Program for direct battery shipping within five days improves jobsite success in growing solar market

ARLINGTON, Wash.--OutBack Power Technologies, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications, today launched OnSite Direct, part of the company's commitment to supporting installers at the industry's front line by making it much easier to manage delivery of the most logistically challenging system component: the battery bank. With OnSite Direct, battery shipping costs are always cut in half, and fresh batteries always ship within five days of order acceptance.

Often the heaviest and most difficult elements to handle in solar or renewable energy systems, batteries present challenges from point A (distributors) to point B (job sites). Batteries deteriorate just sitting on the shelf, and battery freight costs are usually higher than any other system element. For installers, OnSite Direct eliminates long battery delivery lead times to renewable energy projects, and the ongoing program makes life easier for distributors who no longer have to worry about warehousing and inventory turns on batteries. OnSite Direct is part of OutBack Power's ongoing commitment to solar installers through the best products, support and training in the industry.

Training is as important as products and support in an industry where solar adoption is growing at a breakneck pace. In the U.S. Southwest, residents in California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are adopting solar to take advantage of state incentives and the steady levels of sunshine year round. As solar penetration grows, the demand for effective design and maintenance from knowledgeable labor is also booming, with the Solar Foundation and NABCEP estimating a 30 percent job growth increase in the sector with more than 120,000 people already employed in solar technology.

"When designing a new system for customers, any delay can be disastrous, especially if they're counting on solar as their primary source of electricity," said Eric Pipkin, founder of Pipkin Solar and U.S. Solar Mount. "OutBack Power was the perfect choice for a project we completed for a ranch in Texas, not only because of the equipment's ability to handle demanding loads onsite, but its arrival time helped us have the system ready within a week, making the customers very happy with the final result."

OnSite Direct's ramp-up coincides with OutBack Power's opening of its newest training center in Phoenix, furthering OutBack's dedication to educating electrical contractors and solar installers. With more than 200 installer graduates to date, the OutBack Power Certificate Training Program is an intensive three-day class covering everything from solar photovoltaic (PV) system fundamentals to system specification and sizing, design, installation, testing and commissioning. Training participants earn continuing education credits toward their PV Installer Certification or Solar PV Recertification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

"As the leading brand in off-grid power conversion products, OutBack Power already enjoys strong relationships with the industry's finest installers and distributors," said Brandon Provalenko, director, North American sales for OutBack Power. "Consequently, we have to hit a high standard to create training and support programs with value and relevance to such a group, and the sold-out Certificate Training Program monthly classes show that we've succeeded in that area. OnSite Direct and our second training center in Phoenix will provide installers with even more tools for technical and business success."

The OutBack Power Certificate Training Program roster of instructors includes Jason Lerner, founder of Waldron Power and Light Company, who has been designing and installing off-grid solar electric systems since 1994 and is an instructor with Solar Energy International (SEI). The class includes 17 learning modules, five learning labs, two hands-on practice sessions focused on system sizing and field wiring, and a final project that ties all of the session concepts together. Successful graduates earn 18 contact hours toward the NABCEP PV Installer Certification or 12 hours toward the NABCEP Solar PV Recertification.

Following sold-out OutBack Power Certificate Training Program sessions in its Arlington facility, the company is now accepting registration for the next class, which will be held in Phoenix from April 22 to April 24, 2014. Phoenix training registration fee is $399 per student through May. To register, contact training@outbackpower.com.

About OutBack Power Technologies

OutBack Power Technologies, a member of The Alpha Group, is the leading designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications. With an emphasis on product performance, OutBack has established itself as the product of choice in harsh environmental conditions and applications where product reliability is paramount. Whether the application is village microgrids in Africa, rural electrification projects in Latin America, remote off-grid cabins in Alaska or suburban homes in Southern California, OutBack Power Technologies has set the bar for delivering advanced power conversion electronics. For more information, please visit www.outbackpower.com.