• May 08, 2026

The Hawaii legislature is reviewing a tax relief bill that could harm the state's renewable energy tax credit program, thereby affecting the state's solar energy market.   In January, Senator Ronald Kouchi (Democrat) proposed SB 3125, a bill aimed at reducing the economic burden of taxes on low - and middle-income residents in Hawaii. According to reports, the state is addressing a $3 billion budget deficit caused by the Trump administration's cuts in federal funding.   The affordability of local families remains the top priority for the Senate, "said Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, in a report published on Spectrum News. Despite the impact of federal funding cuts on our budget, we still uphold our commitment to the people and maintain and continue to promise tax breaks SB 3125 will establish higher tax rates for high-income residents, aiming to abolish or modify tax credit programs related to infrastructure upgrades, commercial technology, and renewable energy.   The subsidy related to solar energy being discussed is the Renewable Energy Technology Income Tax Credit (RETITC). This 50 year old state solar tax credit provides a 35% return on the total cost or established upper limit amount ($5000 for residential arrays, $350 for multi family arrays, or $500000 for commercial arrays) of solar projects on taxpayers' annual returns.   RETITC does not have an end date, but if approved, SB 2135 will cease the program by the end of 2029. It will set an annual cap on the funding amount for the program, starting from 2027 at $40 million; It will also allocate RETITC's compensation amount for each project proportionally. This will also apply retrospectively to solar projects built in 2026 but not yet operational before March 1st. The legislative body has found that the state's environmental commitments and goals require the rapid adoption of renewable energy... The legislative body has further discovered that the renewable energy technology income tax credit can be adjusted to better support low - and middle-income households by limiting the credit to these income taxpayers. The legislative body has also found that such changes will promote fair access to clean energy and help offset federal actions to limit renewable energy tax incentives, thereby helping to protect hundreds of jobs in the state. Energy industry, "the legislative provision states.   The Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA) believes that SB 3125 will have the opposite effect. Financiers will be cautious about funding solar projects in Hawaii by proportionally distributing tax credits and compensation, with the total subsidy amount yet to be determined. HSEA is concerned that if the bill is passed, new businesses in the Hawaii solar market will cease. Rocky Mold, Executive Director of HSEA, said, "This is not a phase out, but a closure that stabbed Hawaiian families in the back as they walked out...

• May 07, 2026

Chinese lithium battery manufacturer Automotive Energy Supply Company (AESC) has sold a majority stake in its Tennessee battery manufacturing plant to the new US name Fixx Energy. AESC was established in Japan in 2007, and with the expansion of its manufacturing business around the world, it was eventually majority owned by China Vision Group. The company established a factory in Smyrna, Tennessee in 2012 to supply electric vehicle batteries to Nissan. AESC restructured its factory in 2025 to produce lithium batteries for fixed energy storage. AESC has always been a major supplier to Fluence, a large battery project developer and installer. Previously estimated, the annual production capacity of the Shimana factory was 3 GWh of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. With the new Foreign Attention Entity (FEOC) requirement from the US government emphasizing restrictions on the installation of energy products with Chinese influence, many companies are transitioning ownership of their US factories. Fixx Energy took over AESC's factory in Tennessee last month and signed a multi-year agreement to supply batteries to Fluence. Jeff Juger, CEO of Fixx Energy, said, "With strong demand and a growing industrial base, there is a clear opportunity for the United States to expand its domestic energy storage manufacturing capabilities. Our factories are operating and are now leading the way. Fixx is ready for this moment.

• May 06, 2026

SOLV Energy announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Roberson Waite Electric (RWE), a provider of utility substation construction, testing, commissioning, and related infrastructure services headquartered in California. SOLV Energy CEO George Hershman stated, "This acquisition advances SOLV's strategy of establishing a diversified, scalable energy and infrastructure service platform integrated with utility investments. The addition of Rhein Group's substation expertise strengthens our lifecycle approach, enabling us to support utilities from construction through long-term operations." This acquisition expands SOLV's service capabilities and supports its expansion into the regulated utility market, enabling the company to make long-term investments in grid modernization and resilience. RWE's technical expertise, long-term utility relationships, and experienced workforce also provide operational leverage for SOLV's existing platforms spanning large-scale solar power generation, energy storage, and high-voltage infrastructure. RWE was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Anaheim, California, carrying on a multi-generational family tradition in the utility infrastructure sector. With decades of experience supporting safety-critical substation projects for major electric utilities in Southern California, RWE is recognized for its execution in brownfield and dense urban environments, as well as its ongoing, repeat collaborations with regulated utility clients. RWE CEO James Waite stated, "With increasing investments in critical infrastructure, joining SOLV enables us to build a solid foundation while expanding our ability to serve customers. We look forward to becoming part of a broader vision and platform focused on long-term infrastructure performance and reliability." RWE will operate as SOLV Energy, retaining its current leadership team, operational model, and customer relationships. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

• April 30, 2026

Renewable Properties is a developer and investor in small utility, community solar, energy storage, and electric vehicle infrastructure projects, and has acquired 118 MW 7-series thin-film modules from First Solar's US manufacturing plant. The American components will be used for solar projects being developed and constructed by Renewable Properties in 17 states. In California, 51 MW components will be used for 9 projects. In addition, 20 megawatts of components will be allocated to four projects in New York, and 8 megawatts of components will be allocated to three projects in Illinois. In addition, 2 megawatts of solar panels will be used for two projects in Minnesota. The remaining 37 MW components have been allocated to other projects in the renewable energy pipeline. Aaron Halimi, Founder and CEO of Renewable Properties, stated that the acquisition by First Solar will support Renewable Properties in continuing to drive the development of solar energy in the United States. ”With domestically manufactured equipment capable of executing these projects in multiple states, we are expected to expand solar deployment at a time when electricity demand is rapidly growing and the solar industry is facing new challenges. American made solar panels are crucial to America's energy dominance, and domestic procurement demonstrates people's confidence in American manufacturing and the employment opportunities it supports. First Solar operates solar panel manufacturing plants in Alabama, Louisiana, and Ohio. The sixth factory is under construction in South Carolina and is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2026. It is expected to increase First Solar's nameplate module production capacity in the United States to approximately 17 gigawatts by 2027. True American solar manufacturing directly enables the United States to dominate the energy sector, "said Dr. Mounir El Asmar, Strategic Customer Manager at First Solar. By investing in domestically produced modules, renewable energy is putting this principle into practice, providing affordable energy to communities across the country while supporting manufacturing, supply chains, and employment in the United States.

• April 29, 2026

According to a review of data from the Energy Infrastructure Management Agency by the SUN DAY Campaign, by February 28, 2027, US utility scale solar, wind, and battery storage capacity is expected to increase by over 80 gigawatts, while the total capacity of fossil fuels and nuclear power will decrease by nearly 5 gigawatts. As of March 1st, renewable energy accounted for 33.4% of the total utility scale electricity generation in the United States. EIA predicts that by February 28, 2027, this proportion will increase to 36.6%. Solar energy is expected to increase by 42.6 gigawatts, with its share expanding from 12.7% to 15.5%, while wind energy will grow by 14.5 gigawatts, with its total share increasing from 13.1% to 13.6%. This includes 4155.0 megawatts of newly installed offshore wind power capacity. The total capacity of all renewable energy sources increased by 57.45 gigawatts during this 12-month period, compared to 32.98 gigawatts during the first 12-month period. At the same time, EIA expects that nuclear power generation will not increase, and fossil fuel power generation will decrease by a net 4.9 gigawatts. EIA did not provide any explanation for small-scale solar energy output in this data. However, it did report that as of the end of February, the total installed capacity of small solar power was 60.19 gigawatts, of which over 10% was launched last year. In contrast, the proportion of natural gas power generation will decrease from 40% to 38.3%. During the forecast period, EIA expects a significant increase of 51% in the battery energy storage capacity of utility scale, from 44.63 gigawatts to 67.55 gigawatts. The combination of renewable energy (including estimated small-scale solar energy) and battery energy storage is expected to provide approximately 86.37 gigawatts of new clean production capacity. Ken Bossong, Executive Director of SUN DAY Campaign, said, "Despite the many policy barriers set by the Trump administration last year, renewable energy still took the lead in 2025." "Now they are ready to truly go all out in 2026 and beyond.

• April 28, 2026

Distributed Energy Infrastructure is a solar and battery storage EPC company that has mechanically completed two community solar projects near Lysander, New York: the 2.9 MW West Genesee solar project and the 5 MW Cold Springs solar project. These two sites were developed for Generate Capital and are DEI's first installation project in downtown New York, expected to interconnect with the NYISO grid in the second quarter of 2026. The construction of these two projects will continue until the winter of 2026, during which the Baldwin sville area will receive over 100 inches of snow. Despite challenging weather and ground conditions, DEI's installation team maintained progress and completed mechanical installation on time without any safety incidents. Completing these projects during one of the harshest winters in central New York proved the capabilities of our team, "said Mike Wilkinson of DEI. Our staff overcame heavy snow, mud, and freezing conditions to ensure safe construction as planned. We are proud to deliver two high-quality projects that bring clean energy to this community. Both devices use technologies that can maximize energy production, including ATI single axis tracking systems and double-sided solar modules. This module uses direct sunlight and reflected light to generate electricity, with an efficiency 30-40% higher than standard single-sided solar panels. These two projects will deliver clean energy to the grid during periods of increasing electricity demand, including peak summer periods. Electrical installation will be carried out by IBEW Local 43, and additional building and landscaping work will be carried out by local companies, including Schuler Haas/Ferguson Electric、DC Solar、Williams Fence and Excavation and Greenside Services. West Genesee and Cold Springs are a great example of how anything is possible when the right team, funding, and community work together, "said Peggy Flannery, Managing Director of the Investment Team at Generate Capital. We are proud to bring clean energy and local job opportunities to Lysander, and support the increasingly important role of Central New York in the clean energy transition.

• April 27, 2026

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur completed a ground-mounted solar project at their factory in Whitehouse, Ohio. This initiative advances their long-standing commitment to caring for creation in response to the Church's call to take decisive action to protect creation and ensure a more just and sustainable future. R1: "Sisters" must be translated as "sisters."   The project is rooted in Catholic social doctrine and inspired by *Laudato Si*, reflecting the moral responsibility of sisters to protect our common home and address the growing ecological crisis. The newly installed 188-kilowatt solar power system is expected to offset approximately 56% of the electricity consumption at the SND White House facility. "Strengthening the transition to renewable energy enables us to fulfill this mission in a tangible way, reducing environmental impact while supporting long-term sustainability," said Sister Margaret Goreman from the SND Province in the United States. This solar energy installation is part of SND USA's broader initiative to integrate renewable energy and sustainable practices into its facilities, aligning with global environmental responsibility goals. Other significant sustainability efforts completed by SND USA include transitioning its fleet vehicles to hybrid models and adopting geothermal energy. The solar panel array was designed and constructed by Better Together Solar, a Cleveland-based company specializing in renewable energy solutions.

• April 24, 2026

Pisgah Energy, a commercial solar contractor, completed the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across six buildings at the AAR fuselage facilities at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Guilford County, North Carolina. Evan Becka, Senior Project Developer and President of Pisgah Energy, said, "We are honored to support AAR's efforts, which have a significant and positive impact on their carbon footprint. The highly engaged employees in Greensboro made the construction of what is arguably our largest project to date relatively straightforward." "More importantly, overall, these systems represent the largest rooftop solar installation in Guilford County. As a local Greensboro resident, it is truly gratifying that my company has contributed to achieving this milestone." These systems, totaling 4.6 MWDC, consist of 7,770 QCells 590-W panels and 25 SolarEdge inverters, and will be used for on-site power generation, producing over 5,900 MWh of renewable energy annually. This is the largest completed solar project to date for Pegasus. "Completing a large-scale commercial solar project at a busy airport is no easy task. The Pisgah Energy team tackled this challenge with innovative ideas, maximizing solar output on schedule and within budget. The solar panel system enables AAR to offset carbon emissions, power our facilities, and return excess energy to the grid. We appreciate Pisgah Energy's expertise and collaboration on this sustainability project," said Brett Houser, EHS Director of AAR Greensboro Fuselage MRO Location.

• April 23, 2026

The New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Lithonia, Georgia, is celebrating becoming one of the first faith communities in the state to install solar and battery storage on its campus, as well as the first commercial pilot participant to seek battery storage in collaboration with Georgia BRIGHT and Capital Good Fund. This initiative is part of a broader effort by AME District Six and the Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) to transform congregations into resilience hubs. The gatherings are equipped not only with solar and battery storage but also with electric vehicle charging stations, enabling them to provide emergency vehicle power, store essential medications, and serve as shelters during severe weather and climate disasters. Bishop Michael Leon Mitchell of the AME Church in Georgia's Sixth District stated, "Historically, the AME Church has been a beacon of hope and safe harbor for communities during crises." "In becoming a center of resilience, our church prepares for tomorrow's climate challenges while honoring this legacy. This is to uphold our sacred mission of serving and caring for our neighbors." Hannah Shultz, Director of the GIPL Project, stated, "AME Church is demonstrating to Georgia that when faith communities embrace both practical resource management and climate justice, anything is possible." "This initiative goes beyond clean energy—it is about building the infrastructure our communities need to withstand future storms, both literally and metaphorically." Currently, 12 churches are participating in the pilot program of the Sixth Region and GIPL, and have recently received additional funding to support the implementation at four of them. The 482 churches in the Sixth Region could collectively generate approximately 34 GWh of electricity annually. This amount is sufficient to power over 3,000 households each year. Reverend Will Thomas, the senior pastor of New Bethel AME Church, stated, "This initiative reflects our commitment to being good stewards of creation and serving our community in tangible ways. 'When the lights nearby go out, we hope New Bethel becomes a place where people know they can come for safety and support. That is the mission of our church.'" The 70.11-kilowatt solar system and 41-kilowatt-hour battery storage system installed by Better Tomorrow Solar is expected to meet 80% of the church's annual energy needs, saving the faith community over $15,000 in utility costs each year. This project was made possible with the support of Hive Fund, Black Voters Matter, and Georgia BRIGHT, which provides funding for Solar Energy Purchase Agreements (SEPA) to congregations at zero upfront cost. Georgia BRIGHT is a program under the national nonprofit Capital Good Fund, enabling nonprofit organizations and homeowners to access solar power without prepayment by leveraging federal tax credits, grants, and bulk purchasing. "Black Voters Matter is proud to support New Bethel AME Church as it leads the ...