The Intersolar AWARDs honor companies breaking new ground in new solar products, projects and services. Four finalists for the “Photovoltaics” category, which honors innovative technical products and solutions, will give presentations at Intersolar North America. 

Intersolar North America boasts that the awards give solar companies “a unique platform to distinguish themselves from the competition and prove just how innovative they really are.” Companies and project owners must exhibit at one of the global Intersolar or ees events in 2017 to be eligible for the awards.

This year, the “Photovoltaics” finalists have taken solar to new (water) levels, created integrated energy management storage tools, crafted innovative new tracking solutions and analyzed new trends in solar ownership. Read more about the finalists’ presentations below, and see them in person on Tuesday at Moscone West Level 3, Booth 9010 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Array Technologies: Array Technologies’ DuraTrack HZ v3 Solar Tracker: Robust, Reliable, Innovative

Array Technologies calls its new tracker revolutionary because it uses a single-bolt per module clamp and has zero scheduled maintenance. The tracker’s rows are connected by a flexible rotary drive shaft and can accommodate north-south slopes of up to 15% and east-west angles of up to 40°. Array Technologies says the high power density of this new model has a 6% advantage over its closest competitor.

SolarEdge: Smart Energy Management with StorEdge, Backup and Device Control

SolarEdge’s StorEdge products are used for on-grid applications and backup power. The company touts its product’s ability to back up traditional power sources in case of grid interruption and give homeowners energy independence. StorEdge is a single-phase inverter that manages the battery and the system energy.

Solaria: The Shifting and Changing Dynamics of US Residential Solar: Leasing to Owning; Commodity to High Efficiency; Market Share from Large Installers to Regional Installers

Solar panel manufacturer Solaria, maker of PowerXT modules, will discuss the state of residential solar in the United States. Solaria says its PowerXT modules are innovative because they offer proportional shading protection without the need for DC optimizers. The company prides itself on its proximity to Silicon Valley and the fast-paced, innovative solutions associated with that technology hub

Ciel & Terre: Floating PV The Alternative to Traditional Solar

French company Ciel & Terre has dubbed itself the “floating solar expert” with good reason: It has a portfolio of more than 75 floating PV plants in 16 countries. It uses a patented solution called Hydrelio that allows standard PV panels to be installed on bodies of water like quarry lakes, irrigation canals or drinking water reservoirs. Ciel &Terre calls floating PV the “third alternative” to traditional ground-mounted or roof-mounted solar installations. Ciel & Terre were one of the three winners of the Photovoltaics award.