Heliotronics Unveils PV Live™- July 2007

Heliotronics Inc., the innovation leader in educational data displays for solar photovoltaic systems, has launched its PV Live™ initiative that brings up-to-the-second renewable energy data to the general public via the Internet. This dynamic display technology sets a new standard and compares to industry standard displays much as video does to stills.

With updates every 1 to 2 seconds PV Live™ is designed to promote interest and engage the public in order to garner support for expanding the use of renewable energy. PV Live™ extends the reach of the high speed data link to anywhere there is an Internet connection.

According to Amelia Amon, founder of Alt Technica a design firm that is widely known for creative renewable energy displays, “movement is a highly effective tool for engaging the public. The Heliotronics PV Live™ displays offer a state-of-the-art approach to that end.”

Since many members of the public in the U.S. have only recently begun to hear about the benefits of PV and solar technologies, being able to see a truly live data display updated every second has a memorable impact. Now with PV Live™, when the clouds part and the sun comes out, people can see the needle on the power gauge respond immediately–and it helps them make the connection at a visceral level that this system is producing energy from sunlight.

Building on that vision, Matt Arner, Heliotronics Manager of Business Development, said “We are seeing considerable excitement regarding PV Live™. It is being used on a small scale in some local projects and on a considerably larger scale in projects that will be announced later this year.”

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Boston Globe Article - December 2007

The Boston Globe wrote a story on the Dexter School's new solar voltaic roof panels. The new array provides an invaluable opportunity for Hingham students to learn about alternative energy.

High school science and electronics teacher Dan Clune is using the solar array to approach the entire field of alternative energy. He also uses a meter to measure the energy used by various electronics, to lure his students into thinking about electricity usage.

"We have to be conversant in the language of energy," (Heliotronics president) Handleman said, as he calculated the energy consumption in the high school computer lab as quickly as some of us can count calories on a dinner plate.

"The first thing is to get the kids to get familiar with solar. I think it's really about not understanding something that stops them from getting into it," said high school oceanography and science teacher Dana Crosby.

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Solar Today Article - Mar 2005

The current issue of SOLAR TODAY has an article about Heliotronics project at the Dexter School Clay Center.

"Administrators at the Clay Center recognized the educational potential of these monitoring systems as they
planned the Center, and sought out a system that would allow students hands-on experience with this equipment. After evaluating several educational software products, they chose the Solar Learning Lab(TM) data-monitoring system from Heliotronics Inc. of Hingham, Mass. The system comprises data acquisition electronics, Sun Viewer interactive monitoring software and SunViewer.net(TM) Web-based data display."

This article is republished courtesy of SOLAR TODAY, the award-winning magazine published by the American Solar Energy Society and dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. www.solartoday.org.

Read the full article (PDF)...

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Rhode Island Schools Go Solar with Heliotronics - Jan 2005

The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, administered by the Rhode Island State Energy Office is providing solar arrays for educational sites around the state, including schools and Roger Williams Zoo. Each of the 12 selected sites will use the solar arrays to generate some of their electricity without polluting the air. However, the biggest payoff may be the education of students and the general public about the benefits and feasibility of solar energy.

Each of the arrays will be outfitted with fun educational Epiphany™ data displays by Heliotronics. According to Matthew Arner, Heliotronics Manager of Business Development, “Heliotronics specializes in making renewable energy accessible and understandable to the general public.” Computers at each site will display the data in a dynamic, fun, and informative way. Off site, data will be available over the Internet. SunViewer.net™ is a powerful database and Internet display service that allows interested people to view the performance of individual systems or all of the systems aggregated together as a virtual power plant.

Meteorological information is also displayed clarifying the relationship between the environment and energy production for students. This combined approach brings lessons to life and stimulates student's imaginations.

According to Clayton Handleman, President of Heliotronics, “School children are surprisingly aware that clean energy means a cleaner environment. These educational systems show them that clean energy systems are powerful and can provide energy for their school to run. With this real life tool to engage them, students can find a context within which their studies make sense. For many this can be a powerful catalyst to learning.”

Each system will be installed by Solar Wrights, the leading installer of photovoltaic systems in Rhode Island.

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RE Insider Feature Article by Clayton Handleman - July 2004

Heliotronics President Clayton Handleman was featured as an RE Insider on the Solar Access website.

"A progressive program of public education and awareness is crucial to developing widespread public support for a vibrant renewables manufacturing industry in this country."

Read the full article (PDF)

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