Welcome to the NABCEP Conference edition of Unirac’s newsletter! Last month, we talked about our investments in innovative products as part of our Better Solar Starts Here program which is our commitment to help you grow your business. This month we want to talk about supply chain and our efforts to provide you with the best lead times in our industry. With that, Unirac’s Chief Operating Officer Sean Linn contributed a video and article to this month’s newsletter; please be sure to check them out for more details on how Unirac has structured its supply chain to benefit you.

Stability and reliability of materials supply has been on everybody’s mind, A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend Intersolar North America in San Diego. It was great to connect with many of you and hear from you how excited you are about 2020. We at Unirac share your excitement!

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It is probably safe to say that almost everyone’s views on lead-times have changed dramatically over the last few years. With movies/music on demand, same day Amazon deliveries, and groceries being delivered, our expectations for service and speed are only increasing. It’s difficult to remove that expectation for immediate availability as you shift from your personal life to your day to day work in Solar. Luckily, with Unirac as your racking solutions provider you don’t have to.

The Unirac team works hard every day to ensure our focus on Better Solar Starts Here extends to all areas of the company and the Supply Chain is no exception. We are truly excited about the supply chain capabilities we have built over the years and the service levels we provide to our customers. Unirac ships 90%+ of all orders within 6 business days of order receipt. We continue to hear from our customers that this level of service is a true differentiator when working with Unirac. Unirac customers do not need to over-commit to heavy inventory levels and tie up precious cash reserves to support long lead- times. Unirac has provided racking solutions to customers for over 20 years and that history provides great visibility to the requirements of our customers. We are committed to having the inventory customers need to grow their solar business.

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Some of the most well-respected and industry-recognized solar certifications come from NABCEP®. For nearly two decades the organization has built a reputation and brand that is recognized by installers and consumers across the world as a badge of superior solar workmanship, safety, and consumer protection. Unirac is proud to work with NABCEP® and help further their goals to “promote renewable energy, provide value to practitioners, promote worker safety and skill, and promote consumer confidence.” Their goals very much reflect our goals here at Unirac and is the essence of our mantra, “Better Solar Starts Here”.Read More

*Installing Mounts on an S-Tile Roof

Second in a series: Attachments for Tile Roofs

Last month, I shared the top takeaways from the evaluation process I managed when I was responsible for vetting and approving mounting equipment for one of the largest national solar integrators. In that article, I shared key features that make a big difference when selecting roof attachments for composition shingle roofs. In this article, I’ll share my recommendations for tile roof attachments.Read More

When it comes to installing solar on tile roofs, Tile Hooks or Tile Replacement Mounts are the best options. Watch these videos to learn how to install Flashkit TR and Pro Series Solar Hooks.

The Unirac Pro Series Solar Hooks with Power Arch Technology delivers superior strength without a bulky arm, so there is no need to grind or notch tiles.

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Q & A with Jen Bristol, Director of Communications at Solar Energy Industries Association

Editor’s Note: This is a companion article to our spotlight on Unirac Strategic Account Manager Kendra Hubbard who serves as a Board Director with SEIA.

What is SEIA?

• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the U.S. solar industry, representing companies that promote, manufacture, install and support the development of solar energy. SEIA conducts solar market research, hosts educational events, and advocates for pro-solar policies in Washington, DC and in state capitals across the country.

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“Clean Energy is Critical to the Health of our Citizens and Planet”

“I love my job because I get to help with system design, procurement, and making sure our partners get excellent service from our team.” –Kendra Hubbard

Kendra Hubbard is Unirac’s Strategic Account Manager for the Pacific Northwest, where she travels seven states, helping installers and distributors with Unirac products. Her career in the solar industry began in 2010 when she worked for a module manufacturer. Since then, she’s held positions with installers, distributers, energy services providers, and manufacturers.Read More

Welcome to the 2nd Edition of Unirac’s newsletter, Better Solar Starts Here. We’re excited to bring you some updates that could impact your business. We appreciate everyone who shared feedback on the first issue of the newsletter and welcome any comments you may have on this, our second issue. Here, we’ll be featuring the first of a two-part guide to help you select the right roof attachment for your residential project. We have an article about ASCE 7-16 the new building code and how it might affect you. We profile our Trainer Carlos Jerez. If you’ll be in attendance at InterSolar North America, make sure to stop by our booth to meet Carlos. Last, be sure to check out the video in this month’s newsletter for a discussion of Product Innovation by Unirac’s Director of Products Ernest Gallegos.Read More

*Wind map images used with the permission of the Applied Technology Council (ATC)

After years in the making, The American Society of Civil Engineers’ latest set of guidelines, ASCE/SEI 7-16, has now taken effect. These guidelines set forth a number of changes which contractors should take into account when designing and installing residential and commercial solar projects. The ASCE standard is referenced in the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC), so the implications are far-reaching.Read More

First in a series: Attachments for Composition Shingle Roofs

There are an overwhelming number of solar roof mounting attachments on the market and more are released every year. Selecting the right product can seem daunting. Believe me, I know how it feels! For a great portion of my solar career, I worked for a large solar integrator where I was responsible for vetting and approving mounting equipment. What I quickly learned was that mounting and racking affected every part of the business and every single department had needs. The list of requirements was long. Through much trial (and some error) my team developed a comprehensive evaluation process. In this article I share the top takeaways from that process and key features that make a big difference when selecting roof attachments for composition shingle roofs. Next month I’ll share my recommendations for selecting attachments for tile roofs.Read More