Markets & Policy
Qcells’ customs-detained cells released to its Georgia factories
A tightening in federal customs enforcement under a law to restrict imports made by forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region had snagged Qcells cell imports from Southeast Asia. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released shipments of South Korean cell imports bound for Qcells’ module factory in Georgia after earlier denying them U.S. entry in […]
Telemetry could impact ERCOT’s rollout of real-time co-optimization with batteries
Projects that fail to upgrade their data infrastructure risk underperformance, delays, and lost trust with the network operator. From ESS News ERCOT is set to roll out its real-time co-optimization with batteries program (RTC+B), which could open up new value streams for batteries. But the rollout hinges on something deceptively simple: telemetry. “The real risk […]
VPP deployments jump 33%, but capacity growth more modest, Wood Mackenzie says
Virtual power plant (VPP) capacity grew a modest 13.7%, while company deployments, unique offtakers and monetized programs each grew over 33% from the previous year, Wood Mackenzie’s annual VPP report found. The virtual power plant (VPP) market broadened more than it deepened over the last year, found Wood Mackenzie’s annual North American virtual power plant […]
Credit unions and community banks offer path to residential solar industry success
Financing has become the “last mile” of solar adoption, highlighting an issue with reliable and transparent loan programs, but credit unions can offer a path ahead, said Bill Paulen, chief executive officer, LoanTerra. The U.S. solar industry is facing serious struggles after a decade of strong, sustained growth. Compared other rooftop solar-rich nations like Australia, […]
Solar construction firm Blue Ridge Power issues mass worker layoff in North Carolina
The utility-scale solar engineering, procurement and construction firm filed a WARN act with the state, cutting over 500 jobs. Blue Ridge Power, the engineering, procurement and construction firm created by utility-scale solar developer Pine Gate Renewable, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice with the state of North Carolina, notifying the state […]
Solar and battery developer Soltage closes $525 million investment
The independent power producer specializing in development, financing and operation of distributed utility-scale solar and energy storage assets closed a tax credit investment agreement. Soltage, an independent power producer operating in the distributed utility-scale solar and battery energy storage market, closed a $525 million tax credit investment agreement. The company specializes in development, financing and […]
Who leads in residential solar equipment market share?
Tesla slipped in home battery and inverter market share, while REC led among panel suppliers, said residential solar marketplace operator EnergySage. Amid a backdrop of a struggling residential solar market, competition remains fierce as equipment providers seek to lead in market share. A report from EnergySage, operator of the largest U.S. residential solar online marketplace, […]
What happens behind the meter, stays behind the meter
The Solar Energy Industries Association wins against Edison in an Appeals Court hearing defining a “facility” based on the purpose of its parts, culminating in its AC grid output, versus the sum of individual components – such as solar and battery inverters. In a September 9, 2025 ruling, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) v. FERC, […]