Bender’s Post

In the solar world, some of the biggest hurdles are not engineers—but hills, wind, rain, and remoteness. This article showcases how successful contractors mitigate those risks using robust design, adaptive tools, planning buffers, and smart logistics. If your solar projects ever battle steep roofs, weather, or sites off the grid, this is a must-read. Full article: https://lnkd.in/e-3kf8vh

In the rapidly expanding world of photovoltaic (PV) systems, where solar panels power homes, businesses, and entire communities, safety remains a paramount concern. As installations scale up, so do the risks—particularly from electrical faults, short circuits, and emergencies like fires, floods, or storms that can turn energized panels into hazardous zones for firefighters and first responders. Enter PVSTOP, an innovative sprayable solution designed to "switch off" solar panels instantly, rendering them electrically inert without causing damage. Developed as a reactive tool for emergency services and PV operators, PVSTOP acts as a fire-retardant liquid blanket that encases panels, suppresses heat, and traps potential toxins, all while being easily removable to restore full functionality. This article explores how PVSTOP is transforming PV safety protocols, empowering rapid response teams, and paving the way for more insurable renewable energy infrastructure.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐚𝐩 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 John Munno's excellent article cuts through to the core challenge in solar safety: DC systems that remain energized during emergencies, creating unmanaged risk for facility owners, operators, and first responders. With 40+ years evaluating risk across power generation and energy infrastructure, John brings the engineering credibility this conversation desperately needs. His analysis of the three-tier approach—early detection, rapid mitigation, and structured training—provides the framework for comprehensive solar safety management. Key insights worth your attention: 🔹 CMTA's strategic pilot at Columbia Airport, positioning for portfolio-wide standardization across 75MW+ of solar installations 🔹 How AI training platforms are scaling technical knowledge globally while maintaining accuracy—our Thailand distributor results validate this approach 🔹 The engineer of record liability gap most firms don't recognize until facing an incident 🔹 Why integration of detection and mitigation technologies addresses insurer requirements while maintaining operational practicality As solar installations accelerate through zero-energy commitments and performance contracting, the question isn't whether comprehensive safety becomes standard practice—it's whether engineering firms and facility owners lead this transition or wait for incidents to force it. For anyone managing solar portfolios, designing PV systems, or evaluating renewable energy risk: this analysis provides the strategic context you need. #SolarSafety #RenewableEnergy #RiskEngineering #EnergyInfrastructure #FireSafety

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟 Industry veteran John Munno (Director of Energy Risk Engineering, Arthur J. Gallagher) delivers critical insights on the solar safety challenge hiding in plain sight across commercial portfolios. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦: Solar arrays generate up to 1500V DC whenever light hits them. No off switch. No shutdown during emergencies. Traditional electrical safety protocols inadequate. John's analysis reveals why forward-thinking engineering firms are adopting comprehensive solar safety as portfolio-wide standards—not optional add-ons. 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: CMTA is piloting PVSTOP at Columbia Metropolitan Airport before standardizing across their entire portfolio: K-12 schools, universities, government facilities, healthcare campuses, and aviation infrastructure. This is strategic risk management—validate, then scale. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: ✅ 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (identifying problems before arcs form) ✅ 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 capability (PVSTOP's "liquid blanket" deployable when electrical controls fail) ✅ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (DDE framework: Detect • De-energise• Educate) 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰: As engineer of record, firms carry professional liability for comprehensive system safety. Every solar installation affects performance contract guarantees, client relationships, and first responder safety during incidents. John's 40+ years evaluating risk across power generation and energy infrastructure brings the credibility this conversation needs. His question to the industry: "𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔? 𝑰𝒇 𝒏𝒐𝒕, 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒏𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌." Read John Munno's full analysis on the convergence of AI training, detection technology, and deployable mitigation solutions transforming solar safety standards. #SolarSafety #RenewableEnergy #RiskManagement #EnergyInfrastructure #FireSafety #EngineeringExcellence

Historic moment for clean energy – and great news for the electrification of transport ⚡ In the first half of 2025, renewables overtook coal globally for the first time ever. 🌞 Solar generation up +31% 🌬 Wind generation up +7.7% 🏭 Fossil generation down slightly A cleaner power mix is essential for accelerating the electrification of transport, ensuring that EVs and charging networks run on renewable, CO₂-free electricity. #thetimeofburningisover #electrification #noplanetb https://lnkd.in/egxbd-Ri

💷 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 - 𝟯𝘅 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿! Last month, our customers saved a record-breaking amount by switching from diesel to Prolectric solar lighting and power solutions: ✅ £607,492 in fuel and maintenance savings ✅ 356,395 litres of diesel avoided ✅ 894,551 kg of CO₂e cut That’s 3x greater savings than the same month in 2024 - proving that more and more projects are embracing the benefits of solar power. With demand for lighting and off-grid power at its peak, it’s clear: 👉 Sustainability and cost efficiency go hand in hand. 📅 If your site is still running on diesel, you could be missing out on huge savings this winter. 🔗 Try our Savings Calculator to see how much you could save: https://lnkd.in/euutSS7h #Prolectric #DieselFreeFuture #SolarLighting #SolarBESS #SustainableConstruction #NetZeroTools #CostSavings

Do you know why solar ground mounting systems are often preferred for larger installations? It comes down to several key advantages that maximize both performance and convenience: Optimal Energy Production: Ground mounts aren't limited by your roof's shape or direction. They can be precisely oriented and tilted to the perfect angle year-round, often incorporating solar trackers to follow the sun. This flexibility translates directly to higher energy yield than a fixed rooftop system. Superior Efficiency: Because the panels are raised off the ground, they benefit from better airflow and cooling. Solar panels lose efficiency when they get too hot, so this improved ventilation helps maintain a higher operating performance. Easy Access and Maintenance: Being at ground level makes cleaning, inspection, and repairs simple and safe. There’s no need for special safety gear or roof access, which lowers long-term maintenance costs and effort. Unlimited Scalability: Ground mounts are not restricted by your roof's size or weight capacity. If you need a lot of power, you can easily expand the array by installing more panels on available land. #solarenergy #EPC #gogreen #industrialsolar #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #sustainability #solarpower #solarpanel #solarinstallation #solarpowerplant #solartechnology #solarfuture #naturaecoenergy

🌞 Important Update for Solar Water Heater Manufacturers & Permittees The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has announced an extension of the Star Rating validity period under the voluntary phase of the Standards & Labelling (S&L) Program for Solar Water Heaters. 🔹 Key Highlights: 1. Star Rating Table Validity extended till 31st December 2026 2. Revised Sample Label Validity Period: 14th December 2019 – 31st December 2026 3. For Manufacturers/Permittees continuing beyond 31st December 2025: Upload previous approval letter and revised sample label by 5th December 2025. Submit duly filled proforma (as per BEE advisory) to confirm continuation 🗓 Important Dates: Portal opens for continuation applications: 10th October 2025 (from 3:00 PM) Last date for submission: 5th December 2025 ⚠️ Models without continuation requests will be deactivated after 31st December 2025. This extension offers manufacturers valuable time to ensure continuous compliance and efficient renewal planning. #BEE #EnergyEfficiency #SolarWaterHeater #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #ComplianceUpdate #StarRating #EnergyConservation #IndiaEnergy

In 2025, solar and wind energy grew a lot. They made more electricity than fossil fuels for the first time. Solar energy grew by 31% and now gives 8.8% of the world’s electricity. This is a big step for clean energy. It helps the economy, people’s health, and the planet. The future is green and getting better every day! #FestoLearning #FestoDidactic #Labvolt8010

Chatting with Dave Petrie from #NewZealand about the NZ solar and battery industry and the news that the updated NZ Electricity Regulations are about to be released on 13 November allowing solar installers to use the latest AS/NZS 5033:2021 and AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 standards. It's only taken 13 years to get this update out! Part 1 of 5 #ASNZS5033 #ASNZS4777 #ASNZS5139 #ElectricalStandards #NZElectricityRegulations #SolarCompliance #StandardsUpdate #ElectricalSafety #GridConnectionRules