Please take our listener survey.

Can solar panels laid flat on the ground unlock the next breakthrough in utility-scale solar? Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague interviews Jim Tyler, CEO of Erthos, an innovator in ground-mount solar technology.

Erthos offers the least-expensive and highest-performing system architecture for utility-scale solar power on the planet. They have perfected the science of installing solar modules directly on the ground. By maximizing the land coverage ratio and minimizing BOS components, Erthos claims leveled costs 20% lower than conventional trackers.

We dive into the pros and cons of this novel approach. How do flat panels perform in rain, heat, and wind? Can grass grow underneath? Are micro-cracking and degradation concerns?

Jim explains how his extensive background in project development informed the Erthos concept. By simplifying design and standardizing components, costs can be stripped to the bone. We learn about initial skepticism and how new technologies cross the chasm into mainstream use.

With 9 module partners on board and 200+ MW contracted, Erthos appears poised for rapid growth. However, they still face the universal challenge of interconnection delays. We discuss the future of low-cost renewable hydrogen and how distributed hubs can circumvent transmission bottlenecks.

If you are involved in utility-scale solar procurement, development, engineering, or asset management, you don’t want to miss this episode from veteran Jim Tyler and Erthos!

Key Takeaways

1. How does Erthos's ground-mount solar technology work without any racking or tilt?
2. What are the pros and cons of laying solar panels flat on the ground?
3. How do flat panels perform in rain, heat, wind, and other environmental factors?
4. What are the installation labor and O&M advantages of eliminating pile driving and trenching?
5. How has Erthos standardized system design to drive down costs even further?

Erthos
Connect with Jim Tyler on LinkedIn
Follow Erthos on LinkedIn

Support the show

Connect with Tim

Clean Power Hour
Clean Power Hour on YouTube
Tim on Twitter
Tim on LinkedIn

Email [email protected]

Review Clean Power Hour on Apple Podcasts

The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com