Writing project #2
An annotated bibliography for my research project exploring emerging solar technologies.
1. Interview
CITATION
Henshaw, Jacob. Personal Interview. 16 Apr. 2020.
CREDIBILITY
Our central research question aims to answer unfulfilled customer demands, so our valuable customer base is the natural starting place to gather information and feedback. Jacob Henshaw is a credible source here as one of our solar customers.
SUMMARY
Although Mr. Henshaw has been happy with his solar energy system saving him money on his power bill, he experiences utility grid power outages from time to time. When a storm or hurricane hits and all the lights in the neighborhood go out, his do too. He wants to be able to use his solar energy system to keep his power up and running during a grid power outage.
PURPOSE
The purpose Mr. Henshaw put behind his answers was based on his desire to improve his level of energy independence and his quality of life. As a solar energy customer, he wants to get the most out of his system, while providing safe and reliable energy for his home and family.
STRATEGY
As Mr. Henshaw said to explain his situation, “My solar’s been great, my power bill has been pretty much nothing, but every time we get hit with another big storm and we lose it, it’s back to the stone age for us. No power. The sun is still shining, we got solar, we should be able to use it right?” His first strategy here is to probe for answers on how his situation could be improved. His second strategy is to relate his situation and express himself on a person-to-person level. Those are a pretty relatable statements in the area, and Mr. Henshaw gives the audience a personal example of the problems addressed in this project.
SITUATION
The basic sentiments expressed by Mr. Henshaw are shared by millions of Floridians who have experienced similar situations. His comments are situated as a common voice to the people of Florida, clarifying an existing and growing issue.
CROSS-TALK
This interview ties in with the next source about power outages in Florida, which looks at similar situations from homeowners like Mr. Henshaw from a broader perspective. It also brings up issues that are addressed in the sources about new solar technology.
EVALUATION
I think this is a great source, probably the most important source here. Mr. Henshaw’s comments are echoed by many of our other customers, and we need that feedback for our main project.
APPLICATION
I plan to use this source in the introduction of my larger project to describe a need that can be addressed as the reader continues.
Henshaw, Jacob. Personal Interview. 16 Apr. 2020.
CREDIBILITY
Our central research question aims to answer unfulfilled customer demands, so our valuable customer base is the natural starting place to gather information and feedback. Jacob Henshaw is a credible source here as one of our solar customers.
SUMMARY
Although Mr. Henshaw has been happy with his solar energy system saving him money on his power bill, he experiences utility grid power outages from time to time. When a storm or hurricane hits and all the lights in the neighborhood go out, his do too. He wants to be able to use his solar energy system to keep his power up and running during a grid power outage.
PURPOSE
The purpose Mr. Henshaw put behind his answers was based on his desire to improve his level of energy independence and his quality of life. As a solar energy customer, he wants to get the most out of his system, while providing safe and reliable energy for his home and family.
STRATEGY
As Mr. Henshaw said to explain his situation, “My solar’s been great, my power bill has been pretty much nothing, but every time we get hit with another big storm and we lose it, it’s back to the stone age for us. No power. The sun is still shining, we got solar, we should be able to use it right?” His first strategy here is to probe for answers on how his situation could be improved. His second strategy is to relate his situation and express himself on a person-to-person level. Those are a pretty relatable statements in the area, and Mr. Henshaw gives the audience a personal example of the problems addressed in this project.
SITUATION
The basic sentiments expressed by Mr. Henshaw are shared by millions of Floridians who have experienced similar situations. His comments are situated as a common voice to the people of Florida, clarifying an existing and growing issue.
CROSS-TALK
This interview ties in with the next source about power outages in Florida, which looks at similar situations from homeowners like Mr. Henshaw from a broader perspective. It also brings up issues that are addressed in the sources about new solar technology.
EVALUATION
I think this is a great source, probably the most important source here. Mr. Henshaw’s comments are echoed by many of our other customers, and we need that feedback for our main project.
APPLICATION
I plan to use this source in the introduction of my larger project to describe a need that can be addressed as the reader continues.
2. News article
CITATION
Iannelli, Jerry. “Florida Leads Nation in Residents Without Power Over Past Decade, Study Says.” Miami New Times, Miami New Times, 30 July 2019, www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-leads-nation-in-power-outages-11230329.
CREDIBILITY
Jerry Iannelli is credible as a journalist for the Miami New Times with a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. New Times has won more than 70 first-place awards for editorial excellence, statewide and nationally, in contests ranging from the Investigative Reporters & Editors competition to the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists.
SUMMARY
The headline summarizes the main statement already, but this article goes into greater depth and detail about the underlying causes for the high amount of Florida residents that have gone without power in the last ten years. Some of the causes discussed in the article include hurricanes and their effects on vulnerable above-ground power lines across Florida. Although it would better protect the grid from hurricanes, Utility companies like FPL do not want to bury their power lines in most of Florida due to concerns over the rising sea levels that could flood underground electrical service lines with water.
PURPOSE
The writer’s purpose for this article is to highlight and report on the power outages that have affected over 25 million Florida residents over the last 10 years. This is a big story that directly involves a lot of his readers as a Miami New Times journalist.
STRATEGY
Iannelli’s strategy in reporting includes bringing attention to the most serious effects of the power outages. He does this by describing an event that took place after Hurricane Irma in 2017, when 12 elderly people died when one nursing home lost power and the temperature inside rose to 110 degrees. This is going to express to the audience how power outages in Florida can go beyond just an inconvenience, to a real potential danger to ourselves and our loved ones. Ianelli also uses the strategy of providing lots of data to back up his own claims with hard facts.
SITUATION
The source is situated to tie together a diverse set of voices and experiences from around the state. It takes a series of individual incidents and data sets and traces the pattern across them.
CROSS-TALK
This news article brings weight to the interview source by showing how many people are impacted by power outages in a similar way to Mr. Henshaw. It also shows that the solutions presented in the sources about new solar technology which can keep your solar producing and power running during a grid failure have the potential to greatly impact Florida home owners.
EVALUATION
This is a good source because it ties together a shared magnitude of issues that bring validity and impact to the project under the context of the Florida community.
APPLICATION
In the larger project, I would want to follow the interview introduction with this source, to back up the more anecdotal offering with a factual framework.
Iannelli, Jerry. “Florida Leads Nation in Residents Without Power Over Past Decade, Study Says.” Miami New Times, Miami New Times, 30 July 2019, www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-leads-nation-in-power-outages-11230329.
CREDIBILITY
Jerry Iannelli is credible as a journalist for the Miami New Times with a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. New Times has won more than 70 first-place awards for editorial excellence, statewide and nationally, in contests ranging from the Investigative Reporters & Editors competition to the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists.
SUMMARY
The headline summarizes the main statement already, but this article goes into greater depth and detail about the underlying causes for the high amount of Florida residents that have gone without power in the last ten years. Some of the causes discussed in the article include hurricanes and their effects on vulnerable above-ground power lines across Florida. Although it would better protect the grid from hurricanes, Utility companies like FPL do not want to bury their power lines in most of Florida due to concerns over the rising sea levels that could flood underground electrical service lines with water.
PURPOSE
The writer’s purpose for this article is to highlight and report on the power outages that have affected over 25 million Florida residents over the last 10 years. This is a big story that directly involves a lot of his readers as a Miami New Times journalist.
STRATEGY
Iannelli’s strategy in reporting includes bringing attention to the most serious effects of the power outages. He does this by describing an event that took place after Hurricane Irma in 2017, when 12 elderly people died when one nursing home lost power and the temperature inside rose to 110 degrees. This is going to express to the audience how power outages in Florida can go beyond just an inconvenience, to a real potential danger to ourselves and our loved ones. Ianelli also uses the strategy of providing lots of data to back up his own claims with hard facts.
SITUATION
The source is situated to tie together a diverse set of voices and experiences from around the state. It takes a series of individual incidents and data sets and traces the pattern across them.
CROSS-TALK
This news article brings weight to the interview source by showing how many people are impacted by power outages in a similar way to Mr. Henshaw. It also shows that the solutions presented in the sources about new solar technology which can keep your solar producing and power running during a grid failure have the potential to greatly impact Florida home owners.
EVALUATION
This is a good source because it ties together a shared magnitude of issues that bring validity and impact to the project under the context of the Florida community.
APPLICATION
In the larger project, I would want to follow the interview introduction with this source, to back up the more anecdotal offering with a factual framework.
3. Product video
CITATION
“Enphase Ensemble 101.” Youtube, Enphase, 28 May 2019, https://youtu.be/-zm0NMKW7k4.
CREDIBILITY
The team at Enphase has proven their place on the cutting edge of the solar industry in recent years by offering the safest and most reliable solar energy inverter and storage systems on the market. Their industry-leading research, development and production of micro-inverter technology and the way you interact with it has built the trust of home owners around the world. This video describes the Enphase “Ensemble”, their next generation of solar technology.
SUMMARY
This video explains the benefits and capabilities of “Ensemble”, Enphase’s new family of technology. To address the issue of homes and business properties losing power for extended periods of time due to natural disasters, Ensemble debuts a pivotal new feature in the solar industry: the first truly “grid-agnostic” solar energy system. During a grid power failure, the Ensemble system keeps everything running.
PURPOSE
Enphase’s purpose with this video is to market their new product developments and bring awareness to the technology they are soon to release. They have been working on developing this technology for years now as a response to the main needs left wide open and unanswered in the energy sector, and they want to make sure news gets out that they’re leading the way in resolving these needs.
STRATEGY
Their marketing strategy in this video is to explaining how the Ensemble technology can solve real problems. The first real problem they describe is the power outages caused around the world by hurricane Maria, when many people lost power for long periods of time - even though they had solar panels on their house. They explain why special technology is needed to establish a “micro grid” to keep solar producing during grid failures, and they explain how Ensemble integrates the new technology needed to solve that problem. Their second strategy is to describe additional benefits that the Ensemble system can bring. These are all solutions and benefits that the audience could potentially use to improve their own home and well being.
SITUATION
This video is situated in the solar community as both marketing material for Enphase, and a description for how the solar technology industry is progressive, moving forward and solving new issues.
CROSS-TALK
This video describes a direct solution to the issues brought forth in the interview and the news article. It also gives a full descriptive outline of a technology that will give the context necessary to draw meaning from other sources, such the website article about the safety of Enphase Systems and the photo of the Enphase Ensemble equipment.
EVALUATION
This is a good source for this project. While there were several to choose from to get across a similar message, I felt that this video does the best job in explaining Ensemble technology in a way that is easy to understand and relates to the project.
APPLICATION
In the larger research project, I will probably bring this source up right after Enphase Ensemble is mentioned as a potential solution, in order to bring the reader up to speed on what it is and how it can apply to the issues previously described.
“Enphase Ensemble 101.” Youtube, Enphase, 28 May 2019, https://youtu.be/-zm0NMKW7k4.
CREDIBILITY
The team at Enphase has proven their place on the cutting edge of the solar industry in recent years by offering the safest and most reliable solar energy inverter and storage systems on the market. Their industry-leading research, development and production of micro-inverter technology and the way you interact with it has built the trust of home owners around the world. This video describes the Enphase “Ensemble”, their next generation of solar technology.
SUMMARY
This video explains the benefits and capabilities of “Ensemble”, Enphase’s new family of technology. To address the issue of homes and business properties losing power for extended periods of time due to natural disasters, Ensemble debuts a pivotal new feature in the solar industry: the first truly “grid-agnostic” solar energy system. During a grid power failure, the Ensemble system keeps everything running.
PURPOSE
Enphase’s purpose with this video is to market their new product developments and bring awareness to the technology they are soon to release. They have been working on developing this technology for years now as a response to the main needs left wide open and unanswered in the energy sector, and they want to make sure news gets out that they’re leading the way in resolving these needs.
STRATEGY
Their marketing strategy in this video is to explaining how the Ensemble technology can solve real problems. The first real problem they describe is the power outages caused around the world by hurricane Maria, when many people lost power for long periods of time - even though they had solar panels on their house. They explain why special technology is needed to establish a “micro grid” to keep solar producing during grid failures, and they explain how Ensemble integrates the new technology needed to solve that problem. Their second strategy is to describe additional benefits that the Ensemble system can bring. These are all solutions and benefits that the audience could potentially use to improve their own home and well being.
SITUATION
This video is situated in the solar community as both marketing material for Enphase, and a description for how the solar technology industry is progressive, moving forward and solving new issues.
CROSS-TALK
This video describes a direct solution to the issues brought forth in the interview and the news article. It also gives a full descriptive outline of a technology that will give the context necessary to draw meaning from other sources, such the website article about the safety of Enphase Systems and the photo of the Enphase Ensemble equipment.
EVALUATION
This is a good source for this project. While there were several to choose from to get across a similar message, I felt that this video does the best job in explaining Ensemble technology in a way that is easy to understand and relates to the project.
APPLICATION
In the larger research project, I will probably bring this source up right after Enphase Ensemble is mentioned as a potential solution, in order to bring the reader up to speed on what it is and how it can apply to the issues previously described.
4. Company website article
CITATION
“Why Enphase Systems Are Safe.” Enphase, Enphase, 2020, enphase.com/en-us/support/why-enphase-systems-are-safe.
CREDIBILITY
Micro-inverter technology is inherently the safest and most reliable solar inverter tech on the market, and Enphase has made a name as a leader in manufacturing quality micro inverters. As of March 12, 2020, over one million Enphase micro inverter systems have been installed in over 130 countries.
SUMMARY
This article goes into safety hazards commonly considered during solar energy design and installation, and how Enphase micro inverters effectively mitigate those risks. During Enphase installations, each panel is plugged directly into its own micro inverter, allowing the micro inverters to process the power at low levels near the source. This article explains the mechanics and electrical design that makes Enphase systems safe.
PURPOSE
Enphase’s purpose in this article is to instill an educated confidence in their customers of the safety of their products and technology. Although rare, there have been some reported incidences of fires caused by solar electric system malfunctions and improper installation, raising concerns for potential customers. Enphase has worked hard to design their products in a way that minimizes and avoids these risks, and they want to explain how they did it.
STRATEGY
Enphase’s strategy in this article is to provide a clear and logical explanation along with illustrative diagrams and the technical electrical information needed to back it up. To drive the point home, they add a video demonstration comparing the intensity of electrical arc faults that can happen using different solar technologies, and clearly demonstrate that their micro inverter tech brings voltages down to safe levels. Even if the audience doesn’t pick up on the technical info, they can simply watch the electrical arc flare go from big and scary with other technologies, to tiny and non-threatening with Enphase.
SITUATION
This source is situated as an answer to the concerns brought forward in the ongoing solar safety conversation. When it comes to any electrical system, safety is always first - so solar manufacturers are always looking for ways to bring down the risk and severity of potential electrical faults. This article explains exactly how micro inverter technology can address those fault points.
CROSS-TALK
This source “talks” with the other two sources about new Enphase solar technology by showing that the solutions provided in the other sources are safe to implement.
EVALUATION
I think this is a decent source as it relates to the topic covered in this project and adds good faith to the solutions, but I’m not sure how much this source will particularly be needed, since safety concerns weren’t really brought up by our interviews with our customer base, or by the central research question.
APPLICATION
When writing the larger project, I will probably throw this source in as a backup to support the implementation of the solutions discussed in the other sources, from a safety aspect.
“Why Enphase Systems Are Safe.” Enphase, Enphase, 2020, enphase.com/en-us/support/why-enphase-systems-are-safe.
CREDIBILITY
Micro-inverter technology is inherently the safest and most reliable solar inverter tech on the market, and Enphase has made a name as a leader in manufacturing quality micro inverters. As of March 12, 2020, over one million Enphase micro inverter systems have been installed in over 130 countries.
SUMMARY
This article goes into safety hazards commonly considered during solar energy design and installation, and how Enphase micro inverters effectively mitigate those risks. During Enphase installations, each panel is plugged directly into its own micro inverter, allowing the micro inverters to process the power at low levels near the source. This article explains the mechanics and electrical design that makes Enphase systems safe.
PURPOSE
Enphase’s purpose in this article is to instill an educated confidence in their customers of the safety of their products and technology. Although rare, there have been some reported incidences of fires caused by solar electric system malfunctions and improper installation, raising concerns for potential customers. Enphase has worked hard to design their products in a way that minimizes and avoids these risks, and they want to explain how they did it.
STRATEGY
Enphase’s strategy in this article is to provide a clear and logical explanation along with illustrative diagrams and the technical electrical information needed to back it up. To drive the point home, they add a video demonstration comparing the intensity of electrical arc faults that can happen using different solar technologies, and clearly demonstrate that their micro inverter tech brings voltages down to safe levels. Even if the audience doesn’t pick up on the technical info, they can simply watch the electrical arc flare go from big and scary with other technologies, to tiny and non-threatening with Enphase.
SITUATION
This source is situated as an answer to the concerns brought forward in the ongoing solar safety conversation. When it comes to any electrical system, safety is always first - so solar manufacturers are always looking for ways to bring down the risk and severity of potential electrical faults. This article explains exactly how micro inverter technology can address those fault points.
CROSS-TALK
This source “talks” with the other two sources about new Enphase solar technology by showing that the solutions provided in the other sources are safe to implement.
EVALUATION
I think this is a decent source as it relates to the topic covered in this project and adds good faith to the solutions, but I’m not sure how much this source will particularly be needed, since safety concerns weren’t really brought up by our interviews with our customer base, or by the central research question.
APPLICATION
When writing the larger project, I will probably throw this source in as a backup to support the implementation of the solutions discussed in the other sources, from a safety aspect.
5. Product photo
CITATION
“Enphase - Ensemble.” PV Magazine USA, PV Magazine USA, 29 Nov. 2019, https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2019/11/29/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-solar-power-plus-enphase-ensemble-battery-backup/.
CREDIBILITY
PV Magazine USA is a popular monthly solar electric trade publication. They posted this photo in an article about the Enphase Ensemble, but it can also be found on the Enphase website itself, on their Ensemble product page. The equipment shown in the photo matches up accurately with all the other photos I’ve seen of Ensemble hardware, so it’s credible as an accurate photo.
SUMMARY
This photo shows the physical appearance of the upcoming Enphase Ensemble equipment as it would typically be seen installed on a home. The picture shows on the wall (from left to right) an Enphase Enpower Switch, Encharge battery 10, Encharge battery 3, and an IQ Combiner. There are also solar panels on the roof that would each have a micro inverter underneath. The design appears minimal, modern and even stylish compared to existing off grid equipment solutions on the market.
PURPOSE
The purpose for this photo is to market the Enphase Ensemble to homeowners by giving customers an idea of what the new Enphase Ensemble equipment will look like. Although PV Magazine published this photo, I suspect it was shot by Enphase and distributed for marketing.
STRATEGY
It’s hard to capture the benefit of solar tech in a photo, but there is some contextual symbolism in this image. It looks like the sun is going down and the lights are on, gesturing towards the usefulness of this system to store energy from the day to use at night. Displaying sleek lines, calculated curves and clean surfaces, Enphase approaches their product imagery with a tactic reminiscent of Tesla and Apple - showing the viewer how the modern design of their product blends right in with the modern home owner.
SITUATION
Among off-grid solar backup solutions, this photo is situated to symbolize the maturity of solar technology to some degree. Older systems had much more parts, more panels and more wiring, and didn’t accomplish as much. Much like Apple with computers and Tesla with electric cars, Enphase takes an influential and growing new technology from its roots in bulky and awkward but useful machines, cultivates it and blooms it into a modern, mature and sexy lifestyle choice.
CROSS-TALK
This picture interacts with the other sources about Enphase technology by giving a solid, attractive and calm image to accompany the abstract electrical concepts described in those sources.
EVALUATION
I think this is a good source because it helps with the overall presentation. It’s always helpful for an audience to have a good, relevant image to go along with an idea, especially when it comes to a product image.
APPLICATION
I would put this photo in the larger research project along with the section talking about Enphase Ensemble technology. I wouldn’t really want to put it at the beginning or as a header, because the focus of the project isn’t just to be a review or advertisement for this product specifically, but more to discuss a problem which happens to lead us to this product in search of a solution.
“Enphase - Ensemble.” PV Magazine USA, PV Magazine USA, 29 Nov. 2019, https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2019/11/29/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-solar-power-plus-enphase-ensemble-battery-backup/.
CREDIBILITY
PV Magazine USA is a popular monthly solar electric trade publication. They posted this photo in an article about the Enphase Ensemble, but it can also be found on the Enphase website itself, on their Ensemble product page. The equipment shown in the photo matches up accurately with all the other photos I’ve seen of Ensemble hardware, so it’s credible as an accurate photo.
SUMMARY
This photo shows the physical appearance of the upcoming Enphase Ensemble equipment as it would typically be seen installed on a home. The picture shows on the wall (from left to right) an Enphase Enpower Switch, Encharge battery 10, Encharge battery 3, and an IQ Combiner. There are also solar panels on the roof that would each have a micro inverter underneath. The design appears minimal, modern and even stylish compared to existing off grid equipment solutions on the market.
PURPOSE
The purpose for this photo is to market the Enphase Ensemble to homeowners by giving customers an idea of what the new Enphase Ensemble equipment will look like. Although PV Magazine published this photo, I suspect it was shot by Enphase and distributed for marketing.
STRATEGY
It’s hard to capture the benefit of solar tech in a photo, but there is some contextual symbolism in this image. It looks like the sun is going down and the lights are on, gesturing towards the usefulness of this system to store energy from the day to use at night. Displaying sleek lines, calculated curves and clean surfaces, Enphase approaches their product imagery with a tactic reminiscent of Tesla and Apple - showing the viewer how the modern design of their product blends right in with the modern home owner.
SITUATION
Among off-grid solar backup solutions, this photo is situated to symbolize the maturity of solar technology to some degree. Older systems had much more parts, more panels and more wiring, and didn’t accomplish as much. Much like Apple with computers and Tesla with electric cars, Enphase takes an influential and growing new technology from its roots in bulky and awkward but useful machines, cultivates it and blooms it into a modern, mature and sexy lifestyle choice.
CROSS-TALK
This picture interacts with the other sources about Enphase technology by giving a solid, attractive and calm image to accompany the abstract electrical concepts described in those sources.
EVALUATION
I think this is a good source because it helps with the overall presentation. It’s always helpful for an audience to have a good, relevant image to go along with an idea, especially when it comes to a product image.
APPLICATION
I would put this photo in the larger research project along with the section talking about Enphase Ensemble technology. I wouldn’t really want to put it at the beginning or as a header, because the focus of the project isn’t just to be a review or advertisement for this product specifically, but more to discuss a problem which happens to lead us to this product in search of a solution.
- Michael T. Frank
