• June 30, 2026

Sabanci Renewables, a subsidiary of Turkish energy company Sabanci Holding, has entered into a power purchase agreement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to buy all the electricity generated by its 100 MW AC/130 MW DC Lucky 7 Solar and 120 MW AC/156 MW DC Pepper Solar projects in Texas. These two projects are expected to be completed in the second half of 2027. It is anticipated that they will create over 600 job opportunities during the construction process. "Signing a long-term renewable energy agreement with Meta marks a significant step for Sabanci Renewables as we continue to expand our presence in the U.S.," said Turgay Kahn Doançolu, President of Strategic Investment and Operations at Sabanci Group. "For Sabanci Renewable Energy, this also represents another strategic milestone in our journey in the U.S. market, reinforcing our focus on building sustainable partnerships with institutional and corporate users." In just the past two months, Solar Power World reported that Meta has signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) for solar projects exceeding 150 megawatts with RWE Renewables, EDP Renewables, Enbridge, and Zelestra. "We are delighted to support the development of the Lucky 7 and Pepper solar projects, which will together add new solar capacity to the Texas grid," said Amanda Yang, head of Meta's Clean and Renewable Energy Division. "The long-term agreement with Sabanci Renewables reflects the kind of partnerships we value—those capable of bringing significant new energy resources online."

• June 29, 2026

The recently completed 480 kWAC solar array in the southern part of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is now the city's largest photovoltaic project. This array at Steere Farm Wells is powering a critical pumping facility for one of Ann Arbor's largest electricity consumers. This collaboration is the result of cooperation between the Ann Arbor Water Authority, the Information Technology Bureau, and the Office of Sustainability and Innovation (OSI), which led and funded the project in line with the city's A2ZERO carbon neutrality goals. "There have been many changes," said Simi Barr, Senior Analyst for Municipal Operations at OSI. "It requires collaboration among numerous city staff and departments, as well as external consultants and contractors, to ensure the systems we design achieve their intended purposes without compromising the city's critical water infrastructure." This device is Ann Arbor's latest initiative for its own operations and the city's decarbonization mission. By 2025, two additional city facilities will be equipped with solar panels, the Veterans Memorial Park will have solar-powered parking shelters, the Ann Arbor Police Department fleet will add an electric pursuit vehicle, four all-electric garbage trucks will begin collection services, and several other actions will be taken to reduce the city's carbon footprint. More developments are expected in 2026, including the installation of at least three solar arrays, which will include a residential energy storage project led by the city-owned utility Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility. This work is part of the A2ZERO initiative, a plan by the City of Ann Arbor to achieve a just and equitable transition to carbon neutrality across the entire community by 2030.

• June 24, 2026

rPlus Energies has commenced operations at the Green River Energy Center in Emery County, Utah, a 400 MW solar and 400 MW/1,600 MWh battery storage project. Green River Energy is the largest solar plus storage facility within the service area of Pacific Power. In 2024, Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced the "Giga Initiative," a plan aimed at doubling the state's energy production over the next decade. "The Gigawatt initiative is designed to ensure Utah has reliable and locally sourced energy to drive opportunities for generations," Cox said. "The Green River Energy Center represents the large-scale energy investment we need, capable of delivering dependable power, supporting rural Utah, and helping fuel the prosperity of our state's next generation.". ” The Green River Energy Center is projected to generate over $55 million in property taxes for schools and public services. Project partners have pledged $375,000 in scholarships for local students planning to establish careers in their hometowns, while also strengthening the region's long-term workforce in local and energy-related industries. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Monday, project partners announced a $45,000 donation to the Feren Fire Department near Green River. "This project represents the collaboration and commitment of all project partners over many years," said Luigi Resta, President and CEO of rPlus Energies. "We believe in this vision, and today, the Green River Energy Center is delivering reliable power and real value to households in the western United States."

• June 23, 2026

Nextpower (formerly Nextracker) plans to acquire a European solar mounting system manufacturer. Zimmermann PV-Steel Group in southern Germany produces fixed tilt, floating, and agrivoltaic mounting systems for the European solar market. This marks the latest acquisition in Nextpower's series of recent years, aimed at purchasing another company. Known as a leading single-axis solar tracker manufacturer, Nextpower has independently developed or primarily acquired technologies to enter the solar foundation, inverter, energy storage, electrical balance system, photovoltaic steel module frames, and other related markets. These transactions also reflect Nextpower's unprecedented expansion in domestic manufacturing, with the opening and expansion of new factories to produce solar tracker torque tubes and collaborations with contract manufacturers across the United States. Nextpower plans to acquire Zimmermann through a cash and stock transaction, with a deal value of $378 million. According to the press release, the transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027. "This transaction marks the next chapter for Nextpower on the global stage," said Dan Shugar, founder and CEO of Nextpower. "By acquiring Zimmermann, we will significantly expand our product portfolio and enhance our market presence and supply chain capabilities in Europe and beyond. Zimmermann's structural solutions—including fixed tilt, carports, high-density trackers, innovative agrivoltaic solutions, and floating photovoltaic systems—will broaden our European product lineup to support a wider range of land use, permitting requirements, and regional use cases. We see a clear opportunity to combine Zimmermann's robust product engineering and execution capabilities with Nextpower's reliable and comprehensive product platform to better serve European customers and accelerate profitable international growth. Nextpower recently launched its NX Gemini dual-axis solar tracker and single-axis solar tracker in Europe. Upon completion of this acquisition, it will mark its entry into the fixed and floating support systems market. "Zimmerman has grown its business by maintaining a customer-centric approach and delivering high-quality engineering solutions tailored to specific project needs," said Robert Zimmerman, owner and CEO of Zimmerman Company. "At Nextpower, we see a partner with highly complementary technologies, geographic reach, and a customer-first mindset. They bring scale and complementary solutions and capabilities that will help us serve customers more broadly while preserving the local relationships and engineering focus defined by our business. We view this as an exciting new chapter for the company and its employees, as well as for our clients, suppliers, and partners across Europe.

• June 22, 2026

At the Emma Community Center near Asheville, North Carolina, the ongoing transformation extends far beyond hard lines and wires. While the transition to renewable energy is often seen as a luxury, the collaboration among Sugar Hollow Solar, PODER Emma, and the Footprint Project is delivering clean energy for innovative community resilience and displacement prevention. These three organizations have recently completed a series of solar energy installations, marking a significant step in integrating affordable housing preservation with environmental justice. PODER Emma, a mobile home community, has long provided resources to locals, protecting families from eviction through cooperative ownership. By collectively acquiring land, they ensured the original residents of the PODER Emma community could remain there. Partnerships with Sugar Hollow Solar and Footprint Project introduced an additional layer of security: energy independence. By generating their own power, these communities are no longer constrained by rising utility rates, allowing financial resources to stay within the community. "We are delighted to take this step toward clean energy," said Alan Ramirez, a board member and secretary of La Esperanza, a housing cooperative for PODER Emma. "During hurricanes, La Esperanza has been the center of our resources and resilience. With solar power, we are conserving resources, generating electricity, and feeling stronger than ever.". ” Fifteen solar panels were installed on a custom-designed terrace roof structure for mobile homes, along with a 46-kilowatt system on the roof of the PODER community center. These projects were made possible through sub-grants from the Repower WNC fund for equipment and labor supporting the Sugar Hollow Solar initiative of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, as well as donations of solar panels from the Footprint project, contributions from IronRidge, and grants from Invest Appalachia. As Asheville moves toward a more sustainable future, the collaboration among Sugar Hollow Solar, PODER Emma, and the Footprint Project serves as a blueprint for equitable energy. Communities often disproportionately affected by development are typically excluded from the process. These initiatives help demonstrate what can be achieved when a community is empowered with the necessary information and tools. By addressing the disproportionate percentage of utility expenditures in low-income neighborhoods, PODER Emma ensures that the Emma community can thrive in a place that supports their prosperity.

• June 18, 2026

A luxury apartment community in North Scottsdale, Arizona, will feature a central club with CertainTeed SunStyle solar shingles as a highlight. The club house designed by KTGY draws inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, featuring linear forms, sloping rooflines, expressive structural elements, and plaster finishes with wood-grain textures that mimic natural timber. "We are not attempting to imitate Talis Linzi; we draw inspiration from it," said Jonathan McAll, CEO of Belgravia Group and developer of the Atavia community. "The repeated roof angles, exposed structural elements, and carpentry details create something more visually appealing than what we typically see in club and clubhouse designs." The club will adopt the SunStyle integrated solar roof system, which resembles overlapping dragon-scales tiles. McCulloch discovered this innovative solution while exploring renewable energy options and was impressed by its proven success, with over 15 years of successful performance in Europe. Atavia will be the first project in Arizona to adopt SunStyle solar roofs, setting a new benchmark for luxury and design-oriented sustainability in the region. The high-performance solar roofs are expected to generate 55,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which can offset the majority, if not almost all, of the club resort's annual energy consumption. "We hope the sustainability components can be fully integrated into the architecture," McCarlo said. "We don’t want to use traditional rectangular panels on the roof, as this could disrupt the overall aesthetic design. This product allows us to incorporate renewable energy in a way that complements rather than competes with the design." Jesse Schiavone (General Manager of CertainTeed Solar Solutions) expressed pride in collaborating with Belgravia Group and KTGY on the club house project, noting that the project reflects a strong alignment of design, sustainability, and performance. "SunStyle offers a fully integrated solar roof system that generates clean energy while preserving the architectural integrity of buildings," said Schiavone. "We are proud to provide a solution that enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of spaces, and we hope the Atavia community can use it as a gathering place that fosters connections for years to come."

• June 17, 2026

Renewable energy infrastructure supplier Create Energy is acquiring solar mounting system manufacturer SOL Components from Kloeckner Metals. Create will integrate SOL Components through its ONTRACK platform, a project design and management portal where customers can also purchase packaged solar products. "I am immensely proud of this acquisition and delighted to introduce another powerful product and company into Create Energy's 'non-evil empire' as well as our ONTRACK solution suite," said Dean Solon, CEO of Create Energy. "We are building a unified power platform to simplify and enhance the planning, procurement, and deployment of energy projects." SOL Components manufactures single-axis solar trackers, offering models for both single-sided and double-sided applications, as well as fixed tilt ground-mounted brackets based on rails. In 2023, SOL was acquired by Kloeckner Metals, a steel company headquartered in Roswell, Georgia. "Create Energy is poised to become a dominant force in this year's M&A market, and we are delivering on this promise," said Joseph Fahrney, Chief Strategist at Create Energy. "In an industry focused on integration, clients choose us because they trust Dean Solon and our ability to deliver speed, certainty, unparalleled performance, and the industry's best warranties. This acquisition amplifies our momentum and solidifies Create Energy's position as a premier long-term solutions provider in the energy sector.". ” According to the press release, Create intends to continue acquiring solar product manufacturers.

• June 16, 2026

SunPower subsidiary Cobalt Power Systems, located in Mountain View, and energy real estate company Wunder Power have completed the 220.9-kilowatt Waterfront Plaza solar project opposite Pier 33 in San Francisco. "As building owners seek more sophisticated engineering solutions to reduce operational costs and achieve sustainability goals, projects like Waterfront Plaza demonstrate the potential and showcase Cobalt Power Systems' technical expertise and execution capabilities over the past two decades," said John Paul Bergh, President of Cobalt. "Partnering with Wunder Power, we successfully delivered a highly engineered solution on one of San Francisco's most challenging commercial rooftops.". ” The Waterfront Plaza solar project consists of 554 photovoltaic modules, requiring specialized engineering to be installed on the post-tensioned concrete roof structure of the building. The installation team had to deploy custom-designed anchors and employ various fastening methods to safely navigate the dense post-tensioned cable layout beneath the roof membrane. Over 3,000 counterweights were distributed across the roof to meet structural load requirements and ensure seismic stability. "Working with the Cobalt team on the Riverside Plaza project was a delightful experience," said Kaylee Mulligan, Chief Operating Officer of Wunder Power. "Their attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence made the collaboration seamless from start to finish. We are proud to partner with high-quality organizations like Cobalt to help commercial real estate owners deploy renewable energy in their portfolios, unlocking long-term additional value."

• June 15, 2026

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 is different 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 as a whole. 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.