Even though there are short term impacts to installation rates due to policy changes, historically solar and energy storage has only grown and will continue to grow. Energy storage in particular has a significant potential to grow this year. Booth #1616

Q&A with | Panasonic

01/21/20, 05:55 AM | Solar Power, Other Renewables | Panasonic Solar & Storage | Intersolar, solar modules, Tradeshows and Conferences

Tell us about your company. 

Panasonic Life Solutions Company of America is focused on making a creating solutions to improve the well being of society. This includes all aspects of quality of life at home, as well as other impactful areas such as smart cities, and mobility such as bicycles and vehicle interiors. In the solar and storage segment, we have been mass producing high efficiency solar modules for 23 years, and are now providing our world class lithium ion battery technology to residential homeowners needing energy storage.

 

Your company will be exhibiting at Intersolar North America, what is it that makes this an important event for your company? 

Intersolar will be an impactful event as historically it has been one of the larger shows that most from the industry attend. With the change of date to February, this is a great opportunity to kick off the new year showcasing our latest solutions to both our current and future customers.

 

What makes your booth a must visit for Intersolar Attendees?

We will be showcasing our brand new residential energy storage product, EverVolt, at our booth for all to see. With the rising demand for energy storage, it will be a great opportunity for contractors to see the high level features and benefits, including a leading software platform for ease of installation and homeowner operation. We will also have our brand new all black AC module on display, which will simplify the design, installation, and procurement process for our installation partners while providing enhanced aesthetics.

 

Intersolar has many educational sessions, forums & Demo’s, is your company involved in any of them this year?

Yes. We will be hosting a training session for our brand new residential energy storage product EverVolt on Monday, February 3^rd, from 3:30 – 7:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet our team and learn more about Panasonic’s new energy storage technology. Contact Panasonichit@us.panasonic.com for more information

 

When you get a chance to walk the exhibit hall floor yourself, what is it you will be most interested to see?  Any educational sessions, pavilions etc. you plan on attending? 

I am most interested in the sessions focused on energy storage design and technology, vehicle charging, and financing energy storage projects. It will also be very interesting to see all of the new energy storage products that will be coming to the market in 2020.

Energy Storage is undertaking rapid advancements and growth.  Give us an idea on how your company and product is being utilized now for energy storage. Our EverVolt product is focused on the residential market, and being used in a number of ways including backup power during grid outages, particularly in California since the implementation of PSPS events. It is also being used in areas that have implemented time of use residential rates, so as to be able to store the solar power during the day and self-consume it at night when rates may be higher.

 

What are you projecting for 2020?  Do you see more growth or turmoil ahead for solar and the economy? 

Even though there are short term impacts to installation rates due to policy changes, historically solar and energy storage has only grown and will continue to grow. Energy storage in particular has a significant potential to grow this year, as prices continue to come down and incentives are put into place, coupled with the increased demand for resiliency to ensure there is power to charge cell phones, keep the lights and refrigerator on, and make coffee during grid outages.

 

What are the biggest challenges facing the solar industry in 2020? 

I don’t see any new challenges arising that we haven’t faced before, and the main source of turmoil has typically been managing the supply chain. From a manufacturer’s perspective, keeping visibility into our installer’s pipeline is critical, so that we can ensure our supply is matched with the market demand. It can be much more volatile in the commercial and utility sectors, particularly with the recent drop in ITC and longer project lead times, but we will continue to focus on our partnerships to be able to produce products in the quality and quantity that the market demands.

 

Do you think the solar industry is in a good position to grow through what may be a bumpy next few years? 

I may be a bit of an optimist, and I think that is a trait that most of us in the industry carry and need to have to continue paving the path for clean energy and weather the short term storms on the solar coaster. With that said I do believe the industry is in a great position for growth, as we have the best minds working together on all levels, including manufacturing, installation, and great groups such as CALSSA, SEIA, ESA, and others that work together to ensure the further growth of the industry.

 

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The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag

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