• February 27, 2026

In August 2025, the Ministry of Finance and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released new guidelines related to investment tax credits (ITC) for safe haven solar projects. Safe harbor allows companies to demonstrate goodwill efforts when launching solar projects to ensure applicable tax credits for the year. Utility scale solar projects used to be able to use the "5% safe harbor" rule, which only required project developers to bear 5% of project costs by a specific date, but the federal government changed it to "physical work testing". Projects exceeding 1.5 megawatts must install racks on site at least before July 4, 2026, in order to apply for ITC. Physical work requirements do not include 'preliminary activities' such as leveling the land, conducting research, or clearing the site. The IRS also requires projects that use physical work testing to "maintain a continuous construction plan," where "the physical work performed is of significant importance. Projects smaller than 1.5 megawatts can still use a 5% safe harbor. All projects still have four years to be put into use under the continuous safe harbor. Democratic Senators Katherine Cortes Masto (Nevada), Chuck Schumer (New York), and Ron Wyden (Oregon) stated that this is a sudden rule change. Three people proposed a resolution this month under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the IRS' physical work testing rules, as it "makes it harder for wind and solar companies to apply for important tax credits" and "increases the cost of building clean energy infrastructure in the United States, damages the country's ability to meet growing electricity demand, and leads to rising energy prices for working families. Cortes Masto said, "The last-minute changes made by the IRS to its guidelines are nothing more than a blatant attempt to disqualify projects needed to build our country's clean energy infrastructure." "For years, wind and solar companies have been planning investments in our national energy grid, preparing to meet our growing energy needs, create high paying jobs, and invest in our future. Republican tax laws and government last-minute guidance will raise energy prices and restrain investment, and Congress must intervene.

• February 26, 2026

GreenSpark Solar and Encore Renewable Energy have completed a 13 MW DC agricultural photovoltaic community solar project portfolio in New York and Vermont. These three project portfolios include 3.8 MW Constable Solar (Constable, New York), 2.9 MW Boardman Hill Solar (West Rutland, Vermont), and 6.3 MW Danyow Solar (Sheldon, Vermont). This investment portfolio includes Encore's first completed solar project in New York and GreenSpark Solar's first completed project in Vermont, expanding the geographic footprint of both companies while strengthening their shared commitment to community centered renewable energy development. In partner mode, Encore is responsible for initiating, developing, and designing projects, and then handing them over to GreenSpark Solar as the true construction partner. GreenSpark supports procurement and provides turnkey EPC execution. These projects are long-term owned by Encore, a vertically integrated power producer. Tony D'Ambra, EPC Executive Director of GreenSpark Solar, said, "This product portfolio reflects the possibility of two mission oriented teams working together around their core strengths. Encore has deep expertise in thoughtful site development and community engagement. Our team focuses on strict execution, high-quality construction, and on-site collaboration to solve problems. The characteristics of this partnership, from dealing with complex site conditions to implementing innovative equipment solutions, are trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to building projects in the right way. ” Encore Renewable Energy CEO Blake Sturcke said, "Providing affordable and responsible renewable energy projects requires strong partnerships at every step of the development process." "At Encore, we strive to collaborate with partners who align our values, and GreenSpark has demonstrated its expertise in the construction of these projects, which now provide cost savings and reliable clean energy for taxpayers in Vermont and New York.

• February 13, 2026

Plus Power has put the 175 MW Cross Town energy storage facility located in Gorham, Maine, into operation for two hours. This project is the largest of its kind in the ISO New England power grid project. Today, Maine welcomed the largest energy storage project of its kind in New England, bringing true cost savings and reliable electricity to the state, "said Governor Janet Mills. As we have seen in the recent extreme cold weather, this project will reduce the demand for expensive fossil fuels when the power grid is tight, thereby helping to lower electricity costs. I congratulate the town of Gorham and Plus Power on this significant achievement, which will bring lasting savings and reliability to the people of Maine. ” Kroos Town will support the state's goal of deploying 400 megawatts of battery energy storage by 2030. Kroos Town covers an area of approximately 5 acres and is adjacent to the 115 kV Moshers substation of the Central Maine Electric Company, which has a particularly congested transmission network. The location of the facility enables it to alleviate congestion and promote the use of wind power in northern Maine to meet the needs of southern Maine and Boston. Cross Town will also assist ISO New England in compensating for the loss of power generation capacity due to the phasing out of natural gas and other power plants. Naveen Abraham, CEO of Plus Power, said: "Plus Power is proud to operate another milestone facility in New England and further enhance the reliability of electricity in the region. ”We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ISO New England as our facilities showcase the unique capabilities of battery energy storage systems. ” Cross Town has 156 Sunac PowerTitan battery energy storage systems. Plus Power collaborated with Cianbro Corp., headquartered in Maine, for the design, procurement, and construction of the facility.

• February 12, 2026

A long-term federal research laboratory supporting the deployment of renewable energy in the country has laid off over 100 employees for the second time in less than a year. According to reports, the Rocky Mountains National Laboratory (NLR) has laid off 134 employees this week. According to CBS News, nine months before the latest round of layoffs, Golden Laboratory in Colorado laid off 114 employees, affecting NRL's research and operations departments. The research center was established in 1974 as the Solar Energy Research Institute and later renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In December last year, the Trump administration's Department of Energy renamed it NLR again. A month ago, the Department of Energy revoked or replaced multiple offices with decarbonization tasks, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. NLR is responsible for supporting many initiatives and research projects related to the deployment of renewable energy in the United States. The laboratory also has a National Photovoltaic Center. Colorado Public Radio reported that an NRL spokesperson attributed the layoffs to "expected funding levels" and in line with the current Department of Energy's new priorities. Solar Power World has left a voicemail with NRL and is awaiting further comments.

• February 11, 2026

Michigan labor leaders launched Michigan Climate Jobs (MICJ) today, a union alliance centered around professions and projects in the clean energy sector. Michigan is the third state to announce the establishment of such an alliance, guided by the principles outlined in a report by Cornell University's Climate Employment Institute. Ryan Bennett, President of MICJ and Michigan Pipeline Trade Association, said, "Today, we are launching the Michigan Climate Jobs Program to ensure a worker led clean energy future, where labor plays a leading role in addressing the climate crisis, providing affordable and reliable energy, and protecting workers for today and future generations." "The jobs needed to create a clean energy economy must absolutely be union work, because only union work can provide workers with wages, good benefits, and safety to sustain their families MICJ's union partners represent groups in the fields of construction, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, engineering, and education. The mission of this alliance is to follow the plans and policies outlined in the Michigan Climate Jobs Blueprint for a Fair and Clean Energy Future by the Climate Jobs Institute. These principles include decarbonizing public infrastructure, upgrading the national energy network, and establishing more union professions and apprenticeship positions. Clean energy work is our future, and equally important, the jobs they create are also our future. These projects not only produce energy, but also create long-term, skilled jobs that allow people like me to make a living, stay in our community, and live a dignified and safe life. When these projects are built by union skilled workers, they are completed safely and professionally, and in a way that creates real opportunities for the next generation, "said Natalya Craig, a skilled worker and graduate operations engineer at 324 Apprentice. Michigan established a new clean energy employment alliance ahead of New Jersey and Oregon.

• February 10, 2026

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has made a preliminary ruling on the patent infringement complaint against Voltage, determining that Shoals Technologies Group's cable management patent has been infringed. On February 6th, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Doris Johnson Hines ruled that voltage violated Section 2. By importing LYNX mainline bus products into the United States, we comply with Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. One second. 337 violation declaration of infringement of certain patents leads to unfair competition in import trade. LYNX products are suspected of infringing Shoals' Big Lead Assembly (BLA) solution patent. This is the latest ruling in the long-standing patent infringement dispute between Shoals and Voltage. Shoals first filed infringement charges against Voltage in 2023 for three direct insertion fuses and mainline bus patents. Shoals later withdrew their complaint against one of the mainline bus patents, and the ITC dismissed the lawsuit after determining that Shoals did not pursue a claim for patent infringement on fuses. The ITC ultimately dismissed the SEC's lawsuit. In January 2025, Case 337 confirmed that the voltage did not violate Shoals' mainline bus design. Shoals submitted a new section. On January 10, 2025, a 337 complaint was filed against Voltage, with two different patents (No. 12015375 and No. 12015376). These patents are also being questioned in the Central District Court of North Carolina, which will hold a hearing on February 26th. ALJ Hines found in its preliminary ruling that Voltage violated the '375 and' 376 patents under Article 2. three hundred and thirty-seven Brandon Moss, CEO of Shoals Technologies Group, said, "This preliminary ruling is a major step towards victory for American innovation and domestic energy supply chains. We appreciate the administrative judges' recognition that protecting intellectual property means protecting the future of American energy security. Shoals was founded on the belief that American manufacturing should lead the electrification revolution, and we will continue to defend our intellectual property, invest in domestic production, and create employment opportunities for the United States The final ruling of ITC is expected to be released in June 2026. Meanwhile, Voltage may still import its LYNX products into the United States. Voltage, headquartered in North Carolina, produces some products in China. The company has just announced that it will open a new eBOS manufacturing base in North Carolina to produce more American made products. The company has developed a new LYNX PLUS product that "surpasses current mainline bus solutions" and has been acknowledged by ALJ Hines as not infringing any of Shoals' patents.

• February 06, 2026

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with renewable energy company Zelestra to purchase the entire output of the 176 MW DC Skull Creek solar power plant in Texas. This marks the seventh PPA between Meta and Zelestra, representing a potential 1.2 GW DC solar capacity upon project completion. As the company builds artificial intelligence data centers, Meta's electricity demand continues to expand. According to a report by the Associated Press, in addition to using renewable energy to meet the power demand of its data centers, Meta has also invested in nuclear power to support a group of data centers with a load of 1 GW in Ohio. According to its website, Meta matches its energy needs with clean and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear power, and reportedly purchases electricity from 127 solar projects worldwide. Zelestra also recently announced that its 81-megawatt Jasper County solar project in Indiana is now operational, and has begun developing a 49-megawatt project in Ohio. Phil North, CEO of Zelestra, stated, "Our clean energy collaboration with Meta is thriving across the United States. We are delighted to welcome Jasper County to full operation and commence construction on two additional major projects, while signing another significant agreement to enable the construction of the Skull Creek project in Texas. Thanks to our forward-looking partnership, nearly 1.2 GW of new clean solar DC power generation will soon be operational in the United States.". ” The company's US headquarters is located in Arlington, Virginia, and it is reported that the company is developing 15 GW of renewable energy projects.

• February 03, 2026

Sol Systems has completed the 186-megawatt DC Tilden Solar Project, which is built on over 1,000 acres of land at a former underground coal mine in southern Illinois. This $345 million project brings new life to lands that have long shaped American energy history, transforming a complex legacy site into a modern clean energy infrastructure that will generate approximately 319 gigawatt-hours of electricity in its first year. These mines closed in the 1990s, leaving the region barren both in terms of natural resources and finances. Developing solar energy on former underground mines presents unique engineering, environmental, and permitting challenges, including long-term subsidence considerations and coordination with numerous mining rights owners. Through innovative design solutions and close collaboration with technical, regulatory, and community stakeholders, Sol Systems has taken the project from concept to commercial operation. "Tilden serves as a compelling example that even the most challenging sites in the United States, such as former coal mines, can be reimagined and repurposed as integral components of our clean energy future," said Yuri Horwitz, CEO and founder of Sol Systems. "Sol is committed to creating long-term economic and environmental value for our customers and the communities in which we operate. The Tilden project is part of a portfolio of 1 GW dual-purpose solar projects that Sol will actively operate in partnership with local farmers and stakeholders.". ” "Tiddlens presents some unique challenges to the team, and we are proud of our team's collaboration, which has made these challenges possible," said Andy Poirot, Vice President of McCarthy Building Companies. "Building on a historic underground mine requires coordination, engineering precision, and problem-solving skills that are not seen in typical solar energy projects. Sol Systems has made this possible.". ” During the construction process conducted by McCarthy Building Companies, the project created approximately 300 local full-time jobs and is expected to generate combined benefits of $20 million in tax revenue and local impact investment for the community throughout its lifecycle. Nextpower provided a tracking system, while Canadian Solar supplied solar modules. Financing partners included ING as the lender and Churchill Stateside Group as the tax equity investor. Beyond its operational significance, Tilden highlighted the broader opportunity in the Midwest and other traditional energy regions to transform former industrial and extraction sites into modern infrastructure that supports domestic energy production, while bringing long-term benefits to communities. The story of the Teide Solar Project is showcased in a short film by Sol Systems, which documents the challenges and breakthroughs faced in completing the project and highlights how technological innovation and community management work together. "Integrity Innovation: The New Life of Teide Mine"

• January 30, 2026

SolarCycle has commenced the recycling of solar panels at its new facility in Cedartown, Georgia. This 255,000 square foot recycling facility is home to SolarCycle's proprietary next-generation advanced recycling technology, which has a throughput more than twice that of the company's first-generation recycling line. The new process achieves 100% diversion from landfills and recovers 96% of the value from silver, copper, aluminum, glass, and other key minerals in solar panels. The plant currently processes thousands of solar panels per week and will continue to expand to process 1 million solar panels per year by the end of 2026. At full capacity, the facility can process up to 5 GW of solar panels per year. Suvi Sharma, CEO and co-founder of SolarCycle, stated, "Our recycling facility in Cedartown represents a significant shift in the way we provide end-of-life infrastructure. Our next phase of growth focuses on bringing solar recycling to an industrial scale and providing our customers with winning economic benefits, so that as solar deployment continues to accelerate, the industry can retain a significant amount of critical materials within the domestic supply chain." The recycling facility is adjacent to SolarCycle's future solar glass manufacturing plant, creating an integrated park aimed at recycling and remanufacturing high-value materials from scrapped solar panels. The company has secured commitments from customers covering more than 80% of the glass factory's planned 5 GW production capacity, reflecting strong demand for domestically produced solar materials. The project is expected to break ground in mid-2026 and deliver the first batch of glass in 2028.