• April 24, 2025

Chemitek Solar has launched Anti Static Solar Armor 2.0, a new version of its easy-to-use anti-static and anti fouling coating for photovoltaic (PV) panels. The upgraded anti-static solar armor 2.0 formula ensures durability for at least one year under normal stain conditions, ensuring that solar panels remain clean for a longer period of time and reducing the need for frequent touch ups. This formula significantly reduces the adhesion of pollutants such as dust, pollen, and organic matter, making subsequent cleaning faster and more efficient. By forming a durable protective layer, the accumulation of dirt is minimized to effectively support the long-term performance and maintenance of photovoltaic panels. The combination of anti-static and anti adhesion properties can slow down the accumulation of dirt, thereby increasing energy production by up to 5%. This product is designed specifically for use with robots (such as Solarcleano or Sun-X) and brush tractors (such as Sunbrush), and can be used in routine cleaning operations by simply mixing it directly in cleaning water. This convenient way of easily integrating into regular cleaning can avoid additional operations and costs. Adhering to the concept of sustainability, the anti-static solar armor 2.0 adopts biodegradable, non-toxic, water-based materials that do not contain solvents and irritating chemicals such as ammonia. Its pH neutral components ensure that it is harmless to the environment and solar panel components. The anti-static solar armor 2.0 has passed T Ü V safety and reliability certification, ensuring that it meets the highest industry standards. It provides optimal protection for sensitive photovoltaic modules, including anti reflective coatings (ARC). We have developed a brand new anti-static solar armor 2.0 with the goal of achieving a lifespan of at least one year to align with the annual cleaning cycle of most photovoltaic power plants worldwide. The new version will continuously protect the components between two cleanings, minimizing pollution losses throughout the year, "said C é sar Martins, CEO of Chemitek. The anti-static solar armor 2.0 will be officially released at the 2025 European International Solar Energy Exhibition.

• April 23, 2025

The Sixth District of the African Methodist Church (AME) has announced a new plan to establish microgrids in churches across Georgia, with the goal of installing five systems by 2026. The initiative in the sixth district covers all AME churches in Georgia (482 churches), which can ultimately deploy microgrids to enhance community resilience and energy independence, marking an important step for AME churches in their ongoing commitment to environmental management. Since 2023, the sixth district has been developing this innovative project, which includes installing solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, battery energy storage systems, and implementing energy-saving measures. The project also introduces bidirectional charging technology, enabling church facilities to serve as energy hubs and emergency centers for the community, where community members can charge medical equipment, store medication, and seek shelter in emergency situations. It is expected that the typical solar energy system of each church will generate an average of 70 megawatt hours of electricity per year, and each system is expected to offset approximately 93.5% of the church's annual energy consumption, recovering costs in just eight years. The 482 churches in the sixth district have a total annual power generation of approximately 34 gigawatt hours, which is sufficient to power over 3000 households. The project is based on the Climate Change Resolution of the African Methodist Church (AME), which commits the denomination to climate action and supports policies for creating healthy communities and a clean energy future. The resolution was passed at the 50th General Assembly in Philadelphia, outlining the biblical basis for addressing climate change and encouraging the church to take practical measures to achieve sustainable development. Georgia is particularly vulnerable to power outages caused by extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Helene in September 2024, which caused power outages for over 1.3 million residents across the state. Some members of the African Methodist Church have experienced power outages for over three weeks. Georgia residents' electricity bills are also higher than the national average, and it is expected that electricity bills will continue to rise. So far, with the help of the faith based environmental non-profit organization Georgia Interfaith Power and Lighting Company (GIPL), the Sixth District has completed feasibility studies for 13 churches and plans to complete a total of 70 studies by the end of the year. This ambitious goal demonstrates the Church's determination to quickly and effectively address climate change. To support the implementation of this ambitious clean energy vision, AME Church's Sixth District will collaborate with Capital Good Fund. Capital Good Fund is a non-profit community development financial institution (CDFI) and a federal beneficiary of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Solar Energy for All" progr...

• April 22, 2025

Kolbe Doors and Windows Company recently completed the installation and commissioning of a solar panel system on the roof of its main manufacturing plant located in Wausau, Wisconsin. The system consists of 2061 photovoltaic panels with a power of 999.6 kilowatts, expected to offset 31.8% of the current energy consumption of the window manufacturer's factory. Kolbe worked closely with Northwind Solar, a photovoltaic contractor from Amherst, to jointly design and install the system. This array uses double-sided components that can absorb additional sunlight reflected from the back of the panel. The installation work will begin in 2024, with some funding supported by the US Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Grant, which is part of the Rural Energy Program (REAP). We are delighted to utilize the idle space on the factory roof to do something so meaningful: improve our operational efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint, "said Jeff DeLonay, President of Kolbe Doors and Windows. This project is one of our important efforts to better serve our team, community, and environment In addition, in 2022, Kolbe installed a smaller 19.72 kW, 58 panel solar project on the roof of its innovative greenhouse located in Vostok. Kolbe's commitment to energy efficiency is not limited to solar panel systems. The company has implemented multiple measures, including installing timed controlled LED ceiling lights, optimizing humidification systems, and air replenishment devices to improve energy efficiency.

• April 21, 2025

VDE Americas and kWh Analytics have released a new table to assess the hail risk of solar power plants and their defense capabilities during the upcoming hail season. Multiple high-profile hail disasters have posed challenges to the insurance of solar assets, prompting the industry to adopt resilience measures such as deploying thicker and less prone to breakage glass solar panels. But in order for insurance companies to correctly evaluate risk mitigation measures, they need data. In order to provide meaningful hail risk assessment data, VDE Americas and kWh Analytics have jointly developed the "Hail Accumulation and Risk Assessment" tool, which is an easy-to-use assessment tool for insurance insurers and financiers to confirm and monitor hail defense functions. Ultimately, projects that use this tool and demonstrate the effectiveness of its resilience measures will receive insurance credit. This tool and recommendation are based on VDE's comprehensive hail defense best practices, which include actively accumulating solar panels, utilizing industry-specific hail forecasts, and warning based hail accumulation. Hail storage refers to placing solar trackers at steep angles during hail weather to minimize impact and protect solar panels from damage. VDE Americas recommends placing solar trackers (devices used to adjust the tilt of solar panels) in hail storage locations immediately after installing solar panels in ongoing solar projects. For projects that have already been put into operation, the company recommends deploying a hail monitoring system and setting up redundant area and specific site alarms to trigger automatic or manual hail storage. After triggering, the hail storage capacity should be confirmed by staff and tested before needed. The tracker should be placed in the hail storage location overnight. The risk modeling approach of kWh Analytics and VDE America utilizes radar based meteorological data and hail resilience characteristics of specific equipment to create a data-driven model that rewards resilience design and excellent operations. By integrating reliable, site-specific hail risk data and equipment performance indicators, this method creates a more accurate risk assessment framework that benefits proactive solar energy owners and operators. Nicole Thompson, Senior Manager of Data Science at kWh Analytics, said, "This year, the La Ni ñ a phenomenon is raging, and the risk of hail is extremely high. The risk of damage to solar projects is also enormous. Based on empirical research, our differentiated premiums will reward projects that adopt mature hail prevention strategies, transmit insurance price signals to the industry, and incentivize the design, construction, and operation of more resilient solar projects KWh Analytics makes hail accumulation and risk assessment tables easy to use. It allows insurance companies to directly contact tracker manufacturers and independent engineers to understand the specific situation of the pro...

• April 18, 2025

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in Fresno, California held a "Flip the Switch" ceremony today to celebrate the completion of solar and battery energy storage projects at three locations: the Fresno Clovis Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Plant, and the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Plant. These three projects all use single axis solar trackers. The total scale of the DPU project is 27 megawatts of direct current (and 5.3 megawatts of alternating current energy storage), and it is expected to save taxpayers over $122 million in costs by 2045. The most core part of the project is the 19.6 MW solar system and 2.3 MW energy storage system located at the Fresno Clovis area wastewater recycling facility, believed to be the largest commercial solar and battery system in the United States to date. The Fresno Department of Power (DPU) has partnered with ForeFront Power to develop a portfolio of user side solar and energy storage projects. The project was built by local union workers from IBEW Local 100, creating 120 local job opportunities. I am immensely proud of this extraordinary achievement, which not only made Fresno famous, but also fulfilled our commitment to building a sustainable Fresno, "said Mayor Jerry Dyer. Providing renewable energy for these city wide projects and DPUs is part of our comprehensive plan to reduce energy costs, ensure the safety of critical infrastructure, and enhance environmental sustainability. By injecting vitality into this vast renewable energy portfolio and supporting our public utilities, Fresno is proving to the rest of the country that clean energy is a valuable tool for serving communities We are honored to collaborate with the city of Fresno to realize their visionary energy plan, "said Dr. Ruben Fontes, CEO of ForeFront Power. The scale and influence of DPU's power plants are unique. By producing and storing clean energy on-site, DPU reduces reliance on expensive grid electricity and returns the saved energy to taxpayers. In addition, the battery energy storage system installed in each power plant ensures that there is always sufficient energy to power the important infrastructure of the city The development of DPU's solar and energy storage combination does not require prior investment from the municipal government, nor does it utilize bond funds. According to the 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with the municipal government, ForeFront Power owns and maintains its solar and energy storage portfolio developed for DPU. In the next 20 years, ForeFront Power will charge DPU a fixed electricity price lower than the market, and DPU will avoid rising utility rates, thereby achieving budget certainty. During the PPA period, ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the DPU solar and energy storage portfolio at no cost to DPU. As the DPU project portfolio is nearing completion, Fresno is moving towards a national milestone: having the larges...

• April 17, 2025

Faith Technologies Inc. (FTI) is nearing completion of its 2.16 MW solar system located on top of the newly constructed Excellerate building in Olasi, Kansas. FTI's manufacturing brand Excellerate has recently launched its first product - the Excellerate eSkid charging system for electric vehicles. FTI Assistant Project Manager Cole Morrison said, "This project reflects our commitment to putting into practice the renewable energy solutions we develop and build for our clients. With our expertise in solar technology, we have not only reduced our own carbon footprint, but also demonstrated the practical application of these sustainable energy concepts on an industrial scale This project complies with UL 3741 standards and provides a simplified method to meet the requirements for quick closure. FTI is expected to officially debug the array next month.

• April 16, 2025

Even before the wires were bitten and exposed, pests were already threatening the performance and lifespan of solar energy systems. The decline in power generation and expensive structural damage are both at risk. Although raccoons may be responsible for this, they are not the true culprits. For solar installers and contractors, understanding and implementing the latest and effective pest control solutions is not only a value-added service, but also a key link in ensuring the long-term feasibility of solar energy investment and healthy customer relationships. In other words, it's time to phase out plastic cable ties. Understand the threat of pests to solar panels Animal problems can occur anywhere, sometimes even in very concentrated and seemingly inexplicable ways. A community may experience large-scale pest infestations, while solar energy users throughout the city remain unharmed. A household may have been free of pests until their neighbors installed animal protection devices and the expelled animals moved in next door. Looking at residential embedded solar systems, installers can use several effective strategies to avoid pest infestations and damage. The latest physical barrier strategy Physical barriers are a reliable method for protecting solar energy projects. After proper installation, these barriers can enclose the perimeter of the solar panels between the roof and the module frame. The following are different physical pest barriers for solar panels: Fence material options With the advancement of wire mesh materials and tools, it has become the preferred choice for pest control. Metal wire mesh is usually supplied in roll form, with a width of 4 to 10 inches, and can be cut and shaped according to the specific size of the solar cell array. Any metal wire mesh of equal weight is made of galvanized steel and coated with PVC or polyester fibers to enhance its durability and corrosion resistance. To simplify the installation process, we provide specialized tools for transporting, distributing, and cutting coiled metal wire mesh. Some manufacturers also offer pre cut metal mesh panels to accommodate uneven surfaces, such as tile roofs. These latest technologies can significantly shorten installation time. Another physical barrier option is perforated metal plates, typically made of corrosion-resistant aluminum with a black polyester coating on the surface. The key difference lies in the connection method, which will be further explained in the following text. Finally, wire nails are a deterrent primarily used to prevent birds from inhabiting and building nests on or around solar panels. Although wire nails are effective for birds and relatively easy to install (adjustable to accommodate uneven roof surfaces), they may leave openings for rodents or other small mammals to take advantage of. Attachment method Another important consideration for pest control is the installation method of the selected insect repellent. Installation personnel need...

• April 15, 2025

The Dorsey Run Solar project under GS Power Partners (GSPP) has begun commercial operation. The project is located on the rooftop solar panel array of an industrial building in Maryland, and is owned by an account managed by Principal Asset Management. Black Bear Energy collaborated with GSPP to assist with the project from concept conception to commissioning. Amanda Zurla, Chief Development Officer of GS Power Partners, stated that the Dorsey Run Solar project represents multiple important milestones for GSPP. This is our first project in Maryland, marking our partnership with Black Bear Energy for a solar installed capacity exceeding 8 megawatts. In addition, it also demonstrates the solid foundation of our long-term cooperation with Neighborhood Sun In addition to providing low-cost renewable energy to households in the region, Dorsey Run also contributes to the Maryland Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) program. This plan was formulated in 2004 with the aim of achieving economic, environmental, fuel diversity, and safety benefits of renewable energy. Maryland's RPS plan stipulates that by 2030, 50% of the state's electricity must come from renewable energy sources. Drew Torbin, founder and president of Black Bear Energy, said, "This collaboration demonstrates how our collaborative business model has successfully brought clean and affordable renewable energy to underserved populations in Maryland. We look forward to announcing more projects in the future Solar Landscape is the EPC supplier for this project. Neighborhood Sun provides community solar user management services for local households, many of whom are low - and middle-income residents who will enjoy electricity discounts.

• April 14, 2025

On April 10, 2025, Vesper Energy held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the official commercial operation of its flagship energy project Hornet Solar. The project is now fully operational. This ribbon cutting ceremony is not only of great significance to Vesper Energy, but also marks the elevation of Texas' position as a leader in solar energy production in the United States. The Hornet Solar project is located in Sweezh County, Texas, covering an area of over six square miles and containing over 1.36 million modules, making it one of the largest solar projects in the United States. The project will bring over $100 million in new tax revenue to Sweezh County and provide 600 megawatts of AC power. The Hornet Solar project demonstrates how large-scale energy projects can provide reliable household electricity for American households and businesses Juan Suarez, Co CEO of Vesper Energy, stated. This project not only involves solar panels, but is also committed to reducing energy costs while strengthening our country's energy security. With Hornet Solar fully operational, we are helping a community use self-produced electricity to ensure that businesses and communities have the energy they need for development and growth Vesper Energy began construction of Hornet Solar in the fall of 2023 and announced in January 2024 that it had secured $590 million in financing to further advance the project. Since its establishment, Hornet Solar has achieved multiple important milestones, including the installation of the one millionth solar panel in December 2024 and the installation of the last module in January 2025. The scale of Hornet Solar is self-evident -1.36 million solar panels, over six square miles (approximately 10 square kilometers), with a total installed capacity of 600 megawatts. But the real impact lies in the benefits that the project brings to Swisher County: over $100 million in new tax revenue, as well as significant investments in schools, infrastructure, and healthcare EPC Vice President Zach Wald said. Hornet Solar has brought significant economic benefits to Swisher County and its surrounding areas. The project has created over 300 job opportunities during construction and will contribute new tax revenue to basic public services, including $61 million for the Tulia Independent School District, $25 million for the county government, and $12 million for the Swisher Memorial Hospital District.