• August 01, 2025

For industry insiders, reducing costs is not a new thing in order to develop solar energy in the United States. With the cancellation of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), now is a good time to use existing tools to reduce costs and continue to have an impact. At the SolarAPP Foundation, we are committed to collaborating with installers and local governments to reduce licensing costs and shorten approval times, providing affordable energy for homeowners. Our software SolarAPP+has just issued over 100000 licenses - which fully demonstrates what we can achieve when all stakeholders work together to solve industry challenges. SolarAPP+is an online software platform that automates the licensing process for residential solar and energy storage systems. Contractors using SolarAPP+do not need to wait for days, weeks, or even months of manual permit review to obtain immediate approval for compliant solar and solar+energy storage systems within their participating jurisdictions on the same day. This platform ensures compliance with electrical regulations, structural integrity, and other safety standards, enabling cities and counties to significantly reduce permit backlog and free up human resources. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the United States has collaborated with stakeholders in the solar industry, regulatory agencies, building safety communities, and local governments to develop SolarAPP+, aimed at making it easier and faster for jurisdictions to issue compliance licenses to licensed solar installers and contractors. SolarAPP+is currently managed by the non-profit organization SolarAPP Foundation, and I am honored to lead the foundation. Our goal is to reduce the cost of transitioning to clean energy. SolarAPP+has achieved particular success in standardizing highly decentralized and time-consuming licensing processes across jurisdictions, reducing soft costs, and accelerating solar deployment schedules.

• July 30, 2025

The School of Architecture at the University of Kansas has completed a student led design and construction project that combines practical architectural education with sustainability. This project marks the completion of the 18th consecutive LEED Platinum certified residential project for Studio 804 at the school, and the second project supported by S-5 product donations! Studio 804 is a unique and practical design and construction project in the Master of Architecture program at the University of Kansas. This project was founded by Dan Rockhill with the aim of providing immersive experiences for final year graduate students, challenging them to design, procure materials, and build a complete building in just nine months, laying a practical foundation for sustainable building practices. The residence at 1040 New York Street consists of a 2000 square foot (approximately 187 square meters) main residence and a 1000 square foot (approximately 97 square meters) ancillary residential unit, which includes a garage and additional living space. The exterior walls of the residential building are made of white composite metal panels, and are paired with a 22 grit matte black standing edge metal roof. The residence is located on a previously vacant fill plot in East Lawrence, a historic neighborhood adjacent to the Kansas River (KAW) and downtown Lawrence. In order to obtain LEED Platinum certification, the project adopted a solar photovoltaic system. S-5! Donated its PVKIT ®  The DirectAttach solar bracket system enables the installation of 8.8 kW solar cell arrays without penetration, using Navitas 550 W double-sided 144 piece semi cut single crystal modules. It is expected that the solar cell array will offset most (or even all) of the energy consumption of the residence. In addition, S-5! It also contributed its ColorGard snow retention system, which is designed to match the aesthetics of the roof and provide snow management during the harsh winter season, protecting the roof and occupants. S-5! CEO and founder Rob Haddock said, "We are honored to support projects like Studio 804, which integrate high-level design, practical learning, and real-world sustainability. These students are learning how to build houses more intelligently and efficiently - and this starts with high-quality materials and streamlined installation practices.

• July 29, 2025

NLYTN Energy announced the launch of a new solar specific 3D visualization service to help engineers communicate recommendations to stakeholders. From local governments to landowners, solar stakeholders are seeking higher transparency and stronger confidence, especially in rural areas. Traditional planning schemes, site maps, and technical drawings often fail to meet the requirements. Based on actual engineering and existing site conditions, 3D project visualization can provide necessary clarity to build confidence and make informed decisions at various stages of the sales and development process. NLYTN helps project teams showcase their solar installations comprehensively by creating accurate, realistic, and location accurate project images based on facts. Unlike typical visualization companies, NLYTN's renderings are created by renewable energy professionals, not just graphic designers. NLYTN's NABCEP and PEM certification teams understand utility interconnectivity, licensing restrictions, AHJ requirements, and common site challenges. The team does not need to waste time on basic coordination - they already understand system components, layout strategies, and licensing priorities, and can provide renderings that directly support project success.

• July 28, 2025

EDPR NA Distributed Generation（EDP Renewables North America  The distributed power generation business under the company has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with California Water Service to install 2.35-megawatt DC on-site solar cell arrays at the company's sewage treatment plant in northeast Bakersfield. This cooperation aims to reduce the long-term impact of public utility companies on the environment. Cal Water and EDPR NA DG expect the system to generate approximately 3800 megawatt hours of renewable energy annually. According to current electricity prices for customers in the Bakersfield area, one of California Water's largest service areas, it is expected that renewable energy generated by solar arrays will reduce grid energy costs by approximately $1.7 million during the agreement period. At Cal Water, we are committed to being responsible environmental managers, and our collaboration with EDPR NA DG will help us reduce traditional electricity costs, achieve scientifically sound greenhouse gas reduction targets, and enhance sustainability, "said Marty Kropelnicki, CEO and Chairman of Cal Water. We look forward to the deployment of this new on-site solar cell array, which is crucial for us to continue providing safe, reliable, and affordable water supply services to our customers for decades to come.

• July 25, 2025

Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, a non-profit educational organization in New Mexico, announced its continued partnership with Everyone Solar to install new 10.08 kW solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations at its historic headquarters. energy costs into capital projects and scholarships, thereby increasing access to education for resource poor youth and having a greater impact. In 2019, the two parties successfully collaborated, generating 8.85 kilowatts of solar energy and directly reducing emissions by over 17000 pounds (approximately 7000 kilograms). On this basis, the new solar energy project will reduce electricity expenses while deepening Cottonwood Gulch's long-standing commitment to sustainable development and practical learning. This investment not only brings environmental benefits, but also provides important educational tools for students participating in the institution's immersive outdoor projects. We are delighted to expand our partnership with Everyone Solar, and their support will help us achieve our vision of sustainable outdoor education, "said Jordan Stone, Executive Director of Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions. By integrating solar energy and electric vehicle infrastructure into campuses, we are investing in community health, environmental future, and education for every young person participating in our projects. Together, we inspire students' curiosity and sense of responsibility - qualities that will become environmental guardians in the future Cottonwood Gulch works closely with local schools and families to bridge the accessibility gap in outdoor and environmental education, ensuring that children from different backgrounds can establish strong personal connections with nature. The new solar installation will enable the organization to reinvest the savings from reduced

• July 24, 2025

Vermont is known as the 'Green Mountain State', which is not accidental - the Green Mountain Range runs through its center, but the state is covered in dense forests from border to border, attracting nature enthusiasts to admire the changing leaves of trees every season. This obsession with protecting unobstructed green landscapes can sometimes pose challenges for solar installers in Vermont, especially when a town wants to achieve 100% solar coverage. Aegis Renewable Energy Company (ranked 275th on the 2025 Top Solar Contractors list) solved this problem for the town of Colchester last year by launching four unconventional site selection projects. In 2018, Aegis collaborated with the third most populous municipality in Vermont to install a 150 kW ground installation project on a small section of the Roosevelt Expressway and another 150 kW ground installation project in a pumpkin field. In 2024, Aegis completed the project at a local cemetery and a new entertainment center in the town. The town's goal is to install 720 kilowatts of solar energy, and Aegis has achieved this goal. They have been striving to generate 720 kilowatts of electricity because this is the electricity consumption of the town, so they want to offset this part of the electricity consumption, "said Sonia Bain, Vice President of Aegis. Every year, we strive to find new power plants to help them achieve this goal. Ultimately, the solar energy they produce this year is sufficient to meet the electricity needs of the town Although it is easy to select sites for the two projects in 2018, finding suitable space for the final 420 kW project is not an easy task. Behn stated that Colchester lacks land that can support solar energy without causing serious shading problems or requiring deforestation. To avoid this situation, Aegis recommends installing rooftop and carport arrays at the entertainment center under construction, and installing another ground support on an unused plot of land at Fort Ethan Allen Cemetery. We have been working hard to find an efficient venue, "Bain said. So we proposed the idea of a carport. It's a very creative way to get them to the required quantity The entertainment center took 20 years to build and will be open to the public in February 2025. The facility features an indoor track, basketball court, gym, a 120 kW rooftop array, and a 150 kW carport spanning the parking lot. Aaron Lavallee, the design, licensing, and project manager of Aegis, stated that the entertainment center features a butterfly style 5 ° inward sloping roof and requires a support system that can tilt 5 ° and 15 ° to ultimately tilt the array 10 °. The company has chosen Sun Ballet, an Italian concrete support company that distributes in the United States. The Sun Ballet product is a highly competitive integrated solution for us. The bracket itself is a ballast and can also serve to ground the array, "he said. They have American distributors in New Hampshire, which greatly shortens pro...

• July 23, 2025

Surpassing the previous generation is the dream of the family - to open up a path to success for future generations. Ten years ago, Barry Moore founded a solar installation company in Pennsylvania. As he was preparing to retire, his sons Tyler and Matt took over and continued his career. Although the company is still in the family's hands, the two brothers still hope to lead Moore Energy (ranked 149th on the 2025 Top Solar Contractors list) onto their own path. Since we joined, we have been focused on developing and expanding our business, "said Tyler Moore and his brother, co owners of the new company. We have entered the development field and started building these small-scale utility scale solar power plants in central Pennsylvania Moore Energy was founded in 2008 as a residential and small commercial contractor in the Greater Philadelphia area, with an early average annual installed capacity of less than 500 kilowatts. In 2024, the company completed over 200 residential projects, 20 commercial rooftop projects, and the first utility scale solar power plant, with an installed capacity of nearly 12 megawatts that year. Moore said that the key to entering large-scale projects is to seize the opportunity. In 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in the case of Holmridge v. Public Utilities Commission, allowing for net measurement compensation. This ultimately gave commercial real estate the opportunity to profit from solar energy exports and paved the way for the development of solar energy on a utility scale in the state. When the Holmridge case occurred in 2021, Matt and I, as business owners, decided to look for opportunities in central Pennsylvania because we realized the business opportunity: I could take a piece of land and install a solar system on it, and all the generated electricity would be fed back to the utility company, which would pay for it. I didn't need any basic business or customers, "Moore said. We ultimately created this business model: finding land, obtaining all interconnectivity and approvals, building an economically viable solar power plant, and then selling it to people who want to own the system for 30 years Although this is a common practice in other states, this new business line appears very innovative for Moore Energy. Moore said that his accounting background, combined with his brother Matt's expertise in solar installation, made it easy for him to take on larger projects. We have been deeply involved in the commercial field for 15 years and have an experienced installation personnel base. We have also done ground installation in the commercial field, so we have carried out this work on a large scale [which has never changed], "he said. The real learning curve lies in collaborating with land development and townships, which requires an 18 month process Although the door to large-scale development of public utilities in Pennsylvania is now open, Moore said that Holmridge's decision has also kept the company b...

• July 22, 2025

The US Department of Commerce announced today the preliminary anti-dumping tariff rates for the Chinese battery anode material trade case. Almost all important American battery exporters, including Atos Sunshine Power, LG Energy Solutions, Panasonic, Shuifude, Samsung, and Tesla, have been subject to an anti-dumping tax rate of 93.5%. The anti-dumping tax rate within China (for enterprises that have not responded to the petition request from the Ministry of Commerce) is 102.72%. The complete list of exporters and producers under the tariff order can be viewed here. The anti subsidy tax rate is much lower than the tax rate of over 800% required by the applicant, the American Activated Anode Material Manufacturer (AAAMP). The US Department of Commerce also announced a relatively mild countervailing duty (CVD) rate, which is only 11.58% for most of the sued companies, including major battery manufacturer Panasonic. After the merger of the countervailing duty and CVD tax rates, the initial tax rate will reach between 105.08% and 114.4%. Industry analyst Roth Capital Partners estimates that this merger tax rate could lead to an 11-12% increase in the cost of lithium-ion batteries and a 5-6% increase in the cost of DC blockers. The company stated that these increases are within a controllable range and are unlikely to affect industry demand. The Association of American Automobile Manufacturers (AAAMP) has requested an anti-dumping/countervailing investigation, requesting the government to review active anode materials (AAM) used for lithium-ion energy storage and electric vehicle batteries. AAAMP claims that China's dominant position in AAM production hinders the establishment of competitive operations in the domestic market. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) made a preliminary affirmative ruling in January, determining that imported active anode materials from China are harming US industries. ITC stated that the AAM industry in the United States has been severely hindered by dumping and subsidizing imported products from China. Previously, anti-dumping/anti subsidy cases in the field of solar panels could clearly demonstrate the degree of "pre - and post damage" caused by dumping Chinese products into the United States, and the AAM industry currently lacks a large number of comparable product production samples. However, based on the preliminary anti-dumping/countervailing duty rates disclosed, the Ministry of Commerce believes that the damage is not as severe. What is battery active anode material? Batteries require cathodes and anodes to facilitate charge flow. During battery charging, electrons move from the positive cathode to the negative anode, and this potential difference is converted into stored energy. The "chemical properties" of a battery refer to its active cathode material, such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) or lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC). The active anode material is usually a carbon based material, such as graphit...

• July 21, 2025

Floor manufacturer Beauflor USA has installed what is believed to be the largest solar power system in the Atlanta metropolitan area. This solar installation demonstrates our commitment to sustainable production practices and also reflects the rational business decisions we have made, "said Emile Coopman, Continuous Improvement Manager. By partnering with Cherry Street Energy, we are reducing our environmental impact and stabilizing our long-term energy costs, which benefits not only our customers but also the planet. ” The 1.04 MW system was installed by Cherry Street. It can meet approximately 10% of Beauflor's annual energy demand. The construction of this system has been planned for future expansion. This is the first step towards more renewable energy, "said Kupman. Cherry Street CEO Michael Chanin said, "As Georgia manufacturers increase production amid rising grid energy costs, experienced operators are seeking ways to quickly and sustainably meet their energy needs. Our core customer base seeks short-term solutions to control the costs of growing electricity demand. Cherry Street's solution - on-site solar energy without capital expenditures - is exactly that: reliable and economical electricity. It's as simple as sunshine. ” According to a 30-year solar procurement agreement, Cherry Street invested $1.8 million to build the system and bore all construction and maintenance costs. The system was completed in less than four months. Beauflor purchases the electricity produced directly from Cherry Street, enabling manufacturers to achieve energy savings immediately without any capital expenditure.