Another year has come to a close and Carolina Solar Services (CSS) has been busier than ever. Our core values begin with “Safety First” and CSS is grateful to report zero recordable incidents in 2023. We continue to be part of the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), which recognizes small businesses that operate exemplary safety and health programs. We took action to develop our internal team, and had significant client engagement. We expanded our geographic footprint and offer services across a range of clean energy technologies. Let’s look at each of these year end highlights.
Investing in People
CSS values each and every member of our team and so it is only fitting that our end of year review starts with our employees. In January, Chief Executive Officer, Zack Hobbs provided an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) for CSS employees. CSS has more than 50 employees, and this was one way to translate our success into financial rewards for the entire team. Our employees are now co-owners in Carolina Solar Services.
In addition to our stock ownership plan, Carolina Solar Services became a certified B Corp. We will be covering this in more detail in the New Year, but generally, a B Corp Certification shows that a business meets high standards for performance, accountability, and transparency on everything from employee benefits to working with other businesses.
Client Engagement: A Case Study under the “Previously Uninspected Facilities” Program
While we have many successful client case studies, one particular case study deserves mentioning. This year, our Electrical and Special Projects Teams provided Duke Energy independent inspections under their “Previously Uninspected Facilities” program. This inspection program was created for the 325 solar generation facilities that received their interconnection notice prior to Duke Energy’s 2017 Interconnection Commissioning Requirements. Our team implemented Periodic Medium Voltage Construction Safety and Reliability Inspection Requirements under the North Carolina Independent Procedures (NCIP) Memorandum of Agreement Sections 6.5.2 and 6.5.3.
The goal of the inspections was twofold: (1) Ensure compliance with the North Carolina Interconnection Procedures (NCIP); and (2) ensure the reliability of the electrical distribution grid. We provided these inspections efficiently and cost-efficiently for our clients. More specifically, we verified inverter and interconnection device settings, ensured the solar facilities were built as designed (“as built verification”), and inspected both the point of interconnection and right-of-way. CSS has experience with a variety of solar manufacturers and this experience was put to use on these inspections.
Events & Sponsorships
Carolina Solar Services sponsored the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association (CCEBA) Charleston, South Carolina membership meeting and kicked off the event. CSS enjoyed engaging with CCEBA members, many of which are current CSS clients.
CSS also attended the RE + 2023 event in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier in the year as well as the Virginia Clean Energy Summit in Richmond, Virginia.
Geographic & Services Expansion
We continue to expand our geographic footprint and our service offerings. Here are a few highlights of those this year.
Services
CSS owns a Megger TRAX Transformer and Substation Test System. This system allows us to self-perform more specialized medium-voltage testing instead of subcontracting that service. CSS is unique because we are an operating and maintenance (O&M) provider that provides Medium Voltage work and the lower cost is passed on to our clients. In 2023, CSS used this state-of-the-art testing system to perform specialized transformer testing for clients. These include: winding resistance, transformer turn ratio, insulation resistance, and power factor testing. CSS has multiple technicians trained to use the TRAX unit and we will be performing specialized substation testing in 2024.
CSS has many clients with solar plus storage sites. To meet their needs, we have been working diligently to partner with battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturers and become factory-certified for these systems.
Finally, our Performance Engineering Team – which has grown in staff this year – continues to complete high-level testing and modeling for clients. For example, we have completed PVsyst models for both new and operating sites. Our work has helped clients satisfy testing requirements, set expectations for new sites, and refine expectations for current sites. Lastly, we have provided clients with a quick turnaround on capacity testing requirements, including review of testing procedures for compliance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). We welcomed an intern for the Performance Engineering Team this year whose work generated an automated process for data sanitization for our monthly Technical Asset Management reports.
Geography
In 2023, CSS continued to build density in the Southeast and Northwest. With new clients in Salem, Oregon; Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Eastern North Carolina, CSS was able to increase head-count and decrease mean time to resolution across all regions. CSS also has on-going Special Projects engagements in Georgia, and is looking forward to increasing solar operating and maintenance density in the state.
Carolina Solar Services looks forward to serving its clients in 2024 and partnering with new companies to ensure maximum uptime for their clean energy systems.