A joint development between the Silicon Valley solar innovator and the industry leader in off-grid, hybrid and energy storage systems provides assurance, bankability for commercial solar projects

ARLINGTON, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OutBack Power Technologies, a leader in off-grid and Grid/Hybrid renewable energy products and systems, announced the next milestone in its partnership with HiQ Solar, an innovator in 3-phase power-conversion technology for commercial and industrial solar applications: ProHarvest by OutBack Power. The new brand will be offered by OutBacks direct sales group through selected distribution sales partners, while HiQ Solar will continue to work with its project partners. Furthermore, OutBack Powers technical and applications and warranty groups will support OutBack sales of ProHarvest products.

"With ProHarvest, we can get HiQs project-proven technology in front of a wider audience and open new opportunities through installers wishing to grow their commercial business," said Harvey Wilkinson, general manager of OutBack Power.

Added HiQ Solars chairman and CEO, Lutz Henckels, "Our unique technology makes plug-and-play commercial solar viable for solar contractors looking to expand their portfolios and offer commercial services. In partnership with OutBack Power using the ProHarvest line, we can now provide that technology with the assurance and support required to earn many new customers."

Over the past five years, commercial solar installation has grown significantly, with equally dramatic shifts in balance-of-system preferences. Once dominated by large, powerful and relatively economical (but inflexible and bulky) central inverters, the trend today is to use many string inverters that are easier to install and provide redundancy; if an inverter fails the entire system is not out of commission. The HiQ approach combines the best of all worlds: improved economics of a large string inverter, with the array-mounting and form-factor of a microinverter. With this technology, installers have a plug-and-play system architecture to work with. Key components literally snap together, saving considerable installation time and effort. Equally important, this system topology meets all code-required standards for rapid shut-down and disconnect in commercial systems—very important for system owners and their stakeholders.

The two companies will be exhibiting at Solar Power International in Las Vegas, September 13-15, and will follow that with an OutBack training program designed to bring the full commercial opportunity made available with the new ProHarvest by OutBack program to solar installers around the country. Visit OutBack Power at booth 2825 and HiQ Solar at booth 1979.

About HiQ Solar

Founded in 2009, HiQ Solar draws on decades of industry experience in high tech, with a veteran team from the precision communications test and measurement field. HiQs TrueString technology is based on small, light and rugged 3-phase 208V and 480V "plug and play" 8kW systems in NEMA6 enclosures, which can be rooftop mounted. This unique system architecture saves considerable time and money for commercial installers, with NEC-mandated rapid-shutdown capability built in. Lightweight, rugged and mountable practically anywhere, the HiQ design is ideal for small to large systems and for deployment in areas that traditionally prove challenging for solar, such as coastal, desert and high altitude locations.

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. Founded in 2001 with an emphasis on product performance and innovation, OutBack is now a brand leader in the renewables industry, backed by the resources of the 40-year-old Alpha Group. OutBack is established as the first choice of professionals designing systems for harsh environmental conditions and applications where reliability is paramount. Whether the application is village microgrids in Africa, rural electrification projects in Latin America, remote off-grid cabins in Alaska, or a suburban home in Southern California, OutBack Power Technologies has set the bar for delivering advanced power conversion electronics. OutBack products and systems are sold through a network of distributors serving advanced solar installers around the globe. Famous for its legendary power electronics, OutBack is also a leader in the rapidly-growing field of energy storage for PV systems. For more information, please visit www.outbackpower.com.