• June 05, 2025

Invenergy announced on June 4th that the 250 MW Hardin III solar center has been put into operation recently. This energy center is Invenergy's third solar facility built in Hardin County, Ohio. WEC Energy Group is the major shareholder of Hardin III, and Microsoft will purchase the electricity and renewable energy credits (REC) generated by the facility through PPA. Michael Kaplan, Senior Vice President of Development at Invenergy, stated, "The Hardin III Solar project is the culmination of our decade long collaboration with Hardin County and local communities. We are honored to work together with dedicated partners to bring meaningful local investment to Ohio and support its local energy development. ” The Hardin III solar power plant is expected to bring $180 million in new investment to Hardin County, to fund public schools, emergency services, and local infrastructure construction. During the construction period, the Hardin III solar power plant created over 350 job opportunities. According to a long-term operating agreement, Invenergy Services will provide operation, maintenance, and factory services for the power plant and will employ four long-term operation and maintenance personnel. Hardin III is powered by solar panels manufactured in the United States, which are produced by Illuminate USA. Illuminate USA is an advanced solar panel manufacturing company controlled by Invenergy.

• June 04, 2025

Silicon Ranch announced a $3 million investment in Swap Robotics, a pioneer in utility scale solar robot operations. As part of the investment, Reagan Farr, co-founder and CEO of Silicon Valley Ranch, will join the board of directors of Swap Robotics. Silicon Valley Ranch is committed to land management practices to restore and protect the land beneath and around its array. Through its wholly-owned agricultural conglomerate Regenerative Energy, Silicon Valley Ranch combines regenerative ranching with other land management practices to restore soil health, promote biodiversity, and improve the water quality of its sites. Swap Robotics' 100% electric autonomous robots perfectly match the high standards of land management, innovation, and environmental management in Silicon Valley ranches. As part of Silicon Valley Ranch's commitment to asset ownership and economic development, we own our own land rather than leasing it, and therefore, we take on the responsibility of land managers through Agribusiness Renewable Energy, "said CEO Reagan Farr. In the past few years, our team has explored various solutions to supplement the management of livestock grazing activities for our shepherds and company owned flocks. After successfully testing Swap Robotics technology, we have determined that Swap Robotics' mission, operational model, and strong leadership team are highly aligned with our vision of innovating and expanding a fully integrated agricultural photovoltaic project, which can be deployed in our nationwide agricultural machinery fleet. We are pleased to make this strategic investment in Swap Robotics to help expand its business and benefit the entire industry. ” The investment in Silicon Ranch is one of the significant investments previously made by Swap Robotics, including a $7 million financing led by SOLV Energy in February 2023 and a $3 million investment in Array Technologies in November 2024. This additional investment in Silicon Ranch will help drive the momentum of Swap's development as the company seeks to further expand into the North American solar field, having deployed dozens of robots to maintain thousands of acres of solar sites. Swap Robotics founder and CEO Tim Lichti said, "Since our establishment in 2019, we have aspired to become pioneers in the field of solar robot platforms. This latest investment confirms our leading position in this field and enables us to continue innovating and expanding in this rapidly developing industry in North America that is still in its infancy.

• June 03, 2025

The California Net Measurement Act has been passed in the state legislature Sacramento, California A committee of the California Legislature has passed a bill that may reduce net measurement compensation for property transfers. According to AB 942, if a solar powered residential building is sold, the existing net metering agreement will be updated to the current NEM 3.0 electricity price, which will significantly change the compensation for solar energy feedback to the grid. South Carolina energy law expands solar+energy storage opportunities, but supports new natural gas plants Columbia, South Carolina South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the South Carolina Energy Security Act (HB 3309), which has sparked different reactions from renewable energy advocates. Although the bill allows utility companies to develop new large-scale fossil fuel power plants, it also empowers them to develop new client distributed energy resource projects and expand opportunities for solar+energy storage, load flexibility, and electric vehicle development. The Governor of Virginia signs a bill to launch the VPP program, vetoing other bills focused on energy storage in Richmond, Virginia In early May, Virginia Governor Glenn Young signed a bill that could promote the development of virtual power plants. The Community Energy Act instructs Dominion Energy to launch a 450 megawatt virtual power plant pilot project, allowing households and businesses to integrate solar panels, batteries, and other equipment into a flexible grid resource. Yang Jin vetoed two other bills that required Virginia utility companies to invest in energy storage. A new bill in Massachusetts may reduce non residential solar net metering Boston, Massachusetts The impact of a bill proposed by Massachusetts Governor Mora Healy on renewable energy is mixed. The bill allows the state to sign new clean energy procurement contracts without going through utility companies, but it will also reduce net metering compensation for non residential solar projects, including community solar. New Jersey utility update will simplify DER interconnection Trenton, New Jersey The New Jersey Public Utilities Commission recently approved an update to the modernization rules for the power grid, aimed at reducing delays in the interconnection process and accelerating the progress of project launches. The change in rules will make it easier for more distributed energy sources to connect to New Jersey's distribution network. The House of Representatives has passed a more stringent budget bill for the solar energy industry Washington DC The House of Representatives passed a budget bill at the end of May and made last-minute revisions, which would eliminate the Residential Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) (25D), phase out periods for the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) (48E) and the Power Generation Tax Credit (PTC) (45Y), and so on. The Senate will end its two-week recess on June 2nd and will review the bill. Imposing high ...

• May 30, 2025

Smart home and power technology provider Savant Systems is partnering with renewable energy non-profit organization GRID Alternatives to donate 20 Savant Power Storage energy storage systems to resilience projects in Puerto Rico and Mexico. Savant will provide technical assistance and support training for the installation personnel of GRID for these projects. Savant Power Storage 20 will prevent power outages and maintain critical energy loads for these projects, such as refrigeration for food and medicine. The saved energy costs can be used for other necessary expenses. The beneficiaries include a physical therapy center for the elderly and vulnerable groups; A nursing home that takes care of 35 children; A hospice care and drug rehabilitation support institution for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis patients (including men, women and children); A natural disaster relief organization; And women owned enterprises that are completely detached from grid operations. Savant CEO Bob Madonna said, "We are honored to donate our latest energy storage products, training resources, and time to GRID - an organization that shares our mission of providing clean, renewable energy to more living spaces and facilities worldwide. For communities with unstable power grids and scarce services, being able to store and easily access energy means being able to reliably obtain the necessities that many of us take for granted. ” The Savant Power Storage 20 system is equipped with a scalable inverter and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system, with storage capacities ranging from 20 kWh to 200 kWh, suitable for households and facilities with diverse energy needs. Combining Savant's modular intelligent distribution board technology, a complete energy ecosystem can reduce power load based on available power capacity, thereby extending battery operating time. This is particularly important for some completely off grid projects of GRID. The Savant application allows users to monitor, control, and automate daily energy consumption, optimizing energy storage life during peak electricity prices and power outages. Users can automate operations for scenarios such as power outages, prioritize energy storage before storms, and obtain electricity from batteries when grid prices may be higher. Through GRID's practical vocational training program, students will gain practical experience in installing Savant power management and energy storage technology. The Power Storage 20 battery and inverter hardware will be donated to the laboratory for on-site training and online education through Savant University, a virtual project for training and certifying professional installers.

• May 29, 2025

The Loong Boat Festival is one of the four traditional festivals in China. It is the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is a folk festival that integrates worship of gods and ancestors, praying for blessings and exorcism, celebrating entertainment and eating. There are more than 20 nicknames, such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Loong Boat Festival, Chongwu Festival, Chongwu Festival and Tianzhong Festival. It is a traditional festival of Han, Shui, Naxi, Tibetan, Yi, Dai, Gelao ethnic group, Pumi and other ethnic groups. As a festival, Loong Boat Festival was formed in the Han Dynasty. There is a record in the "Customs and General Principles" by Ying Shao of the Eastern Han Dynasty that on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people should guard against military service ghosts and prevent diseases and epidemics.  The origin of the Loong Boat Festival has varied from ancient times to the present. The main arguments are: the theory of commemorating Qu Yuan, the theory of welcoming the Tao God (Wu Zixu became the Tao God after his unjust death), the theory of evil days, the theory of dragon festivals (that is, the theory of sacrificing the dragon totem), and the theory of the summer solstice. The origin of the Loong Boat Festival covers the ancient astrological culture, humanistic philosophy and other aspects, and contains profound and rich cultural connotation. In the process of inheritance and development, it blends a variety of folk customs. Due to different regional cultures, there are differences in the content or details of customs. The main customs of the Loong Boat Festival include hanging the Zhong Kui statue, hiding from the noon, pasting the Wu Ye Fu, hanging calamus, wormwood, traveling to various diseases, wearing sachets, preparing animals, racing Loong Boat, contesting martial arts, hitting balls, playing swings, painting realgar, drinking realgar wine, calamus wine, eating five poison cakes, salted eggs, Zongzi and seasonal fresh fruits. In addition to the superstitious activities that have gradually disappeared, the rest have spread to all parts of China and neighboring countries. In May 2006, the State Council included the Loong Boat Festival in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists. Since 2008, Loong Boat Festival has been listed as a national legal holiday. In September 2009, UNESCO officially approved its inclusion in the List of Representative Works of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Loong Boat Festival became the first festival in China to be included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage.

• May 29, 2025

Bright Feeds, a startup based in New England, has commissioned Massachusetts solar contractor Solect Energy to build a 300 kW DC solar system at its 25000 square foot animal feed manufacturing plant in Berlin, Connecticut. This project, consisting of 625 solar panels, will provide one-third of the total power generation of the factory. Jonathan Fife, CEO of Bright Feeds, said, "We have been seeking ways to improve our processes that not only align with business logic, but also support our sustainable development mission and contribute to a healthier environment. Our new solar photovoltaic system not only advances our mission, but also provides electricity for our operations and reduces our monthly energy costs. Throughout the process, working with Solect was a pleasure as they helped us complete engineering, local permits, and other necessary approvals, ongoing maintenance, and other tasks. ” Bright Feeds uses artificial intelligence and drying technology at its Berlin factory to transform waste food into pure natural alternatives to soy and corn animal feed. The company serves customers in the Northeast region, from animal feed suppliers to dairy farms, recycling tens of thousands of tons of waste food from the region's garbage streams every year. Andreas Schmid, Vice President of Business Development at Solect Energy, said: "Collaborating with Bright Feeds to support its long-term sustainability is fantastic. This solar project will save them over $1.5 million in electricity costs over the 25 year lifespan of the system, while contributing to their overall sustainability efforts

• May 28, 2025

Ameresco announced that its solar photovoltaic shed project in Reston, Virginia has achieved commercial operation. The project was developed in collaboration between Ameresco and BXP, a developer, owner, and manager of office spaces. The 1.3 MW solar project will provide power to BXP's facilities located in the city center of Reston. Ben Myers, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at BXP, said, "Ameresco has been a key partner for us in delivering these impactful solar projects. This project needs to overcome many economic, technological, and logistics obstacles. Ameresco's investment, creativity, and proficiency in developing clean energy on-site in the bustling city center of Reston are crucial to the success of the project. ” The user side energy storage project will be completed by the end of 2024. The system is installed on the top of the parking lot. This innovative way of utilizing space not only increases the capacity of indoor parking spaces, but also transforms the parking lot into a megawatt level renewable energy power plant.

• May 27, 2025

Pennsylvania State Power Company PECO has initiated a new competitive bidding document (RFP) aimed at procuring long-term renewable energy, capacity, and renewable energy credits from new solar projects in Pennsylvania. The tender has been approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission with the aim of expanding the state's solar power generation capacity. Through this tender document, PECO plans to sign a fixed price purchase agreement for solar power generation with a maximum capacity of 25 MWDC for a period of 10 years. The project must obtain an operating license before May 31, 2029 in order to qualify. PECO is accepting bids for projects exceeding 25 megawatts, with a minimum requirement of 5 megawatts for each solar project. All projects must be connected to the PJM interconnected power grid and able to sell energy and capacity to the PJM market. PECO and Exelon utilities aim to reduce operational driven emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions through renewable energy sources such as solar energy by 2050.

• May 26, 2025

META Solutions is a government regional committee that provides services to school districts, local governments, and public entities across Ohio. The committee has announced the award of the main contract for delivering solar infrastructure projects to Veregy. Veregy stands out through a competitive RFQ and RFP process, which aims to select a qualified Risk Construction Manager (CMR) with design support capabilities based on Ohio procurement guidelines. The selection process follows the requirements of Section 9.33 and subsequent provisions of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), while the main contract is formulated in accordance with ORC Section 167.081, which authorizes government committees to provide collaborative procurement solutions and adopt standardized unit prices for use by public entities throughout the state. Veregy will also provide Design Assistance (DA) services as stipulated in ORC Article 153.501. As the winning supplier, Veregy will support META Solutions members in implementing cost-effective and scalable solar projects, and simplify procurement and implementation processes. K-12 school districts, city governments, county governments, and other eligible public entities can now directly obtain pre qualified solar development services, thereby avoiding the time and administrative burden of independent bidding. Collaborative procurement through META Solutions will bring significant advantages to public entities, including time savings, cost reduction, and simplified procurement processes. By leveraging the collective purchasing power of its members, META ensures to provide high-quality services at competitive prices that were previously difficult to reach. This simplified approach eliminates the need for a separate bidding process, allowing schools and local governments to accelerate project progress, reduce administrative burdens, and concentrate resources on their core tasks. In addition, it has created new opportunities to seek innovative solutions that support long-term financial and operational goals, such as solar energy systems. Stephanie Zinger from META Solutions said, "This contract represents an important step forward for Ohio's public entities preparing to invest in sustainable energy solutions. By partnering with Veregy, our members can now more conveniently use solar infrastructure, achieving long-term savings and assuming environmental responsibility