EBOS: the unsung hero that’s accelerating clean energy deployment | How Shoals is improving utility-scale solar performance

Jun 24, 2025

Stephen LaFleur, Senior Director of Sales for Utility-Scale Solar at Shoals Technologies Group, and Grant Reasor, Associate Electrical Engineer at Burns & McDonnell, dive deep into the world of Electrical Balance of Systems (EBOS). They highlight how flawless EBOS integration is essential for solar project success, discussing alarming statistics about connector-related failures. The conversation also touches on the shift to 2KV systems and the cost-effectiveness of repowering solar plants, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the clean energy sector.

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INSIGHT

EBOS Critical for Solar Performance

EBOS is critical because it ties the entire solar system together.
Poor EBOS design or installation reduces performance, increases safety risks, and raises long-term costs.

ADVICE

Involve EBOS Early

Engage EBOS suppliers early in the project design phase.
Early collaboration enables holistic design, reduces risk, and ensures longevity.

ADVICE

Don't Treat EBOS as Commodity

Avoid treating EBOS as a commodity or afterthought.
Frame your design around specific supplier offerings for extra optimization and cost-effectiveness.

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Sponsored content from Shoals Technologies Group.

EBOS – electrical balance of systems – includes everything that carries electricity from solar panels to the grid: wiring, switches, connector boxes and other components. It might not grab headlines, but it’s the backbone of every solar and storage project, and is essential to performance, reliability and project success.

In this special episode of The Energy Gang, host Ed Crooks talks with Stephen LaFleur, Senior Director of Sales for Utility-Scale Solar at Shoals Technologies Group, about why getting EBOS right is critical. Stephen explains how incorporating EBOS early in project planning helps EPCs and developers avoid delays, lower costs, and ensure long-term reliability.

Connectors are just one example of an EBOS component that can cause serious issues. A recent report from HelioVolta found that 83% of projects surveyed had at least one connector-related issue, many of them due to simple installation mistakes. In one solar portfolio, connector failure and replacement costs added up to nearly 60% of annual revenues. So how can developers avoid that kind of severe cost impact? Stephen and Ed discuss.

Also joining the conversation is Grant Reasor – he’s an Associate Electrical Engineer for Solar PV and Storage Projects at Burns & McDonnell, the international architecture, engineering and construction firm. From a project engineer’s point of view, he unpacks why EBOS matters more than ever, especially as the industry shifts to higher voltages and looks to repower aging solar sites.

The solar and storage industries are evolving fast. Stephen and Grant break down how smart EBOS choices can improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support the next wave of clean energy growth.

This episode is brought to you by Shoals Technologies Group. If you are in clean energy, you know that project success depends on more than just panels and batteries, it’s about the electrical backbone that connects it all. That’s where Shoals comes in. Their factory-built, rigorously-tested EBOS solutions for solar and storage streamline installs, reduce costs, and improve long-term reliability. Want to learn more? Just head over to shoals.com

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