Markets & Policy
The era of cookie cutter solar has come to a close. Did it ever start?
Once shorthand for fast, uniform installs, “cookie-cutter solar” is giving way to site-specific, storage-integrated systems. System design has long been a critical point of differentiation for many solar installers, though some prioritize quicker, cheaper installs by relying on more standardized designs. By now, many solar experts agree that the industry has moved beyond that type […]
Corporate buyers are the core engine driving the U.S. renewable energy transition
Corporate buyers have led to the voluntary procurement of over 40% of the total capacity of U.S. solar and wind projects from 2014 to 2024. A report from the Clean Energy Buyers Association shows how corporate procurement drives the renewables market and mitigates project financial distress. Over the past ten years in the United States, […]
With federal policy suppressed and energy affordability at center stage, researchers say states have options
Reversing federal policies will have “severe” impacts on electricity affordability, Resources for the Future says, but states can implement carbon pricing to drive down ratepayers’ energy prices and incentivize more renewable energy development. States that lack clean energy leadership and policies such as renewable energy portfolio standards are expected to see the highest electricity hikes […]
Community solar may have peaked in 2024, said Wood Mackenzie
Wood Mackenzie reported a 36% decline year over year for the first half of 2025 and forecasts 12% annual contraction through 2030. After a record year for installations in 2024, community solar dropped 36% year-over-year for the first half of 2025, said a report from Wood Mackenzie and the Coalition for Community Solar Access. The […]
Newsom strikes down bill to help reduce electric demand despite unanimous approval
Gov. Newsom said the 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 a bill to provide demand-side electricity savings after it sailed through the state’s Assembly and Senate, with all 119 voting lawmakers unanimously approving the […]
DOE guts $7.5 billion in energy funding, exclusively in Democrat-led states
The Department of Energy announced the cancellation of financial awards for manufacturing, clean energy demonstrations, energy efficiency and renewable energy, grid deployment, advanced research projects and fossil energy in 16 states – all of which voted Democrat in the 2024 presidential election. The Department of Energy (DOE) announced the termination of 321 financial awards supporting […]
Conventional C&I solar sales techniques are broken. Here’s how to fix them
For commercial & industrial solar, getting the initial “yes” is only half the battle. The real challenge is keeping momentum and closing multi-stakeholder deals that often stall for no clear reason. After decades of relying on traditional sales techniques, I realized that success in today’s long-cycle projects demands a fundamental shift from micromanagement to vision […]
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers push for community solar bill after utility pushback
Community solar advocates are hoping third time’s a charm as Republicans work on a new community solar bill, revamping it with considerable changes. Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin are once again trying to pass community solar legislation that would legitimize community solar in the state. Community solar enables renters, homeowners and businesses to participate in solar […]
U.S. solar will pass wind in 2025 and leave coal in the dust soon after
Solar and wind represent about 11% to 12% of the energy mix each, while coal sits just under 15%. Developers brought online 16 GW of solar out of a total 21.5 GW electric generation capacity cumulatively added through July in 2025, said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. There is currently about 5 GW more wind […]
EcoFlow unveils Delta 3 Max and Ultra portable power stations
EcoFlow’s well-known Delta 3 portable power station range has been refreshed in North America, with new branding covering a wider range of options. From ESS News EcoFlow has announced a new power station range under its Delta 3 branding, with new products under the Delta 3 Max and Delta 3 Ultra branding, and the re-naming of […]