Shedding light on solar energy innovations

By Jesse Sanchez. 

From new standards for solar equipment to plans for future technological development, find out how this company is making strides in the industry. 

The TRI Alliance is making significant advancements in solar installation, thermal heat studies and regulatory compliance, as outlined by President and Technical Director Rick Olson in their recent update. 

October saw the solar installation task group convene for two critical meetings, bringing together key stakeholders including Unirac and Ironridge. These sessions focused on the development of standards and testing protocols for solar equipment installed on steep slope applications, particularly those involving concrete and clay tiles. The group aims to broaden its membership to include contractors who carry out these installations, seeking to gather detailed insights into the challenges and best practices in the field. “Our goal is to expand our group to include contractors who perform such installations,” Rick noted. 

Progress continues on the industry thermal heat study, with the first set of modular testing stations now being installed in Rialto, California. These stations will help refine the construction and test the readability of thermal sensors connected to a master data logger program. Similar installations are planned for Arizona and Florida by the end of December, expanding the study to three of the ten planned climate sites. Each site will feature 30 units designed to measure the heat and energy performance of roofing tiles in comparison to standard asphalt shingles. Rick expressed optimism about the project's potential impact: “Over the next three years, we are hopeful of gathering valuable field data that can help in the energy efficiency modeling moving forward.” 

The TRI Alliance has achieved IAPMO code approval for its updated July 2023 Installation Guide for Regular Climates. This new guide, which includes the latest code requirements such as ASCE-7-22 for wind resistance, replaces the previous 2015 version. The updated manual provides detailed and current information essential for industry professionals. 

Learn more about TRI Alliance and their advancements in solar installation and more!