• December 25, 2024

Cuyahoga County, Ohio has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the upcoming 63 MW solar project in the area. Kehoga Green Energy represents the county in soliciting information from companies interested in becoming equipment suppliers for the project, which is developed under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program of the US Environmental Protection Agency. The power distribution company Cuyahoga Green Energy has received a total of $130 million in funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency, which will be used to build 63 megawatt solar power plants and 10 megawatt battery storage systems on six brownfields and/or former landfills in the Cleveland metropolitan area by October 2029. This RFI aims to identify and establish contact with manufacturers interested in providing necessary materials and services to successfully complete the project by the deadline set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Specifically, the county aims to develop these projects through competitive procurement of solar panels, bracket systems, inverters, and other related equipment, while meeting the following conditions: 1. The group must also obtain the "Build America, Buy American" (BABA) certification and comply with the "Buy American Act". 2. Solar panels must be compatible with landfill and brownfield solar development - the county is currently looking for ground mounted solar panels with ballast support systems, but is willing to consider other feasible alternatives if available. 3. Solar panels must have satisfactory conversion efficiency to accommodate utility scale solar energy within the available subsidy funds. 4. Inverters must have sufficient efficiency and reliability to minimize losses during the system's lifespan. 5. The installation hardware and panels must be able to withstand typical strong winds and increasingly severe weather events in the local area. The reply must be submitted via email to the contact person of the publishing department (Thomas Pavich, tpavich@cuyahogacounty.gov ）And indicate the RFI name and number in the subject line. The deadline for reply is Thursday, February 6th, 2025 at 11am.

• December 24, 2024

SunVest Solar, a developer of renewable energy projects, has completed the construction of a 19.5 MW solar project at its Charter Steel manufacturing plant in Sokville, Wisconsin. This milestone project is the largest meter mounted solar installation, providing clean local electricity directly to Charter Steel, Wisconsin's largest energy user. SunVest Solar CEO Bram Walters said, "We are pleased to have achieved this important milestone in Wisconsin's renewable energy sector. This project builds on our long history in Wisconsin and sets a new benchmark for solar power generation in the state. It demonstrates how solar energy can empower businesses to take control of their own energy future The project utilizes nearly 30000 solar modules and aims to provide most of Charter Steel's energy needs, supporting Charter Manufacturing's efforts to reduce environmental impact and lower operating costs. Joel Casterton, President of Charter Steel, said, "Through our partnership with SunVest Solar, we are proud to integrate renewable energy into our operations. This innovative project demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and operational excellence, while consolidating our position as a responsible leader in the steel industry

• December 23, 2024

Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) announced that its 200 MW Morrow Lake solar project has been completed and put into commercial operation. The project is located in Freeo County, Texas and will provide renewable energy to Microsoft under a previously announced long-term power purchase agreement. Morrow Lake Solar is the first of two solar facilities developed after reaching an agreement with Microsoft, and also LRE's second project in Friau County, located opposite its 200 MW Horizon Solar project. Morrow Lake Solar created over 300 job opportunities during its peak construction period, of which 112 were local employees. This project uses First Solar thin-film modules. As part of LRE's ongoing commitment to land management, Morrow Lake Solar has implemented strong measures to promote soil health, protect local plant species, and enhance biodiversity, including introducing sheep grazing to control vegetation. The project also supports various community initiatives, including educational programs and contributions to local activities such as toy driven and holiday celebrations. LRE acquired the Morou Lake solar project from Red River, a joint venture between SunChase and Eolian, in 2023, and Red River initiated the development of the Morou Lake solar project in 2017.

• December 20, 2024

The five Maine community solar sites managed by Ampere Renewable Energy entered commercial operation in November and began producing clean energy. These community solar sites are located in the Versant Power and Central Maine Power utility areas, adding nearly 25 megawatts of clean energy to the grid. These solar projects are located in Franklin, Arustuk, Penobscot, and Washington counties, saving local users up to 15% of electricity costs while enabling them to support Maine's new clean energy production. Ampion has recruited 1700 residential customers and 70 commercial customers to join these community solar sites. Ampion will also manage the ongoing billing and customer service for these clients throughout the entire 20-year lifecycle of the project.

• December 19, 2024

Primergy Solar announced that its 100 MW AC solar project located in Ashley County, Arkansas has been fully operational. The project is called Amazon Solar Farm Arkansas Prairie Mist and is currently delivering solar energy to the grid. It is the second project in Primergy's portfolio to go online in 2024. Primergy CEO Ty Daul said, "Prairie Mist represents a step forward in our mission to develop impactful projects that benefit local communities and meet the diverse needs of our clients Realizing commercial operations is a milestone for our team, and we appreciate the support of our partners and their dedication to bringing clean energy to the Arkansas region Prairie Mist connects the Entergy transmission system located within the operating range of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). It will provide solar energy under a power purchase agreement with Amazon and sell its capacity attributes to North Little Rock under a 20-year contract. This solar project can generate enough energy annually to power approximately 22000 households and enhance Arkansas' power generation structure and energy independence by reducing reliance on carbon emitting resources. Primergy has hired Primoris Renewable Energy, a top utility scale solar contractor, as the engineering, procurement, and construction partner for the project. Prairie Mist has created approximately 200 construction jobs and is expected to bring about $10 million in tax benefits to Ashley County during its operation. In addition to building and tax incentives, Primergy also supports the community by constructing an ADA compliant amusement park and shading structure at the local Hamburg High School. During the project development process, Primergy completed $300 million in debt and tax equity financing for construction and development in 2023. The debt financing was led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) as the transaction agent, Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentral, Societe Generale, and Cr é dit Agricole Corporate and Investment Banks. The tax equity investment is led by PNC Bank.

• December 18, 2024

EBOS solution provider Premier PV will use Affordable Wire Management's advanced connector caps in Premier PV wiring harness solutions. AWM's Solar LOTO can improve the reliability of connectors during installation and protect construction teams and maintenance workers during the power on and maintenance periods of solar projects. Solar construction teams typically use basic dust caps, party balloons, or plastic bags to cover disconnected wires during construction and maintenance to protect them from environmental conditions. These existing solutions have an inherent flaw - they often detach, allowing dust to seep into the connectors. When the wires are connected later, any foreign objects can cause reliability issues and ongoing electrical challenges. In addition, these dust caps cannot prevent the risk of electric shock during power on. At Premier PV, we place great emphasis on the reliability and electrical safety of connectors. AWM's Solar LOTO is our preferred connector cover for various reasons Premier PV Vice President Ryan Schofield stated. The Solar LOTO locking device of AWM is easy to install and remains open during construction. It requires the use of tools to disconnect, ensuring worker safety and reducing the risk of lid detachment According to HelioVolta's 2024 SolarGrade PV Health Report, wiring and connector issues were found in 83% of PV projects inspected, causing more problems than any other component. Solar LOTO can prevent these complications. It has passed IP67D certification and requires specialized disconnect tools to prevent accidental disassembly. This compliant locking device is easy to install and compatible with almost all solar connectors. The design of the dust cap may seem simple, but if you look at the on-site accident rate, you will understand this. Solar LOTO was designed by engineers with practical solar energy experience based on the problems we encountered in solar projects across the country, "commented Scott Rand, CEO and co-founder of AWM. Our solar LOTO is intelligently designed to prevent dust from entering and improve the safety of on-site teams during power on and maintenance periods.

• December 17, 2024

Nexamp announced that it has cooperated with Wal Mart to develop 31 community solar projects in the United States. These projects are expected to generate over 120 megawatts of DC renewable energy for the power grid, create over 1500 job opportunities, and save millions of dollars for local businesses and approximately 8000 residential users. Wal Mart and Nexamp had previously collaborated on a series of community solar projects in New York in 2021. These 31 community solar projects will be committed to providing affordable renewable energy to users in five states. Zaid Ashai, CEO of Nexamp, said: "The cooperation with Wal Mart to expand the use of affordable clean energy is an exciting opportunity for Nexamp and the communities we serve. We work together to bring benefits to thousands of families across the country. This cooperation shows the power of partnership in promoting the transformation of clean energy." These solar power plants will be located in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, and Minnesota. Frank Palladino, vice president of Wal Mart's renewable energy strategy, said, "Wal Mart's energy strategy aims to provide affordable and reliable solutions to bring positive results to our community. Our cooperation with Nexamp aims to help communities save energy costs, strengthen local grid infrastructure and promote local job creation."

• December 16, 2024

The first conference of the International Solar Cleanliness Academy was recently held in Las Vegas. The organization's first meeting brought together industry leaders, solar cleaning professionals, and safety advocates to discuss innovation, share knowledge, and celebrate outstanding achievements in the field of solar panel cleaning. The two-day event in November includes keynote speeches, group discussions, practical demonstrations, and training on solar panel cleaning, health, and safety. At the end of the event, a grand award ceremony was held to recognize individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the solar cleaning industry. The winners include: Annual Utility Scale Solar Panel Cleaning Award: UV Protek, headquartered in Puerto Rico, received this award for its outstanding work in maintaining utility scale solar installations, demonstrating its precision and efficiency. Annual Global Solar Cleanup Contractor: This award was also presented to UV Protek in recognition of its rapid development, unparalleled excellence, and leadership position on the global stage. Young Solar Cleaner of the Year: This award is presented to Josh Laine from Solar Shine LLC in California, in recognition of his entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to learn, and ability to implement safety and innovation in his thriving solar panel cleaning business. With the continuous development of the solar energy industry, the ISCA conference plans to hold more conferences in the future. The next conference will be held from November 13th to 14th, 2025, and the plan is currently underway.

• December 13, 2024

Verogy has completed two solar installations on the roofs of FedEx facilities in Stratford, Connecticut (866 kW) and Middleton (2075 kW). We are honored to collaborate with FedEx on these far-reaching solar projects, "said William Herschel, CEO of Verogy. By adopting renewable energy, FedEx has not only made significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint, but has also set a strong example for other businesses on how to mitigate the impact of climate change. We are proud to develop FedEx's first solar installations in Connecticut and look forward to seeing the long-term positive impact these projects have on our environment Lonnie Mattison, Sustainability and Global Vehicle Manager at FedEx, said, "These two rooftop solar facilities are part of FedEx's efforts to generate more electricity from renewable energy sources. Through our partnership with Verogy, we have put our first solar project into operation in Connecticut, and our facilities in Stratford and Middleton are helping us achieve our goal of carbon neutral operations by 2040