World
Repowering aging U.S. solar farms: A strategic pivot in a changing energy landscape
With one-third of U.S. solar nearing mid-life, developers weigh the economics and challenges of upgrading existing assets over building new ones. As the U.S. solar infrastructure matures, the industry is facing a pivotal inflection point: a growing share of solar farms are now reaching the end of their original design lifespans, triggering a meaningful shift […]
Idaho drops solar compensation rates by 31%
After utility Idaho Power proposed paying 60% less for the energy it buys from rooftop solar owners, the utilities commission landed about in the middle, deciding to cut net metering rates by 31%. Rooftop solar owners will receive 31% less compensation for the excess energy they send to the grid following a final rule by […]
Coalition sues EPA for rescinding $7B solar program
A coalition of grant recipients and large law firms filed suit against EPA and its head Lee Zeldin for pulling funds intended to support low-income community solar projects across the nation. Recipients of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) $7 billion Solar For All grant program have sued Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its head administrator […]
California proposes order of 6 GW by 2032 to get ahead of expiring tax credits
A California Public Utilities Commission Judge called for a “premature” order of additional electric capacity in the state to take advantage of lucrative renewable energy federal tax credits while they still exist. A California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) judge proposed the commission order an additional 6 GW of capacity in the state between 2029 and […]
IEA lowers 2025-30 forecast for solar growth
The International Energy Agency (IEA) cut its 2025–30 renewables forecast by 5%, citing lower solar additions, though PV still represents nearly 80% of 4.6 TW expected growth. From pv magazine Global Around 3.6 TW of solar is expected to be installed globally between 2025 and 2030, according to the IEA‘s latest analysis. The agency’s medium-term forecast […]
Newsom vetoes another bill to curb California’s rising energy demand
Gov. Newsom said the virtual power plant bill would not have improved electric grid reliability planning because it did “not align with the California Public Utility Commission’s Resource Adequacy framework.” Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 740, a bipartisan bill that would have required California to adopt a virtual power plant (VPP) deployment plan. Newsom said […]
Voltage Energy introduces wiring systems for PV EBOS in the U.S.
The company is focused on reducing costs for clients by transitioning away from use of copper in its wiring systems and harnesses for PV projects, according to Bob Slack, CTO with Voltage Energy. At RE+ 2025, Voltage Energy introduced new products for the electronic balance of system (EBOS) components of large solar PV projects, including […]
Researchers discover photovoltaic properties in zinc-based film
Research from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has found zinc-phosphate-hydrate (ZPH) films are capable of producing electricity from light. The coating’s photovoltage was amplified when anthocyanin, a natural dye found in blackberries, was added. From pv magazine Global A research team at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) has discovered that zinc-phosphate-hydrate (ZPH) films coated onto metals […]
Residential solar installer Palmetto closes $420 million asset backed securitization
The transaction is backed by over 22,000 residential solar leases and power purchase agreements and marks the second major ABS deal in 2025 for Palmetto. Residential solar, battery energy storage and heat pump provider Palmetto announced it has closed its second major asset-backed securitization of 2025. The $420 million transaction is backed by a pool […]
Operational issues hit returns in one in five battery storage projects, report finds
A recent report from battery intelligence firm Accure reveals that while most battery energy storage systems (BESS) operate reliably, nearly 19% of projects experience reduced returns due to technical issues and unplanned downtime. From ESS News BESS are fast becoming central to the global energy transition, but the sector still faces significant operational and financial […]