Field Notes

Field Notes & Technical Updates

Our team shares lessons from commissioning, SCADA integration, communications infrastructure, fiber networks, and field troubleshooting — focused on the challenges technicians, operators, and project teams encounter every day.

Solar farm harmonic distortion: IEEE 519 limits and filter design, REIG Solar
Oct 17, 2026

Solar farm harmonic distortion: IEEE 519 limits and filter design

IEEE 519-2022 caps solar farm harmonic distortion at 5% TDD above 161 kV. Learn PCC limits, inverter emissions, filter design, and commissioning verification.

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A field engineer walks past a solar SCADA cabin between rows of solar panels.
Oct 16, 2026

Solar SCADA cybersecurity: NIST controls field guide for PV plants

Solar SCADA cybersecurity field guide: apply NIST CSF 2.0, SP 800-82 Rev. 3, and ISA/IEC 62443 zoning for utility-scale PV plants without costly downtime.

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An engineer connects test equipment to a cabinet for solar substation breaker failure protection.
Oct 15, 2026

Solar substation breaker failure protection: testing field guide

Field guide to solar substation breaker failure protection: ANSI 50BF timer settings, trip matrix coordination, secondary injection tests, SCADA records.

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Steel transmission towers and substation transformers stand beside a large solar farm.
Oct 14, 2026

Grid-forming inverters for solar plants: a NERC planning guide

Grid-forming inverters for solar plants: NERC planning, modeling, and commissioning guidance for weak-grid stability on utility-scale PV interconnections.

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protection relay panel solar substation, REIG Solar
Aug 22, 2026

Protection relay testing solar substation secondary injection guide

A secondary injection field guide for protection relay testing solar substation crews: IEEE C37.233 tolerances, NERC PRC-005 rules, and witness pack setup.

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solar collection substation transformer yard, REIG Solar
Aug 22, 2026

Solar plant transformer DGA: dissolved gas analysis field guide

Solar plant transformer dissolved gas analysis DGA field guide: IEEE C57.104 thresholds, Duval Triangle ratios, sampling cadence, and action matrix planning.

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utility-scale solar plant reactive power control, REIG Solar
Aug 22, 2026

Solar plant reactive power control: inverter VAR dispatch guide

Solar plant reactive power control VAR dispatch guide covering FERC Order 827, inverter modes, SCADA integration, STATCOM sizing, and NERC MOD-025-2 tests.

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solar substation transformer differential protection, REIG Solar
Aug 22, 2026

Solar substation transformer differential protection: IEEE C37.91 guide

IEEE C37.91 settings for solar substation transformer differential protection: slope, pickup, harmonic restraint, and CT compensation on utility-scale plants.

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utility-scale solar farm lightning protection array, REIG Solar
Aug 3, 2026

Solar farm lightning protection IEC 62305 and SPD field guide

Solar farm lightning protection IEC 62305 field guide covering LPS zoning, SPD selection at DC combiners and inverters, earthing bonding, and O&M SPD tests.

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Solar substation IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging: relay protection guide, REIG Solar
Aug 3, 2026

Solar substation IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging: relay protection guide

IEC 61850 solar substation GOOSE protection uses substation automation with 3 ms trip signals across utility-scale solar plants. Read the SCADA field guide.

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IV curve tracer field measurement at utility solar plant, REIG Solar
Aug 3, 2026

Solar string IV curve tracing: field methods for degradation detection

Solar string IV curve tracing degradation: field methods covering instrument choice, IEC 60891 correction, anomaly signatures, and fleet degradation trending.

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Solar plant AC grounding and ground grid design: IEEE 80 field guide, REIG Solar
Aug 3, 2026

Solar plant AC grounding and ground grid design: IEEE 80 field guide

Solar plant grounding design IEEE 80 field guide: soil resistivity tests, step and touch potentials, ground grid sizing, and NEC 690 verification checklist.

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Solar DC cable insulation testing: HIPOT and megger commissioning guide, REIG Solar
Jul 17, 2026

Solar DC cable insulation testing: HIPOT and megger commissioning guide

Solar DC cable insulation testing: IEC 62446-1 thresholds, IEC 60364-6 voltages, OSHA LOTO steps, and utility witness pack records for large PV plants.

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Solar plant frequency response: FFR and synthetic inertia guide, REIG Solar
Jul 17, 2026

Solar plant frequency response: FFR and synthetic inertia guide

Solar plant frequency response guide: FERC Order 842 droop settings, BESS-based fast frequency response, and NERC BAL-003 validation for utility PV teams.

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DC Ground Fault Detection in Utility-Scale Solar: NEC 690.5 Field Guide, REIG Solar
Jul 15, 2026

DC Ground Fault Detection in Utility-Scale Solar: NEC 690.5 Field Guide

NEC 690.5 field guide for solar DC ground fault detection at utility-scale plants, covering isolation monitoring, AFCI coordination, and commissioning tests.

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Solar panel soiling loss measurement: methods and cleaning ROI, REIG Solar
Jul 15, 2026

Solar panel soiling loss measurement: methods and cleaning ROI

IEC 61724-1 solar panel soiling loss measurement, sensor selection, cleaning ROI economics, and SCADA integration for utility-scale solar plants field guide.

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Solar farm arc flash analysis NFPA 70E: IEEE 1584 and PPE guide, REIG Solar
Jul 8, 2026

Solar farm arc flash analysis NFPA 70E: IEEE 1584 and PPE guide

Solar farm arc flash analysis NFPA 70E field guide: IEEE 1584-2018 incident energy calcs, PPE category selection, and OSHA 1910.269 recordkeeping steps.

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Solar drone thermal inspection: utility-scale hotspot field guide, REIG Solar
Jul 3, 2026

Solar drone thermal inspection: utility-scale hotspot field guide

Solar drone thermal inspection catches hotspot cells and bypass diode faults that ground testing misses. See the IEC TS 62446-3 flight and delta-K workflow.

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IEEE 1588 PTP Time Sync for Solar SCADA: GPS Clock Field Guide, REIG Solar
Jul 3, 2026

IEEE 1588 PTP Time Sync for Solar SCADA: GPS Clock Field Guide

Field guide to IEEE 1588 PTP solar SCADA time synchronization at utility-scale plants: PTPv2.1 hierarchy, GPS grandmaster selection, and NERC CIP audit steps.

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IEEE 1547 solar interconnection: voltage ride-through guide, REIG Solar
Jul 1, 2026

IEEE 1547 solar interconnection: voltage ride-through guide

IEEE 1547 solar interconnection redefined voltage ride-through and reactive power for utility-scale plants. Compliance guide for interconnection engineers.

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Solar Farm Revenue Metering: ANSI C12.20 Accuracy Field Guide, REIG Solar
Jul 1, 2026

Solar Farm Revenue Metering: ANSI C12.20 Accuracy Field Guide

ANSI C12.20 Class 0.2 revenue metering field guide for utility-scale solar: PPA settlement accuracy, FERC calibration cadence, EIA reporting, SCADA reconcile.

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IEC 61850 Solar Substation: GOOSE, MMS, and Sampled Values Guide, REIG Solar
Jun 26, 2026

IEC 61850 Solar Substation: GOOSE, MMS, and Sampled Values Guide

IEC 61850 solar substation design replaces DNP3 with GOOSE, MMS, and Sampled Values for utility-scale PV interconnects. Engineering guide for SCADA teams.

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Solar performance ratio IEC 61724-3: PPA compliance reporting guide, REIG Solar
Jun 26, 2026

Solar performance ratio IEC 61724-3: PPA compliance reporting guide

How utility-scale solar plants apply solar performance ratio IEC 61724-3 to run capacity tests, instrument SCADA, and pass PPA acceptance audits cleanly.

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Solar SCADA cybersecurity NERC CIP: utility-scale compliance guide, REIG Solar
Jun 24, 2026

Solar SCADA cybersecurity NERC CIP: utility-scale compliance guide

Solar SCADA cybersecurity NERC CIP guide: the 75 MVA threshold, IEC 62443 zones, CIP-013 vendor rules, CIP-007 patch cycles, and Volt Typhoon defense.

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Solar tracker SCADA integration: backtracking and tag map design, REIG Solar
Jun 24, 2026

Solar tracker SCADA integration: backtracking and tag map design

Solar tracker SCADA integration playbook: tracker NCU Modbus maps, backtracking thresholds, hail and wind stow overrides, and row alignment commissioning.

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Solar met station sensor selection and ISO 9060 compliance guide, REIG Solar
Jun 19, 2026

Solar met station sensor selection and ISO 9060 compliance guide

Solar met station sensor selection guide: ISO 9060:2018 Class A pyranometers, IEC 61724-1 redundancy rules, and PPA-grade uncertainty targets explained.

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SunSpec Modbus inverter: register maps for utility-scale solar plants, REIG Solar
Jun 17, 2026

SunSpec Modbus inverter: register maps for utility-scale solar plants

SunSpec Modbus inverter register maps explained: which models utility-scale SCADA must poll, how to wire setpoints into a PPC, and how to validate at FAT.

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How solar SCADA reduces unplanned downtime at utility-scale plants, REIG Solar
Jun 11, 2026

How solar SCADA reduces unplanned downtime at utility-scale plants

A solar SCADA system catches inverter and string faults at utility-scale plants before they cut generation. REIG engineers monitoring programs across the US.

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Solar Curtailment and AGC in Utility-Scale Solar Plant Operations, REIG Solar
May 16, 2026

Solar Curtailment and AGC in Utility-Scale Solar Plant Operations

Solar curtailment cuts revenue when grids hit limits. Learn how AGC, SCADA, and DAS systems manage utility-scale solar output efficiently and protect ROI.

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Solar Power Plant Controller: SCADA Integration, Setpoints, Limits, REIG Solar
May 14, 2026

Solar Power Plant Controller: SCADA Integration, Setpoints, Limits

Solar power plant controller explained: SCADA architecture, setpoints, plant limits, and commissioning workflow for utility-scale solar plants in the US.

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BESS SCADA Integration for Utility-Scale Solar Plants: A Field Guide, REIG Solar
May 6, 2026

BESS SCADA Integration for Utility-Scale Solar Plants: A Field Guide

BESS SCADA integration on utility-scale solar plants: protocol stack design, latency budgets, NERC CIP compliance, and field-tested commissioning playbooks.

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Solar SCADA commissioning: building the utility witness pack, REIG Solar
Apr 24, 2026

Solar SCADA commissioning: building the utility witness pack

Solar SCADA commissioning step-by-step: the utility witness pack, point-to-point tests, NERC documentation, and corrective actions for utility-scale plants.

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Fiber optic installation solar farm: OTDR testing field guide, REIG Solar
Apr 22, 2026

Fiber optic installation solar farm: OTDR testing field guide

OTDR testing protocols, cable selection, and acceptance documentation for fiber optic installation solar farm crews building SCADA-grade utility-scale plants.

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Solar SCADA Alarm Rules: Cut Nuisance Noise on Utility-Scale Plants, REIG Solar
Apr 17, 2026

Solar SCADA Alarm Rules: Cut Nuisance Noise on Utility-Scale Plants

Cut solar SCADA nuisance alarms by 80% with five tested rules, ISA-18.2 priorities, threshold tuning, plus a full 12-week workflow built by REIG engineers.

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Utility Scale Solar Monitoring vs SCADA: Roles and Layers Defined, REIG Solar
Apr 15, 2026

Utility Scale Solar Monitoring vs SCADA: Roles and Layers Defined

Utility scale solar monitoring and SCADA serve different roles. Learn how DAS, PPC, and monitoring layers split data, control, and reporting on solar plants.

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Solar DAS commissioning: irradiance and weather QA standards, REIG Solar
Apr 10, 2026

Solar DAS commissioning: irradiance and weather QA standards

Solar DAS commissioning sets the data layer for every PR guarantee on a utility-scale plant. Learn the IEC 61724-1 weather and irradiance QA standards.

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Modbus TCP vs DNP3: solar SCADA protocol guide for utility plants, REIG Solar
Apr 8, 2026

Modbus TCP vs DNP3: solar SCADA protocol guide for utility plants

Modbus TCP vs DNP3 for solar SCADA: compare bandwidth, cybersecurity, and event reporting so utility-scale solar plants pick the right protocol first time.

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Solar SCADA Failover Architecture for High Availability Plants, REIG Solar
Apr 3, 2026

Solar SCADA Failover Architecture for High Availability Plants

Solar SCADA failover architecture for high availability: how dual-server clusters, redundant comms, and N+1 design protect utility-scale solar plants.

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Solar plant SCADA system modernization: a utility upgrade roadmap, REIG Solar
Apr 2, 2026

Solar plant SCADA system modernization: a utility upgrade roadmap

Plan your solar plant SCADA system modernization with a phased 18-24 month roadmap covering hardware, cybersecurity, DAS integration, and FAT/SAT validation.

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SCADA integration services testing in a solar plant control room with engineer reviewing an end-to-end verification checklist.
Mar 25, 2026

SCADA Integration Services Testing: End-to-End Plan

A practical end-to-end test plan for utility-scale solar SCADA + DAS integration—prove signals, controls, comms, historian, dashboards, and documentation before COD.

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Pyranometer installation on a utility-scale solar PV site, mounted on a rigid mast with the bubble level visible.
Mar 20, 2026

Pyranometer Installation: Mounting, Leveling, and Shading Rules for Utility-Scale PV

Learn pyranometer mounting, leveling tolerances, shading rules, and commissioning checks to keep irradiance data defensible for PR tests, COD, and O&M.

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Utility-scale solar monitoring dashboard on a laptop in the foreground with one-axis tracker rows at sunrise in the background.
Mar 18, 2026

Utility-Scale Solar Monitoring Dashboards: What Ops Needs vs What Asset Managers Need

Compare ops vs asset manager dashboard needs for utility-scale solar monitoring—KPIs, alarms, data quality, compliance evidence, and a practical build spec for SCADA+DAS.

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Utility-scale solar control room with SCADA/DAS screen showing tag units and scaling, with solar array and MET station visible outside.
Mar 13, 2026

Solar Data Acquisition System (DAS) Tagging: Units, Scaling, and QC for Utility-Scale PV

Learn how to tag a solar data acquisition system (DAS) point list with correct units, scaling, and QC checks—so SCADA, historian, and reports match from day one.

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Utility-scale solar PV control house during solar DAS commissioning, with engineers reviewing a point list and laptop trends beside SCADA/DAS racks and network switches.
Mar 6, 2026

Solar DAS Commissioning Targets: Completeness, Accuracy, Latency

Define “commissioned” for utility-scale solar DAS: hit data completeness, prove accuracy device-to-historian, and control latency so COD and O&M aren’t derailed.

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Control house interior with SCADA cabinets, network switches, and fiber patch panels as a technician reviews a point list on a laptop for SCADA integration services.
Feb 18, 2026

SCADA Integration Services: Scope + Deliverables That Prevent Rework

A practical scope-and-deliverables guide for utility-scale solar SCADA integration services—point lists, network validation, fiber testing, and COD-ready documentation that reduce rework.

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Close-up pyranometer on a utility-scale PV meteorological station with solar trackers in the background.
Feb 13, 2026

Pyranometer for Utility-Scale PV: Accuracy Classes Explained

Learn pyranometer accuracy classes, ISO 9060 categories, and what to specify for utility-scale PV PR and SCADA/DAS. Includes selection and commissioning checks.

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Utility-scale solar engineer reviewing monitoring KPIs on a tablet at a solar PV plant
Feb 11, 2026

Utility-Scale Solar Monitoring KPIs: PR, Availability, and Curtailment

Learn how to define, calculate, and validate PR, availability, and curtailment in utility-scale solar monitoring so SCADA/DAS data supports COD, O&M, and reporting.

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Utility-scale solar data acquisition system with meteorological sensors, field communications enclosures, and SCADA-connected infrastructure
Feb 6, 2026

Solar Data Acquisition System (DAS): Sensor Map + Data Flow

A practical guide to utility-scale solar DAS: what sensors to include, how data flows to SCADA, and how to validate signals end-to-end for COD-ready reporting.

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Understanding Pyranometers and Their Role in Utility-Scale Solar Performance
Dec 12, 2025

Understanding Pyranometers and Their Role in Utility-Scale Solar Performance

In utility-scale solar energy, accurate data is the foundation of performance. Every watt of production and every decision made on site depends on knowing how much sunlight is actually reaching the solar array. This is where pyranometers come into play. Precise instruments that measure solar irradiance and help operators evaluate system performance, efficiency, and reliability.

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The Importance of Reliable Fusion Splicing in Modern Networks
Nov 13, 2025

The Importance of Reliable Fusion Splicing in Modern Networks

In today’s connected world, nearly every critical system whether it’s renewable energy, healthcare, finance, or transportation relies on the invisible backbone of fiber optic networks. At the heart of these networks lies a precision process called fusion splicing, the method of permanently joining two fiber optic strands together. While it may seem like a small

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Direct Buried vs. Conduit Fiber: Making the Right Choice for Your Project
Oct 31, 2025

Direct Buried vs. Conduit Fiber: Making the Right Choice for Your Project

When designing a fiber optic network, one of the most important early decisions is how to install the cable. Should you place it directly in the ground, or run it through protective conduit? Both methods – direct buried and conduit installation are widely used in renewable energy, utility, and telecommunications projects. Each approach has unique

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What Is an OTDR?
Oct 10, 2025

What Is an OTDR?

What Is an OTDR? An OTDR is a testing instrument designed to send a pulse of light down a fiber optic cable and measure the backscatter and reflections that return. By analyzing these signals, the OTDR can map the entire length of the fiber, identifying points of loss, splices, bends, breaks, and connectors. The result

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Single-Mode vs. Multi-Mode Fiber: Choosing the Right Fit for Your Project
Sep 26, 2025

Single-Mode vs. Multi-Mode Fiber: Choosing the Right Fit for Your Project

When designing a communication network whether for a solar farm, wind project, or data center the type of fiber you select will impact performance, reliability, and long-term costs. The two primary categories are single-mode (SM) and multi-mode (MM) fiber, but within those categories are specific standards, such as OM1, OM3, and OS2. Understanding these options

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Overcoming the Challenges of Fiber Network
Sep 4, 2025

Overcoming the Challenges of Fiber Network

Installation: How REIG Can Help Building a reliable fiber optic network is no small task. From renewable energy projects to utility substations and data centers, fiber installation is the backbone of modern communication systems. While the end result delivers high-speed, resilient connectivity, the path to get there is filled with technical and logistical challenges. At

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Exciting News from REIG
Aug 1, 2025

Exciting News from REIG

We’re excited to share an important update: Brian Otto has officially acquired REIG from company founder Keith Davis. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Keith for his visionary leadership, dedication, and the solid foundation he built in the renewable energy sector. His contributions have positioned REIG as a trusted partner in the industry.

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The Importance of SCADA and DAS Systems in a Utility-Scale Solar PV Farm
Sep 6, 2024

The Importance of SCADA and DAS Systems in a Utility-Scale Solar PV Farm

In the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy, utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) farms have emerged as a cornerstone for sustainable green power generation. Years of operation has shown the industry these are not “build-it and forget-it” systems, so accurate and pertinent data about the site’s functionality and performance are critical to the operation of these

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Its More Than a Big Grey Box – Hardware Basics
Aug 3, 2024

Its More Than a Big Grey Box – Hardware Basics

Last time we discussed the holistic collection of data, both the must-have information and the data points that seem to be small and inconsequential. But as we saw, all data is important, its what we do with it that’s makes the difference. So, data must be collected and managed. From this point on, it’s not

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Its More Than a Big Grey Box – The Basics of Data
Jun 26, 2024

Its More Than a Big Grey Box – The Basics of Data

In the first chapter of the series about DAS and SCADA, we learned why these systems are not only necessary, but required for utility scale PV generation systems. Its all about knowledge, the power to know what a site is or is not doing. In this next article, we dig a little deeper into what

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Field technician uses a laptop to verify solar data acquisition system (DAS) points and communications along PV module rows.
Jun 8, 2024

Its More Than a Great Big Gray Box – Why is it Needed?

Known as SCADA, DAS or whatever you want to call it. The need for these types of data collection systems on solar PV sites is no longer optional. And to moist of the installation community, they are a mystery, full of different devices, multicolored terminals, and a variety of wires and communications cables. And its

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Office and field staff collaborate on planning for SCADA and DAS integration, with project documents and a hard hat on the table.
Sep 27, 2023

Simplifying Solar Energy Management: The REIG Process

Welcome to REIG, where we believe in making solar energy management as simple as possible. With years of industry expertise, we’ve refined a process that untangles the complexities of DAS and SCADA systems, offering seamless integration, reliable insights, and easy visualization. Here’s how we do it: Step 1: Initiate a Conversation The journey begins with

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Renewable Energy Integration Group (REIG) logo.
Sep 27, 2023

Renewable Energy Integration Group (REIG)

Welcome to REIG, where we simplify solar energy management. Our mission is to remove the complexity from your solar data, providing seamless integration, reliable insights, and simple-to-understand visualization so you can achieve your renewable energy goals. Why Choose REIG? Years of Expertise: With a proven track record in solar energy integration, we bring unmatched

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New Belgium Brewing Company
Jul 10, 2023

New Belgium Brewing Company

Project: New Belgium Solar Project Type: Commercial/Industrial roof top solar with Duke Energy required Small-scale Distributed Generation controller. Location: Asheville, NC Client/ EPC: ReNu Energy Products/ Services: REIG provided and installed the Duke Energy required SDGI control system that allows Duke to communicate with and control the small-scale system remotely utilizing two RTAC’s to isolate

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Field technician terminates and tests communications cabling at a PV equipment cabinet as part of site monitoring and controls integration.
Jun 9, 2023

Pleasant Hill Solar

Project Type: Small scale utility connected PV system. 20 MW AC. Location: Pleasant Hill, NC (Northampton County) Client/ EPC: Blue Ridge Power Products/ Services: Optical fiber installation, termination, and testing. Construction management and installation of the NorCal provided DAS/SCADA Hardware, weather stations, and communication cabling. Final system commissioning with NorCal to verify fiber communications, inverter

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Pitts Dudik Solar
May 8, 2023

Pitts Dudik Solar

Project Type: Large scale utility connect PV project. 60 MW AC. Location: Hillsboro, TX Client/ EPC: Elewan Energy and Calvada Engineering Products/ Services: Ulteig provided substation control system rack and PV system control software plus coordination with the local utility and ERCOT and worked closely with the substation EPC team. We also provided a full

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Field engineers review a utility-scale solar array, representing on-site coordination for solar SCADA and DAS integration work
Apr 29, 2023

Elevating Renewable Energy: The REIG Advantage

At REIG, we’re not just a service provider; we’re partners in your renewable energy journey. Our specialized team is dedicated to simplifying the complex world of renewable energy systems. Here’s a brief look at what we do: Comprehensive Consultation We start by understanding your project inside out. From site conditions to agreements, we ensure your

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Outdoor equipment rack with monitoring and communications enclosures at a solar site, supporting the solar data acquisition system (DAS).
Apr 7, 2023

Hertford Solar

Project Type: Small scale utility connected PV system 10.5 MW AC Location: Ahoskie, NC Client/ EPC: Axis Energy was the EPC for the site. Products/ Services: RenergyWare enclosures and weather sensors platform. Optical fiber installation, termination, and testing. Construction management and installation of the REnergyWare provided DAS/SCADA Hardware, weather stations, and communication cabling. Final system

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Phobos Solar
Mar 6, 2023

Phobos Solar

Project Type: Large scale utility connect PV project. 78 MW AC. Location: Middlesex, NC Client/ EPC: Blue Ridge Power Products/ Services: Optical fiber installation, termination, and testing. Construction management and installation of the NorCal provided DAS/SCADA Hardware, weather stations, and communication cabling. Final system commissioning with NorCal to verify fiber communications, inverter communications, MET stations

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Good Work
Feb 19, 2023

Good Work

In Raleigh, NC, Baker Roofing Company has a slogan. It’s on their website, truck bumpers, marketing materials, everywhere there is a point of contact with the customer. It’s short, to the point, and memorable, all good attributes of a company’s message. Here is what the slogan says: The more I think about this collection of

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Bulldog Solar
Feb 5, 2023

Bulldog Solar

Project Type: Large Scale utility connected PV project 80.0 MW AC Location: Warrenton, GA Client/ EPC: Blue Ridge Power Products/ Services: Optical fiber installation, termination, and testing. Construction management and installation of the NorCal provided DAS/SCADA Hardware, weather stations, and communication cabling. Final system commissioning with NorCal to verify fiber communications, inverter communications, MET stations

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Communications – Keep Your Team in the Loop
Dec 19, 2022

Communications – Keep Your Team in the Loop

Continuing to flesh out the three pillars of business, this segment will communicate the necessity of excellent communications. Without exceptional communications, no business will survive, much less thrive. Defining the verb communicate… to convey knowledge of or information about: to make known. to reveal by clear signs. In this digital age of email and social

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Quality – It’s in Our DNA
Oct 19, 2022

Quality – It’s in Our DNA

In recent posts, we have discussed three pillars of business…integrity, innovation, and service. These form the basis of any great business and operation and no business will last long without all three in place. Beginning with this post, we’ll look at ideas that fill in the spaces between the three foundations. Today, we discuss quality.

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Service – Every Business is Built on It
Aug 16, 2022

Service – Every Business is Built on It

Previously we looked at integrity and innovations as two pillars of a successful business. But like a two-legged stool requires another leg to remain upright, so does every business. That third leg is service. Service: to perform any of the business functions auxiliary to production or distribution of. In this use, service is a verb,

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Innovation – Nothing New Happens Without It
Jun 22, 2022

Innovation – Nothing New Happens Without It

A couple of weeks back we tackled the topic of integrity and it being the first pillar of our business. Today, I want to look at the second pillar of our business…innovation. As before, let’s define innovation…Merriam Webster says innovation is the introduction of something new. Pretty straight forward it seems, but really there is

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Why Solar PV Systems Need Monitoring
Jun 6, 2022

Why Solar PV Systems Need Monitoring

In the “early” days of the solar PV industry the prevailing “wisdom” was this: a solar PV power plant was a system that could be built and then forgotten for 25 years. Mostly built on commercial rooftops, the panels had no moving parts, the electrical system was time tested and met NEC requirements, the inverters

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Solar DAS and SCADA Defined
May 25, 2022

Solar DAS and SCADA Defined

This is the first of a series of blogs on the technical aspect of solar PV DAS and SCADA systems. So, to set the series stage, I thought the first topic should be just what do we mean by the two terms? Let’s explore that a little bit. DAS is an anacronym for Data Acquisition

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Integrity – The First Pillar
Apr 27, 2022

Integrity – The First Pillar

In a recent post, I talked about REIG’s beginnings and the foundations we stand upon. Today’s post discussed the first and most important of the pillars…integrity. Being who you say you are and conducting every aspect of your business honestly. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary has three definitions for integrity and two of them are specific to how

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Building a Better Network
Mar 19, 2022

Building a Better Network

Who owns your network? Do you? Or does your DAS software provider? Would you accept that same relationship in your office building? Doubtful… Let’s be real…networks are the most critical piece of your data infrastructure. They are an integrated system that works as your organization’s high speed digital highway and must be robust and reliable.

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Renewable Energy Integration Group (REIG) logo.
May 24, 2021

Starting at the Beginning

When I first got involved I the solar industry way back in 2008, I had no idea where the journey might take me and what my role in might be. The industry was just starting out and I don’t think anyone really had a clear vision of how rapidly solar PV would flourish and become

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Different Times
Dec 10, 2020

Different Times

Dear friends, These are indeed different times than what we have known in the recent past. But different does not necessarily mean worse or better or any other synonym. It means the old way of building and managing solar PV systems may be behind us, but that also opens the doors to opportunities for those

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EntreLeadership 2019
Dec 10, 2020

EntreLeadership 2019

Last week, Susan and I had made the drive from Charlotte to Nashville, TN to join in with 650 other entrepreneurs to participate in Ramsey Solution’s annual event known as EntreLeadership Mastery Series (ELMS for short.) I had attended the 2018 event but made the mistake of not including my business partner (and wife) in

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Solar Innovation
Dec 10, 2020

Solar Innovation

One of the great things about working in the young and dynamic solar PV industry, is seeing the innovations that are created to solve some very perplexing challenges. There are some really smart minds out there dreaming and working on tomorrows systems that will be easier to build, more resilient and built for the long

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Updates from Solar Power International 2019
Dec 10, 2020

Updates from Solar Power International 2019

The solar industry certainly does not lack for trade show opportunities. Seems like I get multiple invitations in my Inbox daily…India, China, the EU. You name it, there is some sort of solar event going on somewhere and seemingly every week of the year. But THE show for us here in the US is Solar

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