• April 02, 2025

EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) launched a 100 MW Riverstart III solar park in Randolph County, Indiana today. Amazon has signed a long-term power purchase agreement to provide 100 megawatts of electricity for the third phase of the Riverstart solar park. This project is part of Amazon's climate commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions for all of its operations by 2040, and is also part of the company's efforts to match 100% of the electricity used in its operations with renewable energy. The power generation of Riverstart III is equivalent to the electricity consumption of over 19200 households in Indiana. The economic growth during the project implementation period will benefit local initiatives such as schools, road maintenance, infrastructure, and other basic services. The project will pay approximately 32.8 million US dollars to local governments in the form of taxes. During the project implementation, approximately $2.9 million will be used for local restaurants, shops, gas stations, and other retailers. The construction of Riverstart III has created over 350 job opportunities and will continue to create multiple job opportunities during its operation. Landowners and farmers within the project scope will receive $28 million in land lease agreements, which will help maintain their land and alleviate financial burdens in the face of challenging markets and adverse weather conditions affecting the US agricultural sector. In order to fulfill its environmental responsibility, EDPR NA adopted pollinator friendly practices in the construction and maintenance of Riverstart III. Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP R NA, said, "With the launch of the new phase of Riverstart Solar's project, our investment portfolio in Indiana continues to grow, once again demonstrating the significant contribution of renewable energy and solar energy to meeting Indiana's growing energy needs." "As the largest renewable energy owner and operator in the state, we thank Randolph County for its continued partnership with us, focusing on providing economic and community benefits, and achieving a positive track record EDP R NA manages 11 phases of four renewable energy projects in Indiana, totaling 1.7 gigawatts. The project includes two phases of the 398 MW Headwaters wind farm, six phases of the 801 MW Meadow Lake wind farm, three phases of the 300 MW Riverstart solar park, and a 202 MW Sweet Acres wind farm.

• April 01, 2025

Scanifly is a solar design and on-site operation software that has integrated its services with Pegasus, a California based rooftop solar installation system supplier. The integration will automatically transfer Scanifly design data and panel positions directly to the Pegasus design tool, eliminating platform switching and repetitive work. Direct API integration connects Scanifly's design environment with Pegasus' shelf layout, bill of materials (BOM), and engineering document functions. Solar contractors can now select installation equipment and generate BOMs in a unified workflow. Scanifly CEO Jason Steinberg said, "A precise shelving system requires precise roof measurements, accurate panel placement, and actual on-site structural data. Scanifly's realistic design output based on drones has unique details that can provide this data. Pegasus is a pioneer in the creation and promotion of shelving solutions, and we are pleased to be able to achieve this goal at a faster pace from initial investigation to final installation This integration combines Scanifly's drone based 3D model with Pegasus' installation structure, including SkipHail, Rail System, and InstaTilt products. Contractors can specify InstaFlash2 and other waterproofing solutions based on the actual roof condition. Pegasus Sales Vice President Andrew Jones said, "This integration connects the two key parts of the process - accurate roof measurements and correct installation specifications - to ensure that the parts that appear correct in the design can function properly on the roof." Pegasus and Scanifly have many contractor relationships, especially with some of the industry's highest quality and most reputable companies, including SunnyMac, Freedom Solar, and Good Faith Energy. These contractors will truly benefit from this cutting-edge integration

• March 31, 2025

In 2021, Canadian technology company Ubiquity Solar announced that it will establish a nearly 2 gigawatt solar cell manufacturing plant in New York to provide products for the aerospace and utility sectors. This effort was never realized, and now the manufacturing equipment is listed for sale by Tiger Group and GESemi. Artificial intelligence and semiconductor auction companies are accepting equipment quotations for the production of high-efficiency gallium arsenide (GaAs) thin-film photovoltaic cells. These fully retired production lines are ready to be shipped from New York. Nearly 600 Flat noodles include equipment from Aixtron Group, Attolight, GigaMat, SCHMID, Hercules and KLA Corp. Ubiquity acquired this equipment through the acquisition of Alta Devices, which was the first to launch GaAs thin-film solar cells for various applications such as satellites and automobiles. This set of equipment has never been used in New York and has been packed ever since. Kevin Shows, Chief Operating Officer of GESemi, said, "The advanced production line sold this time can be used to manufacture weight sensitive application products, such as drones that require efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity. In addition, this is an excellent technology for the space market Ubiquity's patents (partially acquired from Alta Devices) and other intellectual property assets related to high-tech manufacturing of gallium arsenide chips are also being sold. Chad Farrell, Managing Director of Tiger Commercial&Industrial, stated that Ubiquity Solar, with its photovoltaic technology products, is focused on providing the space market with higher power per square meter and better overall energy production performance than aerospace grade silicon. Its lightweight and efficient photovoltaic cells have high practicality, making the mechanical equipment, patents, and intellectual property sold this time particularly valuable to the industry

• March 28, 2025

Global solar tracker manufacturer PV Hardware USA (PVH) has launched DeepTrack, an operational ecosystem aimed at improving the efficiency, reliability, and management of solar tracking systems. This platform integrates real-time performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, and AI driven analysis, which can help solar asset owners optimize energy production and reduce operating costs. DeepTrack provides automatic tracking adjustments, maintenance alerts, and full system performance insights to help solar project operators increase energy production and reduce operating costs. The system aims to work continuously, adapt to environmental conditions to increase solar power generation, while protecting assets from the impact of extreme weather and other risks. Rodolfo Bitar, Vice President of Business Development at PVH, stated that DeepTrack provides real-time insights for solar operators to optimize energy production and extend system lifespan. As the industry responds to policy changes and economic pressures, efficiency and reliability have become unprecedentedly important. DeepTrack provides data-driven solutions to help operators address these challenges The system is compatible with existing PVH tracking technology and includes functions such as multi factory management, remote and local system access, and automatic diagnosis. It operates through a combination of on-site hardware and cloud based analytics, enabling asset owners to monitor and control operations from anywhere.

• March 27, 2025

CMI Plastics is a family owned enterprise operated by the third generation, based on strong relationships. That's why when some of CMI Plastics' clients called on the company to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, CMI Plastics spared no effort to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining these meaningful partnerships. In addition to implementing energy efficiency upgrades and waste reduction practices at its factory in Eden, North Carolina, CMI Plastics was certified as a sustainable green printing partner factory in 2024, becoming the first company focused on thermoforming to receive this certification. Now, the company can add using on-site solar energy to meet 50% of its energy needs to its list of environmental sustainability practices. Megawatt Group and Pisgah Energy based in Asheville have collaborated on a 649 kW solar project. The system uses Trina Solar panels and SolarEdge inverters, which will be used as on-site generators. Steven Hasselbach, Managing Director of CMI Plastics, stated, "Pisgah Energy is an excellent partner. We need a team that can help handle all aspects of a project of this scale. They react quickly and have extensive knowledge. Any project will face challenges, and they have overcome these challenges and provided us with an incredible system to help us achieve our sustainable development goals Pisgah Energy is the chief designer/developer of the project and served as the general contractor during the project construction period. Evan Becka, President and Senior Developer of Pisgah Energy, said, "We had a great time working with the CMI Plastics team. This project faced many challenges, and their employees were tenacious and steadfastly committed to achieving their vision, which left a deep impression on me. CMI is committed to building and maintaining good relationships, which is understandable; Their way of serving customers and treating suppliers both reflect this. They have set an example for other companies in the plastic industry, recognizing that putting in more effort can greatly benefit the business

• March 26, 2025

Minnesota Senators Nick A. Frentz (18, Democrat Farmer Labor), Bill Weber (21, Republican), and John A. Hoffman (34, Democrat Farmer Labor) have initiated a new bipartisan legislation proposing to end the state's newly reformed Low and Middle Income (LMI) Accessible Community Solar Garden (CSG) program by the end of 2028. CCSA、MnSEIA、Vote Solar、 In a joint statement opposing the bill, the Local Self Reliance Research Institute and Solar Energy United Neighbors stated, "This blatant setback is a gift to powerful utility companies that intend to protect their monopoly position and suppress competition, which directly harms the interests of families and small businesses in Minnesota Just a year ago, the Minnesota legislature modernized community solar projects to expand their usage to more residents. The state awarded the first batch of projects under the program in February 2025. The joint statement concludes, "Minnesota should lead the nation, not become the first state to repeal plans that bring conservation, energy independence, and economic opportunities to our communities. The legislature must reject SF 2855 and stand with Minnesota families

• March 25, 2025

One of the most concerning issues for residents when introducing solar energy projects into the community is often their visual impact. Carefully designed and strategically implemented landscape buffer zones can address these issues by seamlessly integrating the project into the surrounding environment. However, many cities lack clear regulations or solar energy laws, resulting in inconsistent visual screening methods. Some projects failed to provide sufficient screening, while others included ornamental tree species based on community preferences rather than actual applicability. Although the main purpose of barriers is usually to block out unfavorable landscapes, using local evergreen tree species is an effective and sustainable solution. Unfortunately, many municipal authorities have overlooked local tree species when designating evergreen barriers, thus missing opportunities to enhance ecological benefits. Local evergreen trees and shrubs not only maintain their leaves throughout the year, but also promote local biodiversity by providing necessary habitats for wildlife. An effective landscape buffer zone should include a variety of trees, shrubs, flowering plants, and grasses. This diversity not only enhances visual appeal, but also brings additional ecological benefits, such as seasonal flowering and providing habitats for pollinating insects such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Although designing diverse landscapes requires careful planning and effort, the long-term advantages outweigh the initial investment and can create a beautiful, environmentally friendly, and sustainable environment. It is crucial to consider the planting conditions at specific locations in order to ensure successful landscape selection. Time management is particularly important because planting in summer can put pressure on the roots, leading to poor or failed plant growth. The optimal planting periods are spring and autumn, which are consistent with the natural growth cycle. Although the construction schedule may bring limitations, delaying planting is better than risking plant failure, as plant failure can damage the effectiveness of the buffer zone. The selection of plant material size is another key factor. Although smaller plants are easy to obtain, they may be difficult to compete with surrounding vegetation or inadvertently damaged during maintenance activities. Larger plant materials need to be procured as early as possible, but can provide immediate visual effects and help quickly establish plant barriers. In some cases, projects may require materials for contract planting, emphasizing the importance of early planning in the landscape selection process. Hiring experienced professionals is also crucial for ensuring project success. Many landscape installation failures are caused by inexperienced EPC or civil contractors installing without the necessary professional knowledge. Hiring skilled landscape professionals who provide assurance for their work ...

• March 24, 2025

Ampion Renewable Energy has been selected as the community solar manager for the Erie County Low Income Sustainable Energy Program (ECLIPSE), a new initiative aimed at providing electricity savings for low to middle-income residents in Erie County, New York. Ampion will collaborate with Yili County to provide electricity savings for eligible residents through community solar energy. Currently, there are over 80000 low - and middle-income families in Yili County who can benefit from this program. We encourage residents to seize this opportunity, "said Mark C. Poloncarz, the Governor of Yili County. ECLIPSE community solar energy can be combined with other programs, such as the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Empower+, to ensure that households can afford energy costs This program is applicable to all homeowners and tenants in Erie County who benefit from federal or state aid programs, including HEAP, Affordable Connect Program, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Temporary Assistance for Poor Families. Brian Buzby, Director of Community Partnerships at Ampion, said, "Community solar allows power company customers to access renewable energy and save costs without installing or paying upfront fees. Through ECLIPSE, Erie County and Ampion make it easier for low-income residents to support solar energy while saving money. Our goal is to make the registration process as simple as possible. You only need a copy of your current electricity bill and proof that you are benefiting from government aid programs In addition to saving significant costs for impoverished families, this collaboration will also expand the amount of solar energy available in the northern part of New York State within the service areas of State Grid and New York State Electric and Gas Company (NYSE). Ampion recently announced that through community solar energy, users have saved over $42 million in electricity bills. These savings were achieved through the production of clean energy through a portfolio of over 1.5 GW community solar projects managed by Ampion.

• March 21, 2025

SolMicroGrid has announced the completion of a microgrid project at Chick-fil-A Quarry Creek in Oceanside, California. SolMicroGrid typically utilizes a combination of solar energy, on-site battery storage, and generators to provide customers with reliable and continuous power. The project for this Chick-fil-A restaurant includes an 81 kilowatt hour battery energy storage system and a 112 kilowatt solar cell array consisting of a canopy and ground mounted modules. All components of the project are controlled by an advanced energy management system that optimizes performance and maximizes the synergy between technologies. Due to the unique terrain and steep slope of the location, SolMicroGrid adopts ground installation technology specifically designed for rock slopes - using ground screws instead of standard concrete pouring foundations. One of the benefits of microgrid projects is that they can strategically deploy distributed energy resources, thereby reducing energy costs. The Oceanside project is expected to meet about one-third of the restaurant's annual energy needs, while grid electricity prices are 10% lower than grid electricity. Kirk Edelman, CEO of SolMicroGrid, said, "The solar and battery storage combination we provide for Chick-fil-A will help reduce energy costs while achieving sustainable development goals. We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide renewable energy to Chick-fil-A at a discounted price The latest achievement of SolMicroGrid and Chick-fil-A was achieved after the successful deployment of microgrids at the local owner operated locations of Chick-fil-A on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, California and March Lane on I-5 Interstate in Stockton. Peden Young, Chief Project Leader of the Sustainability Team at Chick-fil-A, stated, "Chick-fil-A's partnership with SolMicroGrid to invest in pilot solar microgrids demonstrates our commitment to environmental management. Using renewable energy on-site in our restaurant can reduce our impact on the environment, while also reflecting Chick-fil-A's determination to pursue the future and care for the planet