold a 6mm

diameter cable. When routing the cable, do not

exceed the minimum bend radius of the cable,

which is 4X the diameter, or 24 mm.

Under normal conditions, a photovoltaic module

may experience conditions that produce more

current and/or voltage than reported at STC.

Refer to section 690-8 of the National Electrical

Code (USA) or equivalent for additional

multiplying factors which may be applicable

when determining voltage ratings, conductor

capacities, fuse sizes, and size of controls

connected to the module output.

General Wiring Guidelines

All wiring should be done in accordance

with applicable electrical codes.

A qualified, licensed professional should

do all wiring.

Wiring should be protected to help

ensure personal safety and to prevent

its damage.

The wires should be secure and routed

in an appropriate, water free wire way.

All modules connected in series should

be of the same module number and/or

type.

Use copper wire that is PV system

rated; it must be sunlight resistant and

insulated to withstand the maximum

possible system open circuit voltage.

Wiring Connections

Use only approved MC4 or compatible

connectors. When connecting the MC4

connectors, fully insert and engage both locking

tabs.

The wire length on the module is 600 mm; this is

enough length to allow the modules to be

connected in series when mounted next to each

other in portrait mode.

Series Connections

The modules are intended to be wired in series

within each string. The maximum number of

modules which can be wired in series is

dependent upon the local codes and the inverter

dc input voltage limitations. Consult the latest

datasheet for Voc and the appropriate

temperature compensation of the modules being

used. It is imperative not to exceed local code

limitations and the operating voltages of the

chosen inverter.

Typically, installation for series strings shall be

no more than 12 modules for a 600V string

taking in account Voc without temperature

coefficient calculations. For 1000V strings no

more than 20 modules shall be in a string.

Blocking Diode

Within normal installations the AB1 modules do

not require the use of a blocking diode. For

some applications, such as multi-paralleled

superstrings (see the European applications

below), a blocking diode may be required.

Overcurrent Protection

In jurisdictions falling under the US National

Electrical Code (NEC), installations that contain

more than two strings require overcurrent

protection on each string. A 4-Amp (maximum)

fuse or circuit breaker is recommended for each

series-connected group of modules for over-

current protection.


AB1-Series

Page 7

The required rated voltage for such overcurrent

protective devices shall be based on the

rated open-circuit voltage corrected for expected

ambient temperature. The open-circuit voltage is

the sum the open-circuit voltage of the series

connected PV modules. Note that this value can

greatly exceed the maximum power point (mpp)

voltage.

Parallel Connections

In jurisdictions which are not covered under the

US NEC, it is typical to wire several strings in

parallel prior to combining these strings into one

fuse. The individual strings are referred to as

substrings, and the overall series/parallel

combination is referred to as a superstring.

For such applications, no more than three

substrings should be connected in parallel

without the use of blocking diodes. With

blocking diodes, no more than six strings should

be connected in parallel. Each substring should

have its own blocking diode.

In such applications, the size of the current

limiting device must also be adjusted based on

the expected output of the modules. The

overcurrent device should be approximately

1.5X the combined rating of the paralleled

strings.

For more information on this topic please refer to

the “AB1 Series/Parallel Configuration

Guide”.

Conduits

For applications where wire conduits are used,

follow the applicable codes for outdoor

installation of wires in conduits. Verify that all

fittings are properly installed to protect wires

against damage and prevent moisture intrusion.

Prior to Commissioning

If the remaining system is not ready for

commissioning immediately after the modules

have been mounted on the racking, the modules

should be left in open circuit no more than 90

days. Do not short circuit the modules;

permanent damage may result.

5.0 Operation and

Maintenance Under normal operating conditions, the modules

should not require any maintenance. However,

due to local conditions, the modules may

become soiled. It is up to the site operator to

determine if cleaning is appropriate.

Cleaning

Regular maintenance may help to maintain

optimal system performance. Under most

conditions, normal rainfall is sufficient to keep

the module glass clean if the module is tilted.

If the module's front surface becomes dirty,

power output will likely be reduced.

The front surface of the module may be

cleaned with water and a soft cloth or

sponge on a regular basis. It is

recommended to clean the back surface

only as needed.

A mild non-abrasive detergent may be

applied for persistent dirt. Do not use

harsh cleaning materials or sharp

instruments.

Maintenance

It is recommended to inspect the electrical and

mechanical connections periodically for loose

connections and corrosion.

6.0 Disposal and Recycling Abound Solar has invested in a recycling

program to ensure that every aspect of the

lifecycle of the module is environmentally

responsible. A Return Materials Authorization

(RMA) process must be followed to return

materials. Further information will be found in


AB1-Series

Page 8

the “Recycling and Return Material

Authorization (RMA) Process” manual.

Abound Solar modules should not be discarded

into a landfill; they must be returned to Abound

Solar for recycling.

Modules with broken glass cannot be repaired

and should not be used since they may produce

electrical shock on contact. Broken or damaged

panels must be handled carefully and disposed

of properly.

Place broken modules in Abound Solar

packaging for transport to a dedicated recycling

facility. Contact Abound Solar for additional

details.

7.0 Warranty Terms and

Conditions Please refer to Abound Solar’s Warranty Terms

and Conditions for warranty terms and product

return policies. These terms are administered on

a contract basis; please refer to you sales

contract.

Please note that any warranty is valid only for

commissioned projects; commissioned projects

require the completion of a “Project

Architecture Report”. The modules are

designed only to be installed once and

demounting and remounting into a new site

will void the warranty. Additionally, the

“Product Registration Procedure” must be

followed.

8.0 Disclaimer of liability Abound Solar does not assume responsibility

and expressly disclaims liability for loss,

damage, or expense arising out of, or in any way

connected with failure to follow handling or

installation procedures as prescribed in this

manual.

For claims arising from issues not related to

installation or maintenance, contact your module

supplier.

For further information, please visit

www.abound.com or contact your Abound Solar

authorized representative.

All details regarding Abound Solar’s offering are

subject to the terms and conditions set forth in

Abound Solar’s agreement with its customers.

Unless otherwise indicated, all electrical

characteristics +/-10%. Specifications are

subject to change without notice due to process

adjustment and product improvements. Please

check with the latest product specifications for

updates.

9.0 References The following documents are available through

Abound Solar. Please contact Abound directly

for information on the latest revisions.

Recycling and Return Material Authorization

(RMA) Process

(Section 6.0):

Abound Solar Document #3106760

Project Architecture Report

(Sections 4.0 and 7.0)

Abound Solar Document: #3106497

AB1-Series Photovoltaic Module Mounting

Application Note

(Section 4.1)


AB1 Inverter Compatibility Guide

(Section 4.2)


AB1 Series/Parallel Configuration Guide

(Section 4.2)


Abound Solar Product Registration

Procedure

(Section 7.0)

Abound Solar Document #3109811


AB1-Series

Page 9

10.0 Product Label

Below is a sample image for the product label on an AB1-70B module.

Subject: AB1 Series/Parallel Configuration Guide

Series Connections The Abound AB1 modules are intended to be wired in series within each string. The maximum number of modules which can be wired in series is dependent upon the local codes and the inverter dc input voltage limitations. It is imperative not to exceed local code limitations and the operating voltages of the chosen inverter; local codes will dictate which temperature requirements must be met – some specify coldest on record, some specify average. Consult the latest datasheet for Voc and the appropriate temperature compensation of the modules being used.

For example, if the Voc of a module is specified as 44V, and the minimum recorded temperature is -20C, and the voltage temperature coefficient is -0.3%/C. The expected, combined Voc voltage from a 18 module string at this temperature would be:

44Voc/module x (1+((-0.003/C x (-20C-25C))) x 18 modules/string = 899 Voc/string.

This is acceptable for a 1000V inverter.

Note also that the cabling on the AB1 modules is rated for 1000V maximum (IEC) and 600V maximum (UL).

Parallel Connections In jurisdictions which are not covered under the US NEC, it is typical to wire several strings in parallel prior to combining these strings into one fuse. The individual strings are referred to as substrings, and the overall series/parallel combination is referred to as superstrings.

For such applications, no more than three substrings should be connected in parallel without the use of blocking diodes. With blocking diodes, no more than six strings should be connected in parallel. Each substring should have its own blocking diode:

Fuse Rating for such parallel applications In such applications, the size of the current limiting device must also be adjusted based on the expected output of the modules. The overcurrent device should be approximately 1.5X the combined rating of the paralleled strings.

To other modules in string To other modules in string

Three or fewer strings per fuse

Four or more strings per fuse

To Inverter

To Inverter

Abound Solar Mounting Application Note

AB1-Series

Page 1 Document #3106761 Rev A Effective 18 May 2010

AB1-Series Photovoltaic

Modules

Mounting Application Note

Abound Solar, Inc.

www.abound.com

Overview

The purpose of this application note is to help

guide system designers by providing the

mechanical requirements for mounting Abound

Solar’s AB1-Series of Photovoltaic Modules and

suggesting possibilities for mounting techniques.

Abound Solar provides this information only as a

minimal starting point, and compliance with the

information contained herein is not a guarantee

of an approved photovoltaic system.

Contents 1.0 Safety ................................................... 1

2.0 The AB1 Module .................................. 1

3.0 Clips ..................................................... 3

3.1 Approved Clips ................................. 3

4.0 Racking ................................................ 4

1.0 Safety All instructions should be read and understood

before attempting to install, wire, operate, and/or

maintain the AB1 photovoltaic modules. Be

aware that metal rails can have sharp edges.

Please make sure that your designs allow for the

safe installation of equipment.

DANGER: Risk of Electrical Shock

PV modules generate DC electrical

energy when exposed to sunlight or

other light sources. Contact with electrically

active parts of the module such as terminals

can result in burns, sparks, and lethal shock

whether the module is connected or

disconnected.

Caution: Risk of Broken Glass. Since

the AB1 Module consists primarily of

glass, the possibility of broken glass

exists. Broken glass can be sharp and cause

injury if not handled with protective equipment

such as gloves and eyewear.

Specifications are subject to change; please

contact Abound Solar to ensure that you are

utilizing the most current information available.

2.0 The AB1 Module Overview: Abound Solar modules are

comprised of two sheets of glass that are

bonded together. There is a gap between these

two pieces of glass. The construction is such

that there are reinforcing beads within this area,

giving the module exceptional strength. The

interior of this assembly contains the

semiconductor film, which will produce electricity

when exposed to sunlight. Cables with industry

standard MC4 style connectors provide for the

electrical connections. A junction box is on the

rear of this module assembly to provide strain

relief to these cables. These are frameless

modules. Each module weighs about 12 kg,

which is about 26 pounds. This equates to a roof

loading of 3.125 #/SF (15.25 kg/m2).

Within Abound AB1 Photovoltaic Modules, the

active cells are oriented along the long axis.

This allows the maximum number of modules to

be stacked in series before hitting the voltage

limitation of the inverter, maximizing the

obtainable electrical energy from each string.

Because of this cell orientation, ‘portrait mode’

mounting orientation is desirable to minimize the

possibility of complete shading of any one cell.

Engineering CAD models of the AB1 modules

are available; please contact Abound Solar for

more details.


AB1-Series


Backbox: The backbox is located on the rear of

the non-semiconductor back side of the module,

and its purpose is to provide strain relief for the

two interconnection cables. It is approximately

16mm thick. The backbox is sealed and should

never be opened; preferably, the modules

should be oriented so the leads from the

backbox are pointing toward the ground to

minimize the possibility of water ingress into the

backbox.

Cables: The cables are designed for optimum

efficiency, and they are long enough to connect

side-by-side modules when placed with

reasonable spacing. The effective length of the

cables is approximately 600 mm. The positive

(+) cable is on the left when viewed from the

rear of the module, which should always be

placed on the eastern side of the module when

mounted in the Northern Hemisphere. The (+)

connector has a male plastic housing with a

female metal ferrule inside.

Frames: The modules do not have a frame.

Abound Solar AB1-Series solar modules are

intended to be installed in most applications

without a frame. However, it is understood that

under special circumstances, such as an

extremely high wind load, a frame may be

desirable. Please discuss the application with

Abound Solar prior to installing a frame.

Grounding: Since the modules do not have a

frame, nor do they have any exposed metal

components, there is no need to ground any part

of the module. In fact, the module must be

insulated from contact with metallic surfaces.

Clips: Modules must be mounted with a

minimum of 4 rubberized clips installed on the

long (1200mm) module edges, with the

centerline of the clips placed 275 mm +/- 25 mm

from the short edge of the module as shown in

the Figure 2.0. Typical rubberization is typically

made from Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer

(EPDM) – or similar material - contacting the

module. Be sure to follow the clip

manufacturer’s recommendations; a minimum

gap of 1 mm is required between the edge of the

rubberized clip and the edge of the module to

allow for thermal expansion.

The amount of overlap that the clip should have

on the module is a maximum distance of 12 mm,

minimum of 10 mm. It is acceptable to have

additional overlap on the bottom-side of the

modules as this will not interfere with the

electrical properties of the active cells.

Thickness: The typical module thickness is 8.1

mm. Due to manufacturing process tolerances,

this value may vary by -0.4 mm and up to +0.8

mm. Any clips which are used must be able to

accommodate this range of module thickness.

The compressive force exhibited by the clips on

the module should be no greater than 19 psi.

Figure 2.0

Panel Mechanical Reference

Safety Hook: When mounted in portrait mode

with side clips, the module must be supported

on the lower edge to prevent the module from

sliding due to gravity and drag forces. A safety

hook should be used to prevent sliding of the

module. The location along the bottom edge of

the module is not critical, but it should not cover


AB1-Series


more than 10 mm of the topside of the module.

A representative safety hook is illustrated in

Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1

Safety Hook

3.0 Clips The clips themselves should provide a contact

area of no smaller than 70mm x 10 mm. On the

front of the module, it is imperative to not

encroach upon the active cell area, which lies

about 12mm in from the edge of the glass. On

the rear of the module, there is no constraint on

how far the clip may encroach on the module.

The farther the clip protrudes on the rear of the

module, the higher the load bearing capability

will be.

Note that in some installations the overall

impedance of the system will be affected by this

overlap - creating an electrical backplane - that

may affect the operation of some inverters under

certain conditions. The amount of overlap, and

the distance between the back of the module

and the clip and/or rail, will affect the amount of

parasitic capacitance that is then built into the

system. This capacitance, although low on a

per panel basis, may add up to a significant

amount on a large installation. Consult your

inverter manufacturer for more information.

3.1 Approved Clips Approved clips have been tested to ensure

compliance with UL and IEC standards,

including IEC 61646, 10.16 (applied load test)

and IEC 61646 10.15.2 (deflection over

distance). New clip and mounting system

designs must comply with these standards.

The following clips are approved for use on

Abound AB1 Series Photovoltaic Modules:

Manufacturer Model Number

Schletter http://www.schletter-inc.us/

ECO-8

Contact Abound Solar to initiate the

approval process on newly designed clips.


AB1-Series


4.0 Racking The mounting structure must not cause any twist

or stress to be placed on the modules.

Rails: The mounting rails must provide support

for the modules. To allow the modules to

comply with the safety requirements, the clips,

which mount to the rails, must be placed in

specific locations on the modules. These

locations are shown in Figure 2.0.

Avoid placing rails directly beneath the

label, which is located on the backside of

the module. The label is located 25 mm

from the outside of the long edge and is 600

mm from the short edge.

For systems which will have more than one row

of modules, it is often desirable to have

symmetric mounting rails to simplify construction

in the field. A suggested approach is to utilize

rails that are mounted 610 mm apart, as shown

in Figure 4.0. This will also allow enough

clearance between modules – about 20 mm - for

rain runoff, snow melt, and a reasonable safety

clip.

Layout: The panels can easily be placed side

by side, making for an efficient layout as

illustrated in Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.0

Use of Symmetric Rails

Figure 4.1

Portrait Mode Layout

Figure 4.1

Portrait Mode, Side by Side Layout

Horizontal

Mounting Rails

610 mm

610 mm

610 mm

Abound Solar, Inc.2695 Rocky Mountain AveSuite 100Loveland, CO 80538 USAwww.abound.com

phone +1.970.619.5340fax +1.970.488.3237email [email protected]

Environmental Sustainability

Cadmium Telluride Technology

Abound Solar: Dedicated to clean energy

Abound Solar, formerly AVA Solar, is a leading manufacturer of next-generation, thin-film photovoltaic modules.

We believe we can transform the way energy is generated—and improve the health of our planet—while brightening the lives of people around the globe by ensuring an affordable supply of clean, renewable electricity.

Abound Solar™ modules are manufactured to be the most environmentally sustainable solar photovoltaic technology available. Designed with recycling in mind, manufactured using the industry’s most energy efficient production process, and backed by a cradle-to-cradle recycling program, Abound Solar is leading the industry in environmental sustainability.

Cadmium telluride is an excellent semiconductor for creating high-performance, low-cost solar modules for large-scale installations

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is a mature and robust photovoltaic technology that has significantly driven down the cost of solar energy while reducing the environmental footprint of production.

• 98% less semiconductor required compared tocrystalline siliconA layer of cadmium telluride just microns thick issufficient to convert the sun’s energy into electricity.

• Higher energy yields during real-world conditionsPhotovoltaics employing cadmium telluride performbetter than alternative technologies in both high-temperature and low-light conditions leading to moreenergy produced per watt of capacity.

• Lower energy required to manufactureThe cadmium telluride deposition process utilizedby Abound Solar requires far less energy than othertechnologies due to a proprietary design and fully-automated production equipment.

CdTe technology; Document #CT090914

Cadmium Telluride Technology

Environmental Sustainability

Useful application of mining

by-products

Chemically stable compound

Non-hazardous solar modules

Fully-recyclable

Cadmium telluride is a stable molecule that does not readily break down and propagate• Cadmium telluride is not water soluble2 and poses no risk to drinking water.

• Melting point of 1041°C, 400° higher than the meting point of aluminum;it will not vaporize during residential fires.3

CdTe technology; Document #CT090914Copyright © 2009 Abound Solar, Inc. All rights reserved. Abound Solar and the Abound Solar logo are trademarks of Abound Solar, Inc.

Environmental sustainability of CdTe photovoltaic modules affirmed by scientific studies1 A. Jager-Waldau, “Peer Review of Major Published Studies on the Environmental Profile of Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Photovoltaic (PV) Systems”2 P. Moskowitz, N. Bernholc, V. M. Fthenakis, R. Pardi, H. Steinberger, W. Thumm, “Environmental, Health and Safety Issues of Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Modules”

3 V. M. Fthenakis, M. Fuhrmann, J. Heiser, A. Lanzirotti, J. Fitts, W. Wang, “Emissions and Encapsulation of Cadmium in CdTe PV Modules During Fires”4 K. Zweibel, V.M. Fthenakis, “Cadmium Facts and Handy Comparisons”

To learn more abound Abound Solar™ modules, production process or Abound Solar’s commitment to the environment, please visit our website at: www.abound.com or email [email protected].

Solar modules are an environmentally-friendly use of CdTe

• Cadmium and tellurium are by-products of zinc and copper mining.

• Encapsulating semiconductor in a glass-glass package sequesters cadmiumfor lifetime of the module.1

Abound Solar modules are non-hazardous• CdTe modules do not pose a risk during fires.3

• PV modules contain less cadmium than a C-size battery.4

Cradle-to-cradle recycling ensures sustainability

• Abound Solar pre-funds collection and recycling of modules at end-of-life.

• Recycling process returns materials back to useable streams of feedstock.

Abound DOC 10172D -‐ Printed documents are uncontrolled. Page 1

Bus Tape Advisory

Abound Solar has identified a potential problem with some AB1-series modules. Under certain conditions, the metal bus tape that collects current in these modules may lose electrical contact with the semiconductor layer, rendering the module non-functional. In some instances the module may sustain other damage during the failure.

Identification

The failure may be identified by one or more of the following: spot discoloration of the metal bus tape, high bus tape temperatures during operation, and, occasionally, cracking of the front glass. When present, the issue is usually manifest on the positive side of the module (opposite side from the etched barcode, same side as the back box).

Safety

Danger: Risk of electrical shock exists in the event of physical contact with a cracked module. Contact with the damaged area may result in a lethal shock and/or an arc flash event. If a module is found to be cracked, electrically isolate it immediately to remove series-string potentials to ground and do not touch the module before doing so. After electrical disconnection, affected modules should be promptly removed and replaced. Please refer to the AB1-Series Safety and Installation Manual (Doc-3105410) and to Abound’s Internal Array Safe Use Procedure (Doc-10937) for guidance on disconnecting and handling broken modules. This document is supplement to but not a replacement for the Safety and Installation Manual (Doc # 3105410) and the Mounting Guidelines (Doc # 3106761).

Root Cause and Preventive Action

The loss of electrical contact between the metal bus tape and semiconductor back metal is due to thermal fatigue from thermal cycling, which can occur during day/night intervals and/or full sun/cloud cover transitions. High operating temperatures and high daily solar irradiation can accelerate the fatigue.

Abound has identified several variables which contributed to the susceptibility of some modules to this issue. Abound’s research and testing, in collaboration with partners, has resulted in more detailed specificatio