• August 27, 2024

Clearway Energy Group has begun construction of its Rosamond South I solar and energy storage project in Kern County, California. The Rosamond South 1 solar power plant has a capacity of 140 megawatts and an energy storage power plant capacity of 118 megawatts. Its purchaser refers to it as Golden Fields Solar IV LLC. The project has signed long-term contracts with multiple power service companies in California, including a 15 year agreement with MCE, the University of California, the Rancho Cucamong Municipal Utility Company, the Eastern District Electricity Authority, and the City of Moreno Valley. Brooks Friedeman, Vice President of Clearway Capital Markets, said, "Kern County has long been an important supplier of energy in our country. We are pleased to invest in and help Kern County maintain its energy leadership position through our Rosamond South solar and energy storage project, which will provide reliable and low-cost electricity when it is most needed In order to fund a $550 million construction loan for solar and energy storage projects, Clearway has formed a banking consortium that includes Societe Generale, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Siemens Financial Services, Deutsche Bank, CoBank, DNB Bank ASA, and Nord/LB. During the construction period, more than 400 union labor positions will be created, led by EPC contractor McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. Labor partners include Labor Union 220, Southwest Regional Carpenter Council, Operating Engineers Local Union 12, IBEW Local Union 428, Steelworkers Local Union 416, and Local Union 433. The project is expected to enter commercial operation in 2025.

• August 26, 2024

Nexamp and TurningDoint Energy recently celebrated the completion of their partnership to build a 9.4MW solar power plant in Warren, Rhode Island. The solar power plant includes two co located solar cell arrays, which are a unique reuse of land previously developed as a golf course. TPE developed the project, while Nexamp is responsible for its construction, ownership, and operation. The project started construction at the end of 2022 and delivered electricity to the grid for the first time last month. The project is located in the Rhode Island Energy Service Area and is part of the Rhode Island Virtual Net Metering Program, specifically designed to serve schools, non-profit organizations, and municipal authorities. This is our largest solar project in Rhode Island to date, adding new content to our rapidly growing national solar investment portfolio and expanding our long-term partnership with TPE as an important development partner, "said Jenn DeLaney, Vice President of Channel Operations at Nexamp. Every project we build, whether we develop it ourselves or collaborate with partners, represents a long-term commitment to the community and an opportunity to make renewable energy more widely accessible to everyone. We are pleased to bring the benefits of solar energy to important local organizations through Warren's latest project TurningDoint Energy President Salar Naini said, "We are delighted to work with a trusted partner like Nexamp on this unique project. Transforming an old golf course into a solar power plant not only revitalizes unused land, but also creates a greener future for Rhode Island This solar project has saved energy for 15 regional non-profit organizations, schools, cities, and towns that have signed energy sales agreements with Nexamp and obtained electricity from Rhode Island Energy Company. The project is expected to generate approximately 11.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually throughout its entire lifecycle, contributing to Rhode Island's goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity throughout the state. Chris Kearns, Acting Commissioner of the Rhode Island State Office of Energy Resources, said, "Congratulations to the town of Warren and all parties involved in advancing this solar project. The system has made a significant contribution to Rhode Island's climate goals and supports us in achieving 100% renewable energy standards by 2033 One of the local groups benefiting from solar energy projects is Hope&Main located in Warren, a non-profit cooking incubator dedicated to empowering an inclusive entrepreneurial community to launch and nurture thriving food businesses, laying the foundation for a more just, sustainable, and resilient local food economy.

• August 23, 2024

Avantus (formerly known as 8minute) and Toyota Tsusho America announced the start of construction on the 159 MW DC/125 MW AC Norton Solar Project in Rennes County, Texas. After Avantus sold the Norton project to TAI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, a subsidiary of Toyota Group, in November 2023, a Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued. TAI has also reached a construction and term financing agreement with global financial group Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. The continued collaboration between Avantus and TAI highlights the value that Avantus and its portfolio can bring to leading multinational companies seeking to advance clean energy solutions and achieve sustainable development goals. The project also signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with a corporate client. Avantus will be responsible for overseeing the construction of Norton, and it is expected that the project will begin operations by the end of 2025. RES will provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the project. Texas is the land of energy, which includes plenty of solar energy opportunities. The Norton Solar project represents the best thing we have done at Avantus - developing high-quality clean energy projects that benefit our customers, the local economy, and the planet, "said Patrick Gove, Avantus CFO. This project lasted for six years, and I am proud of our team's persistent efforts to prepare the Norton project and successfully sell it to Toyota Tsusho America to help achieve its sustainable development goals Norton is expected to create 250 job opportunities during its peak construction period and bring direct economic benefits to Lennell County and local communities throughout its entire operational lifespan.

• August 22, 2024

TMEIC Corporation Americas, a subsidiary of TMEIC Corporation (Japan), announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Houston, Texas in March 2025. Meanwhile, to emphasize its commitment to American photovoltaic manufacturing, TMEIC will establish a 144000 square foot factory in Brook Hill, Texas specifically for manufacturing utility scale photovoltaic inverters. The decision to relocate headquarters from Roanoke, Virginia to Houston, Texas and significantly expand manufacturing capabilities is in line with TMEIC's strategic goals in renewable energy technology, domestic manufacturing, and strengthening global sustainability. The relocation of the headquarters will promote innovation, accommodate TMEIC's growing team, and enhance its ability to serve customers. TMEIC will continue to establish an office in Roanoke, Virginia, dedicated to designing, developing, and manufacturing advanced automation systems, large AC motors, and variable frequency drive systems for various industrial sectors worldwide. We are pleased to expand our business in the Houston area by relocating our headquarters and opening new manufacturing facilities, "said Manmeet S. Bhatia, President and CEO of TMEIC Corporation Americas." These investments and expansions have the potential to create up to 300 job opportunities for the local community. This strategic expansion highlights TMEIC's dedication to the renewable energy industry, driving the development of clean energy technologies, maintaining good customer relationships, and competing globally while proudly manufacturing in the United States The new Brookshire factory is scheduled to begin operations in October 2024, located near TMEIC's existing uninterruptible power supply and medium voltage drive manufacturing plant in Katie, Texas. Once put into operation, the initial production capacity of the factory will reach 9 GW per year and will be expanded according to market demand in the future.

• August 21, 2024

HelioVolta is the developer of SolarGrade on-site operating software and a provider of independent technical services for renewable energy assets. The company has released its second annual SolarGrade Photovoltaic Health Report. The report focuses on the survey results of over 100000 photovoltaic system data points collected by on-site engineers using the SolarGrade mobile application during hundreds of project site visits in the United States and Puerto Rico. The main findings of the 2024 SolarGrade Photovoltaic Health Report include: 72% of inspections identified safety and reliability issues that require urgent remediation. 11% of inspections found serious security issues that required complete or partial power outages, resulting in system downtime and financial losses. Compared to any other photovoltaic system component, wiring and connector issues are more common, with 83% of the inspected items identifying problems. Through independent construction QA/QC and comprehensive O&M protocols, the vast majority of issues discovered in the operational system can be avoided. Ryan Mayfield, founder of Mayfield Renewables and a small and medium-sized enterprise, said, "SolarGrade's report sounds the alarm for the industry, but the data shows that most of the safety issues we encounter can be prevented through the right tools, practices, and a high emphasis on education and training. Investing in comprehensive training programs is crucial for professionals to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to ensure safe and excellent solar installations Although these statistical data may be concerning, the results of the report indicate that asset owners and managers can easily address the challenges of photovoltaic safety and reliability. A two-part solution is needed: first, installers and on-site technicians must have appropriate tools to identify and monitor security and reliability issues, and then they must objectively assess the risks of each problem. With accurate and timely information from the site, management can implement appropriate remedial plans. Clear and standardized communication around risks is crucial, "said David Penalva, co-founder and CEO of HelioVolta This year's report is based on the first report and introduces a detailed matrix used by HelioVolta field engineers to calculate on-site risks. The mobile matrix can also be obtained for free online for on-site use, further enhancing the tools available to solar professionals.

• August 20, 2024

DE Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) has partnered with El Paso Electric to announce the start of construction on the Carne solar and energy storage project. Carne is a 130 megawatt AC solar and 260 megawatt hour energy storage facility located in Deming, New Mexico. It is DESRI's second solar facility built in Luna County after the Alta Luna project, which began operations in 2017. This project will provide clean and reliable electricity to the southwest and bring EPE closer to its goal of achieving 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% clean energy by 2045. DESRI is pleased to continue investing in New Mexico's energy transition by establishing its fourth utility scale renewable energy facility in the state and strengthening its long-term partnership with EPE, "said Hy Martin, Chief Development Officer of DESRI." Carne will provide reliable, cost-effective clean energy to EPE and support the transmission grid through the planned large-scale battery storage facility. In addition, the project will provide economic development opportunities for the local community in the coming years. We appreciate the support of EPE, Luna County, SOLV Energy, and other stakeholders for this project Carne has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with EPE and is expected to commence commercial operations in 2025. According to the indicators provided by the Environmental Protection Agency, the project is expected to generate sufficient clean energy annually to power approximately 37600 households. Galehead Development and Lacuna Sustainable Investments were involved in the initial development of the project. EPE is pleased to join forces with DESRI to introduce this latest renewable energy generation facility into New Mexico and continue to strengthen our good working relationship. The Carne plant is 100% committed to serving our New Mexico customers and will be a key resource for EPE to meet customer needs and New Mexico's renewable energy portfolio standards, "said James Schichtl, Vice President of Regulatory Operations and Resource Strategy at EPE. The battery storage components of the new factory will become EPE's largest service customer, providing our New Mexico customers with much-needed capacity and reliability. EPE looks forward to the successful completion of the Carne project and looks forward to collaborating with DESRI on future renewable energy projects in New Mexico SOLV Energy will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, and will provide ongoing operation and maintenance services for the project after it is put into operation.

• August 19, 2024

NOVA Infrastructure, a medium-sized infrastructure investment company, has completed the acquisition of UGE International Ltd., a community solar and battery storage business. On May 28, 2024, NOVA agreed to acquire approximately 70% of the common stock of UGE, a publicly listed company on the Toronto Stock Exchange's ChiNext board. The transaction was successfully approved by the securities holders and regulatory authorities. Chris Beall, co-founder and executive partner of NOVA, said, "Community solar is a rapidly growing sector in the US power generation market, and strong regulatory tailwinds support UGE's long-term asset portfolio. UGE offers attractive and long-term contract compliant electricity prices to customers, providing strong downside protection for investors. We have identified value-added plans that will accelerate the growth of UGE's investment portfolio and drive strong cash flow generation UGE is a solar energy operator and developer of rooftop and ground mounted commercial, industrial, and community solar solutions. UGE was founded in 2010 and develops, builds, finances, owns, and operates solar and battery storage projects in New York, New Jersey, Maine, California, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Texas, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts. UGE has a record of designing and constructing over 500 MW projects, currently having over 12 operational projects and 81 senior backlog projects in 11 states. UGE is a highly differentiated community solar and battery storage platform, positioned for growth through its vertically integrated business model, significant project diversification, and experienced management team. NOVA collaborates with UGE's senior management team to create a leading community solar and battery storage platform in the mid-range market in the United States. NOVA is committed to providing acquisition and growth capital to support the expansion of the UGE platform and installed MW, "said Allison Kingsley, co-founder and partner of NOVA." We appreciate the support of our shareholders for NOVA's acquisition of UGE, as well as the experienced team's management of the business. We look forward to working with UGE to develop the company and benefit UGE's valued customers and NOVA investors

• August 16, 2024

On August 14th, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed legislation that makes community solar projects in the state possible. SB 152 will allow Alaskans to subscribe to community owned solar arrays that do not belong to their homes or property, providing clean energy for 260000 Alaskans living in rental homes and 79000 people living below the federal poverty line for the first time. This bipartisan bill is Sponsored by Senators Bill Vilkowski, Forrest Dunbar, Elvi Gray Jackson, Scott Kavassey, and Representatives Ashley Carrick, Stanley Wright, Cliff Gro, Andy Josephson, Alice Calvin, Donna Mills, and Calvin Schrage. This legislative victory, following the announcement of Earth Day by the US Environmental Protection Agency, has led the applicant, the Alaska Energy Agency, along with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, to receive $62.5 million in funding and provide solar energy to low-income and vulnerable communities as a benefit for "urban, residential, and community scale rural projects across Alaska. Phil White, a policy analyst at the Alaska Public Interest Research Organization, said, "This is a logical piece of legislation that will allow Alaskans to enter the fastest-growing sector of the renewable energy industry. With huge funds from private financing and federal incentives, the bipartisan Energy Conservation Act will enable Alaskans to accelerate the deployment of low-cost and clean power generation methods, further diversify power sources, and save consumers a lot of energy costs. This is a good day for Alaska! This is a critical moment for Alaska's energy transition - as concerns about the Cook Bay gas crisis intensify, Alaska's utilities are seeking to diversify their energy sources through renewable energy. Community solar energy also provides opportunities for building stronger and more resilient power grids. Most Alaskans support the development of solar energy, but most people are unable to benefit from distributed renewable energy generation. Community solar energy will change this. Shantar de Alcuaz, the joint executive director of the Alaska Center, said, "The Alaska Center has a firsthand experience of the need for community energy reform. Through our Solarize project, we have heard the question multiple times: What if I am a tenant? What if I cannot afford to install solar energy myself? Ultimately, all Alaskans along the railway will be able to subscribe to community energy installation services and benefit from low-cost renewable energy. Alaskans can decide to access or create community energy - which will bring us closer to a fairer energy environment where all Alaskans can access clean energy. In the past decade, the number of countries that have formulated policies to support third-party sharing or community solar energy has expanded from a few to 22, including Washington D.C. So far, a total installed capacity of 6.6 gigawatts has been installed, and WoodMackenzie's latest outlook for the US community solar market p...

• August 15, 2024

Nautilus Solar Energy announced that it has expanded its strategic partnership with EnergyMark, an energy supplier and solar ordering management company based in Williamsville, New York. After a year of successful cooperation, the two companies have expanded their trading volume from approximately 17 megawatts to 24 megawatts, and increased their projects in the public utility sector of State Grid from 7 to 10. This collaboration will take place on September 4, 2024, at the community solar farm that has recently been electrified on the Big Island in New York State. The ongoing cooperation aims to bridge the gap between local small and medium-sized commercial enterprises, which have been excluded from the community solar revolution in the past. A major issue faced by many companies is the inability to obtain solar credit lines, thereby missing the opportunity to ensure energy cost savings. Traditionally, these enterprises have been marginalized due to credit rating requirements and long-term commitments, preventing many people from enjoying the benefits of community solar energy. The long-term partnership with Nautilus and EnergyMark provides additional energy savings pathways for these small and large non rated businesses in western and central New York State. Our mutually beneficial and successful cooperation with EnergyMark enables us to provide solar energy to non rated businesses through trusted local energy suppliers. Therefore, due to our strong and friendly relationship, we are able to quickly and on more favorable terms sign agreements with businesses, "said Daniel Bozer, Community Solar Business Development Manager at Nautilus. In addition, my collaboration with my fellow Buffalo compatriots has been a beneficial journey, working with local businesses of State Grid utilities to strengthen the power grid and the New York economy