Markets & Policy
Qcells furloughs 1,000 Georgia workers due to U.S. Customs delays
The largest U.S. solar manufacturer is temporarily scaling back production and its workforce after shipments of necessary components were held up at U.S. ports, citing enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). Qcells, the U.S. solar manufacturing arm of Korea’s Hanwha Solutions, announced it is furloughing approximately 1,000 manufacturing employees and reducing work […]
Investors back battery expansion with new BrightNight and Plus Power deals
The deal for the new project in Arizona comes from a lending consortium, while Plus Power secures new funding to expand its New England footprint. From ESS News Key financing milestones have been hit for US projects and developments, both in standalone and hybrid energy storage. Power and digital infrastructure company BrightNight and and joint-venture- […]
In case you missed it: Five solar stories in the news this week
pv magazine USA spotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more. Solar tariffs kill Americans Researchers show how solar panel imports saved nearly 600 American lives over a decade, while industry data indicates that the Suniva solar tariff may have caused more than one hundred preventable deaths. Watch: […]
SEIA: Political attacks threaten half of all planned U.S. power capacity
Political attacks on solar and storage are threatening over 500 projects totaling nearly 116 GW, or more than half the power planned to be built through 2030, said the Solar Energy Industries Association. Solar has taken a hit from political attacks, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and executive and agency actions aimed at curbing solar development. After […]
Utility-scale solar developer Pine Gate Renewables files for bankruptcy
Pine Gate’s operations are expected to continue uninterrupted while the company engages in a competitive sales process. Pine Gate Renewables, a developer, owner and operator of renewable energy projects in the U.S. announced it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company said it is beginning a sales process for “substantially all of tis assets and business operations.” “I’m […]
Off-grid dual-axis solar tracker charges workplace EVs for under $0.10 per kWh
The Apollo system from Solaflect Energy uses a suspension-bridge-style racking design to cut weight while maximizing strength. With California’s high electricity prices and solar-friendly climate, the company sees the state’s commercial market as the ideal launchpad for its offgrid, dual-axis EV-charging tracker. The Apollo system from Solaflect Energy uses a suspension-bridge-style cabling design to cut […]
What insurers want battery developers to understand right now
There’s progress in battery energy storage system (BESS) risk maturity, but insurers are warning of supply chain problems, while OEMs are tightening their treatment of warranties. From ESS News Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are not an obscure insurance outlier, and the good news for the battery industry is that as deployments scale and technology […]
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 […]
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 […]